Buying Guide to UHF Amateur Radio Transmitters

If you're an amateur radio operator who enjoys connecting with fellow enthusiasts across the world, you know you need a good transmitter to work the frequencies you enjoy most. What UHF amateur radio transmitters are available? On line, finding quality transmitters and other equipment for your radio station is easy. There are many transmitters available from reputable brands like Icom, Yeasu, Motorola, Kenwood, and more. You'll find units that allow you to work modes like amplitude modulation (AM), continuous wave or morse code (CW), frequency modulation (FM), single sideband (SSB), and others. There are units for home stations, mobile use, and handheld devices available. There are also some TV transmitters and kits available as well.

What are transmitters composed of?

Transmitters are made up of several working components including the following:

  • Power supply - This is an onboard energy source that powers the device and enables it to convert energy for broadcasting purposes.
  • Electronic oscillator - This component creates carrier waves that contain the data that's being sent.
  • Modulator - This inserts the data to be broadcast into the carrier wave by modifying it.
  • RF amplifier - This boosts the signals power to increase the reach of the carrier waves.
  • Antenna tuner - This component matches the impedance of the antenna to that of the transmitter so the power transfer of the antenna is more efficient and prevents standing waves.

    What is an amateur radio transmitter?

    Devices used to send out data as radio waves to specified bands on the electromagnetic spectrum for communication purposes, transmitters can be used to send general data, Morse code, or voice. When it comes to amateur radio transmitters, they are designed to specifically work on the amateur radio bands specified by the FCC for their use. The transmitter draws power from its source and converts it into a radio frequency current that is in constant motion on the band its being sent to. Once the RF energy reaches a conductor, usually an antenna, the radio waves are picked up by a receiving antenna which is connected to a receiver that converts it back into its original form.

    What is UHF?

    UHF stands for ultra high frequency and refers to the frequency range of 300 MHz to 3 GHz. Its one of the two most widely used bands within what's referred to as the VHF/UHF region of 2m and 70cm. The bands are home to numerous FM repeaters, FM simplex, SSB simplex, and other modes. There are many transmitters called "dual-band," available as handheld and mobile rigs, that are used to operate on the 2m and 70cm bands. Often these devices are labeled as VHF/UHF dual-band radios.