Technician Question Pool

Who is responsible for ensuring that no person is exposed to RF energy above the FCC exposure limits?

The FCC
The station licensee
Anyone who is near an antenna
The local zoning board

How does RF radiation differ from ionizing radiation (radioactivity)?

RF radiation does not have sufficient energy to cause chemical changes in cells and damage DNA
RF radiation can only be detected with an RF dosimeter
RF radiation is limited in range to a few feet
RF radiation is perfectly safe

What is the definition of duty cycle during the averaging time for RF exposure?

The difference between the lowest power output and the highest power output of a transmitter
The difference between the PEP and average power output of a transmitter
The percentage of time that a transmitter is transmitting
The percentage of time that a transmitter is not transmitting

Why is duty cycle one of the factors used to determine safe RF radiation exposure levels?

It affects the average exposure to radiation
It affects the peak exposure to radiation
It takes into account the antenna feed line loss
It takes into account the thermal effects of the final amplifier

How can you make sure your station stays in compliance with RF safety regulations?

By informing the FCC of any changes made in your station
By re-evaluating the station whenever an item in the transmitter or antenna system is changed
By making sure your antennas have low SWR
All these choices are correct

Which of the following actions can reduce exposure to RF radiation?

Relocate antennas
Relocate the transmitter
Increase the duty cycle
All these choices are correct

What hazard is created by touching an antenna during a transmission?

Electrocution
RF burn to skin
Radiation poisoning
All these choices are correct

Which of the following is an acceptable method to determine whether your station complies with FCC RF exposure regulations?

By calculation based on FCC OET Bulletin 65
By calculation based on computer modeling
By measurement of field strength using calibrated equipment
All these choices are correct

Why do exposure limits vary with frequency?

Lower frequency RF fields have more energy than higher frequency fields
Lower frequency RF fields do not penetrate the human body
Higher frequency RF fields are transient in nature
The human body absorbs more RF energy at some frequencies than at others

What factors affect the RF exposure of people near an amateur station antenna?

Frequency and power level of the RF field
Distance from the antenna to a person
Radiation pattern of the antenna
All these choices are correct

How does the allowable power density for RF safety change if duty cycle changes from 100 percent to 50 percent?

It increases by a factor of 3
It decreases by 50 percent
It increases by a factor of 2
There is no adjustment allowed for lower duty cycle

At which of the following frequencies does maximum permissible exposure have the lowest value?

3.5 MHz
50 MHz
440 MHz
1296 MHz

What type of radiation are radio signals?

Gamma radiation
Ionizing radiation
Alpha radiation
Non-ionizing radiation

Which of the following establishes grounding requirements for an amateur radio tower or antenna?

FCC Part 97 rules
Local electrical codes
FAA tower lighting regulations
UL recommended practices

Which of the following is true when installing grounding conductors used for lightning protection?

Use only non-insulated wire
Wires must be carefully routed with precise right-angle bends
Sharp bends must be avoided
Common grounds must be avoided

Why should you avoid attaching an antenna to a utility pole?

The antenna will not work properly because of induced voltages
The 60 Hz radiations from the feed line may increase the SWR
The antenna could contact high-voltage power lines
All these choices are correct

Which is a proper grounding method for a tower?

A single four-foot ground rod, driven into the ground no more than 12 inches from the base
A ferrite-core RF choke connected between the tower and ground
A connection between the tower base and a cold water pipe
Separate eight-foot ground rods for each tower leg, bonded to the tower and each other

Which of the following is an important safety rule to remember when using a crank-up tower?

This type of tower must never be painted
This type of tower must never be grounded
This type of tower must not be climbed unless it is retracted, or mechanical safety locking devices have been installed
All these choices are correct

What is the minimum safe distance from a power line to allow when installing an antenna?

Add the height of the antenna to the height of the power line and multiply by a factor of 1.5
The height of the power line above ground
1/2 wavelength at the operating frequency
Enough so that if the antenna falls, no part of it can come closer than 10 feet to the power wires

What is the purpose of a safety wire through a turnbuckle used to tension guy lines?

Secure the guy line if the turnbuckle breaks
Prevent loosening of the turnbuckle from vibration
Provide a ground path for lightning strikes
Provide an ability to measure for proper tensioning

Which of the following is an important safety precaution to observe when putting up an antenna tower?

