I am a "casual AM'er" so I am not in a hurry to buy a plate modulated rig and a boatanchor receiver in order to do the mode. I got rid of all the back-breaking stuff YEARS ago and haven't looked back!
Many years I had an AM mobile called a Lettine 240 and a converter on the receiver. The plate was supplied with a 650 volt dynamotor. Cable from the batteries (yes, plural!) was about the size of your thumb into the trunk of the Chevy. Master Mobile 75 Meter (remember them?) "bugcatcher" on the trunk. Played with a lot of BC 610's, Vikings, and Globe Kings, Globe Trotters and the like.
Then we went to sideband and the rigs got smaller and smaller, then smaller still. I couldn't believe the Kenwood TS-50 when it came out! HAD to have it. Had already gotten a Yaesu 757 which was like a Cadillac compared to the boatanchors. That signalled the death of the boatanchors for me. Out went the AM transmitters, out went the old Hammerlund SP 600. And I got used to not having to strain while totin' them heavy things!
To the older hams, that was an outrage, sacrilege!
No more would I gasp for breath while struggling up and down stairs from the shack!
I then discovered that my 706 would do
decent--not perfect but decent--AM and I could QSO with the guys on 7290
reasonably well. Just don't tell 'em what I'm running--unless they ask! I used to listen to this guy in Florida that was, to me, the ultimate in an AM station! Deep voice with that announcer's timbre, definitely plate modulated transmitter, and a LOUD signal ( I forgot his call). Almost HI FI audio except during selective fading. Loved to listen to him. I wouldn't call him because I felt sort of humbled at the thought of my puny little 40 watts!
Almost like he'd be insulted ( doubt it--seems like a really nice fellow). Like---How DARE you call me with that, that, that----
thing you're using!
But I am happy with my 706s. I am not likely to go back to the old glowing tubes and the era of ancient modulation. Only once in a while, I will get on AM for nostalgia's sake! It IS fun. OTH, I could get the bug and see those old filaments warming up the wintertime shack! Ya never know!! 8) So long as I have somebody I can talk into totin' that back-breaking stuff into the shack!!!
73
CWM