The F connector is a particular type of radio frequency connector that was developed in the early 1950’s. Eric Winston is usually credited with the creation of the F connector, while developing cable television as an alternative to the broadcast television options of the day. What does the F Connector do? The F connector provides an inexpensive connection for coaxial cables to communications devices and to other cables. While the cost of an F connector is generally less than many other types of radio frequency cable connectors, the connection provided Read More

A radar jammer is a piece of equipment used to scramble nearby radar signals. Radar jammers are often used by drivers to jam the signals coming out from police speed detectors. The radar jammer is very similar to the Power Drainer and is the size of a small box. Radar Jamming as a Crime There are active radar jammers available that work on the principle of interfering with the Doppler shift that is created in the radar beam from the radar gun. However, the law states that the interfering of Read More

Traditional radio equipment works because all parties involved in the communication agree on what frequencies they will utilize. Traditional radio scanners work by scanning for and then listening to those frequencies. Trunking radios, on the other hand, constantly renegotiate the frequencies utilized for the conversation. This allows for more efficient utilization of limited frequencies because each conversation does not require a dedicated channel. However, it also makes it very difficult to scan trunked conversations because you do not usually know what frequency the next portion of the conversation will appear Read More

MURS, or the Multi-Use Radio Service, is a public radio service created by the FCC in the Fall of 2000 that can be accessed by any individual for personal or business-related purpose. MURS was created for the general public to use without acquiring a license to broadcast, but requires that users remain within the frequencies allotted to MURS. Officially, MURS is defined by the FCC as a “a private, two-way, short-distance voice or data communications service for personal or business activities of the general public.”   Rules of MURS Although Read More

Radio was not invented by any single person, but instead was a culmination of several scientists’ research, each of whom pioneered a different area of electromagnetic radiation and radio waves during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Among these men are well known researchers such as Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, James Clerk Maxwell, David E. Hughes, Thomas Edison, and Nikola Tesla. The Role of James Clerk Maxwell In order to fully understand the invention of radio, we must go back to an earlier point in time when electromagnetism was first discovered. Read More

RF connectors, also known as a radio frequency connectors, include a number of different types of connectors constructed to work with a wide range of multi-megahertz applications. RF connectors provide a quick and easy way to connect coaxial cables to each other and to other devices. There is a range of capability among the different versions of the RF connector. Some of the more efficient types help to minimize the variance of transmission at the point of connection. The type of fastening mechanism will vary from one type of RF Read More

When it comes to automobile security, the world is raving about car radio security codes. Most people who use vehicles will often find a car radio security code which is already in use. They may not, however, know about it because different car manufacturers term them differently. They are popularly referred to as radio code, theft-lock, unlock code, security code, anti-thief code, or decoding. The purpose of the radio code is not to protect your vehicle itself, but as the name suggests, safeguarding your radio/stereo. The car radio security code Read More

Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) was pioneered by the British engineer Alec Reeves in 1937. The first transmission of a message using PCM was the SIGSALY voice encryption equipment used in high-level Allied communications during World War II starting in 1943. The original primary application for PCM was to convert analog signals into digital format by taking samples of wave forms that fall within 8 to 192 KHz and converting them into a digital number 8 to 24 bits long. In short, PCM refers to the technique of digitalizing an analog Read More

Modulation is the process of varying some characteristic of a periodic wave with external signals. Modulation is utilized to send an information bearing signal over long distances. Radio communication superimposes this information bearing signal onto a carrier signal. These high frequency carrier signals can be transmitted over the air easily and are capable of traveling long distances. The characteristics (amplitude, frequency, or phase) of the carrier signal are varied in accordance with the information bearing signal. In the field of communication engineering, the information bearing signal is also known as Read More

All radio spectrum is legislated or controlled. The FCC requires licenses to operate on some bands, and lets other frequency bands run unlicensed. Radio Services Which Require a License Some of the licensed radio services include: Acronym Full Name URL HAM Amateur http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/amateur/ GMRS General Mobile Radio Service http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/personal/generalmobile/ Radio Services Which Do Not Require a License Some of the unlicensed radio services include: Acronym Full Name URL CB Citizens Band http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/personal/cb/ FRS Family Radio Service http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/personal/family/ MURS Multi-Use Radio Service http://www.provide.net/~prsg/murs_faq.htm While unlicensed, there are still restrictions placed on Read More