Wear a ground strap connected to your wrist at all times
Insulate the base of the tower to avoid lightning strikes
Look for and stay clear of any overhead electrical wires
All these choices are correct

Under what circumstances is it safe to climb a tower without a helper or observer?

When no electrical work is being performed
When no mechanical work is being performed
When the work being done is not more than 20 feet above the ground
Never

What is required when climbing an antenna tower?

Have sufficient training on safe tower climbing techniques
Use appropriate tie-off to the tower at all times
Always wear an approved climbing harness
All these choices are correct

Which of the following is good practice when installing ground wires on a tower for lightning protection?

Put a drip loop in the ground connection to prevent water damage to the ground system
Make sure all ground wire bends are right angles
Ensure that connections are short and direct
All these choices are correct

Which of the following precautions should be taken when measuring high voltages with a voltmeter?

Ensure that the voltmeter has very low impedance
Ensure that the voltmeter and leads are rated for use at the voltages to be measured
Ensure that the circuit is grounded through the voltmeter
Ensure that the voltmeter is set to the correct frequency

What hazard exists in a power supply immediately after turning it off?

Circulating currents in the dc filter
Leakage flux in the power transformer
Voltage transients from kickback diodes
Charge stored in filter capacitors

What hazard is caused by charging or discharging a battery too quickly?

Overheating or out-gassing
Excess output ripple
Half-wave rectification
Inverse memory effect

What should be done to all external ground rods or earth connections?

Waterproof them with silicone caulk or electrical tape
Keep them as far apart as possible
Bond them together with heavy wire or conductive strap
Tune them for resonance on the lowest frequency of operation

Where should a fuse or circuit breaker be installed in a 120V AC power circuit?

In series with the hot conductor only
In series with the hot and neutral conductors
In parallel with the hot conductor only
In parallel with the hot and neutral conductors

Where should a lightning arrester be installed in a coaxial feed line?

At the output connector of a transceiver
At the antenna feed point
At the ac power service panel
On a grounded panel near where feed lines enter the building

What is a good way to guard against electrical shock at your station?

Use three-wire cords and plugs for all AC powered equipment
Connect all AC powered station equipment to a common safety ground
Install mechanical interlocks in high-voltage circuits
All these choices are correct

Why should a 5-ampere fuse never be replaced with a 20-ampere fuse?

The larger fuse would be likely to blow because it is rated for higher current
The power supply ripple would greatly increase
Excessive current could cause a fire
All these choices are correct

What is the purpose of a fuse in an electrical circuit?

To prevent power supply ripple from damaging a component
To remove power in case of overload
To limit current to prevent shocks
All these choices are correct

In the United States, what circuit does black wire insulation indicate in a three-wire 120 V cable?

Neutral
Hot
Equipment ground
Black insulation is never used

What health hazard is presented by electrical current flowing through the body?

It may cause injury by heating tissue
It may disrupt the electrical functions of cells
It may cause involuntary muscle contractions
All these choices are correct

Which of the following is a safety hazard of a 12-volt storage battery?

Touching both terminals with the hands can cause electrical shock
Shorting the terminals can cause burns, fire, or an explosion
RF emissions from a nearby transmitter can cause the electrolyte to emit poison gas
All these choices are correct

What is standing wave ratio (SWR)?

A measure of how well a load is matched to a transmission line
The ratio of amplifier power output to input
The transmitter efficiency ratio
An indication of the quality of your station's ground connection

Which of the following types of feed line has the lowest loss at VHF and UHF?

50-ohm flexible coax
Multi-conductor unbalanced cable
Air-insulated hardline
75-ohm flexible coax

What is the electrical difference between RG-58 and RG-213 coaxial cable?

There is no significant difference between the two types
RG-58 cable has two shields
RG-213 cable has less loss at a given frequency
RG-58 cable can handle higher power levels

What can cause erratic changes in SWR?

Local thunderstorm
Loose connection in the antenna or feed line
Over-modulation
Overload from a strong local station

Which of the following is a source of loss in coaxial feed line?

Water intrusion into coaxial connectors
High SWR
Multiple connectors in the line
All these choices are correct

Which of the following is true of PL-259 type coax connectors?

