General G4D: Speech processing, S meters and sideband edges
These are the 11 official questions in group G4D of the 2023–2027 General question pool, with the correct answer marked and a plain-English explanation of why it's right. The real exam asks one question from this group.
- G4D01Question 1
What is the purpose of a speech processor in a transceiver?
- AIncrease the apparent loudness of transmitted voice signals Correct
- BIncrease transmitter bass response for more natural-sounding SSB signals
- CPrevent distortion of voice signals
- DDecrease high-frequency voice output to prevent out-of-band operation
Why: A speech processor makes your voice sound louder.
- G4D02Question 2
How does a speech processor affect a single sideband phone signal?
- AIt increases peak power
- BIt increases average power Correct
- CIt reduces harmonic distortion
- DIt reduces intermodulation distortion
Why: A speech processor increases an SSB signal's average power.
- G4D03Question 3
What is the effect of an incorrectly adjusted speech processor?
- ADistorted speech
- BExcess intermodulation products
- CExcessive background noise
- DAll these choices are correct Correct
Why: A mis-set processor causes distortion, splatter and excess noise. All the choices are correct.
- G4D04Question 4
What does an S meter measure?
- ACarrier suppression
- BImpedance
- CReceived signal strength Correct
- DTransmitter power output
Why: An S meter shows received signal strength.
- G4D05Question 5
How does a signal that reads 20 dB over S9 compare to one that reads S9 on a receiver, assuming a properly calibrated S meter?
- AIt is 10 times less powerful
- BIt is 20 times less powerful
- CIt is 20 times more powerful
- DIt is 100 times more powerful Correct
Why: 20 dB is 100 times the power.
- G4D06Question 6
How much change in signal strength is typically represented by one S unit?
- A6 dB Correct
- B12 dB
- C15 dB
- D18 dB
Why: One S unit is about 6 dB.
- G4D07Question 7
How much must the power output of a transmitter be raised to change the S meter reading on a distant receiver from S8 to S9?
- AApproximately 1.5 times
- BApproximately 2 times
- CApproximately 4 times Correct
- DApproximately 8 times
Why: One S unit (6 dB) is about 4 times the power.
- G4D08Question 8
What frequency range is occupied by a 3 kHz LSB signal when the displayed carrier frequency is set to 7.178 MHz?
- A7.178 MHz to 7.181 MHz
- B7.178 MHz to 7.184 MHz
- C7.175 MHz to 7.178 MHz Correct
- D7.1765 MHz to 7.1795 MHz
Why: LSB extends below the carrier: 7.178 − 0.003 = 7.175 MHz.
- G4D09Question 9
What frequency range is occupied by a 3 kHz USB signal with the displayed carrier frequency set to 14.347 MHz?
- A14.347 MHz to 14.647 MHz
- B14.347 MHz to 14.350 MHz Correct
- C14.344 MHz to 14.347 MHz
- D14.3455 MHz to 14.3485 MHz
Why: USB extends above the carrier: 14.347 + 0.003 = 14.350 MHz.
- G4D10Question 10
How close to the lower edge of a band’s phone segment should your displayed carrier frequency be when using 3 kHz wide LSB?
- AAt least 3 kHz above the edge of the segment Correct
- BAt least 3 kHz below the edge of the segment
- CAt least 1 kHz below the edge of the segment
- DAt least 1 kHz above the edge of the segment
Why: LSB extends 3 kHz below the carrier, so stay at least 3 kHz above the lower edge.
- G4D11Question 11
How close to the upper edge of a band’s phone segment should your displayed carrier frequency be when using 3 kHz wide USB?
- AAt least 3 kHz above the edge of the band
- BAt least 3 kHz below the edge of the band Correct
- CAt least 1 kHz above the edge of the segment
- DAt least 1 kHz below the edge of the segment
Why: USB extends 3 kHz above the carrier, so stay at least 3 kHz below the upper edge.