RF

When people in the electronics speak of RF they are usually speaking about radio frequency devices. There are several RF devices on the market today and each has its own pros and cons and suitable uses.

In general, RF refers to the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be directed to an antenna. In the larger picture of electronics, RF can also be used to identify certain connectors as well as certain testing equipment.

RF connectors are those devices that can be used for transmitting RF signals. In the testing area, RF testing and monitoring devices are used to sweep through various frequencies and record the strength of the frequency.

RF analyzers come in many different models and in many different price ranges. Low end models can be suitable for novice hobbyists but higher end models are usually needed for more serious work. It should be noted that not all analyzers are created equal. The level of sensitivity that each is capable of reaching should be one of the most important factors considered before purchasing one.

To better understand how these devices work it is a good idea for the novice to spend some time studying the various frequency levels and the names associated with them. For example, there is the ultra-low frequency which is between 0-3 Hz. Hz is the abbreviation for Hertz, which is a measurement of sound. Just above the ultra-low range is the extremely low range, which in Hz measurements is between 3 Hz and 3 kHz. Please note the lower case k in the kHz notation. This denotes kilo Hertz. These ranges continue up to the extremely high frequency (EHF) range.

As you can see from the sampling above, each range has its own upper and lower limits. What is important to understand is that not all RF analyzers are capable of measuring all of these ranges. In fact, some of the low end analyzers are very limited in what ranges they are able to pick up and diagnosis. For this reason, it is best to have some idea of the ranges that you will be wanting to test and to then purchase the RF analyzer that will meet that need. This can save you a lot of frustration and a lot of money.

There is an enormous amount of literature devoted to RF and must of that is available online at no charge. If you are interested in RF or its application to electronics you should visit some of the information sites and learn more about what it is and how it works.