94 Radio Trivia Questions And Answers

Welcome, radio enthusiasts and trivia lovers, to a captivating journey through the airwaves! Radio has been a groundbreaking technology, shaping cultures, connecting continents, and providing entertainment and information for over a century. In this collection, we’ve compiled 94 intriguing Radio trivia questions that cover various facets of radio’s rich history, technological advancements, iconic shows, and influential personalities. Whether you’re a seasoned ham operator, a vintage show aficionado, or simply curious about the world of radio, this trivia is designed to challenge your knowledge and spark your interest. Dive into the world of AM and FM, explore legendary broadcasts, and uncover the mysteries behind the dials. Get ready to tune in and test your radio savvy with this electrifying collection of radio trivia!

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Table Of Contents open

1. Who is known as the ‘Father of Radio’?

2. Which year marked the first commercial radio broadcast?

3. Where was the first commercial radio station, KDKA, located?

4. In which decade was FM radio introduced?

5. What does ‘AM’ stand for in AM radio?

6. What does ‘FM’ stand for in FM radio?

7. Which radio show was famous for the line ‘The Shadow knows’?

8. Which system is used to determine radio ratings in the U.S.?

9. Who hosted the radio series ‘The War of the Worlds’ that caused public panic in 1938?

10. What is the term for a short promotional announcement on the radio?

11. Which band released the song ‘Radio Ga Ga’ in 1984?

12. Which component in a radio detects the modulated carrier wave signal?

13. Who is the comedic duo known for their ‘Who’s on First?’ radio routine?

14. Where was the first two-way transatlantic radio broadcast made from?

15. What are the awards given annually for excellence in radio and television broadcasting?

16. Which electromagnetic waves are directly below visible light in frequency?

17. What is the primary regulatory body for radio broadcast in the U.S.?

18. Which type of radio wave is responsible for long-distance AM radio broadcast at night?

19. Which device allows radio listeners to tune into different stations?

20. What is a common name for the radio frequencies that fall between 3 and 30 MHz?

21. What is the study and application of radio waves for communication called?

22. Which radio drama’s character became synonymous with a brass horned instrument?

23. In radio terms, what does ‘DX’ refer to?

24. Which puppet became a radio and TV superstar in the 1930s and 1940s?

25. Which actress voiced the titular role in the radio soap opera ‘Stella Dallas’?

26. Which American president was known for his ‘Fireside Chats’ on the radio?

27. Who is the popular radio personality known for hosting ‘American Top 40’?

28. What term describes the interference between two signals that are close in frequency?

29. What does ‘RDS’ stand for in modern FM broadcasting?

30. Which show, starting on radio, later became a popular television Western series?

31. What type of broadcasting uses elevation angles above 30 degrees?

32. Which radio system allows for two-way communication and is often used by police?

33. Which company introduced the first car radio in 1930?

34. Which band had a hit with the song ‘Mexican Radio’ in 1983?

35. What does ‘SWR’ stand for in the context of radio antennas?

36. What is the name given to a broadcast intended for a specific geographical area?

37. Which English rock band released the album ‘The Bends’ featuring the song ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out)’?

38. Which type of radio communication uses reflection from the ionosphere?

39. What type of radio broadcasting involves transmitting signals from an aircraft?

40. In which war was radio first used for military communication?

41. Which device amplifies weak signals in a radio system?

42. What name is given to a device that produces radio frequency electromagnetic fields?

43. In broadcasting, what is the full form of ‘VHF’?

44. Which ‘Golden Age’ radio show featured a masked cowboy hero?

45. What is the phenomenon where radio waves are bent back to the Earth’s surface?

46. What type of radio communication allows for ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship communication?

47. What type of waves have the longest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum?

48. Which radio show ended each episode with ‘… and the sound of a gunshot?’

49. What radio show host is known for his distinct long-form interviews?

50. In what year did the BBC launch its first regular, public radio service?

51. What term is used for the period in the 1920s when radio became popular?

52. What does ‘HAM’ stand for in amateur radio?

53. Who is the radio personality behind the shock jock persona ‘King of All Media’?

54. What device combines (or splits) signals on a radio network?

55. How many bits are commonly used in a radio digital signal?

56. Which device, also called a ‘dish’, is used to receive satellite signals?

57. What is the popular radio format that mainly features spoken-word content?

58. Which musician had a 1940s radio show and is known for the hit ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’?

59. What was the primary purpose of the Conelrad system during the Cold War era?

60. Which international organization sets standards for radio communication?

61. In the electromagnetic spectrum, which type of wave has a frequency just above radio waves?

62. What is the name of the national public radio of Canada?

63. What name is given to the digital broadcasting technology for FM radio?

64. What do we call the fear of radio waves or radiation?

65. Which type of modulation varies the amplitude of the carrier wave in proportion to the waveform being sent?

66. Which international distress frequency is monitored by maritime officials?

67. In what decade was stereo FM radio first broadcast?

68. What band is typically reserved for aviation communications?

69. Which radio program was the first to be nationally syndicated in the U.S.?

70. Which electromagnetic waves are directly above ultraviolet in frequency?

71. Who was known for his radio broadcasts from Harlem’s Cotton Club in the 1930s?

72. What do we call a sudden burst of radio waves from deep space?

73. Which radio personality’s real name is Joel Rosenberg?

74. What is the common name for the radio frequencies that fall between 300 MHz and 3 GHz?

75. Which type of radio wave communication uses direct waves that travel near the surface of the Earth?

76. What radio personality is known for the catchphrase ‘Baba Booey’?

77. What is the full form of ‘DAB’ in broadcasting?

78. In radio wave propagation, what is the area where no direct or reflected signals can be received?

79. What term describes the unintentional generation, propagation, or reception of radio-frequency energy?

80. Which device in a radio converts sound into an electrical signal?

81. What is the name of the unit used to measure radio wave frequency?

82. In which city was the first public demonstration of radio communication held?

83. Which popular radio format primarily focuses on playing current hits?

84. Who was the famous ventriloquist known for his dummy Charlie McCarthy on the radio?

85. Which radio network in the U.S. is publicly funded and known for shows like ‘All Things Considered’?

86. What is the term for the height at which a radio wave is reflected back to Earth?

87. Which famous detective, known for using deductive reasoning, had a popular radio show in the mid-20th century?

88. What is the term used to describe the bending of radio waves around the Earth’s surface?

89. Which system allows for direct communication between two radio users without the use of a repeater?

90. Which service is used to provide time signal broadcasts to synchronize clocks?

91. Who became famous for his fireside chats, broadcasted over the radio during his presidency?

92. What do we call the interference that arises from natural atmospheric and cosmic sources?

93. What is the range of frequencies called that a radio can receive?

94. Which method of broadcasting uses amplitude modulation at shortwave frequencies?