don't laugh

dead key is when you key the mic or push the talk button and dont talk or say anything, this has been done to cover over people that are being stupid on the radio or someone just plain being an #####*,, Echo is an echo mic that can be put on your radio then when you talk its echoes on other radios, there is an adjustment on it as to how much echo there will be,, as for me i hate echo mics they suck on my end when i hear them, they are a nuisance toy is all.

 

An echo board is a circuit board installed inside the radio to make the radio operator's voice echo over the airwaves. An echo mic is a mic with the echo board built into it.

Since I see you've been a trucker for 5 years I'm sure you've probably heard at one time or another, someone on the radio that sounded like they were talking from inside in a tunnel. That's the echo. Some find it annoying and won't talk to anyone who has it on.

 

"Dead key" is also the setting you set for drivng the radio's finals and/or an amplfier you have in line. Some radios have an external, adjustable control that can change the dead key wattage setting. Set too low, you may not be able to transmit or be muffled sounding. Set too high, it can be damaging to the finals and/or amp and your signal may splatter, interfering with other channels.

Having said all that, your radio may not be externally, operator-adjustable. The factory set it at an 'average', usable setting.