Key to Exercises 261

Applied terminology
(B) Measurement

Exercises 1 and 2.

Guided writing
(A) Description of radio communication system
A basic radio communication system consists of a microphone or key, a transmitter
and transmitting aerial, a receiver and receiving aerial, and a loudspeaker or
headphones. The microphone or Morse key produces an electrical signal. The
radio transmitter generates radio-frequency waves which vary in accordance with
the electrical signal. The transmitting aerial radiates these waves into space and
the receiving aerial receives them. The radio receiver amplifies the signal and repro-
duces the original electrical signal. The loudspeaker or headphones convert this
signal into sound, consequently the original sound is reproduced.
In a radio communication system the information to be transmitted must first
be converted into an electrical signal. In radio-telegraphy this is done using a Morse
key, whereas in radio-telephony this is done using a microphone. Then, this
information is superimposed on radio waves by the transmitter, using the signal
from the Morse key or microphone. These radio waves are generated by the trans-
mitter at a definite frequency. After that, they are conveyed to the transmitting
aerial for radiation. The receiving aerial picks up the radio signal in addition to a
mass of other signals as well. The radio signal is then dealt with by the radio
receiver. The receiver must do a number of things. After selecting the desired
signal, it must amplify it. After that, it must reproduce the original electrical signal,
which is then sent to headphones or a loudspeaker. These reproduce the original
sound and, therefore, complete the system.