GLOSSARY OF RADIO TERMS:
Frequency = The cycles per second of the radio transmission.
Hertz = the unit of measurement for frequency.
Mega = million (1 megahertz is 1 million hertz)
Mhz = Megahertz. This is how many million hertz (MHz should not be confused with mhz (millihertz) which would be millionths of a hertz!)
CB = Citizen’s Band. (about 26/27mhz) This is the frequency of the long range radio.
SSB = Single Side Band. This is a more efficient way to transmit, thus increasing the distance you can communicate over.
PRS = Personal Radio Service. Sometimes incorrectly named as “CB” (This is the new version of public radio which superseded CB radio, but CB is still able to be used.)
HF = High Frequency (the long range CB radios are in the HF band).
VHF = Very High Frequency (marine radios are in the VHF band).
UHF = Ultra High Frequency (PRS radios are in the UHF band).
Band = A range of frequencies labeled as a group to identify what area of the radio frequency spectrum is being used/discussed. This can be used to identify either a wide range of frequencies, such as “The HF band”, or a narrower range of frequencies within a wider band, such as “The CB band” which is within the HF band.
Squelch = the setting of the level at which your radio will allow an incoming signal to “open the channel”. For example, a low squelch setting of 1 will allow distant weak signals to be heard out of the speaker on your radio, whereas a high setting of 9 will only allow nearby strong signals to be heard out of the speaker on your radio.
VOX = Voice operated transmit function. When enabled, your radio will transmit on the selected channel whenever you speak into it.
Channel = the selected frequency your radio is set to, labeled by numbers. (The PRS band has 80 channels)
SWR = An acronym for Standing Wave Ratio. This is a measure of how well the antenna matches the transmission output frequency. A value of “1” means “unity” or in layman’s terms; a perfect fit. A value any higher than “1.5” is not acceptable to transmit.
