[AMRadio] Extra Class AM operation

[Jim Wilhite]

Well Don, the AM operation on 1.985 has been there much longer than the 
SSB bunch.  However 5 Kc should be enough separation for operation 
without difficulty.  I have talked to them a few times and only one of 
the SSB guys ever gave me trouble.  It wasn't you, but was located near 
Dallas.  He splattered all over the place and made life miserable.  I 
haven't heard him in a while so maybe that won't be an issue.  I keep my 
signal very clean to keep that sort of thing from happening so maybe 
things will be ok.

25 watts on either 80 or 40 is marginal.  You have to find a quite 
afternoon before 5 PM to use 25 watts on 80 and have a real good 
antenna.  I regularly talk to Darrell/WA5VGO and Ronnie/K5WLT who love 
the low power rigs.  They both have great antennas so as long as there 
isn't a strong SSB station within 2 Kc I do fine.  It is when the SSB 
guys move to 1.5 away and run full bore that I have trouble.  I had my 
beam up but the rotor wouldn't work right so it is down.  I have another 
rotor and am waiting for parts to get it back together.  The parts 
should be here this week and I have to mount the rotor and get 
everything set.  Hope I make it before the snow flies which looks like 
it may be early this year.

73

Jim


----- Original Message ----- 


> Thanks, Jim.  I thought that the only place I "lose" is 80m, since all 
> of
> 160 is open to all.  There is a group on 1990 SSB that has been there 
> since
> about 1990 (maybe where the name comes from) that I used to frequent, 
> and I
> hate to interfere.  I may try to lengthen the old 160m dipole a tad 
> and see
> if 1915 or even the East Coast 1885 might be possible.  My overall 
> plan for
> the "antenna farm" here includes a full sized 160m loop at 60 - 70', 
> and
> hope that will help some as well.
>
> I have been having a BALL on 10m AM, using only the little Elecraft 
> K3!!!  I
> get such great signal and audio reports, it has been keeping me 
> yacking
> instead of working on the gear unfortunately.  I have not tried the K3 
> on
> 75m yet, as the 25W of carrier might not be quite enough.  I've 
> thought of
> tying the Quadra to the K3 and seeing how it would do on AM.  Supposed 
> to
> tolerate up to 400W, so that's a thought.
>
> The Viking II and some receiver WILL be on the air this week, that's a
> promise to myself, hi.
> 73,
> Don, WB5HAK