On another thread PhilB suggested that a new thread be created on this topic. He wrote:
This brings up a question to all in the forum. Has anyone actually experienced audio muffling due to their antenna installation? This is dangerous territory. It is subjective, and should be backed up with a comparison of the transmitter audio in a lower Q setup. It would probably be better for this to be discussed in a separate thread.
On another thread PhilB suggested that a new thread be created on this topic. He wrote:
This brings up a question to all in the forum. Has anyone actually experienced audio muffling due to their antenna installation? This is dangerous territory. It is subjective, and should be backed up with a comparison of the transmitter audio in a lower Q setup. It would probably be better for this to be discussed in a separate thread.
I have experienced this effect using a SSTRAN AM transmitter. The antenna I use is a tuned base loaded 3 meter radiator working against a water pipe ground and it is not in any way the design recommended on the SSTRAN site so no extrapolation to that situation is appropriate.
However, my antenna is a high Q device and I did experience muffling of the audio which I presume is due to the narrow bandwidth of my antenna. The solution here was to install the resistor R18 as indicated on the SSTRAN schematic which solved the problem. This resistor appears to lower the Q of the antenna system and in so doing improved the audio. So, I volunteer my experience as being one in which lowering the Q of the antenna provided better audio quality. Yes, Q being too high on an AM antenna will affect the audio.
I now have satisfactory range and excellent audio on AM with this setup.
Neil