Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

A speech processor is designed to enhance the quality of voice transmission in single sideband (SSB) phone signals. When a speech processor is applied, it primarily boosts the average power of the transmitted signal. This is achieved by dynamically adjusting the volume of the audio signal sent to the modulator based on the characteristics of the speech, thereby increasing the overall loudness and intelligibility of the transmitted message.

This increase in average power is beneficial because it allows the signal to be more easily received and understood by stations that may be further away or facing interference. By compressing the voice audio, the processor makes softer sounds louder, which contributes to a stronger average power without necessarily increasing the peak power. Thus, while peak power may not significantly change, the average power output is notably enhanced, facilitating better communication.

The other options may involve aspects of audio processing, but they do not accurately reflect the primary impact of a speech processor on SSB signals in a straightforward manner.