A radio communication is a set of equipment necessary to carry on

communication Communication (from la, communicare, meaning "to share" or "to be in relation with") is usually defined as the transmission of information. The term may also refer to the message communicated through such transmissions or the field of inqui ...

via

radio waves Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with the longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum, typically with frequencies of 300 gigahertz ( GHz) and below. At 300 GHz, the corresponding wavelength is 1 mm (s ...

. Generally, it is a receiver or

transmitter In electronics and telecommunications, a radio transmitter or just transmitter is an electronic device which produces radio waves with an antenna. The transmitter itself generates a radio frequency alternating current, which is applied to the ...

transceiver In radio communication, a transceiver is an electronic device which is a combination of a radio ''trans''mitter and a re''ceiver'', hence the name. It can both transmit and receive radio waves using an antenna, for communication purposes. Thes ...

, an antenna, and some smaller additional equipment necessary to operate them. They play a vital role in communication technology as they are heavily relied on to transfer data and information across the world. More broadly, the definition of a radio station includes the aforementioned equipment and a building in which it is installed. Such a station may include several "radio stations" defined above (i.e. several sets of receivers or transmitters installed in one building but functioning independently, and several antennas installed on a field next to the building). This definition of a radio station is more often referred to as a transmitter site,

transmitter station A transmitter station or transmission facility is an installation used for transmitting radio frequency signals for wireless communication, broadcasting, microwave link, mobile telephone or other purposes. Choice of location The location may b ...

, transmission facility or transmitting station. An example of this definition is Bethany Relay Station of the Voice of America which had seven broadcast transmitters and could broadcast up to seven independent programs (even produced by different

broadcasters Broadcaster may refer to: * A presenter of any syndicated media program * A broadcasting organization, one responsible for audio and video content and/or their transmission * A sports commentator on television or radio * Broadcaster, currently ...

) simultaneously, as well as several communications transmitters and receivers.

ITU definition

The

International Telecommunication Union The International Telecommunication Union is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for many matters related to information and communication technologies. It was established on 17 May 1865 as the International Telegraph Unio ...

, defines a radio (communication) station as - «''one or more

s or receivers or a combination of transmitters and receivers, including the accessory equipment, necessary at one location for carrying on a radio communication service, or the

radio astronomy service Radio astronomy is a subfield of astronomy that studies celestial objects at radio frequencies. The first detection of radio waves from an astronomical object was in 1933, when Karl Jansky at Bell Telephone Laboratories reported radiation coming f ...

. Each station shall be classified by the service in which it operates permanently or temporarily''».

Equipment

* Transmitter - Takes the electrical output of a

microphone A microphone, colloquially called a mic or mike (), is a transducer that converts sound into an electrical signal. Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones, hearing aids, public address systems for concert halls and publ ...

and then modulates a higher-frequency

carrier signal In telecommunications, a carrier wave, carrier signal, or just carrier, is a waveform (usually sinusoidal) that is modulated (modified) with an information-bearing signal for the purpose of conveying information. This carrier wave usually has ...

and transmits it as radio waves. * Receiver - The broadcast message is received by the receiver and decodes the radio sine waves. * Antenna - An antenna is required for transmission; it is also required to receive radio waves. The main use of an antenna is to send radio signals. * Aerial feeder - system of feeding HF-Energy (power) in the antenna * Transmission lines - Transmission lines are used to transfer the radio signals to other locations. * Connectors Interface panel remote control – This is used to connect various different types of the equipment used in a radio station. To input broadcast data into a transmitter an interface panel will need to be used. * Cable – A

cable Cable may refer to: Mechanical * Nautical cable, an assembly of three or more ropes woven against the weave of the ropes, rendering it virtually waterproof * Wire rope, a type of rope that consists of several strands of metal wire laid into a hel ...

can be used to connect the various devices. * Equipment Rack – To hold all equipment in a secure and logical manner, an equipment rack will be used. * Power protection equipment – For holding equipment's in a stable, secure and logical manner. * UPS – For uninterrupted power supply. These are the most used/important devices and items for most radio stations.

Antennas

A microphone is used to capture the input of sound waves created by people speaking into the device. The sounds are then turned into electrical energy; this energy then flows along a metal antenna. As the electrons in the electric current move back and forth up the antenna, the current creates an invisible electromagnetic radiation in the form of radio waves. The waves travel at the speed of light, taking the radio program (voices recorded) with them.

Transceiver

A compound of both a transmitter and a receiver is called a transceiver, they are combined and share common circuitry or a single housing. Technically transceivers must combine a significant amount of the transmitter and receiver handling the circuitry.

Radio frequency list

Possible

Frequency allocation Frequency allocation (or spectrum allocation or spectrum management) is the allocation and regulation of the electromagnetic spectrum into radio frequency bands, normally done by governments in most countries. Because radio propagation does ...

s, allotments & assignments *

Broadcasting service Radio broadcasting is transmission of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based radio sta ...

(AM sound broadcasting) - 535 to 1606.5 kHz * Broadcasting service (HF sound broadcasting) - bands from 5.9 to 26.1

MHz The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose expression in terms of SI base units is s−1, meaning that one he ...

Mobile service Mobile service is – in line to ITU Radio Regulations – a radiocommunication service between mobile and land stations, or between mobile stations (CV). Classification In accordance with ''ITU Radio Regulations'' (article 1) variations of this ...

(

citizens band Citizens band radio (also known as CB radio), used in many countries, is a land mobile radio system, a system allowing short-distance person-to-many persons bidirectional voice communication among individuals, using two way radios operating on ...

radio) - 26.96 to 27.41 MHz * Amateur Radio Service ublic Service & Emergency Radio Services(

Ham Radio Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of the radio frequency spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emergency communica ...

) - bands from 135.7 kHz & up * Broadcasting service (television, channels 2 through 6) - 54 to 88 MHz * Broadcasting service (FM sound broadcasting) - 88 to 108 MHz * Broadcasting service (television, channels 7 through 13) - 174 to 220 MHz *

FIXED SERVICE In telecommunications, a fixed service (or fixed radiocommunication service) is a radiocommunication service between specified fixed points. Classification The ITU Radio Regulations (article 1) classify variations of this radiocommunication serv ...

, MOBILE SERVICE, (generic frequency allotment) ''garage door opener'' - around 40 MHz * MOBILE SERVICE (generic frequency allotment) ''standard digital cordless phones (

DECT Digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (Digital European cordless telecommunications), usually known by the acronym DECT, is a standard primarily used for creating cordless telephone systems. It originated in Europe, where it is the common ...

)'' - 40 to 50 MHz * MOBILE SERVICE ''

baby monitor A baby monitor, also known as a baby alarm, is a radio system used to remotely listen to sounds made by an infant. An audio monitor consists of a transmitter unit, equipped with a microphone, placed near to the child. It transmits the sounds by ...

s'' - 49 MHz * MOBILE SERVICE ''radio controlled airplanes'' - around 72 MHz * Mobile service '' cell phones'' - 824 to 849 MHz *

Space research service Space research service (short: SRS | also: ''space research radiocommunication service'') is – according to ''Article 1.55'' of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as ''«A radiocommunicat ...

(deep space) - 2290 MHz to 2300 MHz

References