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!

There are lots of folks running the 'rice boxes'. I can attest by using the
following rigs to got results.

Yaesu FT-101 series.
Kenwood Twins

Newer rigs such as the FT-1000MP does fine also, and the new Kenwood TS-2000
sound good.

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!

"Dan/W4NTI" w4nti@get rid of this mindspring.com wrote in message
link.net...
There are lots of folks running the 'rice boxes'. I can attest by using
the
following rigs to got results.

Yaesu FT-101 series.
Kenwood Twins

Newer rigs such as the FT-1000MP does fine also, and the new Kenwood
TS-2000
sound good.

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


Or get a nice arc from the PA plates to the cage (or, occasionally, the
operator.)

Dan/W4NTI wrote:
There are lots of folks running the 'rice boxes'. I can attest by using the
following rigs to got results.

Yaesu FT-101 series.
Kenwood Twins

Newer rigs such as the FT-1000MP does fine also, and the new Kenwood TS-2000
sound good.

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

--
Remove spam-suppression X from my address

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

"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





Exactly correct. I operate AM on a limited basis. I also run less than
the legal limit for AM all the time.

I do not operate on 20 meters, nor do I operate on 75 after dark in the AM
mode. I can't speak for others.'

Dan/W4NTI

"Dan/W4NTI" w4nti@get rid of this mindspring.com wrote in message
news

"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





Exactly correct. I operate AM on a limited basis. I also run less than
the legal limit for AM all the time.

I do not operate on 20 meters, nor do I operate on 75 after dark in the AM
mode. I can't speak for others.'

Dan/W4NTI


Dan,

Like you, I run AM at times, but I do it during the day when many ops are at
work anyway. Usually it's on 7290 or 95. If someone tells me I am messing
them up,
I will yield immediately. After all, it's only a hobby and
courtesy should be the order of the day---at least, that's
what I was taught.


73
Jerry
K4KWH

"Dan/W4NTI" w4nti@get rid of this mindspring.com wrote in message
news

"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





Exactly correct. I operate AM on a limited basis. I also run less than
the legal limit for AM all the time.

I do not operate on 20 meters, nor do I operate on 75 after dark in the AM
mode. I can't speak for others.'

Dan/W4NTI


Dan,

Like you, I run AM at times, but I do it during the day when many ops are at
work anyway. Usually it's on 7290 or 95. If someone tells me I am messing
them up,
I will yield immediately. After all, it's only a hobby and
courtesy should be the order of the day---at least, that's
what I was taught.


73
Jerry
K4KWH

Paul Clay wrote:
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





Paul, I don't understand this "higher fidelity" hype. Amateur radio is
about communications, not high fidelity. Of course, AM is not the only
mode that is using excess spectrum. I understand that there are
sidebanders who are cluttering up the bands with their wideband signals,
although I have to admit that I have never heard them because I do not
listen much. But apparently Riley Hollingsworth has and has issued
warnings about such operation.

CW obviously takes less spectrum, but let's face it, CW is dead. The
times, they are a'changin'.

Frankly, at the risk of incurring flames, I would like to see AM
outlawed on the HF bands, just as spark was outlawed even before my
time. On the other hand, I firmly believe that ham radio is a dying
hobby, vis-a-vis computers, so it won't make any difference in the long run.

Nice to have a civilized discussion.

Bob, W6NBI

--
Remove spam-suppression X from my address

Bob: I think you are wrong here. AM at the top of 10m hurts nobody. AM on
160 hurts nobody. proper AM operation on 80 and even 40 does not interfere
with many (time of day, power and other considerations are important
obviously.) Your CW comment has very little do with this issue. If it makes
you feel better, substitute PSK for CW -- low power, very narrow bandwidth.
Shall we outlaw SSB, AM, RTTY, and CW?

Is there a good reason why we must use the highest and newest technology at
all times?

I admit that I am prejudiced -- I still make palladium prints and think hypo
smells excellent.. I guess the same applies to my radio activities, too.

Paul


"Bob Stein" wrote in message
...
Paul Clay wrote:
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





Paul, I don't understand this "higher fidelity" hype. Amateur radio is
about communications, not high fidelity. Of course, AM is not the only
mode that is using excess spectrum. I understand that there are
sidebanders who are cluttering up the bands with their wideband signals,
although I have to admit that I have never heard them because I do not
listen much. But apparently Riley Hollingsworth has and has issued
warnings about such operation.

CW obviously takes less spectrum, but let's face it, CW is dead. The
times, they are a'changin'.

Frankly, at the risk of incurring flames, I would like to see AM
outlawed on the HF bands, just as spark was outlawed even before my
time. On the other hand, I firmly believe that ham radio is a dying
hobby, vis-a-vis computers, so it won't make any difference in the long
run.

Nice to have a civilized discussion.

Bob, W6NBI

--
Remove spam-suppression X from my address