Which of the following is not a primary source of attenuation for a radar pulse?

Which of the following is not a primary source of attenuation for a radar pulse?

• A. CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
• B. Distance
• C. Precipitation
• D. Noise

Answer: (A)

This question is about what factors reduce the radar signal as it travels from transmitter to receiver. Attenuation means a loss of signal power along the path, and the main contributors are distance and the medium the wave moves through. As the radar pulse travels farther, the power density falls off with range due to free-space path loss. Precipitation, like rain, absorbs and scatters energy, so heavier rain can noticeably attenuate the radar signal, especially at higher frequencies. Noise isn’t attenuation of the traveling pulse itself; it’s extra random energy added at the receiver that degrades the ability to detect the signal (lowering the signal-to-noise ratio). A CRT, however, is just a display device in the receiver chain and does not affect the energy of the radar pulse as it propagates. Therefore, the CRT is not a primary source of attenuation.

This question is about what factors reduce the radar signal as it travels from transmitter to receiver. Attenuation means a loss of signal power along the path, and the main contributors are distance and the medium the wave moves through. As the radar pulse travels farther, the power density falls off with range due to free-space path loss. Precipitation, like rain, absorbs and scatters energy, so heavier rain can noticeably attenuate the radar signal, especially at higher frequencies. Noise isn’t attenuation of the traveling pulse itself; it’s extra random energy added at the receiver that degrades the ability to detect the signal (lowering the signal-to-noise ratio). A CRT, however, is just a display device in the receiver chain and does not affect the energy of the radar pulse as it propagates. Therefore, the CRT is not a primary source of attenuation.