SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-bjt-emitter-base-collector

What are the names of the electrodes of a bipolar junction transistor?

Emitter, base, collector.

  1. Signal, bias, power
  2. Input, output, supply
  3. Emitter, base, collector ✔

Why: A bipolar junction transistor has three leads called the emitter, base and collector. A small current into the base controls a larger current through the transistor.

Huh, didn't know that: The first transistor was built at Bell Labs in 1947.

The dad joke
Why did the transistor go to therapy? It had trouble with its base issues.
Like this card?
Play the game

Sources

  1. NCVEC 2026-2030 Technician Question Pool (Feb 19, 2026 release) https://www.ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf

Test yourself in the game

Ham RadioWhat type of component is often used as an adjustable volume control?Ham RadioWhat electrical component stores energy in an electric field?Ham RadioWhich battery chemistry is NOT rechargeable?

That's stuff everyone should know.