FCC Exam Question: 4A5

What condition may prevent a VHF radio receiver from receiving a weak signal?

A. The local oscillator frequency is beating against the incoming signal to produce an Intermediate Frequency
B. The output signal of the Phase Locked Loop (PLL) circuit in the frequency synthesizer has become unlocked.
C. The output signal of an AF amplifier stage is greater than the input signal.
D. The weak RF signal has been suppressed at the limiter stage of the received by capture effect.
Correct Answer: D

Explanation: VHF radio receivers often use Frequency Modulation (FM). In an FM receiver, the **capture effect** occurs when two signals are present at the receiver's input on the same frequency. The stronger signal "captures" the receiver, completely suppressing the weaker signal. This suppression happens prominently at the **limiter stage**, which is designed to remove amplitude variations, essentially "choosing" the stronger signal. Thus, a weak desired signal can be prevented from being received if a stronger, perhaps undesired, signal is also present. A) This describes the normal operation of a superheterodyne receiver, converting the incoming RF signal to an Intermediate Frequency (IF) for processing. This is how signals *are* received, not prevented. B) If the PLL in the frequency synthesizer becomes unlocked, the receiver would lose its tuning stability and likely fail to receive *any* signal properly, not just a weak one specifically due to another signal. C) This describes amplification, which is the intended function of an AF (audio frequency) amplifier stage, making the signal audible. It is a necessary part of reception, not a preventative condition.

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