[AMRadio] AMRadio Digest, Vol 89, Issue 39

[D. Chester]

> From: "Gary Schafer" <garyschafer at comcast.net>

> But I have to tell you that I am a little disappointed when I see some 
> guys
> that strongly profess to be "knowledgeable and upstanding amateurs" be
> selective in what they want to adhere to in the FCC rules. Where is that 
> old
> "honor system of yesteryear?"

I wonder how many of those who are so obsessed with the P.E.P. bulls##t are 
similarly conscientious about traffic rules while driving?  I'd bet that 
more than one or two are just as selective about adhering to traffic laws 
and think nothing of cruising down the interstate @ 20 mph or more over the 
posted speed limit, while not giving a  thought to the old "honor system" 
while tooling along in the stream of traffic. Now which one is posing a 
greater danger to public safety and to the public interest?

I'm  not sure the "honor system" would even apply here, since the alleged AM 
power reduction was fraudulently enacted in the first  place by a couple of 
"career civil servants"  with a long-demonstrated agenda.  Look back at the 
NPRM, the public comments, the then so-called "Private Radio Bureau's" 
response, the Petitions for Reconsideration and the final Report & Order. 
Everything that came out of the PRB on that issue is filled with spin, 
twisting of facts, dodging of issues and downright misstatements and 
misinformation.  I still have a stack of documents over 6" high on file 
regarding that proceeding.  Perhaps I should scan the entire stack and post 
it on the web, since it happened so long ago that many "HAMS" in our midst 
are likely to be oblivious to what occurred. While not advocating disregard 
for the rules, I think the knowledgeable and upstanding amateurs in our 
midst would be more concerned about transmitting a clean signal as they 
exercise good on-the-air operating practice,  than worrying about the 
amplitude some occasional voice peak that isn't going to affect the loudness 
or interference-causing capability of their signal anyway.

The only way to measure real actual transmitter power is to use a true 
RMS-reading voltmeter or ammeter working into an accurately known resistive 
load.  One such instrument is the Bird APM-16 (very expensive). A cheaper 
alternative is the old-fashioned thermocouple RF ammeter. I have tried 
several of  the popular Hammy Hambone "wattmeters" and never found two that 
would give the same reading with the same transmitter running the same input 
power.  The FCC admitted as much when they deleted the former  rule 
requiring amateurs to have on hand "accurate instruments" to measure 
transmitting power when running more than 900 watts, then going on to state 
(as quoted approximately from memory) that "the 'modern day' amateur has 
'means other  than accurate measurement' for determining transmitter power". 
Now, I wish  someone would explain that one to me.

Don k4kyv
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