Radio Communication Handbook 10th ed

864 Pages·2009·123.073 MB·English

by  M. Dennison, J. Fielding

Radio Communication
B
Handbook
G
TENTH EDITION
S
Editors
Mike Dennison, G3XDV
John Fielding, ZS5JF
R

©
Radio Society of Great Britain
Published by the Radio Society of Great Britain, 3 Abbey Court, Fraser Road, Priory Business Park, Bedford.
MK44 3WH.Tel [phone]. Web www.rsgb.org B
First published 2009.
G
©Radio Society of Great Britain, 2009. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-
copying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission or the Radio Society of Great Britain.
Cover design: Kim Meyern
S
Production: Mark Allgar, M1MPA
Design and layout: Mike Dennison, G3XDV, Emdee Publishing
R
Printed in Great Britain by Piggott Black Bear Limited, Cambridge
Companion CDprinted by DBMasters of Faversham, England (www.dbmasters.co.uk)

The opinions expressed in this book are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of the Radio
Society of Grea©t Britain. Whilst the information presented is believed to be correct, the publishers and their
agents cannot accept responsibility for consequences arising from any inaccuracies or omissions.
ISBN 9781-9050-8654-2
Acknowledgements
The principal contributors to this book were:
Chapter 1: Principles Alan Betts, G0HIQ
B
Chapter 2: Passive components ‘Phosphor’
Stuart Swain, G0FYX
Chapter 3: Semiconductors and valves Alan Betts, G0HIQ
Fred Ruddell, GI4MWA
Chapter 4: Building blocks 1: Oscillators Peter Goodson, G4PCF
Chapter 5: Building blocks 2: Amplifiers, mixers etc GPeter Goodson, G4PCF
Chapter 6: HFreceivers Hans Summers, G0UPL
Chapter 7: HFtransmitters and transceivers Hans Summers, G0UPL
Peter Hart, G3SJX
Chapter 8: Software defined radio Steve Ireland, VK6VZ
Phil Harman, VK6APH
Chapter 9: VHF/UHF receivers, transmitters and transceivers Andy Barter, G8ATD
S
Chris Lorek, G4HCL
Chapter 10: Low frequencies: 136kHz and 500kHz Jim Moritz, M0BMU
Chapter 11: Practical microwave receivers and transmitters Andy Barter, G8ATD
Chapter 12: Propagation Gwyn Willams, G4FKH
Chapter 13: Antenna basics and construction Peter Dodd, G3LDO
Chapter 14: Transmission lines Peter Dodd, G3LDO
R
Chapter 15: Practical HFantennas Peter Dodd, G3LDO
Chapter 16: Practical VHF/UHF antennas Peter Swallow, G8EZE
Chapter 17: Practical microwave antennas Andy Barter, G8ATD
Chapter 18 The great outdoors Richard Marshall, G4ERP
Chapter 19: Morse code Roger Cooke, G3LDI
Chapter 20: Data c ommunications Andy Talbot, G4JNT
Chris Lorek, G4HCL
Chapter 21: Satellites and space John Heath, G7HIA
©
John Fielding, ZS5JF
Chapter 22: Computers in the shack Andy Talbot, G4JNT
Chapter 23: Electromagnetic compatibility Robin Page-Jones, G3JWI
Chapter 24: Power supplies ‘Phosphor’
John Fielding, ZS5JF
Chapter 25: Measurement and test equipment Clive Smith, GM4FZH
Chapter 26: Construction and workshop practice Eamon Skelton, EI9GQ
Thanks also go to G0MRF, W1GHZ, the contributors to previous editions of this book and the authors of the published
RadComarticles which provided some of the source material.
THERE’S A WHOLE WORLD OF
CONTACTS OUT THERE…
…HOW MANY CAN YOU MAKE IN 48 HRS?
B
G
S
R
PPlleeaassee ssuuppppoorrtt
TTRRAANNSSMMIISSSSIIOONN

