1. What is Radio Wavelength?

Radio wavelength is the physical distance between successive crests of a radio wave. It is inversely proportional to frequency and is a fundamental property in radio communications and antenna design.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wavelength formula:

Where:

• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength in meters
• \( f \) — Frequency in MHz

Explanation: The speed of light is approximately 300 million meters per second (3×10⁸ m/s). When frequency is in MHz (millions of cycles per second), the formula simplifies to 300 divided by the frequency.

3. Importance of Wavelength Calculation

Details: Knowing the wavelength is essential for designing antennas (which are typically fractions of the wavelength), understanding propagation characteristics, and planning radio communication systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the frequency in MHz (megahertz). Valid values are positive numbers greater than 0. The result will be the wavelength in meters.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is 300 used in the formula?
A: It's a simplification of the speed of light (3×10⁸ m/s) divided by frequency in MHz (10⁶ Hz), giving 300 as the numerator.

Q2: How does wavelength affect antenna design?
A: Antennas are typically designed to be 1/4, 1/2, or full wavelength sizes for optimal resonance at the operating frequency.

Q3: What's the wavelength range for common radio bands?
A: AM radio (~1MHz) = 300m, FM radio (~100MHz) = 3m, WiFi 2.4GHz = 12.5cm, etc.

Q4: How does wavelength relate to propagation?
A: Longer wavelengths (lower frequencies) generally propagate farther and penetrate obstacles better than shorter wavelengths.

Q5: Can I calculate wavelength for light or other EM waves?
A: Yes, the same principle applies, though you'd need to adjust units (e.g., use THz for visible light).