Portal:Radio

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The Radio Portal

A variety of radio antennas on Sandia Peak near Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Radio is the technology of communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 3 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitter connected to an antenna which radiates the waves. They are received by another antenna connected to a radio receiver. In addition to communication, radio is used for radar, radio navigation, remote control, remote sensing, and other applications.

In radio communication, used in radio and television broadcasting, cell phones, two-way radios, wireless networking, and satellite communication, among numerous other uses, radio waves are used to carry information across space from a transmitter to a receiver, by modulating the radio signal (impressing an information signal on the radio wave by varying some aspect of the wave) in the transmitter. In radar, used to locate and track objects like aircraft, ships, spacecraft and missiles, a beam of radio waves emitted by a radar transmitter reflects off the target object, and the reflected waves reveal the object's location to a receiver that is typically colocated with the transmitter. In radio navigation systems such as GPS and VOR, a mobile navigation instrument receives radio signals from multiple navigational radio beacons whose position is known, and by precisely measuring the arrival time of the radio waves the receiver can calculate its position on Earth. In wireless radio remote control devices like drones, garage door openers, and keyless entry systems, radio signals transmitted from a controller device control the actions of a remote device. (Full article...)

Naval air traffic controller communicates with aircraft over a two-way radio headset

A two-way radio is a radio transceiver (a radio that can both transmit and receive radio waves), which is used for bidirectional person-to-person voice communication with other users with similar radios, in contrast to a broadcast receiver, which only receives transmissions.

