Portuguese AM Feast

Following the proposal of one of our members for a nation-wide operation using amplitude modulation on 144 MHz, the ‘Associação de Radioamadores do Litoral Alentejano’ invites everyone to participate in a special AM transmission commemoration, using the 80, 40, 20, 10 and 2 metres bands, Sunday, September 19, 2010.

Emissions promoted by A.R.L.A. will be held on the following frequencies and periods :

3,685.0 MHz - from 06:00 to 8:00 UTC
7,100.0 MHz - from 08:00 to 11:00 UTC *
14,286.0 MHz - from 13:00 to 14:00 UTC
29,075.0 MHz - from 14:00 to 15:00 UTC
144,575.0 MHz - from 15:00 to 16:00 UTC

* If the planned frequency for the 40 metres band will be busy or submitted to prohibitive interferences for this mode of transmission, the alternative frequency is 7,143.0 MHz
(by the fact of occuring regular ham radio emissons on AM in Europe using this frequency).

This particular initiative seeks to achieve the following objectives:

a) providing an opportunity for the use of antique transceivers or collection transmitters.

b) to promote practical training and knowledge about an emission mode that is falling into disuse. This action is particularly devoted to the training / experimentation of class C and class 3 ham radio operators (the class 3 ones via tutorial guidance and supervision on the collective station CS1RLA).

The invitation extends to all associations and ham radio clubs that want to get involved and participate in such training and support activity for newcomers, but above all providing an experience on a form of transmission that made history. This action can include a demonstration of the virtues of old equipment's sound quality on this particular mode, as well as turn out to be an alert to the current catastrophic interference for the use of A3E telephony on a daily basis, in many regions.

In order to assist class 3 newcomers, we suggest that each tutor may start with a simple technical introduction to this mode of emission, along with a few historical facts as well...

After that small lesson let’s get fun on the air at the scheduled period for each band !

Best Regards from Portugal.

João Costa, CT1FBF

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