What will occur when a non-linear amplifier is used with a single-sideband phone transmitter?

Study for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Element 3 Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get prepared for your exam today!

When a non-linear amplifier is used with a single-sideband (SSB) phone transmitter, the primary effect is distortion. Non-linear amplifiers do not operate in a linear fashion across all input levels, which means they can introduce harmonics and other unwanted frequency components into the output signal.

In the context of SSB transmission, clarity and fidelity are crucial since SSB is designed to reduce bandwidth and improve signal strength without the carrier wave. However, when a non-linear amplifier is improperly utilized with an SSB transmitter, it can distort the modulation of the signal, leading to degraded audio quality.

The introduction of distortion can manifest as an unclear signal, making it challenging for the receiving end to decode the transmission accurately. Distortion compromises the original audio signal's integrity, which is not desirable in communication systems that aim for high-quality voice transmission. Hence, the outcome of using such amplifiers in this scenario typically results in a loss of signal clarity due to the unwanted alterations in the waveform of the transmitted signal.

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