SSB - Single SideBand
It is a
modulation method similar to
AM, in which the
carrier and one of the
sidebands are not transmitted.
This way the transmitter can be used more efficiently than in the AM case, where
the carrier uses normally half the transmission power and each of the sidebands 25% of it.
This means than switching to SSB we can multiply by four the transmitting power, with
the same equipment.
The reception sensitivy is also better and the
bandwidth is less than the half.
For these reasons SSB is the phone system of choice for radio amateurs,
on all frequencies, from HF to
microwaves, even if it requires complex, and
thus not cheap, equipment.
For a good SSB reception, tuning must be perfect, or the voice
would be heard with an innaturally high (or low) pitch.
Depending on whether the upper or lower sideband is transmitted, we can have
the USB or
LSB mode.
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Vinicio Coletti