[AMRadio] AM Presentation

[Eddy Swynar]

On 2013-06-18, at 3:55 PM, Jim Tonne wrote:

> 
> Let me add that one of the real features of AM is that is can sound
> gorgeous!   And to get that quality does not require extremely accurate
> tuning.
> 


Hi Guys,

AM is a WONDERFUL mode in terms of quality, and I just LOVE it. In fact, about the ONLY time I'll reach for my microphone anymore is when the rig is set-up for AM...

But I, too, have noted a considerable reduction in the amount of AM stations on 40-meters: not too long ago there seemed to be a boom in AM on the band, as new guys re-discovered the mode & what fun it could be. 

Where is everyone now, though...?

Perhaps the joys of the mode are the root cause of its "recession" at present: naturally, demographics dictates that a lot of classic AM'ers have long since retired to that great big ham shack in the sky...but the mode also encourages long-winded "old buzzard" transmissions that seemingly take forever to end, it promotes roundtables (hence, a corresponding increase in "wait time" before you can say anything), and it seems to attract an unusual assortment of belchers, farters, and others who are seemingly obsessed with the idea of revelling in the sounds of normal bodily functions---and sharing them with whomever might be within earshot of a receiver, too.

Not that I'm a prude, or anything, but you have to ask yourself: would you really & truly want friends & grand kids to listen to this stuff, especially if you're attempting to "steer" them in the direction of AM?...? You don't normally indulge yourself that way in polite society (at least one can only hope so!)---why, then, subject on-the-air friends to such juvenile behaviour...?!

Just my $0.02 worth...still, let the flaming begin!

~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