Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

What is a common symptom of RF feedback in a station's audio setup?

1. Increased signal strength

2. Distorted audio output

3. Improved receiver sensitivity

4. No signal output

The correct answer is: Distorted audio output

A common symptom of RF feedback in a station's audio setup is distorted audio output. This distortion occurs when strong RF signals couple back into the audio components of the station, leading to interference that alters the sound quality. The audio may become garbled, noisy, or exhibit other anomalies, which can make communications unclear. This feedback can happen due to improper grounding, faulty cables, or equipment placement that allows RF energy to enter sensitive audio circuits. Recognizing this symptom is crucial for troubleshooting audio issues in the station, as it often indicates the need for corrective measures to reduce RF interference. The other potential symptoms do not precisely reflect the conditions typical of RF feedback. For example, increased signal strength may suggest that the station is transmitting well but does not directly relate to audio quality issues. Improved receiver sensitivity refers to the ability of the receiver to pick up weaker signals, which is not associated with audio output distortion. No signal output implies a complete lack of transmission or reception issues, which is not characteristic of RF feedback symptoms, as feedback usually allows for some level of audio output but in a degraded form.