Definition

 A Harmonic is an
(exact whole multiple) of a
frequency
 Example
 10 MHz is the fundamental
frequency
 10 MHz = harmonic
 20 MHz = harmonic
 30 MHz = harmonic
 etc
 Harmonic Energy
 Harmonically related interference
will be the carrier in the
spectrum
 All transmitters emit some kind of

harmonic
 Harmonic Energy
 The AMPLITUDE of the harmonic
gets as the harmonic
moves farther away from the
operating frequency. As the
multiple gets greater, the amplitude
gets
 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
 An AM transmitter generates

harmonics of only the

 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 6622 9933 13244

5358 10716 16074 21432

6617 13234 19851 26468

9934 19868 29802 39736

 Harmonics In
FM Transmitters
 1st Harmonic =
bandwidth
 2nd Harmonic =

bandwidth
 3rd Harmonic =

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 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 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)