[ARC5] Hacked transmitters - a question on modulation

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

Has anyone considered using controlled-carrier AM screen modulation with 
our transmitters?

Since so many transmitters were originally set up for screen modulation, it 
shouldn't be all that difficult to incorporate the controlled-carrier version.

The result should be at least 50% greater PEP output with no real increase 
in plate dissipation. It would also work very well with a linear amp.

Furthermore, it seems to me that since CC modulation results in swings of 
the AGC and "S" meter readings on the receiving end which would appear to 
be much like an SSB or DSB signal, by carefully zero-beating the SSB signal 
with whom you are attempting to communicate, the "other guy" may not even 
realize, at least at first, that you are running AM.

I did this sort of thing "back in the day" when I had a Globe King 500C. I 
used the transmitter's VFO in "spot" to demodulate the SSB signal on my 
receiver with the BFO off. Tuning the VFO so that the SSB guys sounded as 
natural as possible, and using a foot switch to mimic VOX, it usually took 
considerable time before they would realize I was on AM.

In one instance, I had checked into a local SSB traffic net this way. After 
some time had elapsed, one of the SSB guys on the net told me, "Ken, you 
sure have a lot of carrier in there..."

My reply was, "Boy! I'd BETTER have!" :-)

He hesitated a bit, then said, "...wha..??? are you operating AM ?!?!?!?!"

I just laughed.

Ken W7EKB