Carrier current

Carrier current is a method of low-power broadcasting that uses the electrical system of a building to distribute an AM radio signal. This is one method used for college and high school radio, particularly if the signal is only intended to be picked up in a small area. Many established college radio stations originally began as carrier current stations. While the technology is still used by a number of student-run stations today, the popularity declined beginning in the 1980s, as popular music radio formats quickly migrated to the FM band. The popularity of streaming audio over the internet has hastened this decline.

Related Topics:
Low-power broadcasting - AM - Radio - College - High school radio - 1980s - Popular music - Radio format - FM band. - Streaming audio - Internet

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Carrier current stations generally only have an effective radiated power of a few watts. Transmitters that use carrier current are very simple, making them an effective option for students interested in radio. Transmissions can be of good quality, although there is reportedly a 60 hertz background hum (in North American installations) associated with carrier current.

Related Topics:
Effective radiated power - Hertz - North America

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Because of the simple design and the fact that the transmitter doesn't need an external antenna, carrier current listening devices have found some use in the world of espionage.

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