An RF loopback test circuit is adapted to be coupled to an antenna port of a
digital
radio, to determine whether the radio is functioning properly. A frequency generator
outputs an auxiliary frequency corresponding to the sum or difference between the
radio's transmit and receive frequencies. The auxiliary frequency is coupled to
a Schottky diode mixer, which is also coupled to the input/output port. If the
radio's transceiver section is operating properly, the sum or difference frequency
output of the Schottky diode mixer will be passed by only the diplexer's narrowband
receive path filter to the radio's receiver section. The mixer's sum frequency
is blocked by the diplexer's narrowband filters. Therefore, if the receiver section
provides an indication that it is receiving a sufficient signal level from the
RF loopback test circuit, it can also be inferred that each of the transmitter
and receiver sections is operating properly.