Note
The SGC SG-2020 is an American-designed and manufactured, commercial-grade HF SSB/CW transceiver. It is highly compact and lightweight, designed for multi-purpose ham radio operations including base station, mobile, and portable field use.
Features
– Built-in Keyer: Includes a fully adjustable internal Curtis Mode "B" Iambic Keyer supporting speeds from 5 to 60 WPM.
– Dual Key Inputs: The front panel features two separate jacks: a `PAD` stereo jack for keyer paddles (utilizing partial break-in) and a `KEY` mono jack for a straight key or external keyer that supports full break-in (QSK) operation.
– CW Tuning: It is set to transmit a 650 Hz sidetone tone above the carrier frequency (USB).
– Display & Metering: Outfitted with a selectable backlit LCD that displays frequency resolution to 100 Hz. It includes an integrated digital battery voltmeter and a front-panel LED bargraph for tracking signal strength and reflected power metering.
– Memory and Scanning: Includes 20 user-programmable memories that store frequency, mode, and bandwidth configurations. It supports both regular frequency scanning and memory scanning with adjustable dwell times.
– Split and Tuning controls: Fully capable of split operations (RIT/XIT). The main tuning spinner knob defaults to 10 Hz steps but can be set using the `FAST` button to step rapidly at .1 kHz, .5 kHz, 1.0 kHz, or 10 kHz intervals.
– Frequency Coverage: The general coverage receiver operates from 1.8 to 30.0 MHz. An extended receive range from 400 kHz to 1600 kHz is also available when the broadcast filter is bypassed.
– Operating Modes: Supports Upper Sideband (USB), Lower Sideband (LSB), CW, and HF data modes (such as RTTY, NAVTEX, weatherfax, and packet via an external modem).
– Single Conversion Performance: Unlike conventional multi-conversion transceivers that are prone to generating spurious frequencies, the SG-2020 uses a simplified, high-performance single-conversion up-converting design structured around a 60 MHz Intermediate Frequency.
– Front End & Intermodulation: Features a robust front end with a custom SGC double-balanced diode ring mixer, yielding an outstanding 3rd order intercept point of +18 dBm and an IF rejection of 90 dB.
– Selectivity and Filtering: Employs a 7-pole crystal ladder filter at 60 MHz for adjacent channel and opposite sideband rejection. The overall receiver bandwidth and shaping are managed by high-performance baseband selectable Digital SCAF (Switched Capacitor Audio Filter) filters, adjusting from 100 Hz to 2700 Hz.
– Noise Mitigation: Includes a basic pulse/ignition noise blanker circuit that clips noise pulses right after the first IF filter stage without creating an additional current drain.
– Output Power: Delivers a conservative nominal output of 20 Watts PEP from 1.8 to 25 MHz (dropping to a minimum of 12 Watts above 25 MHz). The internal amplifier has a maximum stress power capability of 40 saturated Watts in mid-band. The front panel features a variable control to adjust the power output down from 20 Watts to as low as 1 Watt.
– Speech Processing: Employs built-in RF speech processing via a VOGAD baseband system and RF clipping, which enhances the signal efficiency so that its 20W signal punches above its weight class.
Specifications
– Modes: USB, LSB and CW
– Receiver Frequency range: 1.8 to 30.0 MHz, general coverage (400 kHz to 1600 kHz with broadcast filter bypassed).
– Transmit Frequency range: 1.8 to 29.7 MHz (US Ham Bands only); 1.8 to 30.0 MHz (general coverage, export)
– Operational Temperature Range: -30 to +70C
– Operational Voltage Range: 9-18 VDC
– Microprocessor: MC68HC711E9
– Frequency Stability: 3 ppm per 10° C (see example below)
– Frequency Resolution: 10 Hz
– Frequency Display: 100 Hz
– RX/TX Changeover: less than 10 ms
– Memories: 20 (factory preset, user definable)
– Reflected Power Metering: built in
– LCD: back light selectable
– Keyer: fully adjustable IAMBIC mode 'B', 5 to 60 WPM
– Memory Scan: Adjustable
– Microphone: dynamic
– Battery Volt meter: digital; front-panel controlled
– Sensitivity: better than .5µV for 10dB S/N+N
– Intermodulation: +18 dbm 3rd order intercept
– Selectable AF bandpass: 100Hz to 2700Hz
– Audio Output: 1 watt RMS
– AF distortion at nominal output power: less than 3%
– Internal Speaker: 5 watts maximum, 4 ohms
– Noise Blanker: pulse / ignition
– RF Gain: front panel controllable
– BFO: processor controlled
– Output Power: nominal 1.8-25 MHz 20 watts PEP (above 25 MHz 12 watts min.)
– Output Power Adjustment: front panel control 1 to 25 watts
– RF Speech Processing: VOGAD baseband and rf clipping
– Transmit intermods, 20 watts: -28 dB or better
– Transmit Spurious: -50 dB (Ham Bands)
Power Requirements: 9 to 18 VDC (13.6 VDC nominal). It is heavily optimized for field operations, drawing less than 400 mA on standby/receive, and can even be run off standard "D" cell dry batteries. Current Draw: Consumes roughly 4 Amperes typical at full 20 Watts PEP voice output.
