What is likely if the output of a marine SSB transceiver is significantly lower than expected?

When the output of a marine SSB (Single Sideband) transceiver is significantly lower than expected, it often indicates that there is an issue affecting system performance. This could involve a variety of potential ailments, such as malfunctioning internal components, problems with connections, interference affecting the signal, or antenna-related issues that hinder proper operation.

While options like the radio being unplugged or the antenna being improperly tuned could also potentially impair performance, the phrasing of the question implies a broader issue rather than a simple lack of power or a tuning error. A properly functioning radio would usually not exhibit significant downturns in output unless there is a more complex performance issue involved.

The power supply being too strong is typically not a problem relevant to radio transmission; instead, radios require stable and sometimes lower voltages to operate correctly. Therefore, identifying that there is an issue affecting system performance encompasses a wider inspection of the transceiver's operational functionality and connectivity, making it the most suitable answer in this context.