Subelement B: MF-HF-DSC-SITOR (NBDP) Equip. & Operations— Topic :
Question 15B6
Element 9 (GMDSS Maintainer)A received signal on a MF/HF transceiver breaks up rapidly and repeatedly. The signal alternates between mid scale and zero on the “Signal” meter. What is the most likely cause?
Explanation
An intermittent connection between the antenna and coupler would directly interrupt the path for the RF signal entering the transceiver. When the connection is made, the signal reaches the receiver, registering on the "Signal" meter (mid-scale). When the connection temporarily breaks, no RF signal reaches the receiver, causing the meter to drop to zero. This rapid, repeated alternation perfectly matches an intermittent physical connection.
Conversely, intermittent AF amplifier gain (A) affects the audio output *after* the signal is received and measured; the signal meter would likely remain steady. High squelch sensitivity (B) mutes audio below a certain threshold but wouldn't cause the RF signal meter itself to repeatedly show zero from a valid signal. An AGC circuit malfunction (D) typically causes issues with receiver gain or audio level regulation, not a complete, repeated loss of the incoming RF signal indication on the meter.
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