An inexpensive solid state rig for "AM" use
is the Yaesu FT-757GX or GX II. There
are a number of them around for about
$300.00 without the power supply (FD-700/757
heavy duty power supply). Any 13.5 VDC 20amp
power supply will work with this rig and the power
supplies, FD-700/757, are cheap as well. If you
don't mind the size and weight there are a number
of other trasmitters, ie Hallicrafter HT-32/A,
HT-37, Heathkit DX-40, DX-60, DX-100
etc that will give you excellent "AM" results. The latter
rigs would need an outboard receiver capable of "AM",
not zero beating an "AM" signal although that
can be done. The HT-32A is an excellent "AM"
transmitter, I used one for years before selling it
because of shipping weight and desk space.

As for "Crowded bands", well that's been around
for years and a few stations using "AM" won't
be a problem. After all, "AM" was the original
mode of voice long before "SSB" ever came around.
That was not to mean that "SSB" is no more important
that "AM", just to say "AM" still works and a lot of
folks still use it.

I have no problem with stations that want to operate
"AM". So if you are looking for "AM" gear than
charge on my friend, there's tons of it out there for the
picking.

73's

Mike
DA1TNJ / WB8TNJ

"Paul Clay" wrote in message
...
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

Michael Waldrop wrote:

An inexpensive solid state rig for "AM" use
is the Yaesu FT-757GX or GX II. There
are a number of them around for about
$300.00 without the power supply (FD-700/757
heavy duty power supply). Any 13.5 VDC 20amp
power supply will work with this rig and the power
supplies, FD-700/757, are cheap as well. If you
don't mind the size and weight there are a number
of other trasmitters, ie Hallicrafter HT-32/A,
HT-37, Heathkit DX-40, DX-60, DX-100
etc that will give you excellent "AM" results. The latter
rigs would need an outboard receiver capable of "AM",
not zero beating an "AM" signal although that
can be done. The HT-32A is an excellent "AM"
transmitter, I used one for years before selling it
because of shipping weight and desk space.


I have an Icom R-75 receiver that I plan on using. I like the idea of going
with an old Heathkit because of their relatively small size, simplicity, and,
yes, a bit of the nostalgia factor. But I've noticed that some of those units
in good condition are going for almost $100 (more, if they've got a VFO, which
I would have to have). I was surfing the net and saw a used Icom 735, which
would interface very nicely with my R-75 (doesn't the 735 come with ICOM's CI-V
equipment link?), for $250; yes, that's more money, but then I get FM
capability, a built-in backup receiver, etc.

On Tue, 11 Nov 2003 09:34:18 -0800, Paul Clay
wrote:

Michael Waldrop wrote:

An inexpensive solid state rig for "AM" use
is the Yaesu FT-757GX or GX II. There
are a number of them around for about
$300.00 without the power supply (FD-700/757
heavy duty power supply). Any 13.5 VDC 20amp
power supply will work with this rig and the power
supplies, FD-700/757, are cheap as well. If you
don't mind the size and weight there are a number
of other trasmitters, ie Hallicrafter HT-32/A,
HT-37, Heathkit DX-40, DX-60, DX-100
etc that will give you excellent "AM" results. The latter
rigs would need an outboard receiver capable of "AM",
not zero beating an "AM" signal although that
can be done. The HT-32A is an excellent "AM"
transmitter, I used one for years before selling it
because of shipping weight and desk space.


I have an Icom R-75 receiver that I plan on using. I like the idea of going
with an old Heathkit because of their relatively small size, simplicity, and,
yes, a bit of the nostalgia factor. But I've noticed that some of those units
in good condition are going for almost $100 (more, if they've got a VFO, which
I would have to have). I was surfing the net and saw a used Icom 735, which
would interface very nicely with my R-75 (doesn't the 735 come with ICOM's CI-V
equipment link?), for $250; yes, that's more money, but then I get FM
capability, a built-in backup receiver, etc.

As far as Heathkits go, the DX-60 was a relatively simple am-cw
transmitter. About 60 watts, screen modulated. The Johnson Ranger,
with 75 watts, was plate modulated, and had much richer audio,
although much more complexity. It sounded as strong as other AM rigs
running hundreds of watts.

