Topband: Need advice for K3 and RX BC AM

[Bill Cromwell]

On Mon, 2012-03-12 at 16:09 +0700, Jo, YC0LOW wrote:
> My Elecraft K3 has no AM filters installed. I tried to RX AM broadcast
> stations on MW band but had no success.
> I'd be grateful if you could advice me to add it on, or, is there a way to
> do it as is, now pse?
> I need it as features to check the 160m RX antenna directions in the coming
> YB8Y DXpedition (OC-221, GL PI64mh) starts in March 20th. 2012 .
> 
> Tnx es 73 de Jo, YC0LOW
> _______________________________________________
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Hi Jo,

I am not familiar at all with the K(n) radios. Rick has suggested that
your radio is not going to hear very much below the 160 meter band due
to filtering. But - the way to copy AM with an SSB only receiver is to
tune only one sideband. On AM we usually tune with the carrier in the
center of our AM passband with both sidebands and no BFO. In SSB mode
tune in the station so it's carrier is zero beat with your BFO. One
sideband will then fall into your filter's passband and will be
demodulated for you. It should also activate your S-meter. Without the
board that Rick has describe this may not work for you at all.

SWL operators use the BFO to help with reception of distant SW broadcast
stations on AM.

73,

Bill  KU8H