Ham Radio General Class Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Prep

The correct answer is the mixer stage because this component is designed to combine two radio frequency signals to produce new frequencies, specifically an intermediate frequency (IF). In this case, when a 14.250 MHz input signal is combined with a 13.795 MHz oscillator signal, the mixer generates the difference frequency, which is calculated as follows:

14.250 MHz - 13.795 MHz = 455 kHz.

The mixer is essential in superheterodyne receivers, allowing them to convert high-frequency signals into lower-frequency intermediate frequencies, which are easier to process and filter.

The BFO (Beat Frequency Oscillator) is traditionally used in single sideband (SSB) or CW (Continuous Wave) operations to create a frequency shift to hear the signal, but it does not function as a stage in generating an intermediate frequency in this context.

The VFO (Variable Frequency Oscillator) is typically utilized to generate a tunable frequency signal for a transmitter or receiver, but it does not combine signals to create an IF.

The discriminator is a component used to demodulate frequency modulated (FM) signals, converting the varying frequency of the received signal back into its original audio form, rather than mixing signals to produce an IF