Updated: Dec 9, 2025 | Source: 2024-2028 Question Pool | Topic: E5A
E5A12E5A

What is the half-power bandwidth of a resonant circuit that has a resonant frequency of 3.7 MHz and a Q of 118?

Deep Dive: E5A12

The correct answer is C: 31.4 kHz. What is the half-power bandwidth of a resonant circuit that has a resonant frequency of 3.7 MHz and a Q of 118 is 31.4 kHz. Bandwidth = f/Q = 3.7×10^6 / 118 ≈ 31,356 Hz ≈ 31.4 kHz. For amateur radio operators, this is important for circuit calculations. Understanding this helps when calculating bandwidth.

Why Other Answers Are Wrong

Option A (436.6 kHz): Incorrect. 436.6 kHz is too high - bandwidth = 3.7 MHz / 118 ≈ 31.4 kHz. 436.6 kHz is wrong. Option B (218.3 kHz): Incorrect. 218.3 kHz is too high - bandwidth = 3.7 MHz / 118 ≈ 31.4 kHz. 218.3 kHz is wrong. Option D (15.7 kHz): Incorrect. 15.7 kHz is too low - bandwidth = 3.7 MHz / 118 ≈ 31.4 kHz. 15.7 kHz is wrong.

Exam Tip

Half-power bandwidth = resonant frequency / Q. Think 'B'andwidth = 'F'/'Q'. Bandwidth = 3.7×10^6 / 118 ≈ 31,356 Hz ≈ 31.4 kHz. Not 436.6 kHz, not 218.3 kHz, not 15.7 kHz - just 31.4 kHz.

Memory Aid

Half-power bandwidth = resonant frequency / Q. Think 'B'andwidth = 'F'/'Q'. Bandwidth = 3.7 MHz / 118 ≈ 31.4 kHz. Important for circuit calculations.

Real-World Example

A resonant circuit with resonant frequency 3.7 MHz and Q of 118: The half-power bandwidth is f/Q = 3.7×10^6 / 118 ≈ 31,356 Hz ≈ 31.4 kHz. This is the bandwidth - 31.4 kHz.

Source & Coverage

Question Pool: 2024-2028 Question Pool

Subelement: E5A

Reference: 2024-2028 Question Pool · E5 - Electrical Principles

Key Concepts

Half-power bandwidth Resonant circuit Resonant frequency 3.7 MHz Q 118 31.4 kHz

Verified Content

Question from the official FCC Extra Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the E5A topic.