From "Radio Receiver Design" by Robert C. Dixon, 1998 (Marcel Drekker, Inc., New York; ISBN 0-8247-0161-5) p. 370, section 14.3, states

"Blocking dynamic range (BDR) is the difference, in dB, between the noise floor and a off-channel signal that causes 1 dB of gain compression in the receiver."

Dynamic blocking range is the difference between the weakest signal that can be perceived and the strongest signal that can be present without adversely effecting a weak signal. This “adverse effect” is about 1 dB of attenuation since this is the smallest change that can be heard by the human ear.

Hint: The difference between the noise floor and the incoming signal that is enough to recognize the intelligence in the signal.

Silly hint: Audio engineers use compression to reduce dynamic range . For example, after compression, a whisper and a shout sound closer in volume, which helps if you have bad speakers or a loud environment.

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Memory aid: the two problems are cross modulation and desensitization.

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Mixing of signals to produce intermodulation products will occur in any non-linear electrical circuit. The devices in RF output stages are often run in non-linear modes for better efficiency. This means that they can also act as mixers, signals from other nearby transmitters will travel down the antenna feeds and mix with the signal being transmitted. One way to prevent this is to install circulators. These devices allow the transmitter output to reach the antenna but block signals traveling down the feedline from the antenna.

Hint: mix is in the correct answer.

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Installing a "Circulator" may reduce or remove intermodulation interference. When one port of a three-port circulator is terminated in a matched load, it acts as an isolator since a signal can travel in only one direction between the remaining ports.

The devices in RF output stages are often run in non-linear modes for better efficiency. This means that they can also act as mixers, signals from other nearby transmitters will travel down the antenna feeds and mix with the signal being transmitted. One way to prevent this is to insert a circulator configured as an isolator to block signals traveling down the feedline from the antenna from entering the RF output stages.

Hint: the answer is the only one that contains the word repeater

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The intermodulation-product signal is \(f_{mod}=146.70\:\text{MHz}\). One of the modulation signals is \(f_1=146.52\:\text{MHz}\). What is the other modulation signal?

The modulation equations are \(f_{mod}=2f_1-f_2\) and \(f_{mod}=2f_2-f_1\). Solve the modulation equations for \(f_2\).

Solving the equation \(f_{mod}=2f_1-f_2\) for \(f_2\) yields: \(f_2=2f_1-f_{mod}\) and solving the equation \(f_{mod} = 2f_2-f_1\) for \(f_2\) yields: \(f_2 = \frac{f_1 + f_{mod}}{2}\).

There are many possibilities for the intermodulation (IM) products resulting from mixing in the output stages of adjacent transmitters and each one is represented by a different formula. The lower odd order products are often (not always) the strongest. Here are the formulae for third order products generated by two adjacent transmitters at frequencies \(A\) and \(B\):

1. \(2A+B\)
2. \(2A-B\)
3. \(2B+A\)
4. \(2B-A\)

We can immediately eliminate products due to 1) and 3) since they will give products far away from the received IM frequency specified in this question. Let us plug the numbers into 2) and 4) and set the IM result to \(146.70\:\text{MHz}\) as detected by the receiver. Assume that the known transmitter is on frequency \(A\) and that the “other” transmitter is on \(B\).

Using formula 2) we have \(2 \times 146.52 - B = 146.70 \:\text{MHz}\)

Rearrange to get \(B = -146.70 + (2 \times 146.52) = 146.34\:\text{MHz}\).

Using formula 4) we have \(2 \times B - 146.52 = 146.70 \:\text{MHz}\). Rearrange to get \(B = \frac{146.70+146.52}{2} = 146.61 \:\text{MHz}\).

This gives the frequencies as in the correct answer ( \(146.34\:\text{MHz}\) and \(146.61 \:\text{MHz}\))

Hint: The sum of the two digits past the decimal equals 7 in the clue and correct answer.

• \(146.70\) -> \(7+0=7\)
• \(146.52\) -> \(5+2=7\)
• \(146.34\) -> \(3+4=7\)
• \(146.61\) -> \(6+1=7\)

Another hint: The midpoint between the two given frequencies is 146.61. It appears on only one answer.

Yet another hint (because this one is breaking my brain): it’s the only answer where one number ends in an even digit and the other in an odd one.

