Question
Which term describes the ability of a receiver to detect the presence of a signal?
Answer Options
- A) Linearity
- B) Sensitivity
- C) Selectivity
- D) Total Harmonic Distortion
Correct Answer: B
Explanation
The term for a receiver’s ability to detect and make an intelligible output from very weak input signals is Sensitivity. High sensitivity means the receiver can hear signals that are very close to the natural background noise floor. This is often measured in microvolts (\mu\text{V}), with lower numbers indicating better sensitivity.
Good sensitivity (being able to hear the signal) is the first crucial step for working distant stations. However, a receiver must also have good selectivity (T7A04) to ignore nearby unwanted signals, because simply amplifying a weak signal often amplifies the nearby noise and interference along with it.
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