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Old November 11th 03, 12:23 AM
Paul Clay
 
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Bob Stein wrote:

Running AM is fun, but you don't get the 'full effect' unless it smells
funny and once in a while catches fire.

"Real radios glow in the dark"

Dan/W4NTI

"Paul Clay" wrote in message
...

Do any of the solid state rigs from the mid-80s to present put out a
good AM signal? If so, which ones? Is the conventional wisdom true
that only by resurrecting a boatanchor tube transmitter can an operator
get a nice sounding AM signal?

Thanks!





It may be fun, but it is also inconsiderate unless on a little used
band. It takes up at least twice the spectrum of an SSB signal, and
possibly more - hardly necessary given crowded band conditions. Not to
mention the off-frequency heterodynes.

Just two cents worth from an old timer (licensed for nearly 65 years)
and brought up on AM.

Bob, W6NBI


I agree that it's important to be considerate, Bob. But even today, I think
there's still room for playing around with AM, especially if one is carefull
about the time of operation, the amount of power used (I'm planning on using 40
watts output or so) and radiating a good signal. No question that SSB uses less
spectrum for voice communications, but, if one is willing to forgo the enjoyment
(dare I say fun) of operating phone, one could conserve even more spectrum by
operating CW exclusively. Obviously there's a trade-off involved (between the
extra "utility", broadly defined, of higher fidelity signals and the extra,
double as you say, bandwidth consumed), but, so long as operators exhibit good
judgment and courtesy, I think the community's enjoyment of the hobby is
maximized by giving people the choice of operating AM.

- Paul, N6LQ