As the title sortof shows, I'm wondering, what are the differences between AM and FM controllers? Pros, cons, etc.? I know FM is better due to range and boat speed flexibility, something like that, I just thought I'd ask.
AM controller v. FM controller
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There are a lot of differences between the two radios from an electronics standpoint, but what you have heard is correct, FM is far better - even a cheapo FM. Today a bigger problem is that virtually all AM radios are built to a low price point and do not perform like AM radios of 20 years ago - because they don't have to. RTR boats (which use most of the AMs built) are disposable and the buyers either don't know or don't care about the radio, they want a cheap price. Knowedgable boaters buy quality FM radios. I doubt you could buy a decent new AM radio today.
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AM is amplitude Modulation, and FM is Frequency Modulation,
AM is older then FM but still FM is just as old technology. FM is a line if sight "radio" but AM can go right through buildings. the quality difference comes form the bandwidth of am/fm
Am has more bits per sample then FM does. The more "bits" you have the more you can lose when the sample is being transmitted. So say AM sends out 200 samples of bits but only 100 samples reach the receiver. that is where you get fuzzy or poor signal on a radio. It is the same with a receiver and transmitter for a boat. the transmitter sends out 200 samples but the receiver only gets about 100. there is 100 input samples missing! because of this there is lost movement and the receiver doesn't know what to do. they is called glithcing and that is why you have very low signal on most AM radios.
FM on the other hand does not have near the amounts of "bits per sample" as AM does. there for less to get lost , there for making more samples per input getting to the receiver thus making the signal clearer and more accurate with little or no input samples lost in the transmitions
This is why you have better reception out on the water with FM.
Also AM draws more power from a radio and receiver due to the more bits per sample it sends out. so i have been told any way.Comment
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AM and FM radio we use are both mainly line of site. It is the frequency not the modulation that determines what it will go through. FM is better because it is less susceptible to noise. Since with AM the amplitude is just varying it is more vulnerable to RF noise in the surrounding environment.Comment
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