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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-radio-wave-components

What are the two components of a radio wave?

Electric and magnetic fields.

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  1. Voltage and current
  2. Electric and magnetic fields ✔
  3. Impedance and reactance

Why: A radio wave is an electromagnetic wave: an electric field and a magnetic field traveling together. Voltage, current and impedance describe circuits, not the wave in space.

Huh, didn't know that: Light, X-rays and radio waves are all electromagnetic waves at different frequencies.

The dad joke
Radio waves are like a good couple: one electric, one magnetic, always traveling together.
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References

Answer: Electric and magnetic fields. A radio wave is an electromagnetic wave: an electric field and a magnetic field traveling together. Voltage, current and impedance describe circuits, not the wave in space.

  1. 2026-2030 Technician Class Question Pool, T3B03 ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf
    Electric and magnetic fields
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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