They are preferred for microwave operation
They are watertight
They are commonly used at HF and VHF frequencies
They are a bayonet-type connector

Which of the following RF connector types is most suitable for frequencies above 400 MHz?

UHF (PL-259/SO-239)
Type N
RS-213
DB-25

What happens as the frequency of a signal in coaxial cable is increased?

The characteristic impedance decreases
The loss decreases
The characteristic impedance increases
The loss increases

What is the major function of an antenna tuner (antenna coupler)?

It matches the antenna system impedance to the transceiver's output impedance
It helps a receiver automatically tune in weak stations
It allows an antenna to be used on both transmit and receive
It automatically selects the proper antenna for the frequency band being used

Why is coaxial cable the most common feed line for amateur radio antenna systems?

It is easy to use and requires few special installation considerations
It has less loss than any other type of feed line
It can handle more power than any other type of feed line
It is less expensive than any other type of feed line

What is the most common impedance of coaxial cables used in amateur radio?

8 ohms
50 ohms
600 ohms
12 ohms

What is a benefit of low SWR?

Reduced television interference
Reduced signal loss
Less antenna wear
All these choices are correct

What is an advantage of a 5/8 wavelength whip antenna for VHF or UHF mobile service?

It has more gain than a 1/4-wavelength antenna
It radiates at a very high angle
It eliminates distortion caused by reflected signals
It has 10 times the power gain of a 1/4 wavelength whip

What is antenna gain?

The additional power that is added to the transmitter power
The additional power that is required in the antenna when transmitting on a higher frequency
The increase in signal strength in a specified direction compared to a reference antenna
The increase in impedance on receive or transmit compared to a reference antenna

In which direction does a half-wave dipole antenna radiate the strongest signal?

Equally in all directions
Off the ends of the antenna
In the direction of the feed line
Broadside to the antenna

What is the approximate length, in inches, of a half-wavelength 6 meter dipole antenna?

6
50
112
236

What is the approximate length, in inches, of a quarter-wavelength vertical antenna for 146 MHz?

112
50
19
12

What is a disadvantage of using a handheld VHF transceiver with a flexible antenna inside a vehicle?

Signal strength is reduced due to the shielding effect of the vehicle
The bandwidth of the antenna will decrease, increasing SWR
The SWR might decrease, decreasing the signal strength
All these choices are correct

Which of the following types of antenna offers the greatest gain?

5/8 wave vertical
Isotropic
J pole
Yagi

Which of the following increases the resonant frequency of a dipole antenna?

Lengthening it
Inserting coils in series with radiating wires
Shortening it
Adding capacitive loading to the ends of the radiating wires

What is a disadvantage of the short, flexible antenna supplied with most handheld radio transceivers, compared to a full-sized quarter-wave antenna?

It has low efficiency
It transmits only circularly polarized signals
It is mechanically fragile
All these choices are correct

Which of the following describes a simple dipole oriented parallel to Earth's surface?

A ground-wave antenna
A horizontally polarized antenna
A travelling-wave antenna
A vertically polarized antenna

Which of the following describes a type of antenna loading?

Electrically lengthening by inserting inductors in radiating elements
Inserting a resistor in the radiating portion of the antenna to make it resonant
Installing a spring in the base of a mobile vertical antenna to make it more flexible
Strengthening the radiating elements of a beam antenna to better resist wind damage

What is a beam antenna?

An antenna built from aluminum I-beams
An omnidirectional antenna invented by Clarence Beam
An antenna that concentrates signals in one direction
An antenna that reverses the phase of received signals

What is FT8?

A wideband FM voice mode
A digital mode capable of low signal-to-noise operation
An eight channel multiplex mode for FM repeaters
A digital slow-scan TV mode with forward error correction and automatic color compensation

Which of the following best describes an amateur radio mesh network?

An amateur-radio based data network using commercial Wi-Fi equipment with modified firmware
A wide-bandwidth digital voice mode employing DMR protocols
A satellite communications network using modified commercial satellite TV hardware
An internet linking protocol used to network repeaters

What is an ARQ transmission system?

A special transmission format limited to video signals
A system used to encrypt command signals to an amateur radio satellite
An error correction method in which the receiving station detects errors and sends a request for retransmission
A method of compressing data using autonomous reiterative Q codes prior to final encoding

Which of the following operating activities is supported by digital mode software in the WSJT-X software suite?

