[AMRadio] Re: SpaceShip One uses AM

[Mahlon Haunschild]

Fun fact:  All aviation voice communications is AM, albeit VHF. 
SpaceShip One isn't unique.

It's AM because the blocking effect that FM exhibits is considered 
unacceptable.  With AM, if two stations interfere you can usually hear 
both signals to some degree through the heterodyne.  With FM, one 
station would block the other.  The flight safety boffins wouldn't like 
that.

SSB of course would be too labor-intensive for aviation service.

regards,

Mahlon - K4OQ
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 12
> Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 01:19:26 EDT
> From: SBJohnston at aol.com
> Subject: [AMRadio] SpaceShip One uses AM
> To: amradio at mailman.qth.net
> Message-ID: <cf.18212a71.2e94da5e at aol.com>
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> 
> I just watched an online recording of the winning flight of the "Space Ship 
> One" into space and noticed the communications (by the nature of the 
> heterodynes when stations doubled) was good old Amplitude Modulation!
> 
> And the fuel is the reaction of rubber and nitrous oxide.
>     
> I love combinations of old and new tech...
> 
> Steve WD8DAS
> 
> sbjohnston at aol.com