What is Radio: Definition and 691 Discussions

Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitter connected to an antenna which radiates the waves, and received by another antenna connected to a radio receiver. Radio is very widely used in modern technology, in radio communication, radar, radio navigation, remote control, remote sensing and other applications.
In radio communication, used in radio and television broadcasting, cell phones, two-way radios, wireless networking and satellite communication among numerous other uses, radio waves are used to carry information across space from a transmitter to a receiver, by modulating the radio signal (impressing an information signal on the radio wave by varying some aspect of the wave) in the transmitter. In radar, used to locate and track objects like aircraft, ships, spacecraft and missiles, a beam of radio waves emitted by a radar transmitter reflects off the target object, and the reflected waves reveal the object's location. In radio navigation systems such as GPS and VOR, a mobile receiver accepts radio signals from navigational radio beacons whose position is known, and by precisely measuring the arrival time of the radio waves the receiver can calculate its position on Earth. In wireless radio remote control devices like drones, garage door openers, and keyless entry systems, radio signals transmitted from a controller device control the actions of a remote device.
Applications of radio waves which do not involve transmitting the waves significant distances, such as RF heating used in industrial processes and microwave ovens, and medical uses such as diathermy and MRI machines, are not usually called radio. The noun radio is also used to mean a broadcast radio receiver.
Radio waves were first identified and studied by German physicist Heinrich Hertz in 1886. The first practical radio transmitters and receivers were developed around 1895–1896 by Italian Guglielmo Marconi, and radio began to be used commercially around 1900. To prevent interference between users, the emission of radio waves is regulated by law, coordinated by an international body called the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which allocates frequency bands in the radio spectrum for different uses.

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  1. D

    Maximizing FM Radio Reception with a Satellite Dish: Is it Possible?

    Is there any way that I could rig an FM radio antenna to a satellite dish and pull in FM stations that are one or two hundred miles away?
  2. X

    Need help understanding how a radio works

    with the help of an oscillator you create a frequency but how exactly do you insert the electric signal you've gained from a microphone into that frequency? if i understood the microphone right it transfers the vibrations into electrical form by altering let's say the current so that different...
  3. K

    Radio interview by yours truly

    Hiya, Today we had a rally on our campus against racist violence. The last few months in Belgium have been marked by a series of incidents, the worst of which was the murder of three people last week in Antwerp by an 18 year old boy who was apparently inspired by racist propaganda. As one...
  4. N

    Finding an electric field from a radio station

    If a radio station transmits at 500 kW, how does one find the electric field 25 kM away?
  5. D

    Radio Waves emitted by Black Holes

    I was reading up on black holes when i thought of this. Black holes have been found to emit radio waves. I was wondering if this was actually light that managed to escape the black hole. Here is my thinking on this. From what i know light travels in a straight line through points through...
  6. C

    Spacecraft Traveling Past Space Station: Length and Radio Signal Timing

    A spacecraft (Lo = 80 m) travels past a space station at speed 0.7c. Its radio receiver is on the tip of its nose. The space station sends a radio signal the instant the tail of the spacecraft passes the space station. (a) What is the length of the spacecraft in the reference frame...
  7. L

    How is electricity converted to radio waves?

    I know that electricity can be converted to microwaves obviously. But how is it converted to radio waves?
  8. L

    Understanding the Relationship Between Electric Current and Radio Waves

    Hi everybody, it's nice to finally join the forum. I'm a little...:uhh:...:confused:. Is electric current (the kind we use at home) a form of radio waves occilating at very low frequencies? What are the all the simmilarities and differences between electric current and radio waves? Your...
  9. B

    Exploring Radio Frequency Imaging: Applications & Technical Aspects

    Hi I have to prepare a presentation on radio frequency imaging, applications and technical aspects etc. Unfortunately the uni library has closed and my google searches appear to be coming up rather thin (more RF coils in imagers than RF imaging). Does anyone know where I could find some...
  10. H

    Radio, in which parameter is the information?

    When I listen to radio, then I know that the radio gets the information from electromagnetic radio waves. But in which parameter is the information of the song/news/output/whatever included? It can't be amplitude, since amplitude decreases with distance of obstruction, and the data most...
  11. S

    Using Radio Echoes to Determine F2 Layer Parameters

    An ionosonde on a satellite orbiting at 1000 km probes the topside of the F2 layer. If the ionosonde transmits radio pulses downwards at 5.6 MHz and 7.1 MHz and receives radio echoes with delay times of 2 msec and 2.667 msec respectively, determine (a) the F2 electron density at an altitude of...
  12. S

    Inductance caused by radio antenna

    A circular loop of wire can be used as a radio antenna. If an antenna with a diameter of .215 m is located a distance of 2.50 km away from a from a source with a total power of 57.0 kW at a frequency of 102 MHZ, what is the maximum emf induced in the loop? (Assume that the plane of the antenna...
  13. M

    Radio Electronics Based Career

    I am thinking of joing up with the army when old enough, although I don't know witch branch would best suit a radio electronics based career. Anyone have any ideas?
  14. G01