Earth-Moon-Earth
Weak signal propagation beacons
Meteor scatter
All these choices are correct

What is CW?

A type of electromagnetic propagation
A digital mode used primarily on 2 meter FM
A technique for coil winding
Another name for a Morse code transmission

Which of the following is included in packet radio transmissions?

A check sum that permits error detection
A header that contains the call sign of the station to which the information is being sent
Automatic repeat request in case of error
All these choices are correct

Which of the following describes DMR?

A technique for time-multiplexing two digital voice signals on a single 12.5 kHz repeater channel
An automatic position tracking mode for FM mobiles communicating through repeaters
An automatic computer logging technique for hands-off logging when communicating while operating a vehicle
A digital technique for transmitting on two repeater inputs simultaneously for automatic error correction

What does the abbreviation "PSK" mean?

Pulse Shift Keying
Phase Shift Keying
Packet Short Keying
Phased Slide Keying

Which of the following is an application of APRS?

Providing real-time tactical digital communications in conjunction with a map showing the locations of stations
Showing automatically the number of packets transmitted via PACTOR during a specific time interval
Providing voice over internet connection between repeaters
Providing information on the number of stations signed into a repeater

What type of transmission is indicated by the term "NTSC?"

A Normal Transmission mode in Static Circuit
A special mode for satellite uplink
An analog fast-scan color TV signal
A frame compression scheme for TV signals

What kind of data can be transmitted by APRS?

GPS position data
Text messages
Weather data
All these choices are correct

What is a "talkgroup" on a DMR repeater?

A group of operators sharing common interests
A way for groups of users to share a channel at different times without hearing other users on the channel
A protocol that increases the signal-to-noise ratio when multiple repeaters are linked together
A net that meets at a specified time

Which of the following is a digital communications mode?

Packet radio
IEEE 802.11
FT8
All these choices are correct

What is an amateur radio station that connects other amateur stations to the internet?

A gateway
A repeater
A digipeater
A beacon

What is required before using the EchoLink system?

Complete the required EchoLink training
Purchase a license to use the EchoLink software
Register your call sign and provide proof of license
All these choices are correct

Which of the following protocols enables an amateur station to transmit through a repeater without using a radio to initiate the transmission?

IRLP
D-STAR
DMR
EchoLink

What is the Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP)?

A technique to connect amateur radio systems, such as repeaters, via the internet using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
A system for providing access to websites via amateur radio
A system for informing amateurs in real time of the frequency of active DX stations
A technique for measuring signal strength of an amateur transmitter via the internet

What is Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?

A set of rules specifying how to identify your station when linked over the internet to another station
A technique employed to “spot” DX stations via the internet
A technique for measuring the modulation quality of a transmitter using remote sites monitored via the internet
A method of delivering voice communications over the internet using digital techniques

How is over the air access to IRLP nodes accomplished?

By obtaining a password that is sent via voice to the node
By using DTMF signals
By entering the proper internet password
By using CTCSS tone codes

What is a grid locator?

A letter-number designator assigned to a geographic location
A letter-number designator assigned to an azimuth and elevation
An instrument for neutralizing a final amplifier
An instrument for radio direction finding

Which of the following is good procedure when contacting another station in a contest?

Sign only the last two letters of your call if there are many other stations calling
Contact the station twice to be sure that you are in his log
Send only the minimum information needed for proper identification and the contest exchange
All these choices are correct

What operating activity involves contacting as many stations as possible during a specified period?

Simulated emergency exercises
Net operations
Public service events
Contesting

Which of these items would be useful for a hidden transmitter hunt?

Calibrated SWR meter
A directional antenna
A calibrated noise bridge
All these choices are correct

Which of the following methods is used to locate sources of noise interference or jamming?

Echolocation
Doppler radar
Radio direction finding
Phase locking

Which of the following is a way to determine whether your satellite uplink power is neither too low nor too high?

Check your signal strength report in the telemetry data
Listen for distortion on your downlink signal
Your signal strength on the downlink should be about the same as the beacon
All these choices are correct

Who may receive telemetry from a space station?

Anyone
A licensed radio amateur with a transmitter equipped for interrogating the satellite
A licensed radio amateur who has been certified by the protocol developer
A licensed radio amateur who has registered for an access code from AMSAT

What is a LEO satellite?

