Which of the following types of signal has the narrowest bandwidth?

Study for the FCC Ham Radio Technician Test. Ace your exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following types of signal has the narrowest bandwidth?

Explanation:
The signal type that has the narrowest bandwidth is Continuous Wave (CW). CW is a method of using on-off keying of a carrier wave to transmit information in Morse code. The bandwidth of a CW signal is typically around 150 Hz to 500 Hz, which is considerably narrower than other modulation types. In contrast, Frequency Modulation (FM) has a much wider bandwidth due to its frequency deviation, making it suitable for high-fidelity audio transmissions but requiring more spectrum. Single Sideband (SSB), a type of amplitude modulation, also features a narrower bandwidth than standard AM but is still generally wider than CW, as it occupies a bandwidth of approximately 2.7 kHz. Amplitude Modulation (AM) typically occupies a wider bandwidth as well, approximately 10 kHz, due to the full modulation of the carrier wave and its sidebands. Therefore, CW's minimal bandwidth makes it the most efficient choice for long-distance communication under limited frequency allocation, which is the underlying reason it is preferred in emergency and amateur radio operations.

The signal type that has the narrowest bandwidth is Continuous Wave (CW). CW is a method of using on-off keying of a carrier wave to transmit information in Morse code. The bandwidth of a CW signal is typically around 150 Hz to 500 Hz, which is considerably narrower than other modulation types.

In contrast, Frequency Modulation (FM) has a much wider bandwidth due to its frequency deviation, making it suitable for high-fidelity audio transmissions but requiring more spectrum. Single Sideband (SSB), a type of amplitude modulation, also features a narrower bandwidth than standard AM but is still generally wider than CW, as it occupies a bandwidth of approximately 2.7 kHz. Amplitude Modulation (AM) typically occupies a wider bandwidth as well, approximately 10 kHz, due to the full modulation of the carrier wave and its sidebands.

Therefore, CW's minimal bandwidth makes it the most efficient choice for long-distance communication under limited frequency allocation, which is the underlying reason it is preferred in emergency and amateur radio operations.

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