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Intermodulation or intermodulation interference is the amplitude modulation of signals containing two or more different frequencies in a system with nonlinearities. The intermodulation between each frequency component will form additional signals at frequencies that are not just at harmonic frequencies of either, but also at the sum and difference frequencies of the original frequencies and at multiples of those sum and difference frequencies.

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Remember: off-frequency is in the question and the answer

A large increase in background noise and a reduction in apparent signal strength are both minor effects, but they do happen.

Hearing both transmissions is annoying, but sadly does happen if the off-frequency signal is powerful enough/is using a large bandwidth. This is the most significant effect.

The desired signal can no longer be heard: an off-frequency signal will not cause you to not hear the desired signal, but it can make it harder to understand.

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According to Wikipedia: "Intermodulation is caused by non-linear behaviour of the signal processing being used." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermodulation

Memorization: The question and the answer has the words Circuit and Circuits mentioned.

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There are some cases where a preselector might help.

To increase rejection of unwanted signals would be one case of the use of a preselector in communications receiver.

Hint: preselect rhymes with reject.

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The third order intercept point (IP3) is one measure of the intermodulation (IM) performance of a receiver. It is a measure of the tolerance of the receiver to strong signals outside the passband.

Here are explanations of the incorrect answers:

Signals less than 40 dBm will not generate audible third-order intermodulation products

This one is incorrect because you may still hear the third order intermodulation products. They just are quieter than the real signal.

The receiver can tolerate signals up to 40 dB above the noise floor without producing third-order intermodulation products

No- this one is incorrect, because receiver performance (in this context) is not dependent on the static level.

A pair of 1 mW input signals will produce a third-order intermodulation product that is 40 dB stronger than the input signal

This one is false because the IP3 point isn't a measure of the original signal minus the intermodulation products. And dBm is decibel milliwatts -- that answer is in plain decibels.

Hint: only the correct answer contains the word "theoretically"

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Intermodulation products are unwanted signals generated when two or more signals mix in a non-linear circuit, like a receiver's amplifier or mixer. This mixing creates additional signals at new frequencies, called intermodulation products, which are sums and differences of the original signals and their harmonics.

For example, if two signals are present at 14 MHz and 14.1 MHz, third-order intermodulation products can appear at:

• \((2 \times 14) - 14.1 = 13.9 \, \text{MHz}\)
• \((2 \times 14.1) - 14 = 14.2 \, \text{MHz}\)

The odd-order intermodulation products (3rd, 5th, etc.) are especially problematic because they are more likely to land within the same band you are trying to receive. This makes them difficult to filter out and causes interference with desired signals.

Other answers that suggest these products overload filters or indicate poor image rejection are incorrect, as these issues aren't related to the intermodulation mechanism. The primary concern with odd-order products is that they produce interference within the receiver’s passband, degrading performance.

Memory tip: Question contains the word “receiver,” answer is the only one that contains the word “received.”

See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-order_intercept_point

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The term for the reduction in receiver sensitivity caused by a strong signal near the received frequency is desensitization.

This is caused by RF energy from a strong signal near the receive frequency entering pass-band of the receiver. One way to reduce this is to utilize additional filtering to eliminate signals outside of the receiver's desired bandwidth.

In the case of a repeater, the receiver must be adequately isolated from its transmitter, if normal receiver performance is to be expected. Isolation (dB) is required to protect the receiver from transmitter spurious and noise radiation and receiver desensitization.

Tip: Reduction in sensitivity --> desensitization

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An input signal can be strong enough that the receiver no longer responds linearly and its gain begins to drop. This reduction in gain due to the strong signal causes weaker signals to appear to fade. This reduction in gain is called gain compression or blocking. Blocking may be observed as desensitization or desense — the reduction in apparent strength of a desired signal caused by a nearby strong interfering signal.

ARRL Inc. (2015-06-08). The ARRL Extra Class License Manual (Kindle Locations 6209-6212). ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. Kindle Edition.

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Desensitization occurs when a receiver is unable to receive a weak signal because a stronger, unwanted signal at a nearby frequency is present. By DECREASING the RF bandwidth the unwanted signal is filtered out. Reduce= decrease WP4AES

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