Donald Chester wrote:
<snip>
Interestingly, the author implies that typical ham radio voice quality
does not even approach that of the standard landline telephone.
Could this have something to do with the developping interest in high
quality SSB?
Nah, I don't think so Don. That would imply that somehow these users of
SSB wanted to have cleaner signals. Seems pretty obvious to me at least,
that the hi-fi SSB stuff is more an attempt to sound like AM without
having to admit that AM sounds good. So, rather than admit it and join
the crowd with a decent AM signal, some prefer to attempt AM quality
audio via broad and messy SSB signals instead. Seems rather odd from a
group who (generally) looks down on AMers as a source of wasted bandwidth.
Kinda makes me think of someone preferring gliders to regular airplanes
because they don't use fuel, then deciding they want powered flight -
but rather than procuring a real airplane, they'd rather try lashing an
engine onto the glider just so they can still claim that their approach
is better or try to have both, resulting in some bad compromises. Okay,
maybe not the best analogy, but you get the idea...
BTW, there's a 1400 lb Collins BC transmitter resting in my front foryer
at home, now. Hopefully I'll have it on the air by fall and be able to
join some of you on 160. Was a looong trip, but well worth it.
73 de Todd/'Boomer' KA1KAQ