Introduction

FM radio broadcast is one of the main types of radio broadcasting. FM usually

denotes frequency modulation. This frequency modulation usually takes place on
VHF airwaves in a frequency range of 88 to 108 around the world except Japan and
Russia. This following article shares precise information on FM radio broadcast. So,
find out everything about FM radio broadcast whether its advantages or
disadvantages right here.
Sources have revealed that FM radio broadcasting is very popular especially
in developed areas including Europe and United States because higher sound
fidelity as well as stereo broadcasting certainly became quite familiar in this format.
During 1930s, Edwin H Armstrong invented FM radio. He invented it to overcome
the interference problem associated with AM radio broadcasting to which is
relatively immune. Going further with the details on FM radio broadcast, we come
up with the point that for accommodating an audio signal in FM radio, it does not
require a bandwidth of 200 kHz. What is all required is 20 kHz to 30 kHz for a
narrowband FM radio broadcast or FM signal. The 200 kHz bandwidth enabled space
for 75 kHz signal deviation from the appointed frequency.
Moreover, guard bands for minimizing or eliminating adjacent channel
interference. However, the greater or higher bandwidth enables to broadcast for a
15 kHz bandwidth audio signal. Meanwhile the extra unused capacity is generally
used for transmitting utility acts like background music for public areas, as well as
GPS auxiliary signals.

The problem of AM radio interference during nighttime was generally

addressed in different way. The time when FM was first set up, the available
frequencies were far greater or larger in comparison to those used for AM radio
broadcast roughly around 100. Using these frequencies meant that even at far
larger power, the range of a given FM radio broadcast or FM signal was much
shorter, thus its market was more local than for AM radio. The reception range at
night is the same as in the daytime. However, all new radios included both AM and
FM tuners, FM became the dominant medium, especially in cities. Because of its
greater range, AM remained more common in rural environments.

Design Background
The

to

be

established

FM

station,

Rockstar

Radio

94.7

MHz,

is

a music/news/talk radio station serving mainly in Bo. Obrero, Davao City with a
power of 20 000 watts. The station's studio, as well as the transmitter, will be
assembled in the fifth floor of the College of Engineering building in the University
of Southeastern Philippines. DXJC will operate 20 hours a day, from 4 oclock in the
morning until midnight, 7 days a week.

1. name
2. operating frequency
3. operating power
4. operating time
5. classes of fm broadcast stations-class a

Design Concept
a.) Frequency
For the project, a frequency of 94.7 MHz is used. A channel at the middle part of
Very High Frequency band is selected because it is commercially available and it
is more convenient for listeners to tune their radios.
b.) Type of Module
Since the coverage area is relatively small, Rockstar Radio will broadcast in
stereo where typically there is only one microphone, one loudspeaker, or (in the
case of headphones and multiple loudspeakers) channels are fed from a
common signal path. In the case of multiple microphones the paths are mixed
into a single signal path at some stage. Aside from mono being less expensive
for recording and reproduction, recording is easy and only requires basic
equipment.
c.) Modulating Index
m=f/fm
where:
f=peak carrier frequency
fm=modulating frequency
for commercial FM,
f=75kHz
fm=15kHz
m=75/15
m=5

d.) Bandwidth
B=2(m+1)*fm
B=2(5+1)*15 kHz
B=180 kHz
Guard bands: 10 kHz at both ends, therefore
B=180 + 2(10)
B=200 kHz
e.) Power Amplifier
In this design, we used a Class D power amplifier. The voltage mode Class D
amplifier is defined as a switching circuit that results in the generation of a halfsinusoidal current waveform and a square voltage waveform. A series-tuned
output filter passes only the fundamental frequency component to the load.
Class D amplifiers suffers from losses due to a number of reasons: non-zero
saturating resistance, finite switching speed and output capacitance of the
devices. Class D power amplifiers are mainly used in the HF and VHF bands,
sometimes output levels up to 1 kW. They are not preferred at the frequencies
in the GHZ range, although this might change in the future, Class D operation
with efficiency as high as 80% at 1GHZ has been reported. A unique aspect of
Class D is that efficiency is not degraded by the presence of reactance in the
load.
f.) Antenna Polarization
Vertical polarization provides the best possible coverage for frequency
modulated radio signals since most of the receivers utilize vertical antennas
and

the

antenna

design

gives

maximum

radiation

efficiency.