©
Each year the British Wireless for the Blind Fund (BWBF) calls on the support of
Amateur Radio Clubs and individual enthusiasts to spread the word about BWBF through
TRANSMISSION a national fundraising event in which you compete to see who can
make the most contacts and raise the most money over the Transmission weekend.
Just get as many people as you can to sponsor you for every contact you
or your club makes.
All the money you raise will help the BRITISH WIRELESS FOR THE BLIND FUND
provide specially adapted audio equipment on free permanent loan to registered blind
and partially sighted people in need.
BTO HEWLP THE BWORKF OF
FOR AN OFFICIAL SPONSORSHIP FORM, RULES AND FURTHER
INFORMATION, visit: www.blind.org.uk/newsite/events
Alternatively, ring: 01622 754757, Fax: [phone],
E-mail: [email protected] or please write to: Transmission,
BRITISH WIRELESS FOR THE BLIND FUND
BWBF, 10 Albion Place, Maidstone, Kent ME14 5DZ.
REG.CHARITYNo:1078287
KEEPING BLIND PEOPLE IN TOUCH WITH THE WORLD
Contents
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iii
B
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii
Chapter 1: Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.1
Chapter 2: Passive components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.1
Chapter 3: Semiconductors and valves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.1
Chapter 4: Building blocks 1: Oscillators . . . . . . . . . G. . . . . . . . . . . . .4.1
Chapter 5: Building blocks 2: Amplifiers, mixers etc . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.1
Chapter 6: HF receivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.1
Chapter 7: HF transmitters and transceivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.1
Chapter 8: Software defined radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8.1
Chapter 9: VHF/UHF receivers, transmitters and transceivers . . . . . .9.1
S
Chapter 10: Low frequencies: 136kHz and 500kHz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.1
Chapter 11: Practical microwave receivers and transmitters . . . . . . .11.1
Chapter 12: Propagation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.1
Chapter 13: Antenna basics and construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13.1
Chapter 14: Transmission Rlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14.1
Chapter 15: Practical HF antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15.1
Chapter 16: Practical VHF/UHF antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16.1
Chapter 17: Practical microwave antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17.1
Chapter 18: The great outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18.1
Chapter 19: Morse code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19.1
Chapter 20: Digital communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20.1
Chapter ©21: Satellites and space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21.1
Chapter 22: Computers in the shack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22.1
Chapter 23: Electromagnetic compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23.1
Chapter 24: Power supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24.1
Chapter 25: Measurement and test equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25.1
Chapter 26: Construction and workshop practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26.1
Appendix A: General data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A.1
Appendix B: Printed circuit board artwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B.1
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix
Note: Many chapters have references to the RSGBBulletin, Radio Communication or RadCom. These are historic names of the
RSGB members’monthly journal. The magazines are available on a series of CD-ROMs from: RSGB, 3 Abbey Court, Fraser Road,
Priory Business Park, Bedford. MK44 3WH (www.rsgb.org)
B
G
S
R

©
Preface B
Welcome to the 10th edition of the Radio Communication Handbook. This is the largest edition ever, having six
hundred thousand words and 1700 illustrations.
G
If you are new to this publication, you will find much to read when you first pick up the book, but it's chief value
is as a reference work that will take pride of place on your bookshelf, being referred to frequently.
For this edition, every chapter has been revised, updated and in many cases enlarged. The Digital
Communications chapter has been completely re-written to ensure it is up to date. The section on Software
Defined Radio has been extensively updated, making this currently the best available work on SDRs in amateur
S
radio. The increased radiated power allowed to 500kHz permit holders is reflected in new circuits in the Low
Frequencies chapter. There has also been considerable revision of the Microwave chapters.
An insight into receiver and transmitter measuring, adapted from 25 years of Peter Hart Reviews, has been
incorporated into the Measurement and Test Equipment chapter, and the Satellites and Space section now has
an introduction to radio astronomy.
R
A major brand new chapter, The Great Outdoors, refects the modern interest in combining open air pursuits,
such as walking and climbing, with amateur radio. Experienced backpack operator Richard Marshall, G4ERP,
gives us the benefit of his experience and ingenuity in producing efficient stations that are both lightweight
and compact.

