MICROPHONE TO TRANSMITTER:Amplifiers, Modulator, Transmitter

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Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

LESSON 19

MICROPHONE TO TRANSMITTER

Since the times of Marconi, the radio inventor, so much has changed from capturing voice

and sending it to end listeners. The ordinary vinyl-records are no more in use; in fact they are

no more seen as if part of audio history, the recording equipments are a complete

transformation in looks as well as functions from the one used almost a hundred years ago.

The typical radio station microphones firmly placed in the center of recording table, the

recording panels and the soundproofing arrangements of early days are a talk of bygone

years, only an old-uncle recalling, sipping coffee and swaying on the rocking chair in some

pleasant afternoon!

Students of the radio broadcast need to understand how technical means have improved over

the decades and helped the voice message to be taken to the receiver, just as a doctor these

days needs to understand certain functions of different machines for a correct evaluation of a

disease.

Microphone From human voice to electrical pulse

We know that our ordinary voice can't reach beyond an ordinary distance however high-

pitched or strong it is. It is some device, which helps us take our voice beyond the ordinary

length of remoteness. This device is the microphone also called mike. Be it a public

announcement speaker system, telephone, pilot in a ship or aero plane, mobile phone or a

studio the voice first enter a microphone.

This device changes the voice (sound wave) into an electric pulse and makes matter so easy

for the signal to be carried at a desired distance in a matter of a very small fraction of time,

say a second by any medium which can afford to conduct electricity.

There was once a typical heavy looking microphone. Now they are so many in types and

shapes.

Broadcast type

Outdoor recording

In-built in various voice recording and actuating devices

Small stick with headphones

Collar mikes

Mobile phone mikes

Some microphones are fitted with wind-screens which block air (breathing) interference with

voice.

Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

Amplifiers

The electric pulse goes to first voltage amplifier which works out the desired amplitude of the

voice-signal before it goes to power amplifier, which provides enough strength to it to go into

the next device. In the meantime an oscillator helps the signal to assume the form of RF (radio

frequency).

Modulator

From the oscillator and the amplifier the signal goes to modulator, an other active device

which converts the signal into a form which perfects it for transmission. It is from here that a

signal finally goes to antenna, which may be a strong transmitter itself.

Transmitter

Transmitters are a complex device which are capable to receive not only radio frequencies in

a modulated form but also enable the signals to be transmitted, broadcast, at a desired

frequency, allotted by a governing authority which controls transmission of such frequencies

carrying messages in any form.

A radio station transmitter looks like this =>

The Broadcasting House

The broadcasting house, or a radio station, is

equipped with all these devices but additionally

it also has studios to produce programs and

one special for sending the broadcast in real-

time, always labeled at its door as on-air.

At a broadcasting house, the voice has to be

treated more carefully to give it a desired pitch,

volume and bass so that its broadcasting value

is ensured, it is passed through a consol panel

as you can see here;

The consol board through its various functions

perfects the voice signal for broadcasting

through the transmitter.

Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

Studios

At least two types of studios are essential at a broadcasting house. One for live transmissions

news, speeches by VIPs, and

routine programs, and others for

production of different programs like

dramas, music, talk shows etc.

All that is recorded at the studios have

to be put in the console board to

ensuring the voice and sound quality

for the broadcast.

Broadcasting House & Transmitter

Not that all the time a broadcasting

house has a transmitter at its

premises. At times a transmitter may

be away as far as 30 to 40 KM from a broadcasting house due to many reasons. In such a

case, the broadcasting house sends ready-for-broadcast signals to the transmitter through

ordinary transmission lines, or microwaves. The microwaves are very high frequency waves

and an ordinary radio can't read them. A transmitter with special devices receives these

microwaves, lower their frequency to mega or kilo hertz which could be tuned in by ordinary

radios, thus completing the cycles of voice transmission from a talent to the end listeners.

Broadcasting is not end of the road - wait for Podcasting

It will sound and sound it must, if I tell you that you may have your own radio station just as

if someone was talking about a radio station in the first decade of the last century!

With the on-line broadcasting getting into the top gear, the time has already come for starting

your own radio station on your web site through RSS (really simple syndication) and mp3 files.

News, music, fun, talks, albums, and advertisements- all in your independent hands. More in

the chapter of interactive broadcasting.

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