FCC Exam Question: 6A376

What might be the cause of a positive shift in carrier amplitude during modulation?

A. Parasitic oscillations, excessive audio drive
B. Incorrect tuning of final amplifier
C. Insufficient RF excitation, incorrect neutralization
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D

Explanation: A positive shift in carrier amplitude during modulation indicates non-linear operation or instability within the transmitter. * **A) Parasitic oscillations, excessive audio drive**: Parasitic oscillations are unwanted self-oscillations in the RF stages, which add their energy to the desired signal, effectively increasing the carrier amplitude. Excessive audio drive pushes the modulator or RF amplifier into non-linearity, causing distortion and often increasing the peak or average carrier amplitude due to clipping and generation of spurious signals. * **B) Incorrect tuning of final amplifier**: An improperly tuned amplifier operates inefficiently and non-linearly. This can cause the amplifier's gain to vary unpredictably during modulation, leading to a distorted output where the carrier amplitude shifts positively. * **C) Insufficient RF excitation, incorrect neutralization**: Insufficient RF drive can cause an amplifier to operate in a non-linear region, leading to distortion. Incorrect neutralization means the amplifier is not stable, making it prone to self-oscillation (parasitic oscillations), which adds unwanted power and increases the carrier amplitude. All these conditions contribute to a distorted output signal where the carrier amplitude can exhibit an unintended positive shift during modulation.

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