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1.1 Day 1 - TESS VHF Training - Basic RF Theory

The document provides an overview of basic radio frequency (RF) theory, including: 1) The basic components of a radio system include an antenna, radio, power cable, and antenna cable. 2) Radio basics like frequency, wavelength, and propagation are described. Frequency is measured in Hertz and determines wavelength. Propagation depends on factors like line of sight and antenna height. 3) Antenna characteristics such as type, polarization, design, and directionality are covered. Standing wave ratio (SWR) is discussed as a measure of impedance matching between components.

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Ogunjimi Taofiki Adebisi
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52 views24 pages

1.1 Day 1 - TESS VHF Training - Basic RF Theory

The document provides an overview of basic radio frequency (RF) theory, including: 1) The basic components of a radio system include an antenna, radio, power cable, and antenna cable. 2) Radio basics like frequency, wavelength, and propagation are described. Frequency is measured in Hertz and determines wavelength. Propagation depends on factors like line of sight and antenna height. 3) Antenna characteristics such as type, polarization, design, and directionality are covered. Standing wave ratio (SWR) is discussed as a measure of impedance matching between components.

Uploaded by

Ogunjimi Taofiki Adebisi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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{TESS+} VHF Training

Module 1:
Basic RF theory

Read more about {TESS+}:


www.wfp.org/telecommunications-security-standards Email: [email protected]
Session objectives

• Describe the components of a radio system


• Radio basics (frequency, wavelength, propagation)
• Describe antenna characteristics
• Describe SWR
Basic components of a radio system

Antenna

Radio
Power Antenna
Powe cable
r
cable
Basic components of a radio system

Antenna
cable
Power cable Antenna

Power Radio
Radio basics

• Radio is the technology of using waves to carry information (such as sounds or


pictures) by systematically changing the properties of the wave that carries the
information into electromagnetic energy and transmitting it to be received
through space.
Radio basics - frequency (f)

• Electromagnetic field (EMF) is a combination of electrical energy and magnetic


energy that travel in a straight line
• Frequency: is the number of occurrences of repeating waves per unit of time,
measured in Hertz (Hz).

1 oscillation = 1 Hertz (Hz)


Radio basics - frequency (f)
Name Symbol Frequency
Extremely low frequency ELF 3–30 Hz
Super low frequency SLF 30–300 Hz
Ultra low frequency ULF 300–3000 Hz
Very low frequency VLF 3–30 kHz
Low frequency LF 30–300 kHz
Medium frequency MF 300–3000 kHz
High frequency HF 3–30 MHz
Very high frequency VHF 30–300 MHz
Ultra high frequency UHF 300–3000 MHz
Super high frequency SHF 3–30 GHz
Extremely high frequency EHF 30–300 GHz

• Frequencies above 1000 MHz are generally referred to as microwave.


• Names are assigned to various frequency ranges, e.g. L-Band, X-Band.
Radio basics - frequency (f)
Radio basics - wavelength (λ)

• Wavelength: is the distance between two successive crests or troughs of a


wave, measured in metre (m). It is measured in the direction of the wave.
Radio basics - wavelength (λ)

• Electro-magnetic waves travel at the speed of light (appx. 3x108 m/s) so the
formula is:
Frequency=> f =
3x108 / λ
Wavelength => λ = 3x108 / f
• Examples: Calculate the wavelength of EM waves travelling with the following
frequencies: • 15 MHz => 20m
• 150 MHz => 2m
• 300 Mhz => 1m
• 3 GHz => 0.1m / 10cm
Radio basics - propagation

• Radio waves are affected by many factors including the medium and obstacles
in its path. Radio waves are mainly affected by:
- Attenuation, gradual loss of strength, reflection, diffraction.
Radio basics - propagation

• Line of sight waves vs ground waves vs sky waves

> 30 MHZ

< 30 MHZ
Radio basics - propagation

• VHF (30-300 MHz) signals only follow line-of-sight (LoS) meaning it is a


direct wave.
• HF (3-30 MHz) signals are either ground waves or sky waves.
• Keeping other conditions constant, the distance the wave can travel
depends on the height of the two antennas and the output power.
Radio basics - antennas

• Antenna: a metallic structure that captures and/or transmits radio


electromagnetic waves.
• Antennas come in all shapes and sizes - some examples are
shown below.
Radio basics - antennas (directivity and patterns)

Omni-directional E-plane (160 MHz)

Directional
H-plane (160 MHz)
Radio basics - antennas (polarization)
Radio basics - antennas (design)

• Wavelength vs antenna length

antenna

antenna

antenna
antenna

λ 5 /8 λ ½λ ¼λ
Radio basics - using the wrong antenna

proper antenna wrong antenna

antenna Transmitte Reflected antenna Transmitte


d power power d power
Radio basics - losses
• Every component between a transmitter and an antenna introduces a loss in
transmission power.

Component Loss (144 MHz @ 100m)


RG213 cable 9.2 dB
LMR600 cable 4.9 dB
N-connector 0.15 dB
Lightning arrestor 0.1 dB
Radio basics – SWR (standing wave ratio)

• SWR: standing wave ratio


• SWR measures transmitter output power and reflected power from the
antenna system.
• SWR is a ratio – it measures how well the load is matched to the
transmitter.
• An SWR meter is the testing device used to measure the strength and quality
of transmission. It looks like this:

• The SWR meter should be installed between the antenna and the radio.
Radio basics - SWR

• When a signal is transmitted from a transmitter to the antenna, not all of the
signal may be transmitted by the antenna due to various reasons, such as:
- Antenna is not of the correct frequency
- Open or short circuit in the cable
- Impedance mismatch between transmitter, cable & antenna

Reflected Transmitted
power power
Radio basics - SWR

• SWR reading:
- When the ratio of the forward signal is in phase with the reflected signal, the ratio is 1:1
(ie. perfect reading)
- When the forward signal is not directly in phase and is slightly out of tune, the ratio
is between 1:1.5 and 1:2.0 The antenna can still work with this SWR.
- Anything beyond this is out of tune and should be rectified before adding a load.
Normal Check
range system Unacceptable

1:1.0 1:1.5 1:2.0

• A high SWR can seriously damage the radio equipment!


Radio basics - SWR

• High SWR values mean the transmitter sees a different load leading to damage
of the transmitter, this could be related to:
- Loss of power to antenna
- Radio interference
- Loose connector
- Cable cut

Radio
Questions and remarks

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