DEFINITIONS
Radio transmission is an electromagnetic wave
RADIO BANDS
Low and Medium Frequency: Non
Directional Beacons and Marker Beacons
transmit signals on the LF/MF bands of
200 to 415KHz and 510 to 535KHz.
High Frequency: used for air/ground
communication in remote northern areas
and on transoceanic flights. (longer range
than VHF) 2,500KHz to 30,000KHz
PROPERTIES OF RADIO
WAVES
Reflection: change of direction occurring at a
PROPAGATION
LF, MF, and HF transmit in two ways.
Ground Waves: follow the surface of the earth
.
VHF waves are not affected by the same
propagation characteristics.
These waves do not reflect off the ionosphere
but continue into space.
They do not follow the curvature of the earth.
This line-of-sight (space waves) characteristic
means reception is dependant on altitude.
1.23AGL=range(nm)
ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS
LF, MF, HF are affected by the changing height of the
HF COMMUNICATION
Because of HF radios propagation characteristics
it is very useful for long range communications.
It is used in remote areas such as Northern
Canada and during transoceanic flights.
The higher range of HF travels farther in the day
while the lower HF signals travel farther at night
due to the changing ionosphere.
Sun up, frequency up
Sun down, frequency down
ANTENNAS
Radio antennas operate on the principle of
resonance: when a tuning fork is struck it
will vibrate at its natural frequency; when
two tuning forks are tuned to the same
frequency the first tuning fork will induce
vibration in the second.
Radio antennas are tuned to the frequency
to be received.
.
The ideal antenna length is one wavelength