Question
Which of the following is the likely result of using a Class C amplifier to amplify a single-sideband phone signal?
Answer Options
- A) Reduced intermodulation products
- B) Increased overall intelligibility
- C) Reduced third-order intermodulation
- D) Signal distortion and excessive bandwidth
Correct Answer: D
Explanation
A Class C amplifier is biased heavily into cutoff, meaning the active device only conducts current for significantly less than 180 degrees of the input signal cycle. This operation is highly non-linear but achieves very high efficiency, making it suitable only for constant-amplitude signals like FM or CW (where the output is a square wave and a filter is used).
Single-Sideband (SSB) is a variable-amplitude mode, meaning its signal fidelity depends entirely on linear amplification. Using a non-linear Class C amplifier to amplify an SSB signal will lead to severe signal distortion and excessive bandwidth (splatter). The peaks of the SSB signal will be clipped, creating high-order intermodulation distortion and wideband noise that causes interference on adjacent frequencies.
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