A sun synchronous satellite
A highly elliptical orbit satellite
A satellite in low energy operation mode
A satellite in low earth orbit

What causes spin fading of satellite signals?

Circular polarized noise interference radiated from the sun
Rotation of the satellite and its antennas
Doppler shift of the received signal
Interfering signals within the satellite uplink band

What is meant by the statement that a satellite is operating in U/V mode?

The satellite uplink is in the 15 meter band and the downlink is in the 10 meter band
The satellite uplink is in the 70 centimeter band and the downlink is in the 2 meter band
The satellite operates using ultraviolet frequencies
The satellite frequencies are usually variable

What is Doppler shift in reference to satellite communications?

A change in the satellite orbit
A mode where the satellite receives signals on one band and transmits on another
An observed change in signal frequency caused by relative motion between the satellite and Earth station
A special digital communications mode for some satellites

Which of the following are inputs to a satellite tracking program?

The satellite transmitted power
The Keplerian elements
The last observed time of zero Doppler shift
All these choices are correct

What is a satellite beacon?

The primary transmit antenna on the satellite
An indicator light that shows where to point your antenna
A reflective surface on the satellite
A transmission from a satellite that contains status information

What mode of transmission is commonly used by amateur radio satellites?

SSB
FM
CW/data
All these choices are correct

Which of the following are provided by satellite tracking programs?

Maps showing the real-time position of the satellite track over Earth
The time, azimuth, and elevation of the start, maximum altitude, and end of a pass
The apparent frequency of the satellite transmission, including effects of Doppler shift
All these choices are correct

What is the impact of using excessive effective radiated power on a satellite uplink?

Possibility of commanding the satellite to an improper mode
Blocking access by other users
Overloading the satellite batteries
Possibility of rebooting the satellite control computer

What telemetry information is typically transmitted by satellite beacons?

The signal strength of received signals
Time of day accurate to plus or minus 1/10 second
Health and status of the satellite
All these choices are correct

Which of the following is a disadvantage of FM compared with single sideband?

Voice quality is poorer
Only one signal can be received at a time
FM signals are harder to tune
All these choices are correct

What is the approximate bandwidth required to transmit a CW signal?

2.4 kHz
150 Hz
1000 Hz
15 kHz

What is the approximate bandwidth of AM fast-scan TV transmissions?

More than 10 MHz
About 6 MHz
About 3 MHz
About 1 MHz

What is the approximate bandwidth of a VHF repeater FM voice signal?

Less than 500 Hz
About 150 kHz
Between 10 and 15 kHz
Between 50 and 125 kHz

What is the approximate bandwidth of a typical single sideband (SSB) voice signal?

1 kHz
3 kHz
6 kHz
15 kHz

What is a characteristic of single sideband (SSB) compared to FM?

SSB signals are easier to tune in correctly
SSB signals are less susceptible to interference
SSB signals have narrower bandwidth
All these choices are correct

Which sideband is normally used for 10 meter HF, VHF, and UHF single-sideband communications?

Upper sideband
Lower sideband
Suppressed sideband
Inverted sideband

Which of the following types of signal has the narrowest bandwidth?

FM voice
SSB voice
CW
Slow-scan TV

Which type of modulation is commonly used for VHF and UHF voice repeaters?

AM
SSB
PSK
FM or PM

Which type of voice mode is often used for long-distance (weak signal) contacts on the VHF and UHF bands?

FM
DRM
SSB
PM

What type of modulation is commonly used for VHF packet radio transmissions?

FM or PM
SSB
AM
PSK

Which of the following is a form of amplitude modulation?

Spread spectrum
Packet radio
Single sideband
Phase shift keying (PSK)

Which of the following precautions should be taken when measuring in-circuit resistance with an ohmmeter?

Ensure that the applied voltages are correct
Ensure that the circuit is not powered
Ensure that the circuit is grounded
Ensure that the circuit is operating at the correct frequency

What reading indicates that an ohmmeter is connected across a large, discharged capacitor?

Increasing resistance with time
Decreasing resistance with time
Steady full-scale reading
Alternating between open and short circuit

What is the characteristic appearance of a cold tin-lead solder joint?

Dark black spots
A bright or shiny surface
A rough or lumpy surface
Excessive solder

Which of the following types of solder should not be used for radio and electronic applications?