There is more in this edition about commercial equipment, though the emphasis is on understanding what's
"under the hood", or using this equipment as part of a home-made station.
©
Once again, the Handbook includes a free CD. Included on it are a full searchable electronic version of this
book, bonus chapters, video and audio files associated with the SDR chapter and more amateur radio related
software than ever before.
Our thanks goes to the 24 authors whose expertise makes this book such a valuable resource, and to those
who have pointed out where the book could be improved. If you have any comments or suggestions to make
the next edition even better, please write to the Radio Communication Handbook editor c/o RSGB.
Mike Dennison, G3XDV
John Fielding, ZS5JF
B
G
S
R

©
1
Principles
Alan Betts, G0HIQ
A good understanding of the basic principles and physics of mat-
ter, electronics and radio communication is essential if the self-
training implicit in amateur radio is to be realised. These princi-
ples are not particularly difficult and a good grasp will allow the
reader to understand the following material rather than simply B
accepting that it is true but not really knowing why. This will, in
turn, make more aspects of the hobby both attractive and enjoy-
able.
STRUCTURE OF MATTER
All matter is made up of atoms and molecules. A molecule is the
G
smallest quantity of a substance that can exist and still display
the physical and chemical properties of that substance. There is
a very great number of different sorts of molecule. Each mole-
cule is, in turn, made up of a number of atoms. There are about
102 different types of atom which are the basic elements of
Fig 1.2: Structure of hydrogen and helium atoms
matter. Two atoms of hydrogen will bond with one atom of oxy-
gen to form a molecule of water for example. The chemical sym- Atoms are themselves made up of yet smaller particles; the elec-
bol is H O. The H stands for hydrogen and the subscript 2 indi- tron, the proton and the neutron, long believed to be the smallest
2 S
cates that two atoms are required; the O denotes the oxygen things that could exist. Modern atomic physics has shown that this
atom. is not so and that not only are there smaller particles but that these
A more complex substance is H SO . Two hydrogen atoms, particles, energy and waves are, in certain scenarios, indistinguish-
2 4
one sulphur atom and four oxygen atoms form a molecule of sul- able from each other. Fortunately we need only concern ourselves
phuric acid, a rather nasty and corrosive substance used in lead- with particles down to the electron level but there are effects, such
acid batteries. as in the tunnel diode, where the electron seems to 'disappear' and
Atoms are so small that they cannot be seenR even under the 'reappear' on the far side of a barrier.
most powerful optical microscopes. They can, however, be visu- The core of an atom comprises one or more protons and may
alised using electronic (not electron) microscopes such as the include a number of neutrons. The electrons orbit the core, or
scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) and the atomic force 'nucleus' as it is called, rather like the planets orbit the sun.
microscope (AFM). Fig 1.1shows an AFM representation of the Electrons have an electrical charge that we now know to be a
surface of a near-perfect crystal of graphite with the carbon negative charge. Protons have an equal positive charge. The
atoms in a hexagonal lattice. neutrons are not charged.
A hydrogen atom has a single proton and a single orbiting