The

implementation of vertical polarization is implemented by using a half wave

dipole antenna in an array system mounted on the vertical length of the
tower with a 1 wavelength spacing between each element for maximum
radiation efficiency.
g.) Station Location

The station, as well as the transmitter, will be located at the fifth floor of the
College of Engineering building in the University of Southeastern Philippines.
The area of coverage will be mainly Bo. Obrero, Davao City with a land area
of approximately 800,000 square meters. Below are the topographical map of
Davao City and the elevation profile of Obrero, Davao City.

System of Designing
a.) Block Diagram

i.

The exciter is the most important part of an FM Transmitter because

the FM signal is generated at this stage. It can operate as a low power
standalone transmitter. The exciter section contains carrier oscillator,

ii.

buffer amplifier, and reactance modulator.

After successful FM signal generation, the signal is split before being
passed into the amplifier bank. This helps us ensure a low noise

iii.

amplification and improved signal to noise ratio.

The various outputs from the splitter stage were directly coupled into
an amplifier. A 1 kW Class C amplifier was used for this purpose. This
provides the effective power boost needed for the transmission of the
signal over a range.

iv.

The combiner unit is a reciprocal of the splitter unit. It is made up to

three combining stages. The first stage employs four sets of 6:1
combiners to yield four 6 kW signals. The second stage uses two sets

of 2:1 combiners to two signals of 12 kW each while the third stage

combines the two 12 kW signals to yield a 24 kW output.
b.) Antenna
The antenna used in this design is an omnidirectional transmitting
antenna. The antenna has a gain of 2.15 dB and an impedance of 50 ohms.
Its grounding system is composed of metal clamps. The physical height of the
antenna is 143 cm. Shown below are its vertical and horizontal patterns.

Frequency of
transmission, f = 94.7 MHz
=c/f
=3x108/94.7x106
=3.168m
Physical antenna length, l= /4
=3.168/4
=0.7191m
Therefore, length = 71.91 cm
Bill of Materials

Ite
m#

QT
Y

Unit

125

Feet

SAT-PAK COM RG 213 Coaxial Cable

Pcs

LMR-400-75 type N male plugs and grounding

Pcs

Pcs

Description

Price

Amount

15,266.08

15,266.08

6,600.00

6,600.00

Behringer Ultramizer Audio Processor

4,400.00

4,400.00

SHURE SM57

4,356.00

4,356.00

2,350.00

2,350.00

599.00

599.00

4,500.00

4,500.00

Pcs

Altec Lansing VS2621 Speakers

Pcs

Techno Tamashi TH-1049

Pcs

ALTO Equalizer 31 band mono

Pcs

MICKLE MT7-USB Mixing Console

4,999.00

4,999.00
20, 000.00

Set

BNC Connectors and Peripherals

20, 000.00

10

Pcs

Broadcom FM Broadcast Antenna 87-108MHz

11,450.00

11,450.00

11

Pcs

800 ft. 10-Gauge Bare Copper Grounding Wire

8,404.00

16,808.00

12

Pcs

Airman Welder 350 amp 9.9 Generator

250,000.00

250,000.00

53,679.00

53,679.00

254,952.14

254,952.14

13

Pcs

HP Envy Recline 27xt

14

Pcs

Axel Oxygen 5 Broadcast Mising Console

15

1
12

Pcs
mont
hs

Armstrong FM20000T2 20 kW FM Transmitter

Building Rental, Power Consumption

2692582.
07
50,000.00

FM Station Studio Construction

6

Employee Salary
Labor Cost

TOTAL INVESTMENT

600,000.00

3,922,541.2
9

TOTAL AMOUNT
FM Tower Construction and Materials

2692582.07

500000

500000

150,000.00

150,000.00

12,500.00

75 000.00

588,381.19

10,160,922.
48

Republic of the Philippines

University of Southeastern Philippines
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Obrero Campus, Davao City

BROADCAST ENGINEERING AND APPLIED ACOUSTICS

Rockstar Radio
94.7 MHz

Submitted to:
Engr. Joey Dela Cruz

Submitted By:
Cedric D. Conol
Joannacel A. Paraiso