You're right...plate modulation in broadcasting died many years ago in favor
of PDM and some esoteric new digital methods that work by actually
constructing the final RF wave form by turning on an appropriate number of
high-speed switching transistors. New transmitters up to the 50 kW level
are now modular with hot-swappable, multiple RF sections and switching power
supplies. All the 'big iron' is gone and a modern 50 kW unit weighs less
than 2000 lbs. and occupies only two side-by side racks.
Ron N6AHA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Atkinson, K5UJ" <k5uj@hotmail.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2006 5:59 AM
Subject: [TenTec] Orion as AM radio
>>>If I wanted to get into AM operation, no solid state rig could ever
>>>satisfy me. I'd want a big tube transmitter. <<<
>
> There's this mythical idea hams seem to have, that decent AM can only
> happen
> with a big plate modulated tube rig. I have no idea where this comes
> from,
> given the fact that broadcasters are ditching this techology for solid
> state
> transmitters as fast as they can. Turn on your medium wave AM receiver
> and
> tune around to any radio station. Odds are 3:1 that you are hearing a
> solid
> state rig, especially if you are tuned into a big 50 kw station. About
> the
> only ones left running primary vacuum rigs are the dinky daytimers that
> aren't generating enough revenue to go solid state.
>
> the best sounding ham AM rigs out there now are solid state, either class
> E,
> dsp generated AM from the flex radio, or low level modulated exciters
> driving amps. a few guys are doing well with old tube broadcast rigs and
> globe kings, gold dust twins etc. but for every one of them there are 100
> with dx100s who are unbearable.
>
> rob / k5uj
>
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