The military alphabet, or more properly the phonetic alphabet, exists in innumerable variants. If any military alphabet can be viewed as the most correct, it is the current NATO standard military alphabet. However, even with the NATO standard military alphabet, various member nations use numerous spelling variations. This version of the military alphabet is also known as the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) code. The NATO Standard Military Alphabet This chart shows the current NATO standard military alphabet: Letter NATO A Alpha B Bravo C Charlie D Delta E Echo Read More

Intersymbol interference is a signal distortion in telecommunication. One or more symbols can interfere with other symbols causing noise or a less reliable signal. The main causes of intersymbol interference are multipath propagation or non-linear frequency in channels. This has the effect of a blur or mixture of symbols, which can reduce signal clarity. If intersymbol interference occurs within a system, the receiver output becomes erroneous at the decision device. This is an unfavorable result that should be reduced to the most minimal amount possible. Error rates from intersymbol interference Read More

The MMCX connector, or MicroMate, is a type of RF connector used with coaxial cables. Like its predecessor, the MCX connector, the MMCX connector is a very small connector, designed for the high frequency range. MMCX connectors can carry information in ranges up to 6 GHz, and were designed to meet the requirements set forth by the European CECC 22000 specification. Known as a type of micro-miniature connector, the MMCX connector is more flexible and more stable than the original MCX connector. It is currently the smallest connector available on Read More

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licenses the frequency spectrum in the United States. Useful charts showing frequency allocations are available from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/allochrt.html. This table shows commonly used names for various frequency ranges: Frequency Description 30 – 300 GHz Extremely High Frequency 3 – 30 GHz Super High Frequency 300 MHz – 3 GHz Ultra High Frequency (UHF) 30 – 300 MHz Very High Frequency (VHF) 3 – 30 MHz High Frequency (HF) 300 KHz – 3 MHz Medium Frequency 30 KHz – Read More

A bug detector is a device that is able to locate and/or disable electronic spy equipment such as microphones, cameras, and GPS tracking devices. Law enforcement agencies, military counter-intelligence agencies, criminals, and everyday individuals who are suspicious of being overheard often use bug detectors. Bug detectors are usually small, portable, and have multiple display functions to alert the user to a “bug.” How Bug Detectors Work A bug detector is essentially a radio receiver that is able to pick up electromagnetic signals that are broadcasted from an electronic device or Read More

FCC ID stands for Federal Communications Commission Identification. An FCC ID is the number found in all computer hardware components. FCC ID numbers, usually found on the circuit boards, are helpful in finding information about the manufacturers of the hardware devices. An FCC ID has 2 elements. The first is a three-character Grantee Code which usually begins with an alphabetic character and does not contain 1s or 0s. The FCC permanently assigns this code to a company for authorization of radio frequency equipment. It represents the Grantee or Applicant and Read More

Portable radios are limited in the power at which they can transmit, usually somewhere between .5 watts and 5 watts. A very rough rule of thumb is that one watt equals one mile of range over flat and open terrain. Buildings and mountains will, of course, greatly modify effective range. When two radios communicate directly with each other, this is known as Simplex. To achieve greater range, a radio repeater is often utilized. A radio repeater is a base station radio with a large antenna. Each portable radio communicates with Read More

Four digit security codes protect Kenwood car stereos from theft. If a thief steals a Kenwood car stereo, he/she will not be able to use the stereo until the secret four digit security code is entered. Unfortunately, many legitimate owners are also locked out of their Kenwood car stereos due to these security codes. This typically happens to people who buy used cars from people who forget to share the security code. However, it also happens to people who simply forget their security codes after several years. Common Kenwood Security Read More

The installation of an antenna starts with the analysis of few things that are decisive in ensuring reception quality. First you must decide which type of antenna will be used. Choosing the antenna type for the requirement is crucial, as the antenna used generally requires a specific antenna for the specific use. Next you must decide on antenna positioning. Selecting a position that provides the longest range and incurs the lease ambient noise is a key factor. It is generally considered best to place an antenna in a location that Read More

An Internet repeater is a device that allows amateur radio operators to communicate with each other over the Internet, much like how VoIP software allows telephone operators to communicate with each other over the Internet. Internet repeaters should not be confused with wireless repeaters, which allow users to extend the range of a wireless network. While many amateur radio hosts simply use their radio equipment to stream live radio shows on the Internet, Internet repeaters also allow radio operators to control remote radio locations, such as antennas and other broadcast Read More