In the context of radio receivers, what does sensitivity refer to?

Sensitivity in the context of radio receivers refers to the minimum signal level that can be detected by the receiver. It is a crucial characteristic because it indicates how weak a signal the receiver can pick up and still produce a usable output. A more sensitive receiver can detect weaker signals, which is particularly important in situations where signals are faint or when the receiver is operating in areas with a lot of interference.

For example, in amateur radio operations, having a sensitive receiver allows operators to hear distant stations that may be transmitting at very low power levels. Sensitivity is typically measured in microvolts (µV), and specifications often indicate the required signal strength for the receiver to achieve a predetermined level of performance, such as a specific signal-to-noise ratio.

The other options relate to different characteristics of radio equipment. Filtering out noise pertains to selectivity, which defines how well a receiver can isolate a desired signal from unwanted signals or interference. The frequency range relates to the bandwidth and capabilities of the receiver to operate at different frequencies. Power consumption rating describes how much energy the receiver uses, which is unrelated to its ability to detect signals.