Could 10 million radios tuned to one station cause a crash or signal collapse?

  • Thread starter Thread starter linux kid
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Radio
AI Thread Summary
A local radio station can transmit signals to an unlimited number of radios without crashing, as the transmitter operates independently of the number of receivers. The transmitter emits a consistent wattage signal, and it does not receive feedback on how many radios are tuned in. If 10,000,000 radios were extremely close to the transmitter, there could be some interference, but the primary concern would be overloading the power grid, not the transmitter itself. The discussion also draws an analogy with a candle being viewed by many people, suggesting that while many can observe, the physical arrangement may block others from seeing. Ultimately, the transmitter continues to function regardless of the number of receivers, unless obstructed by physical barriers that absorb the signals.
linux kid
Messages
101
Reaction score
0
If 10,000,000 radios are all tuned into a small local radio station, wouldn't the radio station crash, or what would happen?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Nothing would happen. It makes no difference to the transmitter if there are no radios at all or a couple of billion. It sends out the signal at a specific wattage (usually about 50,000), and any set within range can tune it in. There's no feedback to tell the transmitter how many sets it's 'talking to'.
 
linux kid said:
If 10,000,000 radios are all tuned into a small local radio station, wouldn't the radio station crash, or what would happen?
Well how far apart and away from the transmitter are those 10,000,000 radios?
 
MeJennifer said:
Well how far apart and away from the transmitter are those 10,000,000 radios?
Close enough to receive the signal.
 
linux kid said:
Close enough to receive the signal.
Well that was not the point of my question. If 10,000,000 radios get really close we may see some effect.
 
Only if they're all plugged in and overload the power grid.
 
Let me rephrase the original question in another way:

If 10.000.000 people are watching a small candle on a birthday cake, would the candle go out ?
 
Spurious question, how would you get 10,000,000 people in a room to look at a candle?
 
Integral said:
Spurious question, how would you get 10,000,000 people in a room to look at a candle?

You'd need a big room :blushing:
 
  • #10
The radio transmitter would be uneffected no matter how many people tuned into the broadcats. The arrangement of the receiving radios could block other radios, who were close enough to receive the signal, from receiving the signal though. Just as the 10,000 heads/bodies vieweing a candle could block other people from viewing the same candle.

There are only so many photons/radio waves emmited, and if they are absorbed by any source that would mean that those photons don't have the chance to be observed/registerd by another observer.

Consider that the transmission tower is errected inside very thick concrete walls (or another substance that does not allow any radio waves to escape ) surrounding all sides. All of these radio waves would be getting absorbed in the same way a radio antenna absorbs the signals.The tower would continue to send signals even though no one outside the walls could receive them and all possible photons are absorbed.

Sorry if I'm using the term absorbed improperly, what I mean is that the signal collapses (if that's a better way to describe it?)
 
Back
Top