[ARC5] AM linear amplification

[AKLDGUY .]

My BC-AO-230 puts out about 5W and I'm interested in boosting that with a
6146B Class AB1 linear amp. The ARRL Handbooks say that AM linear
amplification is similar to controlled carrier modulation and caution that
efficiency is low, about 33%, but don't give explicit operating conditions.

I assume that the (6146B) stage cannot at any time be driven to the same
output that it is capable of in SSB amplification. That's because with no
audio applied, the level of the AM carrier drive must be carefully set so
that the tube's plate is dissipating half of its rated dissipation. The
application of audio drives the stage to a level where the plate
dissipation is approached but not exceeded. This level is far below the SSB
PEP input.

Anyone have any comments?

73 de Neil ZL1ANM
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