[AMRadio] When talking about AM power

[b.gaz at comcast.net]

I almost always say how much carrier power AND pep power I am running. 
Is that ok? 

I for one like to know what frequency I am on, how much power and modulation I have, and how wide my signal is. 
I know some people just talk into whatever vintage radio they have, but if you operate much I think its a good idea to 
know more about your signal then the plate current reading on the transmitter. 



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

From: "Donald Chester" <k4kyv at charter.net> 
To: amradio at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Thursday, October 8, 2015 5:00:45 PM 
Subject: [AMRadio] When talking about AM power 

Posted on another mailing list: 

>> It runs 400W of 
>> carrier and 1500W PEP. 
> 
> I wish AM operators would quit expressing power in terms of PEP 

This brings up what I agree is a disturbing trend, that AMers are 
increasingly referring to their transmitter power in terms of PEP, 
regardless of whether or not they are talking about "legal limit" or 
running anywhere near it. I'm wholeheartedly in agreement with the person 
who posted that message. While that's OK for SSB, when discussing how much 
power your AM transmitter is running, the base figure has always been 
CARRIER power. When describing one's audio peaks, the experienced AM 
operator will speak in terms of MODULATION PERCENTAGE. That's how 
professional engineers talk about it. You don't hear WSM announce "200,000 
watts clear channel 650". It sounds totally lame to hear someone say over 
the air that his DX-100 is running "400 watts" or to call the Valiant a "400 
watt" transmitter. 

AM PEP should be reserved for discussions directly referring to the legal 
limit , not how much power you run with your Ranger, DX-60, T-368 or plastic 
radio in AM mode. 

Many of us don't even own a PEP meter in the first place. A PEP meter or 
even a broadcast type modulation monitor, if it lacks a graphic display of 
the envelope waveform, is no substitute for a monitor scope. 

Don k4kyv 


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