Citizens band transmitter with overall envelope feedback from antenna coupling filter

Claim 1

In an AM citizens band transmitter including means effective to generate a carrier signal at a radio frequency, means effective to modulate the radio frequency carrier signal with an audio frequency signal, means effective to amplify the modulated radio frequency carrier signal and an antenna, all said means except the antenna adapted to be contained within a case, a coupling and protective circuit adapted for containment within the case and comprising, in combination: a coupling circuit effective to couple the modulated RF signal amplifying means to the antenna, said circuit including at least one LC-type harmonic suppressing filter having a phase shift of substantially 90 degrees or an odd multiple thereof at the radio frequency, whereby the AC voltage at one end of the filter thus varies proportionally with the AC current at the other end of the inductor; a first diode having a cathode connected to the one end of the filter; a second diode having a cathode connected to the other end of the filter, the anodes of the first and second diodes being connected together, whereby the voltage at the connected anodes varies as the greater of the voltage and current at the other end of the inductor; a low pass filter connecting the anodes of the diodes to the RF carrier signal modulating means so as to provide thereto in negative feedback a signal varying with the envelope of the greater of the voltage and current supplied to the antenna to reduce distortion in the modulated RF signal amplifier and protect it from low antenna impedance, said feedback being accomplished totally with circuitry adapted for containment within the case.