Does a radio station actual generate radio waves, or does the broadcast simply ride on existing radio waves provided by mother nature?
2006-11-12 01:14:00 · 2 answers · asked by Taco S 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The station generates the signal. The carrier wave has to be at the specific frequency for which they are licensed, and can not deviate from that any more than standard modulation is allowed. They are also licensed for how much broadcast power they use.
2006-11-12 01:25:18 · answer #1 · answered by Siouxxi M 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A radio station, any kind, converts power into electromagnetic radiation. The radiation is derived from electrical currents that flow into the antenna and are then radiated by the antenna into space. To the circuit supplying power to the antenna, it appears as if there is a real resistive load at the end of the feed wires, the characteristic radiation resistance of the antenna. Many lower power radio transmitters are first tested, or tuned, by substituting a physical resistor for the antenna to avoid radiating.
Mother nature does provide many sources of natural electromagnetic radiation, such as the cosmic background radiation, but none are used for radio broadcast.
2006-11-12 14:51:59 · answer #2 · answered by hevans1944 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