Explanation: Proper operation of an SSB (J3E) transmitter relies on carrier suppression. In SSB, the carrier wave is significantly reduced or eliminated, and only the intelligence (audio signal) is transmitted as a single sideband. Consequently, power is only transmitted when there is an audio input. Therefore, with the transmitter keyed but no sound entering the microphone, an ideally operating SSB transmitter should show no power output, as there is no audio information to modulate. This indicates effective carrier suppression, which is fundamental to SSB. * **A) Incorrect:** SITOR is a digital mode, and its power characteristics differ from voice SSB. The question specifically asks about J3E (voice SSB). * **C) Incorrect:** Fluctuating *well above* the 60 Watt PEP rating indicates overdriving the transmitter, leading to distortion and potential "splatter" (unwanted emissions). The PEP rating is the maximum allowable power. * **D) Incorrect:** A steady indication suggests a constant carrier, which is characteristic of modes like AM or FM, or a fault in an SSB transmitter. SSB power should always fluctuate with speech.