Furthermore, AM signals—specifically those in the medium-wave band—have a unique ability to travel long distances. At night, these waves can bounce off the Earth’s ionosphere, a phenomenon known as "skypath propagation," allowing a listener in one country to tune into a broadcast from thousands of miles away. The Trade-offs
To understand AM, imagine two distinct waves. The first is the —a steady, high-frequency signal that acts like a blank canvas. The second is the modulating signal , which contains the actual data, such as a person’s voice or music. amplitude modulation
Additionally, AM is less efficient than modern methods like Frequency Modulation (FM). It requires more power to transmit and offers a narrower frequency range, which is why AM is often reserved for talk radio and news rather than high-fidelity music. Legacy and Modern Use The first is the —a steady, high-frequency signal