    Calculating Maxima in Radio Wave Interference Around Two Towers

    Two radio towers are positioned 10m apart. They emit waves of 750mHz. How many maxima will you detect if you walk around the towers in a circle of radius=10m? I know that the path length difference, \Delta r , must = an integer number of wavelengths: \Delta r = n\lambda Where I'm confused...
  15. S

    Radio Wave Absorption: Formula & Pressure/Temp Dependence

    Is there a formula to determine how much absorption of a radio wave will occur in a plasma? Does radio wave absorption depend on the pressure and temperature aside from the electron and ion density?
  16. B

    Light Produced From Radio Waves: Gas Ionization

    In a neon light, light is produced when voltage is applied to electrodes that ionize the gas in the tube. Is there any type of gas than can be ionized, and then produce light, by using radio waves as the energy source rather than electricity?
  17. M

    Is a Radio Laser Possible Through Non-Linear Frequency Mixing?

    Has anyone created a radio laser, if not why not if you know...
  18. W

    VLF Radio Astronomy: Research & Sources

    I'm not sure if this is a correct forum for this topic, but I'm wondering if there is any research done on VLF (very low frequency) radio astronomy. Obviously, such telescope would have to be in space, because all signals up to 15 MHz are reflected by the atmosphere. If this was done or not...
  19. T

    We could start a radio station

    I don't listen to very much music, but I just couldn't pass this up. I just got an oldies rock station's music library. 60Gigs of Mp3s. EVERYTHING from 1959 to 2000.I don't get it until Christmas, but I've seen it and it took 15 minutes to scan the artist list
  20. wasteofo2

    Pandora's radio station. MUST READ

    www.pandora.com If you like music at all, this site is brilliant. What you do is enter in artists or songs you like into this website, and it will compile a radio station for you that will randomly play songs by the artists you've entered or simmilar to them. It's so awesome, I'm in love. I...
  21. M

    Unlocking the Mystery Behind Tuning a Radio

    hi does somebody knows why we hear a noise when tuning a radio? I mean when you turn the radio tuner to find a station. not for a typical station. during turning the knib. I know it's becouse of a electromagnetic wave. but I don't know that wave and its source. tnx.
  22. U

    How Accurate is Radiocarbon Dating for Determining the Age of a Mummy?

    the question a mummy contain 9.2 g of carbon and it has an activity of 1.6 Bq. how old is the specimen in years? i worked out the question and got an answer of 2300 yrs, the closest answer in the book is 2200yrs. is my answer of 2300 yrs correct?
  23. B

    Question on how a radio transmits

    My understanding of EM wave emission on a particle level is that when an electron jumps to a lower energy level it emits a photon. The probability of where you will find this photon is described by a wave, so when you have a lot of photons you are safe to treat light as a wave (in most...
  24. C

    Radio activity lab suggestions

    hi, i am looking or a lab to measure the radioactive half-life of particles. i have looked through the internet but can't find anything i like. i have access to my college's physics/chemistry labretories and have equipment. so i just need procedures for a lab. can you Please suggest a link...
  25. J

    Portable Mp3 and Satellite Radio

    Have you all seen the portable Siruis Sattellite Radio reciever with a hard drive: XM also has one of these coming out soon: I think that having a portable mp3 and satellite radio in one device is an AWESOME idea. However, these devicese can only pick up the satellite signal when docked...
  26. P

    The radio stops when I get near it.

    A few months ago i was at work listening to the radio, which is on a desk about 3 meters away from me. Suddenly it stopped and i heard white noise. I thought the antenna had moved to i walked towards the radio. When i got near it, it suddenly started playing music again. But the nearer i got...
  27. Y

    Stargazing How is the principle of the operation of radio telescope?

    How is the principle of the operation of radio telescope? I am interesting that how can radio telescope translate signals to image. Does any experts can tell me?
  28. B

    Home Depot/ Radio Shack speed of light?

    Home Depot/ Radio Shack speed of light? Is there a way to measure the speed of light, to say 2 significant figures, using things purchased from Radio Shack and Home Depot? I've got a 200' hallway and front surface mirrors. Thanks, Bradshaw
  29. B

    Radio Communication: Basics & Range Variation

    What is the basic concept behind radio communication? How does one vary range in it ?
  30. S

    Why Does Radio Reception Improve When I Hold an Antenna?

    can anyone explain to me why radio reception/tv reception ect.. come in more clearly when i hold the antenna? i am assuming my body is acting as a better receiver but can someone actually explain why? thank you shawn small
  31. G

    Stargazing Can the Arecibo Radio Telescope Eavesdrop on the Entire Galaxy?

    Is it true that it can eavesdrop the entire galaxy?, like it has the ability to scan the whole galaxy?
  32. H

    RADAR - Radio Detection and RangingCan we use the same technique on

    RADAR - Radio Detection and Ranging . Can we use the same technique on a smaller scale :rolleyes: ? I mean to measure the relative velocity between two vehicles :smile: ? Are there any good sources on internet where I can get information in detail about the working of RADAR system...
  33. A

    Anyone tried intercepting a radio station?