Acid-core solder
Lead-tin solder
Rosin-core solder
Tin-copper solder

Which of the following measurements are made using a multimeter?

Signal strength and noise
Impedance and reactance
Voltage and resistance
All these choices are correct

Which of the following can damage a multimeter?

Attempting to measure resistance using the voltage setting
Failing to connect one of the probes to ground
Attempting to measure voltage when using the resistance setting
Not allowing it to warm up properly

Which instrument is used to measure electric current?

An ohmmeter
An electrometer
A voltmeter
An ammeter

When configured to measure current, how is a multimeter connected to a component?

In series
In parallel
In quadrature
In phase

How is a voltmeter connected to a component to measure applied voltage?

In series
In parallel
In quadrature
In phase

Which instrument would you use to measure electric potential?

An ammeter
A voltmeter
A wavemeter
An ohmmeter

What is a disadvantage of air core coaxial cable when compared to foam or solid dielectric types?

It has more loss per foot
It cannot be used for VHF or UHF antennas
It requires special techniques to prevent moisture in the cable
It cannot be used at below freezing temperatures

Why should the outer jacket of coaxial cable be resistant to ultraviolet light?

Ultraviolet resistant jackets prevent harmonic radiation
Ultraviolet light can increase losses in the cable's jacket
Ultraviolet and RF signals can mix, causing interference
Ultraviolet light can damage the jacket and allow water to enter the cable

Which of the following causes failure of coaxial cables?

Moisture contamination
Solder flux contamination
Rapid fluctuation in transmitter output power
Operation at 100% duty cycle for an extended period

Which instrument can be used to determine SWR?

Voltmeter
Ohmmeter
Iambic pentameter
Directional wattmeter

What happens to power lost in a feed line?

It increases the SWR
It is radiated as harmonics
It is converted into heat
It distorts the signal

What does an SWR reading of 4:1 indicate?

Loss of -4 dB
Good impedance match
Gain of +4 dB
Impedance mismatch

Why do most solid-state transmitters reduce output power as SWR increases beyond a certain level?

To protect the output amplifier transistors
To comply with FCC rules on spectral purity
Because power supplies cannot supply enough current at high SWR
To lower the SWR on the transmission line

What reading on an SWR meter indicates a perfect impedance match between the antenna and the feed line?

50:50:00
Zero
1:01
Full Scale

What does a dummy load consist of?

A high-gain amplifier and a TR switch
A non-inductive resistor mounted on a heat sink
A low-voltage power supply and a DC relay
A 50-ohm reactance used to terminate a transmission line

Which of the following is used to determine if an antenna is resonant at the desired operating frequency?

A VTVM
An antenna analyzer
A Q meter
A frequency counter

What is the primary purpose of a dummy load?

To prevent transmitting signals over the air when making tests
To prevent over-modulation of a transmitter
To improve the efficiency of an antenna
To improve the signal-to-noise ratio of a receiver

What is a symptom of RF feedback in a transmitter or transceiver?

Excessive SWR at the antenna connection
The transmitter will not stay on the desired frequency
Reports of garbled, distorted, or unintelligible voice transmissions
Frequent blowing of power supply fuses

What might be a problem if you receive a report that your audio signal through an FM repeater is distorted or unintelligible?

Your transmitter is slightly off frequency
Your batteries are running low
You are in a bad location
All these choices are correct

What should be the first step to resolve non-fiber optic cable TV interference caused by your amateur radio transmission?

Add a low-pass filter to the TV antenna input
Add a high-pass filter to the TV antenna input
Add a preamplifier to the TV antenna input
Be sure all TV feed line coaxial connectors are installed properly

What should you do if something in a neighbor's home is causing harmful interference to your amateur station?

Work with your neighbor to identify the offending device
Politely inform your neighbor that FCC rules prohibit the use of devices that cause interference
Make sure your station meets the standards of good amateur practice
All these choices are correct

Which of the following can reduce overload of a VHF transceiver by a nearby commercial FM station?

Installing an RF preamplifier
Using double-shielded coaxial cable
Installing bypass capacitors on the microphone cable
Installing a band-reject filter

Which of the following actions should you take if a neighbor tells you that your station's transmissions are interfering with their radio or TV reception?

