Amplitude Modulation – Confirmed

While digital streaming and FM have taken over the mainstream, AM is far from dead. It remains a vital tool for and aviation communications because of its long-range capabilities and the fact that an AM signal can still be understood even when the signal is weak or fading.

AM was the first method used to transmit human speech over long distances. Its primary strength lies in its . Because the hardware required to transmit and receive AM signals is relatively inexpensive and easy to build, it became the global standard for the first half of the 20th century. amplitude modulation

In AM, the frequency of the carrier remains constant, but its (its height or power) is altered to mirror the shape of the sound wave. When the sound is loud, the carrier wave gets taller; when the sound is soft, it shrinks. At the receiving end, a simple radio circuit "strips away" the carrier, leaving behind the original audio for the listener to hear. Why It Matters While digital streaming and FM have taken over