Radio Equipment and Supplies Key Terms

Learn commonly used terms for radio supplies

By Kristina Seleshanko

Whether you're repairing antique radios, acting as a radio station's engineer or simply outfitting yourself with a terrific modern or vintage radio setup, you may find radio equipment and supplies key terms confusing. When researching information on radios and radio repair, you'll run across many highly technical terms that may be difficult to understand. You may also run across a few slang words you've never heard before. With these difficulties in mind, here's an explanation of some commonly used terms for radio equipment and supplies.

Capacitors

A capacitor is a device holding an electrical charge that smooths out an electrical current. Capacitors are often found in antique radios and must be periodically replaced. Radio capacitors come in many types, including those made of paper, ceramic and mica. They may be electrolytic (with positive and negative leads) or non-electrolytic (without positive or negative leads).
Try: Philip I. Nelson of AntiqueRadio.org explains different types of capacitors and gives detailed directions on how to replace them in old radios.

Resistors

Resistors are devices that reduce the voltage or limit the flow of electrons through the component. On older radios, resistors must be replaced if they test more than their rating, which in many cases is 20 percent.
Try: Electronics + Radio Today offers a good rundown on what radio resistors are and how they work.

Choke coils

Choke coils (or chokes, for short) block alternating current (AC) and pass direct current (DC). There are two types of chokes used in radios: audio frequency coils (AF chokes) and radio frequency coils (RF chokes).
Try: AbsoluteAstronomy.com has a good explanation of what chokes are and how they work in radios.

Cans

"Cans" is a slang term commonly used for radio headphones, popular among those in the radio business.
Try: HeadRoom provides great advice on getting a terrific pair of cans.

FAKRA SMB Connector

A FAKRA SMB connector is a coaxial cable connector - the smallest made. It's often used as a satellite radio antenna, especially in vehicles.
Try: Read more about the modern technology of FAKRA SMB connectors at Amphenol RF.

Homebrew

"Homebrew" means homemade radios and radio equipment. As implied by the name, homebrew radio equipment is created and used for personal, non-commercial broadcasting.
Try: WB8ZCC further explains the meaning of homebrew and offers tips on beginning a hobby in homebrew radio.