[AMRadio] AM Radio

[rbethman]

I simply stated "There is no straight out of the box solution" with 
regard to taking the FULL Apache power output and make the legal limit.

Alpha's and others indeed make full legal output.  The method of driving 
them is usually a 100W SSB transceiver.  That is the FULL output of that 
radio.

An Apache with a 100W carrier, peaks 400W when fully modulated.

This is where the rub comes.  The AMP with a pair of 3-500Zs can't 
handle that level of power, even when the efficiencies are thrown in.

The plates of the AMP are "best" run at "half" the rated plate 
dissipation. So 3-500Zs will work with a combined plate dissipation of 
half of EACH.  That leaves it at 500W total.  Yes, they will handle 
peaks that surpass that level.  However, they can't tolerate an excess 
of 1500W PEP unless someone finds a way to liquid cool them.

Even with air sockets and chimneys, the air flow to go beyond that would 
start blowing tubes out of the sockets.

Those that DO run DX-60s and TS-930s, restrict their carriers to around 
20 to 25 watts.  The limit their PEP by throttling the microphone gain 
so that they are NOT over driving, and causing splatter all up and down 
the band.

They will usually work with several locals, and w-o-r-k their way up to 
the point that it looks good on a monitor, AND sounds good and pleasing 
to the ear.

I've done just that.  I've had some very critical comments when I began 
down that path.  I was very thankful to them.

There are marks on the front panels of BOTH for when I decide to run 
EITHER on am into the 3-500Zs.

Whom is it that always has a tag line that says running AM without a 
monitor scope is like driving at night with no headlights?

Bob - N0DGN