FM radio typically uses higher frequencies than AM radio for several technical and operational reasons:
- Bandwidth and Quality
- Higher Quality: FM is designed to deliver higher fidelity and stereo sound, requiring broader bandwidth than AM. Higher frequencies allow FM signals to carry more data, improving sound quality.
- Reduced Interference: Higher frequencies are less prone to interference from electrical equipment and atmospheric conditions, resulting in clearer reception.
- Frequency Spectrum Allocation
- Spectrum Efficiency: Higher frequency bands offer more space, allowing for the wider channels needed for FM broadcasting.
- Avoidance of Crowding: Using higher frequencies allows broadcasters to space stations more effectively, reducing signal interference.
- Range and Coverage
- Line of Sight: FM signals tend to travel in straight lines, benefiting local broadcasting by allowing frequencies to be reused without interference.
- Quality over Range: The use of higher frequencies ensures superior sound quality within its coverage area, ideal for music broadcasting.
- Technological Advancements
- The adoption of FM radio, benefiting from technological advancements, made effective use of higher frequencies possible, enhancing the listening experience.
In summary, FM radio's use of higher frequencies supports its goal of providing high-quality audio with minimal interference, making efficient use of the available spectrum, even though it results in a shorter transmission range compared to AM radio.