🔍 Key Concepts

• Superheterodyne receiver architecture (RF amplifier, mixer, IF stages) • Purpose of a tuned RF amplifier ahead of the mixer (what it does to incoming signals) • Difference between sensitivity, selectivity, image rejection, and signal-to-noise ratio

💭 Think About

• What specific problem does an RF stage before the mixer help with when strong off-frequency stations are present? • Does a tuned RF amplifier directly narrow the final IF bandwidth, or does it mainly shape what gets into the mixer in the first place? • Which of the listed benefits are primary design goals of the RF tuned stage, and which are more associated with later IF or audio stages?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear on the definition of image frequency and how preselection (tuning) in the RF stage affects it • Verify which stage in a superhet mainly controls selectivity (RF vs IF) • Check whether an RF amplifier can simultaneously and significantly improve all the listed performance characteristics, or if some are secondary/indirect effects