[TenTec] Orion as AM radio

[Rob Atkinson, K5UJ]

>>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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