BasicB-003-012-007
What does overmodulation do to a single-sideband signal?
B
Answer
Basic radio theory
Type
A
It occupies less bandwidth and has a poor high frequency response
B
It becomes distorted and occupies more bandwidth
C
It has higher fidelity and an improved signal-to-noise ratio
D
It increases the range of your signal
Answer Notes
Overmodulation happens when the microphone gain or audio input level is set too high, driving the transmitter's amplifier stages past their linear operating limits. When the amplifier cannot reproduce the peaks of the audio waveform, clipping occurs.
This clipping fundamentally alters the shape of the RF wave, resulting in severe distortion and the generation of spurious harmonic emissions called intermodulation products, or 'splatter.' Consequently, the signal heavily distorts and widens, interfering with adjacent frequencies.
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How should the microphone gain control be adjusted for voice operation on a single-sideband transmitter?