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Subelement G8
SIGNALS AND EMISSIONS
Section G8A
Carriers and modulation: AM; FM; single and double sideband; modulation envelope; overmodulation
What is the name of the process that changes the envelope of an RF wave to carry information?
  • Phase modulation
  • Frequency modulation
  • Spread spectrum modulation
  • Correct Answer
    Amplitude modulation

(D). Amplitude modulation is the name of the process that changes the envelope of an RF wave to carry information. The amplitude of a signal wave is the indicator of signal strength, so this modulation alters the strength of the wave for the purpose of conveying information.

For more info see Wikipedia: Amplitude modulation

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What is the name of the process that changes the phase angle of an RF wave to convey information?
  • Phase convolution
  • Correct Answer
    Phase modulation
  • Angle convolution
  • Radian inversion

(B). Phase modulation is the name of the process that changes the phase angle of an RF wave to convey information. Phase modulation changes the signal by modifying the instantaneous phase angle of the carrier. PM is often used for data transmission methods such as PSK (phase-shift keying).

For more info see Wikipedia: Phase modulation

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What is the name of the process which changes the frequency of an RF wave to convey information?
  • Frequency convolution
  • Frequency transformation
  • Frequency conversion
  • Correct Answer
    Frequency modulation

Hint: modulate CONVEYs & controls

Frequency modulation (FM) is the process which changes the frequency of an RF wave to convey information. The instantaneous frequency of the carrier is altered to convey the information, while the amplitude remains constant. FM is used for frequency-shift keying, radar in addition to radio voice transmissions.

For more info see Wikipedia: Frequency modulation

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What emission is produced by a reactance modulator connected to an RF power amplifier?
  • Multiplex modulation
  • Correct Answer
    Phase modulation
  • Amplitude modulation
  • Pulse modulation

Hint: PHASE MODULATION is produced by REACTANCE

Phase modulation is the emission produced by a reactance modulator connected to an RF power amplifier. The reactance modulator changes the instantaneous phase angle of the carrier, generating phase modulated signals.

Silly hint: The child REACTED because they were going through a PHASE.

For more info see Wikipedia: Phase modulation

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What type of modulation varies the instantaneous power level of the RF signal?
  • Frequency shift keying
  • Pulse position modulation
  • Frequency modulation
  • Correct Answer
    Amplitude modulation

Hint: “Amplitude” is the power level of RF.

(D). Amplitude modulation (AM) is the type of modulation that varies the instantaneous power level of the RF signal. The power or signal strength of the wave is measured as the wave amplitude (may also be called the envelope).

For more info see Wikipedia: Amplitude modulation (AM)

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What is one advantage of carrier suppression in a single-sideband phone transmission?
  • Audio fidelity is improved
  • Greater modulation percentage is obtainable with lower distortion
  • Correct Answer
    The available transmitter power can be used more effectively
  • Simpler receiving equipment can be used

(C). One advantage of carrier suppression in a single-sideband phone transmission is the available transmitter power can be used more effectively.

Each section of the band uses a portion of the total power. So for each portion of the signal that is suppressed (i.e. not using a portion of the total power), that power is now available for the remainder of the signal.

So if the carrier is suppressed, the power that would have been used for that portion of the signal may now be used for transmitting the sideband more effectively.

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Which of the following phone emissions uses the narrowest frequency bandwidth?
  • Correct Answer
    Single sideband
  • Double sideband
  • Phase modulation
  • Frequency modulation

(A). Single sideband is the phone emission which uses the narrowest frequency bandwidth. For each part of the signal that is suppressed, the bandwidth will be reduced. By supressing the carrier and filtering the unwanted sideband, the typical bandwidth of a single-sideband signal is reduced to only about 3 kHz.

For more info see Wikipedia: single-sideband (SSB)

Hint: Single is less than double.

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Which of the following is an effect of over-modulation?
  • Insufficient audio
  • Insufficient bandwidth
  • Frequency drift
  • Correct Answer
    Excessive bandwidth

Hint: Over-modulation = EXCESSIVE BANDWIDTH

Excessive bandwidth is an effect of over-modulation. Overmodulating the signal causes increased distortion or deviation of the waveform. This increases the formation of spurious emissions with distortion outside the normal bandwidth.

For more info see Wikipedia: Overmodulation

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What control is typically adjusted for proper ALC setting on an amateur single sideband transceiver?
  • The RF clipping level
  • Correct Answer
    Transmit audio or microphone gain
  • Antenna inductance or capacitance
  • Attenuator level

The transmit audio or microphone gain is typically adjusted for proper ALC setting on an amateur single sideband transceiver.

ALC (Automatic Level Control) is a self-controlling transmitter circuit that attempts to maintain a constant level of output power by automatically adjusting the gain of the final amplifier, to prevent it from overloading and damaging the final stage by excessive drive. An operator would adjust the input signal, which is the microphone gain (the transmitted audio) to ensure that the ALC is set appropriately for SSB.

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What is meant by flat-topping of a single-sideband phone transmission?
  • Signal distortion caused by insufficient collector current
  • The transmitter's automatic level control is properly adjusted
  • Correct Answer
    Signal distortion caused by excessive drive
  • The transmitter's carrier is properly suppressed

Flat-topping (or clipping) is where overmodulation causes a distortion of the waveform in which the amplitude appears flattened on the oscilloscope, because the maximum levels of output voltage or current are exceeded.

For more info see Wikipedia: Flat-topping or Clipping

(Hint: You will DRIVE faster when on FLAT ground.) {OR} You drive on a flattop slang for a road)

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What happens to the RF carrier signal when a modulating audio signal is applied to an FM transmitter?
  • Correct Answer
    The carrier frequency changes proportionally to the instantaneous amplitude of the modulating signal
  • The carrier frequency changes proportionally to the amplitude and frequency of the modulating signal
  • The carrier amplitude changes proportionally to the instantaneous frequency of the modulating signal
  • The carrier phase changes proportionally to the instantaneous amplitude of the modulating signal

(A). When a modulating audio signal is applied to an FM transmitter, the RF carrier frequency changes proportionally to the instantaneous amplitude of the modulating signal. The frequency modulation (FM) transmitter converts the amplitude variations of the modulating signal and converts them proportionately to variations in the carrier frequency for carrying the signal information.

For more info see Wikipedia: Frequency Modulation (FM)

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What signal(s) would be found at the output of a properly adjusted balanced modulator?
  • Correct Answer
    Both upper and lower sidebands
  • Either upper or lower sideband, but not both
  • Both upper and lower sidebands and the carrier
  • The modulating signal and the unmodulated carrier

(A). The output of a properly adjusted balanced modulator is both the upper and lower sidebands. The balanced modulator is used as a mixer in applications for producing single-sideband modulation. When the balanced modulator is properly adjusted the two input signals are combined to produce a new intermediate carrier frequency along with an upper sideband which is the sum of the two input frequencies, and a lower sideband which is the difference between the two input frequencies. The carrier frequency is subsequently supressed with the output only being the upper and lower sidebands.

For more info see Wikipedia: Single-sideband modulation

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