What test instrument can be used to display spurious signals in the output of a radio transmitter?

A spectrum analyzer is an essential tool for displaying spurious signals in the output of a radio transmitter. It provides a visual representation of the frequency spectrum, allowing you to see all signals, including unwanted harmonics and spurious emissions. These spurious signals are signals that occur outside the intended transmission frequency and can often be an indication of inefficiencies or potential interference problems in the transmitter system.

The spectrum analyzer works by sweeping through a range of frequencies, measuring the amplitude of each frequency component in the signal. This capability makes it ideal for ensuring that a transmitter operates within regulatory limits and for troubleshooting signal quality issues.

In contrast, a signal generator primarily produces specific frequencies for testing purposes but does not display the output of a transmitter. An oscilloscope visualizes waveforms in the time domain, which may not effectively represent spurious signals. A frequency counter measures the frequency of a signal but does not provide information on the amplitude or presence of spurious signals in a spectrum format.