FCC Exam Question: 3-90O5

The pulse repetition rate (prr) of a RADAR refers to the:

A. Reciprocal of the duty cycle.
B. Pulse rate of the local oscillator.
C. Pulse rate of the klystron.
D. Pulse rate of the magnetron.
Correct Answer: D

Explanation: The pulse repetition rate (PRR) of a RADAR is the number of electromagnetic pulses transmitted per second. In many conventional RADAR systems, the magnetron is the high-power vacuum tube that acts as the primary source for generating these microwave pulses. The rate at which the magnetron is switched on and off (pulsed) directly determines the PRR of the transmitted signal. Option A is incorrect because the duty cycle is the product of the pulse width and PRR; PRR is not simply the reciprocal of the duty cycle. Option B is incorrect as the local oscillator is part of the receiver, used for mixing to create an intermediate frequency, not for generating the transmitted pulses. Option C is incorrect; while klystrons can be microwave power amplifiers, magnetrons are frequently used as self-oscillating pulsed power generators in RADAR, directly establishing the PRR.

Pass Your FCC Exam!

Study offline, track your progress, and simulate real exams with the GMDSS Trainer app.


Includes Elements 1, 3, 6, 7R, 8, and 9.