Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

Where is an S meter found?

1. In a receiver

2. In an SWR bridge

3. In a transmitter

4. In a conductance bridge

The correct answer is: In a receiver

An S meter is a device that measures the strength of received radio signals in a receiver. It provides a visual indication of the signal level, allowing operators to assess the quality and strength of the incoming signal. An S meter typically displays signal strength on a scale ranging from S1 (very weak) to S9 (very strong), facilitating effective communication and helping operators to make adjustments to improve signal reception. The other options are associated with different functions in the realm of radio operations. An SWR bridge measures Standing Wave Ratio to assess the efficiency of antenna systems, a transmitter is primarily focused on sending signals rather than measuring received ones, and a conductance bridge is used for measuring electrical conductance. None of these devices are designed to directly measure received signal strength, which is the primary function of an S meter found in a receiver.