Deep Dive: G4D02
The correct answer is B: It increases average power. How a speech processor affects a single sideband phone signal is that it increases average power. Speech processors compress the audio, raising the average level, which increases average power output. For amateur radio operators, this makes your signal more effective. Understanding this helps explain speech processor benefits.
Why Other Answers Are Wrong
Option A: Incorrect. Speech processors don't increase peak power - peak power is limited by the transmitter. Processors increase average power, not peak. Option C: Incorrect. Speech processors don't reduce harmonic distortion - they can actually increase distortion if overused. Harmonic reduction isn't an effect. Option D: Incorrect. Speech processors don't reduce intermodulation distortion - they can actually increase it if overused. IMD reduction isn't an effect.
Exam Tip
Speech processor effect = increases average power. Think 'S'peech 'P'rocessor = 'S'ignificantly 'P'owers up average. Compresses audio, raising average level, which increases average power output. Not peak power, not harmonic reduction, not IMD reduction - just average power.
Memory Aid
Speech processor effect = increases average power. Think 'S'peech 'P'rocessor = 'S'ignificantly 'P'owers up average. Compresses audio, raising average level, which increases average power output. Makes signal more effective.
Real-World Example
You use a speech processor on SSB. Without the processor, your average power might be 30% of peak. With the processor compressing the audio, your average power increases to 60% of peak. This makes your signal more effective - higher average power means better signal-to-noise ratio.
Source & Coverage
Question Pool: 2023-2027 Question Pool
Subelement: G4D
Reference: 2023-2027 Question Pool · G4 - Amateur Radio Practices
Key Concepts
Verified Content
Question from the official FCC General Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the G4D topic.