electron. A helium atom has a nucleus of two protons and two
neutrons with two orbiting electrons; this is shown in Fig 1.2.
© An atom is electrically neutral; the positive charge on the
nucleus is balanced by the negative charge on the electrons.
The magnitude of the charge is tiny; it would require
6,250,000,000,000,000,000 (6·25 x 1018) electrons to pro-
duce a charge of 1 coulomb, that is 1A flowing for 1s.
Conductors and Insulators
The ease with which the electrons in a substance can be
detached from their parent atoms varies from substance to sub-
stance. In some substances there is a continual movement of
electrons in a random manner from one atom to another and the
application of an electrical force or potential difference (for
example from a battery) to the two ends of a piece of wire made
of such a substance will cause a drift of electrons along the wire
called an electric current; electrical conduction is then said to
take place. It should be noted that if an electron enters the wire
from the battery at one end it will be a different electron which
immediately leaves the other end of the wire.
To visualise this, consider a long tube such as a scaffold pole
filled with snooker balls. As soon as another ball is pushed in
Fig 1.1: Image of the atoms in a piece of high-purity graphite one end, one falls out the other but the progress of any particu-
(distances in nanometres). The magnification is approximately lar ball is much slower. The actual progress of an individual elec-
45 million times. Note that no optical microscope can produce tron along a wire, the drift velocity, is such that it could take
more than about 1000 times magnification some minutes to move even a millimetre.
The Radio Communication Handbook 1.1
1: PRINCIPLES
The flow of current is from a point of positive charge to nega-
tive. Historically, the decision of what represented 'positive' was Quantity Symbol Unit Abbreviation
arbitrary and it turns out that, by this convention, electrons have Charge q coulomb C
a negative charge and the movement of electrons is in the oppo- Conductance G Siemen S
site direction to conventional current flow. Current I Ampere (Amp) A
Materials that exhibit this property of electrical conduction are Voltage* E or V volt V
called conductors. All metals belong to this class. Materials that do Time t second s or sec
not conduct electricity are called insulators, and Table 1.1 shows a Resistance R ohm Ω
few examples of commonly used conductors and insulators. Capacitance C farad F
Inductance L henry H
ELECTRICAL UNITS B
Mutual inductance M henry H
Power P watt W
Charge (q)
Frequency f hertz Hz
Charge is the quantity of electricity measured in units of Wavelength λ metre m
coulombs. Table 1.2gives the units and their symbol. * 'Voltage' includes 'electromotive force' and 'potential difference'.
One coulomb is the quantity of electricity given by a current of
Since the above units are sometimes much too large (eg the farad) and
one ampere flowing for one second.
sometimes too small, a series oGf multiples and sub-multiples are used:
Charge q = current (A) x time (s), normally written as: q=I x t
Unit Symbol Multiple
Current Flow, the Ampere (A) Microamp μA 1 millionth (10-6) amp
The ampere, usually called amp, is a fundamental (or base) unit Milliamp mA 1 thousandth (10-3) amp
in the SI (System International) system of units. It is actually Microvolt μV 10-6V
defined in terms of the magnetic force on two parallel conduc- Millivolt mV 10-3V
tors each carrying 1A. Kilovolt kV 103V
Picofarad pF 10-12F
S
Energy (J) Nanofarad nF 10-9F
Energy is the ability to do work and is measured in joules. One Microfarad μF 10-6F
joule is the energy required to move a force of one Newton Femtosecond fs 10-15s
through a distance of one metre. As an example, in lifting a 1kg Picosecond ps 10-12s
bag of sugar 1m from the floor to a table, the work done or ener- Microsecond μs 10-6s
gy transferred is 9·81 joules. Millisecond ms 10-3s
R Microwatt μW 10-6W
Power (W) Milliwatt mW 10-3W
Power is simply the rate at which work is done or energy is trans- Kilowatt kW 103W
ferred and is measured in watts, W. Gigahertz GHz 109Hz
Megahertz MHz 106Hz
energy transferred
Power= Kilohertz kHz 103Hz
time taken Centimetre cm 10-2m
Kilometre km 103m

For example, if the bag of sugar was lifted in two seconds, the
Note: The sub-multiples abbreviate to lower case letters. All multiples
power would be 9·81/2 or approximately 5W.
or sub-multiples are in factors of a thousand except for the centimetre.
©
Potential Difference, Voltage (V)
If a source of electrical energy has a Potential Difference of 1
Table 1.2: Units and symbols
volt, each coulomb of electricity, ie charge, that flows has an
energy of 1 joule. If one coulomb of charge flows in, for example,
1 joule
a bulb, and 12 joules of energy are transferred into heat and 1 volt=
light, the potential difference across the bulb is 12 volts. 1 coulomb
The definition of the volt is the number of joules of energy per
coulomb of electricity. Historically, voltage was viewed as a force but that is not strict-
ly true although the term electromotive force (emf) is still in
use. The better term is Electrical Potential.
Conductors Insulators
Silver Mica Resistance
Copper Quartz Resistance restricts the flow of charge, the current. In forcing
Gold Glass electrons through a conductor, some energy is lost as heat. A
Aluminium Ceramics longer, thinner conductor will have a greater loss, that is a high-
Brass Ebonite er resistance.
Steel Plastics Different materials have differing resistivities, that is, a wire of
Mercury Air and other gasses the same dimensions will have different resistances depending
Carbon Oil on the material. The conductors in the list in Table 1.1 are in con-
Solutions of salts or acids in water Pure water ductivity (inverse of resistivity) order.
Materials such a Nichrome, Manganin and Eureka are alloys
with a deliberately high resistivity and are used in power resistors
Table 1.1: Examples of conducting and insulating materials and wire-wound variable resistors. Tungsten has a relatively high
1.2 The Radio Communication Handbook