Hi.
Rather than totally mute the RX audio (and presumably TX too.) Might I suggest just set it to a low level that you can hear quietly.
The reasoning?
We all share spectrum with each other, and it's all too common these days for someone running some digimode or other to just spark up without listening.
Or hear someone on voice or CW trying to attract your attention, should you inadvertently (as many FTx types seem to) spark up on the wrong frequency!
Also, for modes like Olivia on the lower bands, if you see something in the waterfall, but it wont decode, it is very obvious to a mildly practised ear, to tell if the TX (or RX) are using the wrong sideband when you hear the initial start tones (not the RSID, but the start of the data itself, in the case of Olivia, or even old school RTTY.)
On transmit, it can confirm you have audio going to the radio, and hopefully not distorted.? Plus, should you try to play music, or watch a video, you'll hear the sound for that from the radio if you have the wrong sound device selected.? (You do have a separate sound I/O device for the radio, don't you?)
It is amazing, especially on 20m at the weekends, the number of times I hear Windows bings and bongs, music, and "strange sounds" from a "Video" being broadcast!
It doesn't have to be loud, just a low background level.
Take care, and 73.
Dave G0WBX.
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