HARMONICS

Objectives
 Describe the interference potential
of transmitted harmonic energy
 Calculate harmonic victim
frequencies
 Main Points
 Harmonics in AM transmitters
 Harmonics in FM transmitters

 Harmonic Suppression
 Definition
 A Harmonic is an integer multiple
(exact whole multiple) of a
fundamental frequency
 Example
 10 MHz is the fundamental
frequency
 10 MHz = first harmonic

 20 MHz = second harmonic

 30 MHz = third harmonic

etc
 Harmonic Energy
 Harmonically related interference
will be above the carrier in the
spectrum
 All transmitters emit some kind of

harmonic radiation
 Harmonic Energy
 The AMPLITUDE of the harmonic
gets weaker as the harmonic moves
farther away from the operating
frequency. As the multiple gets
greater, the amplitude gets weaker
 AM Harmonics are created
differently than FM harmonics
 Harmonics In
AM Transmitters
 Harmonics do not spread the
bandwidth
 If an operating frequency has a 3
kHz bandwidth, all succeeding
harmonics will have a 3 kHz
bandwidth
 An AM transmitter generates
harmonics of only the fundamental
operating frequency
 Frequency = 6 MHz
Emission = 3K00J3E
First harmonic = 6MHz +/- 1.5 kHz
(5.9985 MHz - 6.0015 MHz)
Second harmonic = 12 MHz +/- 1.5 kHz
(11.9985 MHz - 12.0015 MHz)
Third harmonic = 18 MHz +/- 1.5 kHz
(17.9985 MHz - 18.0015MHz)
 Example
 Emission = 3K00J3E
 Frequencies:

3311 kHz

5358 kHz

6617 kHz

9934 kHz
 Matrix

Fo X2 X3 X4

3311

5358

6617

9934
 Matrix

Fo X2 X3 X4

3311 6622 9933 13244

5358 10716 16074 21432

6617 13234 19851 26468

9934 19868 29802 39736

 Turn On Your Computer
 Select ECAC-TTP program
 Select C - Intermod/Harmonic
 Open the ECAC-TTP manual to Chap 5
 Harmonics In
FM Transmitters
 FM Bandwidth INCREASES as it
moves through the harmonics.
 This is because FM transmitters
generate harmonics of the input
modulating frequency IN
ADDITION TO the fundamental
operating frequency.
 Harmonics In
FM Transmitters
 1st Harmonic = 30kHz bandwidth
 2nd Harmonic = 60 kHz bandwidth

 3rd Harmonic = 90 kHz bandwidth

 Emission = 30K0F3E
Frequency = 35 MHz
First Harmonic = 35 MHz +/- 15 kHz
(34.985MHz - 35.015MHz)
Second Harmonic = 70 MHz +/- 30kHz
(69.970 MHz - 70.030MHz)
Third harmonic = 105MHz +/- 45kHz
(104.955 MHz - 105.045 MHz)
 Example
You have a victim frequency of 126.425
MHz with the emission of 30K0F3E
Which of the following frequencies is
the offender?

33.5 MHz
41.6 MHz
43.1 MHz
63.2 MHz
 Matrix
Victim 126.425
Fo X2 X3 X4

33.5

41.6

43.1

63.2
 Matrix
Victim 126.425
Fo X2 X3 X4

33.5 67.0 100.5 134.0

41.6 83.2 124.8 166.4

43.1 86.2 129.3

63.2 126.4
 Emergency Frequencies
 Q.Why is emergency VHF 121.5
MHz half of 243MHz?
 A. Sending a distress on 121.5 MHz
increases the chances to be heard
as 243 MHz is the second harmonic
of 121.5 MHz
 Harmonic Suppression
 Military radios must comply with
specifications and MILSTD 188C,
which requires 80 dB of harmonic
suppression as a minimum
 Frequency, power, type of emission,
etc, determine exact suppression
standards
 Harmonic Suppression
 Example
 40 dBW Transmitter (10kW)
 - 80 dB Harmonic Suppression
 40 – 80 = - 40 dBW
 - 40 dBW = 0.0001 or 0.1 mW
 Harmonic Suppression
A 10kW Tx on 38MHz with 80dB of suppression in the first Harmonic

40dBW
(10kW)

76MHz
X2
Freq
38MHz
Fo

- 40dBW
Power (0.1mW)
 Objectives
 Describe the interference potential
of transmitted harmonic energy
 Calculate harmonic victim
frequencies
 Main Points
 Harmonics in AM transmitters
 Harmonics in FM transmitters

 Harmonic Suppression
 Homework
 Course Supplement: Page 8-1