ARRL Technician Practice Exam

Which of the following is an appropriate receive filter bandwidth to select in order to minimize noise and interference for SSB reception?

1. 500 Hz

2. 2400 Hz

3. 6000 Hz

4. 1200 Hz

The correct answer is: 2400 Hz

The appropriate receive filter bandwidth for minimizing noise and interference for single sideband (SSB) reception is indeed 2400 Hz. This choice allows for adequate bandwidth to capture the SSB signal while also providing a compromise that reduces the noise and interference that can accompany wider bandwidths. SSB signals are typically modulated in a way that allows them to convey information efficiently. A filter bandwidth that is too wide, such as 6000 Hz, may allow too much unwanted noise and adjacent channel signals to be received, leading to poor signal clarity and increased interference. Conversely, a very narrow bandwidth, like 500 Hz, may restrict the received signal's fidelity and potentially cut off parts of the audio spectrum necessary for understanding speech clearly. By selecting 2400 Hz, the receiver can effectively filter out much of the extraneous noise while still maintaining enough of the audio information for good intelligibility, making it the most suitable choice for SSB communication.