Epiphany on modulation and swing

[mike5511]

So a linear helps you talk farther......so does a modulator.....some of you experts explain the difference..............(this could be interesting) I saw a modulator one time, I think it was about 1000 watt (maybe more) base type, that was about the size of the old Tram D201 CB, and when powered up with the top cover off, looked like New York city at night! I didn't have the money at the time or I would have owned it....bought a Maco 750 instead, but that is a another story.

[WA4GCH]

So a linear helps you talk farther......so does a modulator.....some of you experts explain the difference..............(this could be interesting) I saw a modulator one time, I think it was about 1000 watt (maybe more) base type, that was about the size of the old Tram D201 CB, and when powered up with the top cover off, looked like New York city at night! I didn't have the money at the time or I would have owned it....bought a Maco 750 instead, but that is a another story.

There is none ....

They call it that to try and get around FCC rules .......

[Mad Dog 20/20]

There is none ....

They call it that to try and get around FCC rules .......

....and to impress a possible customer with baffling BS terms.

[mike5511]

I thought there was some subtle difference, but wasn't sure........

[WA4GCH]

I thought there was some subtle difference, but wasn't sure........

This is my last station in 1969 with a REAL modulater ..... it is on the right next to the RF deck center shelf ...

[Mr. PlumCrazy]

What's real funny is I now sit and listen to the radio and can hear modulation problems. Guys will tell someone they sound good when they sound like total ###.

Its better than sitting and hearing them over and over and over again WHAT ABOUT NOW WHAT ABOUT NOW

Its better to just tell them they sound good because they think they do the radio shop just turned their 4 watt radio into a 80 watt big radio and they have a roadpro power mike making it do another 20 watts and it only cost them $300

[mike5511]

I thought there was some subtle difference, but wasn't sure........

Never mind, I asked someone who knows..............

[Outlaw CB]

I would guess what Bruce ran in 69 was a power audio amp into a transformer which had a secondary winding in series with the HV plate supply to His RF power amp. Most tube modulators for the CB market like the JB12 or 1000 used grid drive as opposed to a cathode driven amplifier. The input watts did not sum with the amplifier derived watts in the old grid drive modulators. Most of what they call modulators in the solid state CB world were really just designed to increase the average to peak ratio.

[WA4GCH]

I would guess what Bruce ran in 69 was a power audio amp into a transformer which had a secondary winding in series with the HV plate supply to His RF power amp. Most tube modulators for the CB market like the JB12 or 1000 used grid drive as opposed to a cathode driven amplifier. The input watts did not sum with the amplifier derived watts in the old grid drive modulators. Most of what they call modulators in the solid state CB world were really just designed to increase the average to peak ratio.

The Johnson 6&2 rf deck was MODULATED by a 100 watt PLATE modulater .... This was the correct way to get AM but cost $$$ and above 10 watts few radios used it they went to screen ( controled carrer ) .....


1969 was my LAST high power AM station since then i use FM or SSB on all bands ....