[Boatanchors] OT: Ignorance :))

[Jim Wilhite]

The demise of AM was because, purportedly, you could get two SSB 
conversations in the same space as one AM.  In those days the bands were 
full of heterodynes, cussing  and short tempers because someone was 
always on someone's frequency.  Hummmmmmm, that sounds sort of familiar.

By restricting the audio in the transmitter it took less space than the 
standard AM signal of the 40s and 50s.  The push to SSB was mostly due 
to the fact it was the latest technology so the ARRL endorsed it as an 
answer to the crowded bands.   In later years they endorsed other new 
modes as they came along so it wasn't just to rid the bands of AM.  They 
also didn't really challenge the gift of 11 meters to the CB band to 
supplement already existing commercial frequencies near that band 
because no one ever used it.  If anyone was up there it was 10 meters. 
Just look at all us old timers brag about the conditions in 55-57 and it 
will all be 10 meters.

In the beginning you only heard SSB signals in the 3 Kc segment near the 
top and bottom of the bands.  The operators ran lower sideband on 3.997 
and upper sideband lower edge.  All the transmitters were home build for 
years until the first transceiver arrived.

Nothing has really changed except there are fewer stations on the air 
today than in yesteryear and you hear AM station on the upper and lower 
ends of the bands, quite reverse from 1956.

Jim/W5JO

----- Original Message ----- .
>
> I think it was that restricted nasal sound pushed by the ARRL and 
> built into
> most everything after the late 40's that helped the demise of AM.
>