Make sure that your station is functioning properly and that it does not cause interference to your own radio or television when it is tuned to the same channel
Immediately turn off your transmitter and contact the nearest FCC office for assistance
Install a harmonic doubler on the output of your transmitter and tune it until the interference is eliminated
All these choices are correct

How can fundamental overload of a non-amateur radio or TV receiver by an amateur signal be reduced or eliminated?

Block the amateur signal with a filter at the antenna input of the affected receiver
Block the interfering signal with a filter on the amateur transmitter
Switch the transmitter from FM to SSB
Switch the transmitter to a narrow-band mode

Which of the following could you use to cure distorted audio caused by RF current on the shield of a microphone cable?

Band-pass filter
Low-pass filter
Preamplifier
Ferrite choke

Which of the following can cause radio frequency interference?

Fundamental overload
Harmonics
Spurious emissions
All these choices are correct

What would cause a broadcast AM or FM radio to receive an amateur radio transmission unintentionally?

The receiver is unable to reject strong signals outside the AM or FM band
The microphone gain of the transmitter is turned up too high
The audio amplifier of the transmitter is overloaded
The deviation of an FM transmitter is set too low

What can you do if you are told your FM handheld or mobile transceiver is over-deviating?

Talk louder into the microphone
Let the transceiver cool off
Change to a higher power level
Talk farther away from the microphone

Where is an RF preamplifier installed?

Between the antenna and receiver
At the output of the transmitter power amplifier
Between the transmitter and the antenna tuner
At the output of the receiver audio amplifier

What device increases the transmitted output power from a transceiver?

A voltage divider
An RF power amplifier
An impedance network
All these choices are correct

What is the function of the SSB/CW-FM switch on a VHF power amplifier?

Change the mode of the transmitted signal
Set the amplifier for proper operation in the selected mode
Change the frequency range of the amplifier to operate in the proper segment of the band
Reduce the received signal noise

Which of the following describes combining speech with an RF carrier signal?

Impedance matching
Oscillation
Modulation
Low-pass filtering

What is the function of a transceiver's PTT input?

Input for a key used to send CW
Switches transceiver from receive to transmit when grounded
Provides a transmit tuning tone when grounded
Input for a preamplifier tuning tone

What device converts the RF input and output of a transceiver to another band?

High-pass filter
Low-pass filter
Transverter
Phase converter

What is the name of a circuit that generates a signal at a specific frequency?

Reactance modulator
Phase modulator
Low-pass filter
Oscillator

Which term describes the ability of a receiver to discriminate between multiple signals?

Discrimination ratio
Sensitivity
Selectivity
Harmonic distortion

Which of the following is used to convert a signal from one frequency to another?

Phase splitter
Mixer
Inverter
Amplifier

What is a transceiver?

A device that combines a receiver and transmitter
A device for matching feed line impedance to 50 ohms
A device for automatically sending and decoding Morse code
A device for converting receiver and transmitter frequencies to another band

Which term describes the ability of a receiver to detect the presence of a signal?

Linearity
Sensitivity
Selectivity
Total Harmonic Distortion

Which of the following is a resonant or tuned circuit?

An inductor and a capacitor in series or parallel
A linear voltage regulator
A resistor circuit used for reducing standing wave ratio
A circuit designed to provide high-fidelity audio

What is the function of component 2 in figure T-1?

Give off light when current flows through it
Supply electrical energy
Control the flow of current
Convert electrical energy into radio waves

What is the name of a device that combines several semiconductors and other components into one package?

Transducer
Multi-pole relay
Integrated circuit
Transformer

Which of the following is combined with an inductor to make a resonant circuit?

Resistor
Zener diode
Potentiometer
Capacitor

Which of the following is commonly used as a visual indicator?

LED
FET
Zener diode
Bipolar transistor

What component changes 120 V AC power to a lower AC voltage for other uses?

Variable capacitor
Transformer
Transistor
Diode

What type of circuit controls the amount of voltage from a power supply?

Regulator
Oscillator
Filter
Phase inverter

Which of the following displays an electrical quantity as a numeric value?

Potentiometer
Transistor
Meter
Relay

Which of the following is a reason to use shielded wire?

To decrease the resistance of DC power connections
To increase the current carrying capability of the wire
To prevent coupling of unwanted signals to or from the wire
To couple the wire to other signals

What is a relay?

