Updated: Dec 9, 2025 | Source: 2024-2028 Question Pool | Topic: E4C
E4C06E4C

How much does increasing a receiver’s bandwidth from 50 Hz to 1,000 Hz increase the receiver’s noise floor?

Deep Dive: E4C06

The correct answer is D: 13 dB. How much does increasing a receiver's bandwidth from 50 Hz to 1,000 Hz increase the receiver's noise floor is 13 dB. Noise increases 10×log10(bandwidth ratio) = 10×log10(1000/50) = 10×log10(20) ≈ 13 dB. For amateur radio operators, this is important for receiver performance. Understanding this helps when selecting bandwidths.

Why Other Answers Are Wrong

Option A (3 dB): Incorrect. 3 dB is too low - bandwidth increased 20×, so noise increases about 13 dB. 3 dB is too low. Option B (5 dB): Incorrect. 5 dB is too low - bandwidth increased 20×, so noise increases about 13 dB. 5 dB is too low. Option C (10 dB): Incorrect. 10 dB is too low - bandwidth increased 20×, so noise increases about 13 dB. 10 dB is too low.

Exam Tip

Bandwidth increase noise floor = 10×log10(bandwidth ratio). Think 'B'andwidth 'I'ncrease = '1'0×log10('R'atio). 50 Hz to 1000 Hz = 20× increase = 10×log10(20) ≈ 13 dB. Not 3 dB, not 5 dB, not 10 dB - just 13 dB.

Memory Aid

Bandwidth increase noise floor = 10×log10(bandwidth ratio). Think 'B'andwidth 'I'ncrease = '1'3 dB for 20×. 50 Hz to 1000 Hz = 20× increase = 13 dB. Important for receiver performance.

Real-World Example

Increasing receiver bandwidth from 50 Hz to 1,000 Hz: The noise floor increases by 10×log10(1000/50) = 10×log10(20) ≈ 13 dB. Wider bandwidth means more noise. This is the increase - 13 dB noise floor increase.

Source & Coverage

Question Pool: 2024-2028 Question Pool

Subelement: E4C

Reference: 2024-2028 Question Pool · E4 - Amateur Practices

Key Concepts

Receiver bandwidth 50 Hz to 1,000 Hz Noise floor increase 13 dB

Verified Content

Question from the official FCC Extra Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the E4C topic.