Designing simulcast networks 

By Jay M. Jacobsmeyer, P.E.

Simulcast is an abbreviation for simultaneous broadcast, and in the context of land mobile radio, it means simultaneous transmission from two or more repeater sites on the same radio frequency and with the same modulation....

M/A-COM: New York Technical Issues Resolved 

Tyco Electronics M/A-COM announced that the first phase of New York's $2 billion Statewide Wireless Network is ready for testing by the state's Office for Technology (OFT)....

The most important tool 

By Jay M. Jacobsmeyer, P.E.

At its most basic level, the spectrum analyzer is a frequency-selective voltmeter calibrated to display the rms value of a sine wave. The most familiar...

Using cavity filters to mitigate RF interference 

By Harold Kinley

Last month, we discussed various types of RF-resonant cavities. This month the discussion focuses on the actual use of these cavities to mitigate RF interference....

Armed and ready 

By Mary Rose Roberts

Radiation can be found in many forms, from nuclear warheads to crates of bananas. Some forms are life-threatening, while others are not. It's distinguishing...

Practical notes about cavity filters 

By Harold Kinley

Quarter-wave resonant cavity filters are used in many RF applications. For instance, they are used in duplexers for repeaters, in transmitter combiners...

Don't be fooled 

By Jim Norton

The masking effect of cable loss may cause your antenna to appear to perform more efficiently than is actually the case. In fact, it is possible to measure...

Taken for granted 

By Jay M. Jacobsmeyer, P.E.

Land mobile radio antennas come in two basic types: the base station or repeater site antenna and the user radio antenna. This article focuses on user...

Using directional couplers 

By Harold Kinley

Understanding how they work is the key to getting the most out of them...

Analyzer combines four tools in one device 

Mary Rose Roberts

Carlsbad, Calif.-based AEA Technologies unveiled the VIA Echo analyzer, a device that offers several test-and-measurement instruments in one handheld...

When measurements aren't feasible 

By Jay M. Jacobsmeyer, P.E.

Computer models are the next best thing for predicting radio wave propagation...

Emulator tests RF interference 

By Mary Rose Roberts

Spirent Communications unveiled the SR5500 wireless channel emulator, a hardware and software offering that recreates radio frequency fading and interference effects...

VeriWave opens a WLAN testing facility 

VeriWave opened a wireless LAN testing facility in San Jose, Calif., dubbed WaveLab. The lab will test large-scale enterprise and metro-size deployments...

Intrado next-gen 911 testing program gains participants 

Leading 911 systems provider Intrado announced that several technology companies are participating in its Intelligent Emergency Network (IEN) Connect...

Vendors unleash flurry of new products 

By Mary Rose Roberts

Engineers have more options to test and measure wireless communications systems and devices, as vendors recently released several new devices. For example,...