Amplifier SSB switch?

[steved]

Just to satisfy my own curiosity, what does the SSB switch (on an amplifier) actually do?

Does it have any affect on an AM transmission (say the switch accidentally gets flipped and you're still running AM, not SSB)?

 

[W5LZ]

The 'simplest' thing it usually does is add a slight time delay before 'releasing' the relay to go back to listening (TX/RCV delay). That means that the amplifier isn't turning on/off between words or syllables when there's no RF to keep the 'hot switching' on/off relay activated. Usually the worst that can happen if left on with AM is that you won't go back to receiving quite as fast, not really that much of a problem.

The most complicated thing that it could do is switch between biasing/etc, for SSB and AM. Not likely at all cuz doing that is not exactly simple, or cheap.

- 'Doc

 

[steved]

Thanks!

I had read it was a delay, but really didn't know how that would potentially affect AM.

 

[Switch Kit]

SSB is all about modulation , when you talk this is when your power is being distributed , when we pause in our speach for a split second or two , the SSB switch gives us a slight delay from closing the relays faster , on AM , we have a constint dead key of power from the time we key up and when we pause the dk power remains until we speak again , when we unkey on AM the relays should close as soon as we unkey. If leaving on the SSB switch when in AM mode , it's like Doc said , we would just have a slightly longer delay on AM after we unkeyed , it could more then likely be just enough to cut off the receiving stations first few words back to you because of the slight delay that is otherwise situated for SSB operations. Without the SSB delay on the amp , chances are they (the relays) would do a lot of chattering in the AM mode trying to operate on SSB , that's why they added the SSB delay switch. On some amps , they have automatic SSB delay built in , not requiring the extra switch.
An amp like the Palomar 225 usually has built in auto-SSB delay
(many years ago , these perticular amps had a slight problem with having a to long of a delay on AM like I explained above , they have since fixed the problem over the years)