Editing Transmitter (section)

{{short description|Electronic device that emits radio waves}}
{{about||broader coverage of this topic|Signal transmission|the band|The Transmitters}}
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{{More footnotes needed|date=October 2022}}
[[File:WDET-FM transmitter.png|thumb|Commercial [[FM broadcasting]] transmitter at radio station [[WDET-FM]], Wayne State University, Detroit, US. It broadcasts at 101.9 [[Megahertz|MHz]] with a radiated power of 48 [[Kilowatt|kW]].]]

In [[electronics]] and [[telecommunications]], a '''radio transmitter''' or just '''transmitter''' (often abbreviated as '''XMTR''' or '''TX''' in technical documents) is an [[electronic device]] which produces [[radio wave]]s with an [[antenna (radio)|antenna]] with the purpose of [[signal transmission]] to a [[radio receiver]]. The transmitter itself generates a [[radio frequency]] [[alternating current]], which is applied to the [[Antenna (radio)|antenna]]. When excited by this alternating current, the antenna [[Electromagnetic radiation|radiates]] radio waves.

Transmitters are necessary component parts of all electronic devices that communicate by [[radio communication|radio]], such as [[radio broadcasting|radio]] (audio) and [[television broadcasting]] stations, [[cell phone]]s, [[walkie-talkie]]s, [[Wireless LAN|wireless computer networks]], [[Bluetooth]] enabled devices, [[garage door opener]]s, [[two-way radio]]s in aircraft, ships, spacecraft, [[radar]] sets and navigational beacons. The term ''transmitter'' is usually limited to equipment that generates radio waves for [[Communication engineering|communication]] purposes; or [[radiolocation]], such as [[radar]] and navigational transmitters. Generators of radio waves for heating or industrial purposes, such as [[microwave oven]]s or [[diathermy]] equipment, are not usually called transmitters, even though they often have similar circuits.

The term is popularly used more specifically to refer to a [[broadcast transmitter]], a transmitter used in [[broadcasting]], as in ''FM radio transmitter'' or [[television transmitter]]. This usage typically includes both the transmitter proper, the antenna, and often the building it is housed in.