[AMRadio] AM Presentation

[Bob Stevens]

Tnx Rob, you nailed it. Whether I make a convert or not, the important thing is to make them aware that there's another part of the hobby. I'm not interested in PSK, but we had a presentation on it and now I know something abt another facet of this great hobby. 73, Bob K9ING

Sent from my iPad

On Jun 16, 2013, at 6:14 PM, Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com> wrote:

> I don't think it is strange; but it is a challenge.  What to cover
> about AM?  The real question is what to leave out.
> 
> I'd assume the audience is CW and slopbucket ops who wonder Why AM?
> So the first thing I'd do is address that by explaining why one
> operates AM:
> 
> It is a challenge given the duty cycle.
> 
> It is a technical challenge to transmit non-distorted AM audio
> 
> It is a challenge to do so and provide the other station with an
> acceptable S/N ratio given the lower sideband power.  This is done by
> maximizing the quality and efficiency of every part of the station, in
> other words, AM demands more than a poor antenna.  I.e. how to be a
> strapper.
> 
> It is a reception challenge due to natural and man made QRN and wider
> passband on receive
> 
> Therefore, if one is bored with plug and play appliance operating, and
> is looking for a way to further enhance and improve his radio
> knowledge and skills in the practice of the amateur radio art, AM
> offers a way to do that.
> 
> There is an interesting paradox about AM:  At a minimum, it is a
> relatively simple way to transmit voice but that simple method
> produces a most complex waveform that is harder to measure and
> analyze.   But the simpler circuits afford one the opportunity to
> operate equipment that can be understood, maintained and repaired
> in-house rather than a sad reliance on professional repair shops.
> 
> It also allows one to study and practice the craft of punching and
> building on chassis, all of which is extremely satisfying.
> 
> there's a whole dimension to ham radio that is unknown to anyone who
> remains content to operate manufactured modern solid state
> equipment--the missing 50% of the hobby found in magazines and books
> published before around 1960.
> 
> One question many might have is "Why a carrier?"   Despite the
> propaganda to the contrary, the carrier performs at least two
> important  functions:   it attenuates QRN and transmits pauses, a
> vital part of regular speech.
> 
> There's a lot more about AM but these are a few points--expanding them
> to full explanations might take up the whole hour.
> 
> I would not sugar coat it--there is a lot of hard work involved with
> setting up and putting into operation an AM station, but each little
> success, from my experience, is immensely satisfying.
> 
> 
> 73
> Rob
> K5UJ
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Sun, Jun 16, 2013 at 5:42 PM, Bernie  Doran
> <qedconsultants at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>> Am I the only one that thinks it a bit strange that an amateur radio club needs a presentation of AM?   They have never listened to BC or SW BC?  And, what are those strange beeping sounds at the low end of the ham bands?   Bernie W8RPW
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