*Question E1F11:
[97.317] Which of the following best describes one of the standards that must be met by an external RF power amplifier if it is to qualify for a grant of FCC certification?*  

*Correct Answer is  D: It must satisfy the FCC’s spurious emission standards when operated at the lesser of 1500 watts or its full output power*  

### AI Response: (may contain errors)  

The correct answer to the question about the standards for an external RF power amplifier is:

**D: It must satisfy the FCC’s spurious emission standards when operated at the lesser of 1500 watts or its full output power.**

### Explanation of the Correct Answer:
- **Spurious Emission Standards**: The FCC requires that all RF power amplifiers meet specific spurious emission standards to minimize interference with other communications. This means that when the amplifier is operating, it should not produce unwanted signals (spurious emissions) that could interfere with other radio services.
- **Power Limitation**: The requirement to operate at the lesser of 1500 watts or its full output power ensures that the amplifier does not exceed legal limits while still being effective.

### Why the Other Choices are Incorrect:
- **A: It must produce full legal output when driven by not more than 5 watts of mean RF input power**  
  - This is incorrect because the FCC does not specify a maximum input power of 5 watts for certification. Instead, the focus is on the output power and spurious emissions.

- **B: It must have received an Underwriters Laboratory certification for electrical safety as well as having met IEEE standard 14.101(B)**  
  - While safety certifications are important, they are not a requirement for FCC certification of RF amplifiers. The FCC focuses on emissions and operational standards rather than safety certifications.

- **C: It must exhibit a gain of less than 23 dB when driven by 10 watts or less**  
  - This is incorrect because there is no specific gain limit of 23 dB set by the FCC for certification. The gain of an amplifier is not the primary concern for compliance; rather, it is the emissions and output power that matter.

### Summary:
- The key takeaway is that for an RF power amplifier to qualify for FCC certification, it must meet spurious emission standards, ensuring it does not interfere with other communications while operating at legal power levels. Understanding these regulations is crucial for compliance and effective operation in amateur radio.