I started this site back in the late part of 1997 with
the intent of promoting the use of Amplitude Modulation on the
Amateur bands. It was, and never will be intended as my personal
home page, but rather a page for each and every enthusiast of
AM.
Many things have come and gone with AM North
America, trying to make it better suit the needs of the
whole AM community. The name given to this site is by no means
intended to leave out our international friends who also enjoy
this wonderful mode.
The two most important additions to this site, which
have no doubt, improved the popularity of the mode, is the
rebirth of the AM Press/Exchange Online publication,
and the AM Radio Email Reflector, the later of which
has almost 200 members since late 1998.
Be sure to join the AM Radio Email Reflector
if you are an AM enthusiast. It is not moderated, but monitored
for content. We also have another list for debate type
discussions involving politics of Amateur Radio with focus on AM
operation.
I maintain this site for free, and truly enjoy doing it
as my part in helping the promotion and reputation of this
beloved mode. I encourage feedback and signing of the "logbook",
if anything, just to know it's all worth my time and effort in
helping someone out there.
If you are new to using AM, then you are in for a big
reward! I switched to AM from SSB and CW years ago. I still
enjoy all modes, with AM and CW as my preferences. I don't
operate AM because it's the most efficient mode, but rather the
flavor of nostalgia it has to me, and the beautiful audio
properties inherent to amplitude modulation. If you listen to AM
on a SSB rig, chances are you are only hearing one sideband,
depending on which side of the carrier you are tuned to. You
WILL NOT realize the true fidelity of the audio unless you can
hear both sidebands and use an IF filter at least 3kcs wide, and
the rig/speaker combination have a good bass and treble
response.
If you have even the slightest interest in trying AM,
get yourself an old SW broadcast receiver (preferably a tube
type) at a flea market or yard sale to start with, and listen in
on some of the activity on 75 meters (most between 3875 and 3890
kcs), and 160 (1880 to 1900). Be sure to hook up a speaker with
good frequency response, and you will be amazed at how good many
of the AM hams sound! Some like a true commercial broadcast
station!
Some of your ham "buddies" might say "why do you want
to use that old gear?" Well, tell 'em how many people collect
old cars (not to mention drive 'em too!), and how they have
become an investment.
Ah yes, the past is gone, and we know it shall never
come back again, but that doesn't mean we can't re-live a bit of
it in our own little abodes in some way. I am dedicating one
room of my house to a project of total nostalgia with nothing
but vintage gear and decor of the 30's and 40's, posters,
antique QSL cards, etc... I say "dedicating", well I'm
dedicated, but I haven't started the project yet.
I am rebuilding this old transmitter built in 1937
which will be housed in a old style Gates cabinet similar to a
Collins 20V broadcast transmitter. It will be the main pride of
my "Art Deco" room, since it will take up the most room, and
weigh in at around 1500 lbs.!
Well, I think you get the picture of the
"AM
Bug".
One last word, and then surf away... I want to welcome
anyone, no matter what mode you desire, SSB, CW, RTTY,
etc! I love almost all modes of the hobby, it's the people that
make the difference, not the mode... Just give us a chance, and
the bug might bite you too!