A Heathkit DX-100, if you can handle the weight and size, would be
ideal; plenty of power, no amp needed, and a built-in vfo.

I have an Icom 735 -- never tried it on AM. It does have the ci-v link
on the back. Rated at about 25 watts on AM. Not sure whether many
people will be able to hear you at that level, though -- most of the
AM'ers I hear on 75m are using amplifiers to cut through the static
and hash.

Try 3885 khz at about 5 a.m., any morning. A lot of these guys have
several AM rigs sitting around, gathering dust, and you could probably
pick one up for a song.

Good luck...

Bob
k5qwg

On Tue, 11 Nov 2003 09:34:18 -0800, Paul Clay
wrote:

Michael Waldrop wrote:

An inexpensive solid state rig for "AM" use
is the Yaesu FT-757GX or GX II. There
are a number of them around for about
$300.00 without the power supply (FD-700/757
heavy duty power supply). Any 13.5 VDC 20amp
power supply will work with this rig and the power
supplies, FD-700/757, are cheap as well. If you
don't mind the size and weight there are a number
of other trasmitters, ie Hallicrafter HT-32/A,
HT-37, Heathkit DX-40, DX-60, DX-100
etc that will give you excellent "AM" results. The latter
rigs would need an outboard receiver capable of "AM",
not zero beating an "AM" signal although that
can be done. The HT-32A is an excellent "AM"
transmitter, I used one for years before selling it
because of shipping weight and desk space.


I have an Icom R-75 receiver that I plan on using. I like the idea of going
with an old Heathkit because of their relatively small size, simplicity, and,
yes, a bit of the nostalgia factor. But I've noticed that some of those units
in good condition are going for almost $100 (more, if they've got a VFO, which
I would have to have). I was surfing the net and saw a used Icom 735, which
would interface very nicely with my R-75 (doesn't the 735 come with ICOM's CI-V
equipment link?), for $250; yes, that's more money, but then I get FM
capability, a built-in backup receiver, etc.

As far as Heathkits go, the DX-60 was a relatively simple am-cw
transmitter. About 60 watts, screen modulated. The Johnson Ranger,
with 75 watts, was plate modulated, and had much richer audio,
although much more complexity. It sounded as strong as other AM rigs
running hundreds of watts.

A Heathkit DX-100, if you can handle the weight and size, would be
ideal; plenty of power, no amp needed, and a built-in vfo.

I have an Icom 735 -- never tried it on AM. It does have the ci-v link
on the back. Rated at about 25 watts on AM. Not sure whether many
people will be able to hear you at that level, though -- most of the
AM'ers I hear on 75m are using amplifiers to cut through the static
and hash.

Try 3885 khz at about 5 a.m., any morning. A lot of these guys have
several AM rigs sitting around, gathering dust, and you could probably
pick one up for a song.

Good luck...

Bob
k5qwg

Michael Waldrop wrote:

An inexpensive solid state rig for "AM" use
is the Yaesu FT-757GX or GX II. There
are a number of them around for about
$300.00 without the power supply (FD-700/757
heavy duty power supply). Any 13.5 VDC 20amp
power supply will work with this rig and the power
supplies, FD-700/757, are cheap as well. If you
don't mind the size and weight there are a number
of other trasmitters, ie Hallicrafter HT-32/A,
HT-37, Heathkit DX-40, DX-60, DX-100
etc that will give you excellent "AM" results. The latter
rigs would need an outboard receiver capable of "AM",
not zero beating an "AM" signal although that
can be done. The HT-32A is an excellent "AM"
transmitter, I used one for years before selling it
because of shipping weight and desk space.


I have an Icom R-75 receiver that I plan on using. I like the idea of going
with an old Heathkit because of their relatively small size, simplicity, and,
yes, a bit of the nostalgia factor. But I've noticed that some of those units
in good condition are going for almost $100 (more, if they've got a VFO, which
I would have to have). I was surfing the net and saw a used Icom 735, which
would interface very nicely with my R-75 (doesn't the 735 come with ICOM's CI-V
equipment link?), for $250; yes, that's more money, but then I get FM
capability, a built-in backup receiver, etc.