[Amps] 300Hz sidebands

[Jim Brown]

On 5/26/2021 1:31 AM, Conrad PA5Y wrote:
> As Bob AH7I pointed out at 1KW out the sidebands are 10mW, so I will continue to use the amp

Conrad,

As an engineer, I LOVE your proper sense of perspective. Here in the 
former colonies, I often see splatter 0n 40M, most of it produced by 
Yeasu rigs, that extends 2-3 kHz on both sides of the intentional 
bandwidth, and only 20 dB down. That's 10W from a 1kW transmitter, and 
the signal is 3 times wider than a clean SSB signal.

Any ham who transmits SSB with one of these atrocities is violating the 
FCC regs on bandwidth that specify (and I'm paraphrasing here) that 
occupied bandwidth shall be no greater than that required for the means 
of transmission. In other words, if you're splatting wider than an 
un-distorted SSB signal, you are in violation.

For years, I've had the P3 spectrum display with SVGA option hooked up 
to my Elecraft K3, and I occasionally watch roundtable SSB QSOs. 
Typically one or two stations will be textbook clean, while others will 
have that splatter than I've described. And it's not subtle -- the 
difference jumps out at you. Obviously the same problems can be caused 
by poor or poorly operated power amps, but IMO, they're getting blamed 
for a lot of problems caused by these lousy rigs!

73, Jim K9YC