Radio waves are electromagnetic radiation, which was first discovered by the German physicist Heinrich Hertz in 1887. Radio waves are crucial to radio communications and radio determination. In a vacuum, radio waves move at the speed of light. Radio waves travel close to this speed on Earth but are slowed down by the atmosphere.
The electromagnetic spectrum is divided into seven different regions. The six other regions are visible light, microwave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), and gamma-rays. Each region has a different range of wavelengths, energies, and frequencies.
Radio waves are the longest of all the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. They range from 1 millimeter up to 100 kilometers. Radio waves also have the lowest frequency, which ranges from 300 GHz up to 3 kHz.
Radiofrequency (RF), also known as oscillation rate, is the rate at which radio waves oscillate. The unit of measurement Hertz is equal to one cycle of frequency per second. 300 GHz, therefore, is 300 billion cycles in a second. UV, X, and Gamma Rays are the wavelengths with the shortest lengths.
CELLULAR TELEPHONES
It may not seem like it, but cell phones, including modern smart phones, are two-way handheld radio transceivers (transmitter/receiver) that communicate with cell networks by transmitting signals to, and receiving signals from, cell sites.
RADIODETERMINATION
What are radio waves used for? Radio waves are used to accomplish a variety of tasks. They can be used to determine your location relative to a reference point, detect an object in the air, on the sea, or on the ground, and more. Radio waves can be divided into radio navigation and radiolocation.
RADIOLOCATION
Radar (Radar Detection & Ranging) uses radio waves to determine the distance, velocity, and angle of an object. The military uses radar extensively to detect moving objects, such as missiles, rockets, and aircraft.
Radar is used by meteorologists for civil aviation, weather forecasting and tracking, outside of the military.
RADIO NAVIGATION
A radio transceiver allows an aircraft to get bearings by transmitting signals to radio beacons on the ground regardless of visibility or weather conditions.
How to Use Radio Systems
Radio waves are widely used for wireless communication and information transmission. They can take many forms, including mobile phones, fixed radio stations, and satellite communication for televisions.
There are several types of commercial radio-communications equipment, ranging from handheld handsets to amateur radio sets and GMRS. Radio waves are used in many practical ways.
TWO-WAY OUTDOOR RADIO SYSTEMS
Keep in touch with family and friends when camping, fishing, hunting, or hiking outdoors.
A walkie-talkie is a two-way handheld transceiver (radio transmitter/receiver). This technology is best demonstrated by the Midland T71, which allows you to wirelessly communicate with another person at a distance of up to 38 miles, depending on obstructions.
The X-TALKER 71, with its 36 channels, 121 codes of privacy, a channel scan, and a maximum battery life of 15 hours, is ideal for a variety of uses, including hunting, camping, and hiking. The X-TALKER is lightweight at only 6.2 oz. and is powered by either two 1,000-mAh battery packs (included) or three AA batteries. You can reduce the power transmitted by using the Hi/Lo setting to conserve the battery.
This post was written by Justin Tidd, Director at Becker Global America! For over 15 years, Becker Communications has been the industry’s leader in increasingly more sophisticated electrical mining communication systems. As they expanded into surface mining, railroads, and tunneling they added wireless communication systems, handheld radios, tagging, and tracking systems, as well as gas monitoring.
