7 Aug 2022

Amplitude Modulation (AM)

When I was first active, AM was the main mode on all bands. On HF this was replaced by SSB and, in very recent times, FT8 has become very popular. On the VHF bands most use FM, although there are fewer coming on just for a chat as there are now (free) alternatives on the internet.

Now I am not saying AM is brilliant, but the gear is often simple and low cost. There has been a growing interest in AM on bands like 160m, 80m and 10m. If you have never played with AM, you don't know what you are missing! At one time, ex PMR AM gear was practically being given away.

On 2m, the centre of AM activity is 144.550 MHz.

I get the feeling that most people have a dim view of AM, not least our national society, the RSGB. In my view this is totally wrong. Like other modes, AM has its place. Just listen above 29 MHz when 10m is open.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/vhf-am .

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