[AMRadio] Re: Low Power AM Night

[Bill Smith]

----- Original Message -----
From: <SBJohnston at aol.com>
To: <amradio at mailman.qth.net>; <Vintage-Radio at mailman.qth.net>;
<Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2002 12:19 PM
Subject: [AMRadio] Re: Low Power AM Night

Larry WA9VRH wrote:

>This Wednesday January 23rd the CCA will be sponsoring a
>low power AM night on 3880kcs.
>We will be looking for 100 watts or less. Things like DX-60's, Knight
>T60's, Gonset G77, Harvey Wells T-50s' Multi-Elmac's etc.

>This is a great idea!  While I wouldn't want to "ghetto-ize our smaller
>rigs", it does present a good opportunity for folks to have some fun with
>them.

They ought to be recognized as the ghetto-monsters they are.  Usage one
night a year is about right.  Else they should be used on side frequencies
in local contacts where they can be heard.

>This is important, especially in light of the "don't bother trying for an
AM
>QSO unless you're running a BIG RIG" attitude I've been running into.  Even
>the latest issue of Electric Radio carries an AMI column devoted to the
idea
>that stations with low or medium AM power output (or less than super
>antennas) should avoid frustrating the higher-power stations with their
>peanut-whistles.

The fact is eager-beavers hear good, strong AM signals and grab their
T-60's, or 25-watt AM solid state rigs and put them on with G5RV antennas on
80 meters.  They think because they can hear strong stations that their
peanut-whistles are going to sound as good as the big iron.  They are so
excited, they babble on for 15 or more minutes or more.   But no one can
hear them, especially sideband stations.  The latter think the frequency is
empty, and on they come!

AM is known to be less efficent than sideband, yet no one considers using
25-watt sideband stations.  The whole point of AM is to put out a good
sounding signal.  How can anyone tell if the peanut-whistle is so buried in
the noise that the receiving station is lucky to get 50% of what has been
said?   If you want to run a T-60, why not put it in front of a linear?

Of course most people are too polite to say anything, but the fact is
weaky-squeaky stations are an annoyance.   There is nothing wrong with small
stations, provided they are used in a way that considers other operators.
Particularly, your fellow AM operators.   Otherwise, operate QRP on sideband
or CW where you can be heard.

73 de Bill, AB6MT
billsmith at ispwest.com

Steve  WD8DAS

sbjohnston at aol.com

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