Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

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What signal source is connected to the vertical input of an oscilloscope when checking the RF envelope pattern of a transmitted signal?

The local oscillator of the transmitter
An external RF oscillator
The transmitter balanced mixer output
The attenuated RF output of the transmitter

The correct answer is: The attenuated RF output of the transmitter

When checking the RF envelope pattern of a transmitted signal, the correct connection to the vertical input of an oscilloscope is the attenuated RF output of the transmitter. This is because the RF envelope represents the amplitude modulation of the signal over time, which is best observed directly from the output of the transmitter. The RF output will provide a real-time depiction of the signal as it is being transmitted, allowing the operator to analyze its characteristics, such as frequency stability and modulation. Attenuating the RF signal ensures that it falls within the oscilloscope's input voltage range, preventing damage to the device while still providing a clear view of the envelope. Options such as the local oscillator or the balanced mixer output are related components in the transmission process, but they do not represent the transmitted signal's envelope directly. An external RF oscillator typically provides a stable frequency reference or a separate test signal, which is not the same as monitoring the actual output of the transmitter. Therefore, using the attenuated RF output is essential for an accurate analysis of the transmitted signal's envelope.