Which of the following receiver filter bandwidths provides the best signal-to-noise ratio for SSB reception?

For Single Sideband (SSB) reception, the filter bandwidth plays a critical role in determining the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). When using a filter with an appropriate bandwidth, you can effectively isolate the desired signal from unwanted noise.

A bandwidth of 2400 Hz is optimal for SSB reception because it closely matches the bandwidth of the SSB signal itself. SSB signals typically have a bandwidth of about 2400 Hz; hence, using a filter of the same bandwidth allows you to capture the entire SSB signal efficiently while minimizing the noise. The larger bandwidth accommodates the full dynamic range of the signal, ensuring that vital audio information is not lost.

With narrower bandwidths, such as 500 Hz or 1000 Hz, while there may be some noise reduction, you risk cutting off essential parts of the signal, which can lead to distortion or loss of intelligibility in the transmitted audio. A filter set at 5000 Hz is much broader than needed, including a lot more noise along with the signal, which would degrade the signal-to-noise ratio.

Thus, the choice of a 2400 Hz filter balances capturing the signal effectively while rejecting as much noise as possible, leading to better overall reception quality for SSB