What is another name for a transmitter's RF output?

The RF (radio frequency) output of a transmitter is commonly referred to as the carrier. This term describes the specific frequency at which the transmitter operates and carries the modulated information that is transferred over the airwaves. The carrier signal is crucial as it serves as the foundation upon which audio or data information is superimposed or modulated.

When audio or other signals are modulated onto the carrier, it allows the transmitted information to travel over long distances and be received effectively by antennas. The term "carrier" succinctly captures its function as a signal that supports the content being transmitted.

In contrast, baseband refers to the original frequency range of the information signal before modulation. The modulator is the device or mechanism that accomplishes the task of combining the carrier and the information signal, while the signal path refers to the physical route the signal takes from the transmitter to the receiver. Each of these terms plays a distinct role in the context of radio transmission, but none directly denote the RF output itself as effectively as the term "carrier."