    Rather curious to know whether anyone here tried to build a radio wave transmitter and intercept a radio station by sending radio waves of similar frequency to that of the radio station. I imagine that would be quite a fun thing to do.
  34. G

    Stargazing What Are the Theoretical Limits on Radio Telescope Size and Resolution?

    More research for scifi stories: What the "theoretical" limits on the size of a radio telescope (assuming great advances in manufacturing techniques and unlimited resources). I know the resolution is dependent on how far apart you place the individual components, so could you in theory have...
  35. S

    Radio Transmitter | 100 km Range, No Altimeter Needed

    I am looking for a radio transmitter to transmit altitude. I don’t need one that comes with an altimeter. The altimeter will change in voltage as altitude changes, so the transmitter just has to transmit that data to a receiver. The transmitter must have a range of atleast 100 kilometers. It...
  36. I

    Debunking the Myth: The Truth About Radio Waves and Leukemia

    http://healthandfitness.sympatico.msn.ca/News/ContentPosting.aspx?contentid=85b9ce54b8824e2baa998e79f5ec2f1e&show=True&number=6&showbyline=False&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc Do radio waves REALLY cause leukemia? Aren't they lower in wavelength than infra-red?
  37. Loren Booda

    Top formats for your car radio selections

    I am somewhat discouraged by my top six car radio selections. One changed from primarily classical to primarily news, duplicating another's National Public Radio and BBC subscriptions. An alternative rock station for 35 years changed to all Spanish popular music programming - maybe I'll pick...
  38. S

    Two radio antennae radiating in phase

    hii guys! I'm having trouble with a homework and I was wondering if you could explain something to me. Here's the problem: Two radio antennas A and B radiate in phase. Antenna B is a distance of X meters to the right of antenna A. Consider point Q along the extension of the line...
  39. S

    What is the phase difference between the two radio waves

    Hello, I am having difficulty answering the following problem: consider two antennas, separated by X meters that radiate in phase at f. A reciever placed 150 m from both antennas measures an intensity I_o. The reciever is moved so that it is 1.8 m closer to one antenna than ot the other...
  40. 7

    Speed of radio wave is faster than speed of gamma wave, right?

    In other medium except vacuum, there is different speed in different EM wave, right? i.e. speed of radio wave is faster than speed of gamma wave, right?
  41. N

    Calculating the Age of a Fossil Using Radioactive Decay: A Quick Guide

    Q. The half life of carbon-14 is 5730 years. If the original amount of carbon-14 in a particular living organism is 20 grams and that found in a fossil is 6 grams. determine the approximate age of the fossil. Here is what I did: A(t) = A0 e^kt 1/2 A0 = A0 e^5730k Find k by taking ln...
  42. Ivan Seeking

    Explore Old TV & Radio Series: Space Patrol & UFO

    Tonight on Coast to Coast they were talking about the old radio and TV series, Space Patrol. I have heard of it once or twice but that's all. Apparently this had a following much like Star Trek, which came much later. Does this bring back memories for anyone? http://www.spacepatrolbook.com/...
  43. S

    The Fall of the Portable Radio: How Long for a 10 dB Increase?

    A portable radio is sitting at the edge of a balcony 5.1m above the ground. The unit is emitting a sound uniformly in all directions. By accident, it falls from rest off the balcony and continues to play all the way down. A gardener is working in a flower bed directly below the falling unit...
  44. L

    Calculating Plane Height from Radio Wave Interference

    Hi, first time posting, nice forums :) Recently in my preparation for my scholarship exams later this year, i was approached by a question which has me rather confused. Im not neccesarily asking for the final definate answer, but it would be nice for some help on how to approach the...
  45. S

    Radio Communication: Starting Out - Tips for Beginners

    I'm a high school student working on an extracurricular activity where I'm trying to design and build a radio system to function similar to that of a rc vehicles. However, I'm just getting started, and my knowledge is mostly in mechanical engineering. Where should I start? Thanks
  46. R

    Stargazing Building a DIY Radio Telescope: Worth the Time and Effort?

    has anyone built this, something similar, or know anything about it? i found it on the internet and decided it was good to build seeing as i already have a satellite dish not being used. does anyone know of anything perhaps better to build? I've never built a radio telescope before, or any...
  47. S

    Improving FM Radio Reception: Tips & Tricks

    How to improve FM radio reception? I have this boombox type radio in my room with one meter long telescopic antenna, reception is sometimes really bad. Should I just hook up length of wire to the antenna or what ? Thanks. :smile:
  48. Moonbear

    FM Radio Station on House Electric?

    Okay, I guess this falls into the electrical engineering category. Ever since I moved into my house, I've noticed this odd problem of picking up a particular FM radio station on my phone receivers as well as it bleeding through across ALL the FM stations. I only have this problem in my...
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