How to Setup a Modern Day
Transceiver for AM
by Steve Ickes, WB3HUZ
If you are like many people, you found AM after you've been in the hobby a while and have purchased one of the newer all-mode transceivers. Although these radios most often find use on SSB, most can work and sound very respectable in the AM mode - IF SETUP PROPERLY. If you follow the steps below, you should be able to adjust your rig for good sound on AM.
That's it, you're ready to get on the air on AM. However, the setting may not be exactly right but this three step process should get you close. Once you get on the air, ask for an audio report to determine if you need to do any tweaking. If you have an oscilloscope, by all means, use it to adjust your mic gain. Using a scope, you can determine your percentage of modulation and if you are flat-topping.
If you want to run your transceiver into your linear, follow the same steps (although you shouldn't have to do Step 3 over again) with the linear in line. One important thing to remember is that your linear will be running at about 20 -25% efficiency. So, you may want to get your calculator out and determine how many watts you can run without exceeding the plate dissipation rating of your linear. Crapped out tubes in your linear is a real bummer. Also remember that AM is a 100% duty cycle mode, as opposed to 30-50% for SSB. So the tubes and the power supply in your linear will be working much harder. You may not want try to squeeze every last watt out of your rig. Err in the side of safety.
The AM mode can be a lot of fun. Although it is most
often associated with older, tube type gear, modern day transceivers can produce some very
good sounding AM when properly adjusted. Come on and join the fun.