Steps

The tuning step is the value by which the R20 increments or decrements when you turn the tuning dial or when you scan in VFO mode.

Why differing steps?

Different steps are used for different types of transmission and vary from band to band and country to country.

For instance, in the USA, Medium Wave transmissions are set at spacings of 10kHz apart, whereas in the rest of the world, 9kHz steps are the norm. Likewise, in the USA, comms users are usually set at 10MHz apart but are found to be 12.5kHz apart in Europe. It is important to set your step size correctly so that each click of the tuning dial lands exactly on a valid frequency for your band and location.

It is accessed by pressing and holding the #9 [TS] button, rotating the tuning dial until the desired value is reached, and then pressing [TS] again or [DUALWATCH] to exit.

Tuning steps available on the IC-R20
kHz	Hz	Denominator	Notes
0.01	10		Fine steps for SSB
0.1	100
1	1000
5.0	5000	5
6.25	6250	6.25
8.33	8333.333 (recurring)		Only available in airband
9	9000		Only available in broadcast band
10	10000	5
12.5	12500	6.25
15	15000	5
20	20000	5
25	25000	5 or 6.25	common denominator
30	30000	5
50	50000	5 or 6.25	common denominator
100	100000	5 or 6.25	Large steps for WFM

There is the danger of getting out of step when changing from one step size to another. For that reason, it is best to tune to the highest common denominator shown in blue before changing step size. Failing to do so can lead to the scanner getting put out of step with the channel raster so that although you will step by the right amount, you will consistently be off frequency by a certain degree. This facet can also be used to good effect for say in Europe to create a 6.25kHz offset with 12.5kHz steps when listening to PMR446.