GeneralG4C04

What sound is heard from an audio device experiencing RF interference from a CW transmitter?

A
Answer
Amateur station equipment
Type
A
On-and-off humming or clicking
B
A CW signal at a nearly pure audio frequency
C
A chirpy CW signal
D
Severely distorted audio

Answer Notes

Continuous Wave (CW) is an on-and-off transmission of a plain radio frequency carrier. When a consumer audio device accidentally intercepts and rectifies this signal, it detects only the sudden presence and absence of RF energy. Because the consumer audio device does not have a Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO) to mix with the carrier, it cannot create the familiar pure audio tone you hear on a real amateur receiver. Instead, the turning on and off of the carrier simply causes a sudden change in the audio circuit's DC bias, which you hear as a series of clicks or humming corresponding to the Morse code elements.
Previous · G4C03
What sound is heard from an audio device experiencing RF interference from a single sideband phone transmitter?
Next · G4C05
What is a possible cause of high voltages that produce RF burns?