Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

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Which of the following might be a use for a field strength meter?

Close-in radio direction-finding
A modulation monitor for a frequency or phase modulation transmitter
An overmodulation indicator for a SSB transmitter
A keying indicator for a RTTY or packet transmitter

The correct answer is: Close-in radio direction-finding

A field strength meter is primarily used to measure the strength of radio signals in a specific area. This tool is particularly valuable for close-in radio direction-finding because it helps an operator determine the direction from which a radio signal is coming. The field strength meter provides a direct indication of the signal’s strength, allowing the user to adjust their receiving equipment or antenna and to pinpoint the source of the transmission more accurately. In terms of the other options, while a field strength meter could provide some indirect insight into aspects of modulation or keying, it is not specifically designed for those functions. For instance, a modulation monitor is better suited for evaluating the quality and characteristics of signals in frequency or phase modulation. Similarly, indicators for overmodulation in SSB or keying indicators for RTTY and packet transmissions require specific parameters that a field strength meter does not measure. Therefore, the primary and most precise application of a field strength meter is indeed in close-in radio direction-finding.