🧵 Physics/engineer bros GTFIH: What is needed to build a radio?
Anonymous at Sat, 8 Feb 2025 04:32:59 UTC No. 16579174
Ignoring all the math, what are the subjects required to understand radio transmission and how to build a radio? I think it would be an amazing project/hobby while learning a great deal physics. Math bases are covered, looking for physics/engineering resources.
Anonymous at Sat, 8 Feb 2025 05:10:23 UTC No. 16579185
>>16579174
For an EE perspective, Steer's books on RF & Microwave Design are good.
For more practicable things about Radio operation and being a HAM/Certs you'll want to consult the ARRL's guides.
For the physics theory of what radiowaves are and understanding the mechanics of their propogation, you'll need to learn classical optics and, far more importantly, classical electrodynamics, and more specifically within that em waves, if you want to extend that beyond classical though you'll be getting into relativity and quantum mechanics. A few branches from here are, photonics, quantum chromodynamics and uhhh I'm sure there are others that don't come to mind. Because really at some point down the physics side of this rabbithole you leave the concept of radio as it's own thing behind, not only are radio frequency waves just a subset of a very large electromagnetic spectrum, it is the gateway drug into the physics of lots of things. Even physicists that aren't necessarily interested in anything RF/Microwave are required to understand how they can use the these things to probe the results they are after, partly why lasers are so closely associated with quantum physics experiments. Even digital electronics, must these days take into account this subject because of the frequencies and scales they now are demanded to operate at.
Anonymous at Sat, 8 Feb 2025 06:03:39 UTC No. 16579205
>>16579174
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase
Modern signal generation for cell phones is based on this. It allows you to generate signals in the order of gigahertz. For lower frequencies you can use conventional silicon oscillators.
Anonymous at Sat, 8 Feb 2025 13:20:49 UTC No. 16579389
>>16579174
Have look over at >>>/diy/ham and check out the FAQ and the (extensive) library. You will find very hands on guides on how to make your own radios.
>>16579205
Si5351 is a popular off the shelf clock generator to generate signals into the VHF band.
Anonymous at Sat, 8 Feb 2025 20:45:32 UTC No. 16579686
>>16579185
Elaborating on the EE perspective, what are the prerequisites for RF & Microwave design? Sort of trying to build an EE curriculum (for self-study) with a focus on wireless communications, something that the common attributes to magic.
Anonymous at Sat, 8 Feb 2025 20:46:33 UTC No. 16579689
>>16579686
>the common man
Anonymous at Sat, 8 Feb 2025 21:37:53 UTC No. 16579749
>>16579174
uncontrolled high voltage will make many radios all over the place