That amplifier only amplifies what it's fed, it doesn't change the percentage of modulation of the applied signal at all (or shouldn't. If it does, it means that the amplifier isn't doing what it's supposed to do). The 'modulating' is done by the radio feeding the amplifier a signal. Also, forget that 4 to 1 ratio if you are using a watt meter to do that 'modulation measuring'. The ratio would be 2 to 1. That 2:1 ratio is equal to 100% modulation. So, to keep things from over modulating the actual ratio should be 1.8:1 or 1.9:1. All things considered, as in there ain't no watt meter that sensitive, a 2:1 is what to shoot for.
Grief! Where'd this relic post come from?
A lot of CB amps aren't as linear as they should be, back in the day a lot of guys ran swing kits in their radios for the sole purpose of getting a 4:1 ratio out the back of their amp.
That 4 and 40 watts was over modulated to start with and is still over modulated, it's just stronger.
In fact, if that amplifier is really putting out a 40 and 400 watts from the 4/40watts input, the amplifier is remarkably linear.
That amplifier only amplifies what it's fed, it doesn't change the percentage of modulation of the applied signal at all (or shouldn't. If it does, it means that the amplifier isn't doing what it's supposed to do). The 'modulating' is done by the radio feeding the amplifier a signal. Also, forget that 4 to 1 ratio if you are using a watt meter to do that 'modulation measuring'. The ratio would be 2 to 1. That 2:1 ratio is equal to 100% modulation. So, to keep things from over modulating the actual ratio should be 1.8:1 or 1.9:1. All things considered, as in there ain't no watt meter that sensitive, a 2:1 is what to shoot for.
Grief! Where'd this relic post come from?
"4:1 pep to carrier equals 100%." Oh boy, now we get to deal with measuring units (Avg/Pep). That's always fun, especially if someone isn't familiar with those measuring units. Get the basic idea understood then worry/discuss how things are measured and the changes in ratios etc.
And that's not a personal 'dig' at you 543_Dallas.
No offense taken. I'm trying to figure out where the 2:1 ratio comes from. You aren't the first person I've heard say this.
100% modulation of an AM carrier is indeed four times the carrier. This is easy to see if you are using a proper pep power meter. If you are looking an an oscilloscope or an older VTVM or RF voltmeter you will see a value twice that of the carrier. Since twice the applied voltage results in twice the current flow it results in four times the power. I'm wondering if this is where some people get confused about meters and values.
Good point.
A ssb guy was giving AM pointers on 75m recently. He said it was a 4:1 ratio only if you were using a tube rig. "Plastic radios" are 2:1 and you have to run a 750 watt carrier out of the amplifier to make legal limit AM with a modern radio.
This guy missed a few minor details and made up the rest. He's always on some kind of technical subject spreading misinformation.