-=> Quoting Art Preis to Dan Douglas <=-
 AP> Hello Dan!
 AP> Saturday October 26 1996 21:49, Dan Douglas wrote to *** All ****:
 
 DD> Ok , so my Radio goes from about these ..
 
 DD> AM 530 - 1700 kHz
 
 DD> FM 88 - 108. MHz
 AP> What, no shortwave?
 AP> You have asked quite a few questions, which we combined with other
 AP> respondents hopefully can answer. 
 DD> What's the diff between AM / FM.
 AP> AM = Amplitude Modulation
 AP> FM = Frequency Modulation
 AP> For a detailed technical explanation, please refer to an electronics
 AP> textbook. 
 DD> HOw come FM seems to be a much stronger signal , and can go in
 DD> Stereo (AM Cannot) , but then why can I get AM stations from like
 DD> OHIO and places far away at nightime?
 AP> Propagation changes between day- and nighttime. Your reception area
 AP> increases dramatically after sunset as you have noticed. 
 DD> SO there are other transmissions outside the regular 530-1700
 DD> kHz.
 AP> You better believe it.
 
 DD> If you're able to get to
 DD> 1700 kHz and start again at 88MHz , there must be an imbetween .
 AP> Elementary Holmes, from about 1800 KHz (1.8 MHz) to 30 MHz you have
 AP> the Shortwave Bands. Above that are various TV Channels, and the 6m
 AP> Radio Amateur Band.
 
 DD> since it's all in Hz's.
 DD> and therefor why wouldn't AM get stereo , since it's also Hz.
 AP> You need a special receiver for AM Stereo and the station, of course,
 AP> has to also broadcast in Stereo. 
 DD> And why is AM effected and goes all screwy when I turn on my
 DD> computer and FM doesn't , it must be the Hz level I guess?
 AP> Interference, your computer (and mine) are not very well shielded and
 AP> generate RF Noise which the radio picks up. 
 DD> SO where can I pick up a radio that will pick up these
 DD> frequencies. ?
 AP> Local Ham radio stores, or places in Toronto that you can order from.
 AP> I would not be surprised if North Bay has a yearly fleamarket where
 AP> you could look around for different receivers. 
 DD> And what's the cost?
 AP> Depends on what exactly you are looking for - from hundreds to
 AP> thousands. 
 DD> What kind of transmissions will you recieve?
 AP> Again, depends on what you buy. Ham Radio, Marine and Aeronautical,
 AP> International Broadcasters, Police, Fire, Ambulance, AM- FM,
 AP> Satellites, the list is endless. 
 DD> Anyways I'm going on too long here , hope someone can help me
 DD> out?
 AP> We are trying...
 
 DD> And what is Ham Radio?
Ham radio is much more sophisticated and also much more expensive let's say 
than CB radio allowing more bandspreads, transmitter power and modes of 
operation in which the result is alot of distance on communications pending
atmospheric conditions. I am almost sure you have ham operators in your 
area and you should visit if intrested. KE4GQE
 
 
 
 
 
 
I will add something to the FM theory. Frequency Modulation is actually a
mode with a controlled spectrum of signal deviation from 0 beat frequency it
is also Known is suprehetrodyne monoplex or multiplex pending if transmitting
station is stereo or not. Broadcast is usually wide band FM and two way FM
two way radio is amost always narrow band. Frequency Modulation carries a
wider spectrum of audio frequencies due to the control of the RF carrier.
KE4GQE
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