Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

What is the name of the stage in a VHF FM transmitter that generates a harmonic of a lower frequency signal to reach the desired operating frequency?

1. Mixer

2. Reactance modulator

3. Pre-emphasis network

4. Multiplier

The correct answer is: Multiplier

In a VHF FM transmitter, the stage that generates a harmonic of a lower frequency signal to achieve the desired operating frequency is known as a multiplier. A multiplier works by taking an input frequency and producing a higher frequency output that is an integer multiple of the input frequency. This technique is commonly used in frequency generation, particularly in the VHF range, where the desired frequencies can be significantly higher than the original input frequency. This method is crucial because it allows the transmitter to efficiently achieve the frequencies needed for VHF communication without the need for large and impractical components. By multiplying the lower frequency signal, the transmitter can reach the necessary VHF operating frequencies while maintaining signal integrity and minimizing distortion. This is especially important in FM transmission, where frequency stability and accuracy are critical for good signal quality and reception.