Two-way radios usually use a half-duplex communication channel, which permits two-way communication, albeit with the limitation that only one user can transmit at a time. (This is in contrast to simplex communication, in which transmission can only be sent in one direction, and full-duplex, which allows transmission in both directions simultaneously.) This requires users in a group to take turns talking. The radio is normally in receive mode so the user can hear all other transmissions on the channel. When the user wants to talk, they press a "push-to-talk" button, which turns off the receiver and turns on the transmitter; when the button is released, the receiver is activated again. Multiple channels are provided so separate user groups can communicate in the same area without interfering with each other and some radios are designed to scan the channels in order to find a valid transmission. Other two-way radio systems operate in full-duplex mode, in which both parties can talk simultaneously. This requires either two separate radio channels or channel sharing methods such as time-division duplex (TDD) to carry the two directions of the conversation simultaneously on a single radio frequency. (Full article...)
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The following are images from various radio-related articles on Wikipedia.
  • Image 1Reginald Fessenden (around 1906) (from History of radio)
    Reginald Fessenden (around 1906) (from History of radio)
  • Image 2Use of a sound broadcasting station (from Radio broadcasting)
    Use of a sound broadcasting station (from Radio broadcasting)
  • Image 3Animation of a half-wave dipole antenna radiating radio waves, showing the electric field lines. The antenna in the center is two vertical metal rods connected to a radio transmitter (not shown). The transmitter applies an alternating electric current to the rods, which charges them alternately positive (+) and negative (−). Loops of electric field leave the antenna and travel away at the speed of light; these are the radio waves. In this animation the action is shown slowed down tremendously. (from Radio wave)
    Animation of a half-wave dipole antenna radiating radio waves, showing the electric field lines. The antenna in the center is two vertical metal rods connected to a radio transmitter (not shown). The transmitter applies an alternating electric current to the rods, which charges them alternately positive (+) and negative (−). Loops of electric field leave the antenna and travel away at the speed of light; these are the radio waves. In this animation the action is shown slowed down tremendously. (from Radio wave)
  • Image 4An antenna farm hosting various radio antennas on Sandia Peak near Albuquerque, New Mexico, US (from Radio)
    An antenna farm hosting various radio antennas on Sandia Peak near Albuquerque, New Mexico, US (from Radio)
  • Image 5Worldwide presence of Radio Maria broadcasters (from Radio broadcasting)
    Worldwide presence of Radio Maria broadcasters (from Radio broadcasting)
  • Image 6Oliver Lodge's 1894 lectures on Hertz demonstrated how to transmit and detect radio waves. (from History of radio)
    Oliver Lodge's 1894 lectures on Hertz demonstrated how to transmit and detect radio waves. (from History of radio)
  • Image 7Radio communication. Information such as sound is converted by a transducer such as a microphone to an electrical signal, which modulates a radio wave produced by the transmitter. A receiver intercepts the radio wave and extracts the information-bearing modulation signal, which is converted back to a human usable form with another transducer such as a loudspeaker. (from Radio)
    Radio communication. Information such as sound is converted by a transducer such as a microphone to an electrical signal, which modulates a radio wave produced by the transmitter. A receiver intercepts the radio wave and extracts the information-bearing modulation signal, which is converted back to a human usable form with another transducer such as a loudspeaker. (from Radio)
  • Image 8Advertisement placed on November 5, 1919, Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant announcing PCGG's debut broadcast scheduled for the next evening (from Radio broadcasting)
    Advertisement placed on November 5, 1919, Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant announcing PCGG's debut broadcast scheduled for the next evening (from Radio broadcasting)
  • Image 9The first commercial AM Audion vacuum tube radio transmitter, built in 1914 by Lee De Forest who invented the Audion (triode) in 1906 (from History of radio)
    The first commercial AM Audion vacuum tube radio transmitter, built in 1914 by Lee De Forest who invented the Audion (triode) in 1906 (from History of radio)
  • Image 10Wildlife officer tracking radio-tagged mountain lion (from Radio)
    Wildlife officer tracking radio-tagged mountain lion (from Radio)
  • Image 11In the 1920s, the United States government publication, "Construction and Operation of a Simple Homemade Radio Receiving Outfit", showed how almost any person handy with simple tools could a build an effective crystal radio receiver. (from History of radio)
    In the 1920s, the United States government publication, "Construction and Operation of a Simple Homemade Radio Receiving Outfit", showed how almost any person handy with simple tools could a build an effective crystal radio receiver. (from History of radio)
  • Image 12Animated diagram of a half-wave dipole antenna receiving a radio wave. The antenna consists of two metal rods connected to a receiver R. The electric field (E, green arrows) of the incoming wave pushes the electrons in the rods back and forth, charging the ends alternately positive (+) and negative (−). Since the length of the antenna is one half the wavelength of the wave, the oscillating field induces standing waves of voltage (V, represented by red band) and current in the rods. The oscillating currents (black arrows) flow down the transmission line and through the receiver (represented by the resistance R). (from Radio wave)
    Animated diagram of a half-wave dipole antenna receiving a radio wave. The antenna consists of two metal rods connected to a receiver R. The electric field (E, green arrows) of the incoming wave pushes the electrons in the rods back and forth, charging the ends alternately positive (+) and negative (−). Since the length of the antenna is one half the wavelength of the wave, the oscillating field induces standing waves of voltage (V, represented by red band) and current in the rods. The oscillating currents (black arrows) flow down the transmission line and through the receiver (represented by the resistance R). (from Radio wave)
  • Image 13Rotating marine radar antenna on a ship (from Radio)
    Rotating marine radar antenna on a ship (from Radio)
  • Image 14Motorola SCR-536 from WW2, the first walkie-talkie (from Radio)
    Motorola SCR-536 from WW2, the first walkie-talkie (from Radio)
  • Image 15A laptop (with Wi-Fi module) and a typical home wireless router (on the right) connecting it to the Internet. The laptop shows its own photo (from Radio)
    A laptop (with Wi-Fi module) and a typical home wireless router (on the right) connecting it to the Internet. The laptop shows its own photo (from Radio)
  • Image 16The Regency TR-1, which used Texas Instruments' NPN transistors, was the world's first commercially produced transistor radio in 1954. (from History of radio)
    The Regency TR-1, which used Texas Instruments' NPN transistors, was the world's first commercially produced transistor radio in 1954. (from History of radio)
  • Image 17Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1856–1894) proved the existence of electromagnetic radiation. (from History of radio)
    Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1856–1894) proved the existence of electromagnetic radiation. (from History of radio)
  • Image 18British Post Office engineers inspect Guglielmo Marconi's wireless telegraphy (radio) equipment in 1897. (from History of radio)
    British Post Office engineers inspect Guglielmo Marconi's wireless telegraphy (radio) equipment in 1897. (from History of radio)
  • Image 19Frequency spectrum of a typical modulated AM or FM radio signal. It consists of a component C at the carrier wave frequency '"`UNIQ--postMath-00000001-QINU`"' with the information (modulation) contained in two narrow bands of frequencies called sidebands (SB) just above and below the carrier frequency. (from Radio)
    Frequency spectrum of a typical modulated AM or FM radio signal. It consists of a component C at the carrier wave frequency with the information (modulation) contained in two narrow bands of frequencies called sidebands (SB) just above and below the carrier frequency. (from Radio)
  • Image 20Donald Manson working as an employee of the Marconi Company (England, 1906) (from History of radio)
    Donald Manson working as an employee of the Marconi Company (England, 1906) (from History of radio)
  • Image 21Control room and radio studio of the Finnish broadcasting company Yleisradio (YLE) in the 1930s. (from Radio broadcasting)
    Control room and radio studio of the Finnish broadcasting company Yleisradio (YLE) in the 1930s. (from Radio broadcasting)
  • Image 22Comparison of AM and FM modulated radio waves (from Radio)
    Comparison of AM and FM modulated radio waves (from Radio)
  • Image 23Diagram of the electric fields (E) and magnetic fields (H) of radio waves emitted by a monopole radio transmitting antenna (small dark vertical line in the center). The E and H fields are perpendicular, as implied by the phase diagram in the lower right. (from Radio wave)
    Diagram of the electric fields (E) and magnetic fields (H) of radio waves emitted by a monopole radio transmitting antenna (small dark vertical line in the center). The E and H fields are perpendicular, as implied by the phase diagram in the lower right. (from Radio wave)
  • Image 24Early experiment demonstrating refraction of microwaves by a paraffin lens by John Ambrose Fleming in 1897 (from History of radio)
    Early experiment demonstrating refraction of microwaves by a paraffin lens by John Ambrose Fleming in 1897 (from History of radio)
  • Image 25Neighborhood wireless WAN router on telephone pole (from Radio)
    Neighborhood wireless WAN router on telephone pole (from Radio)
  • Image 26Volkswagen's RNS-510 receiver supports Sirius Satellite Radio. (from Radio)
    Volkswagen's RNS-510 receiver supports Sirius Satellite Radio. (from Radio)
  • Image 27An early iPhone with its GPS navigation app in use. (from Radio)
    An early iPhone with its GPS navigation app in use. (from Radio)
  • Image 28Around 1920, radio broadcasting started to get popular. The Brox Sisters, a popular singing group, gathered around the radio at the time. (from History of radio)
    Around 1920, radio broadcasting started to get popular. The Brox Sisters, a popular singing group, gathered around the radio at the time. (from History of radio)

