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Dynamic carrier control

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All modern high power (power > 50 kw) shortwave transmitters incorporate Dynamic Carrier Control (DCC) of some kind.

History

This AM modulation energy saving mode was devised in the late 1930s, but not implimented in transmitter designs until the 1970s oil crisies.

FAQ

Technical notes on DCC

  • DCC causes the carrier level to be automatically reduced when there are lower levels or no audio.
  • During periods of silence (no audio), the carrier power is reduced by 50%, so the 250 kW transmitter is putting out a carrier of 125 kW during audio pauses. This saves otherwise wasted empty carrier power.
  • There is a BBC World Service Mode DCC that behaves the exact opposite to DCC. BBC World Serice and VT Merlin relay stations are the only broadcasters using this DCC mode.