baobab,
I think you need to start with reading up on what amplitude modulation and frequency modulation is. I think it will make many things fall into place!
aterpster,
this is more like somebody asking to have a clock built and someone chiming in (pardon the pun) in the resulting discussion with the opinion that it's watchmaker stuff, when all you really need is to be able to determine at what time tea is served.
Cheers,
Fred