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Radio topics

Formats Community radio, Music radio, Old-time radio, Radio comedy, Radio documentary, Radio drama, Sports radio, Talk Radio, Top 40
Networks BBC Radio, Blue Network, Columbia Broadcasting System, Mutual Broadcasting System, National Broadcasting Company, Sirius Satellite Radio, XM Satellite Radio
People Fred Allen, Gracie Allen, Don Ameche, Jack Benny, Edgar Bergen, Jagadish Chandra Bose, George Burns, Charlamagne tha God, Ronald Colman, Jim Connors, Frank Conrad, Norman Corwin, Charles Coughlin, Frankie Crocker, Ebro Darden, Alice Faye, Stan Freberg, Sean Hannity, Vaughn Harper, Phil Harris, Bob Hope, Hal Jackson, Spike Jones, Tom Joyner, Hans von Kaltenborn, Larry Elder, Larry King, Kay Kyser, Frances Langford, Rush Limbaugh, Guglielmo Marconi, Angie Martinez, Elizabeth McLeod, J. Carrol Naish, Ozzie Nelson, Arch Oboler, Dorothy Parker, Virginia Payne, Harold Peary, David Sarnoff, Red Skelton, Kate Smith, Stephen A. Smith, Howard Stern, Nikola Tesla, Jonathan Toubin, Lurene Tuttle, Rudy Vallée, Fred Waring, Orson Welles, Wendy Williams, Angela Yee
Shows Abbott and Costello, Amos 'n' Andy, Arch Oboler's Plays, The Breakfast Club, Burns and Allen, Cavalcade of America, CBS Radio Mystery Theater, Dragnet, Duffy's Tavern, Ebro in the Morning, Fibber McGee and Molly, The Goldbergs, The Howard Stern Show, Inner Sanctum Mysteries, The Jack Benny Program, Life with Luigi, Lights Out, Lux Radio Theater, Opie and Anthony, The Archers, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show, Quiz Kids, The Screen Guild Theater, The Shadow, Suspense, Theater Guild on the Air, Twenty Questions, The Whistler, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, Tom Joyner Morning Show, Rush Limbaugh Show
Technology Amateur radio, AM broadcasting, FM broadcasting, International broadcasting, Internet Radio, Digital Radio Mondiale, HD Radio, Digital Audio Broadcasting, GNU Radio, Software-defined radio, Transistor radio, Vacuum tube, Pirate radio

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WikiProjects

  • Radio December 12, 2006 "...to create, expand, and maintain Wikipedia articles related to radio, including radio propagation and reception, radio programming, radio personalities, and the business of radio." (Example: Mutual Broadcasting System)
  • Radio Stations February 15, 2005 "...to coordinate the activities of creating and maintaining articles about radio stations." (Example: Pulse FM Kingborough & Huon)
  • Podcasting January 21, 2007 "...to make Wikipedia's knowledge of notable Podcast and podcast-related information as complete as possible." (Example: Podcast)
  • Amateur Radio (Inactive), August 24, 2006 "...to improve Wikipedia's articles related to Amateur radio, maintain the amateur radio category and its sub-categories for clean organization, and to produce and maintain templates for Amateur radio-related topic identification." (Example: Amateur radio)

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