Signal tracer Signal tracer A signal tracer is a piece of electronic test equipment used to troubleshoot radio and other electronic circuitry. Usually a very simple device, it normally provides an amplifier, and a loudspeaker, often battery-powered and packaged into a small, hand-held test probe. An optional diode detector is usually also provided, allowing the detection of amplitude-modulated signals. The technician injects a test signal into the device under test. Then, by using the signal tracer, the tech can follow the signal through the various circuits of the radio receiver. So long as the signal can be heard, the circuitry up to
Signal strength and readability report directly correlate to the signal strength rating. A report format commonly referred to as five by five is often used in media. The report format ostensibly consists of two digits, each ranging from 1 to 5, resulting in 25 possible combinations, with five by five being the best signal possible out of 25 combinations. As no reliable source has been found documenting this format, it may simply be Cold War-era slang, inappropriately mapping the radiotelegraph signal report numbers to radiotelephony signals. Some radio users have inappropriately started using the Circuit Merit telephone line quality measurement. This format is unsuitable for