Question
What measurement is specified by FCC rules that regulate maximum power?
Answer Options
- A) RMS output from the transmitter
- B) RMS input to the antenna
- C) PEP input to the antenna
- D) PEP output from the transmitter
Correct Answer: D
Explanation
FCC Rule \S 97.313 defines the standard measurement for all regulations governing maximum power in the amateur service: Peak Envelope Power (PEP) output from the transmitter. PEP is the average power supplied to the antenna transmission line during one radio frequency cycle at the crest of the modulation envelope, which is the point of maximum power.
It is important to measure power at the transmitter output, before the feed line and antenna, to accurately determine compliance with the rules. The maximum power limit is not measured as RMS, or as input to the antenna, but as the instantaneous maximum power that the transmitter is capable of producing.
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