[AMRadio] "Have you ever tried SDR?"

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 10:48 AM, <manualman at juno.com> wrote:

>
> Change is good and refreshing; wallowing in how it was back in the "good
> old days" is never a healthy exercise - "you can never really go back and
> repeat the past".
>

I don't think it's that so much Pete, as getting the opportunity to enjoy
using historical gear and experiencing how it must've been back in AM's
heyday. Even if you experienced it then and just want to re-live it. Tube
gear is much more interactive than the buttons and menus on the new
gear.Pretty much zero interest here too in the newer gear, it just does
nothing for me (despite the time spent repairing break downs on the current
station).

BUT! I sure am glad it's available and appeals to others. I can't see what
they're running from where I'm sitting, and I doubt they'd care if I like
their station anyhow. The important thing is - new equipment provides an
avenue to those who either can't or don't want to operate vacuum tube gear.

And this provides an opportunity for more people to get on AM, which
means...(everyone together)....MORE STATIONS ON THE AIR TO WORK which
equals more AM! Gone are the days when pretty much all SS gear sounded like
a mouse in a tin can. In fact, today I hear at least as much if not more
marginal audio from tube stations than newer gear. Sometimes by design
(stock Apache comes to mind), other times from over processing by the guy
with the high pitched voice who wants to sound like James Earl Jones but
never will.

We're fortunate that we have so many choices and opportunities available to
use today. Unlike the 'good old days' when your budget might allow for an
ARC-5 transmitter to use with the old Philco console in the attic. Plenty
of fun to be had with that, but I bet anyone using it back then sure was
envious of the big signals they were hearing. Homebrewing is great, but how
many hams, especially newbies, had the money to go out and buy a pair of
new 4-400s and the other parts needed for a full gallon rig?

We don't know how good we have it. (o:

~ Todd/KAQ