I've ordered a new SW200 audio processor for AM1700WEFR. The sound of the audio should improve greatly with this addition. Also ordered SW300 modulation monitor/Field strength meter. Will provide update review when the products arrive and installed.
At first I thought the SW200 was some type of Swiss watch, but then I figured out that it must actually be the now-famous Schlockwood, an audio processor that has gotten very good reviews and the companion SW300 AM Monitor made especially for use at part 15 standards. Roy, your report will be very interesting!
@carl-blare I have been using the Schlockwood 200 for quite a while now and it's great even with FM also!
@mark I don't think I would use the SW200 on FM because it's audio bandwidth is restricted to 10k which is the AM standard here in the USA. FM has 15K audio bandwidth in stereo and 20K in mono. Just my personal preference I guess because my years in commercial radio.
@wefr Here's a chart of instruments and upper ranges of overtones. Notice that above 10K there is nothing of consequence except a bit of sibilance from some like cymbols. Also if you are over 50 you don't hear to 20K no way., maybe not even to 15K unless it is boosted a lot. On AM with a normal radio you have up to 2 to 3K...maybe 5K if a better receiver with a wide band setting which is more than the 10KLZ standard AM bandwidth. FM is 150KLZ band width. The remaining part of the 200 KLZ is guard bands.
With FM using the schlockwood with jumpers changed to flat to 10K and a bit of boost with the treble/bass and not much of anything that matters above 10K, you wouldn't hear anything you don't hear with a 10K cut off and the schlockwood sounds fine with FM. The radio I listen on doesn't go much above 10K or below 200Hz anyways.
It is small, a great processor, affordable and even if it went to 15K or more unless you are listening on a $15,000 or more high end hi fi system like Macintosh for example, in your home in a quiet room you wouldn't hear the difference. The audiologists will tell you that 20HZ to 20KLZ the hi fi people tell you is nonsense as you don't hear there and the record you are playing, or the source that I got most of my playlist from doesn't go near there.
http://sineworld.com/html/basic_knowledge/freqchart.html
@mark You got a few points there Mark, very good ones to I might add. But It was more of my work experience in the radio industry, where my thought came from.
The new SW200 & SW300 arrived on Thursday and is installed...
SW200 makes the station sound a lot better. So far I'm pleased with it.
SW300 monitoring my station the modulation is up there with the two local commercial stations. In the region of +125% Positive peaks. Will provide further as time goes on. And weather permits me to take the SW300 outside and do measurements.