Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

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What signals are used to conduct a two-tone test?

Two audio signals of the same frequency shifted 90-degrees
Two non-harmonically related audio signals
Two swept frequency tones
Two audio frequency range square wave signals of equal amplitude

The correct answer is: Two non-harmonically related audio signals

The use of two non-harmonically related audio signals is fundamental in conducting a two-tone test. This approach allows for the assessment of a radio receiver's linearity and intermodulation distortion characteristics. By using frequencies that are not harmonically related, you create a situation where the interaction of the two tones can generate various intermodulation products. When these signals are mixed in a non-linear system, the output can reveal how well the system handles these interactions. The primary goal of the two-tone test is to identify how much distortion is added by the receiver, making it a critical process for evaluating audio fidelity and system performance. The clear separation of the frequencies also avoids creating strong harmonic tones which could complicate the analysis of intermodulation performance. In contrast, other methods like using harmonically related frequencies or swept frequency tones serve different purposes and are not ideal for evaluating intermodulation distortion in the context of a two-tone test.