ASQ - What is it and how does it work?

Auto Squelch or ASQ is a feature found in some radios that automatically mutes the radio's audio output when there is no transmission or weak signals, thereby eliminating background noise and hiss. However, it is important to note that ASQ is mainly designed to work with FM signals, meaning that using it on AM signals may be less effective. While using ASQ on AM signals may help reduce background noise, it may also cause you not to hear distant signals.

Therefore, for better results when using AM signals, it is recommended that you use regular squelch settings that can be manually adjusted to your preference. With regular squelch, you can adjust the threshold at which the audio output is muted to your liking, allowing you to hear weak signals without interference from background noise.