Ham Amateur Radio Technician Practice Exam 2026 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success

The frequency of an LC oscillator is determined by the inductance and capacitance in the tank circuit. In an LC oscillator, the oscillation occurs due to the energy exchange between the inductor (L) and capacitor (C). The relationship between the inductance and capacitance defines the resonant frequency, which can be calculated using the formula:

\[

f = \frac{1}{2\pi\sqrt{LC}}

\]

where \( f \) is the frequency, \( L \) is the inductance, and \( C \) is the capacitance. As the values of the inductor and capacitor change, the resonant frequency will also change accordingly. This principle is fundamental for oscillators and is widely used in radio frequency (RF) applications, where precise frequency generation is crucial.

The other options provided, such as load resistance, input power level, and temperature, do influence the overall performance and stability of the oscillator but do not directly set the frequency of oscillation in the way that the inductance and capacitance do. For instance, while load resistance can affect the amplitude of oscillation and efficiency, it does not inherently determine the frequency at which the oscillator operates.