An electrically-controlled switch
A current controlled amplifier
An inverting amplifier
A pass transistor

Which of the following devices or circuits changes an alternating current into a varying direct current signal?

Transformer
Rectifier
Amplifier
Reflector

Which of the following is accurately represented in electrical schematics?

Wire lengths
Physical appearance of components
Component connections
All these choices are correct

What is component 4 in figure T-3?

Antenna
Transmitter
Dummy load
Ground

What is component 3 in figure T-3?

Connector
Meter
Variable capacitor
Variable inductor

What is component 4 in figure T-2?

Variable inductor
Double-pole switch
Potentiometer
Transformer

What is component 9 in figure T-2?

Variable capacitor
Variable inductor
Variable resistor
Variable transformer

What is component 8 in figure T-2?

Resistor
Inductor
Regulator IC
Light emitting diode

What is component 6 in figure T-2?

Resistor
Capacitor
Regulator IC
Transistor

What is component 4 in figure T-1?

Resistor
Transistor
Ground symbol
Battery

What is component 3 in figure T-1?

Resistor
Transistor
Lamp
Ground symbol

What is component 2 in figure T-1?

Resistor
Transistor
Indicator lamp
Connector

What is component 1 in figure T-1?

Resistor
Transistor
Battery
Connector

What is the name of an electrical wiring diagram that uses standard component symbols?

Bill of materials
Connector pinout
Schematic
Flow chart

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

Signal, bias, power
Emitter, base, collector
Input, output, supply
Pole one, pole two, output

What is the term that describes a device's ability to amplify a signal?

Gain
Forward resistance
Forward voltage drop
On resistance

Which of the following can provide power gain?

Transformer
Transistor
Reactor
Resistor

What are the names for the electrodes of a diode?

Plus and minus
Source and drain
Anode and cathode
Gate and base

What does the abbreviation FET stand for?

Frequency Emission Transmitter
Fast Electron Transistor
Free Electron Transmitter
Field Effect Transistor

What causes a light-emitting diode (LED) to emit light?

Forward current
Reverse current
Capacitively-coupled RF signal
Inductively-coupled RF signal

How is the cathode lead of a semiconductor diode often marked on the package?

With the word "cathode"
With a stripe
With the letter C
With the letter K

What type of transistor has a gate, drain, and source?

Varistor
Field-effect
Tesla-effect
Bipolar junction

Which of the following components can consist of three regions of semiconductor material?

Alternator
Transistor
Triode
Pentagrid converter

Which of these components can be used as an electronic switch?

Varistor
Potentiometer
Transistor
Thermistor

What electronic component allows current to flow in only one direction?

Resistor
Fuse
Diode
Driven element

Which is true about forward voltage drop in a diode?

It is lower in some diode types than in others
It is proportional to peak inverse voltage
It indicates that the diode is defective
It has no impact on the voltage delivered to the load

What type of switch is represented by component 3 in figure T-2?

Single-pole single-throw
Single-pole double-throw
Double-pole single-throw
Double-pole double-throw

Which of the following battery chemistries is not rechargeable?

Nickel-cadmium
Carbon-zinc
Lead-acid
Lithium-ion

Which of the following battery chemistries is rechargeable?

Nickel-metal hydride
Lithium-ion
Lead-acid
All these choices are correct

What electrical component is used to protect other circuit components from current overloads?

Fuse
Thyratron
Varactor
All these choices are correct

What is the function of an SPDT switch?

A single circuit is opened or closed
Two circuits are opened or closed
A single circuit is switched between one of two other circuits
Two circuits are each switched between one of two other circuits

What electrical component is typically constructed as a coil of wire?

Switch
Capacitor
Diode
Inductor

What type of electrical component stores energy in a magnetic field?

Varistor
Capacitor
Inductor
Diode

What type of electrical component consists of conductive surfaces separated by an insulator?

Resistor
Potentiometer
Oscillator
Capacitor

What electrical component stores energy in an electric field?

Varistor
Capacitor
Inductor
Diode

What electrical parameter is controlled by a potentiometer?

Inductance
Resistance
Capacitance
Field strength

What type of component is often used as an adjustable volume control?

Fixed resistor
Power resistor
Potentiometer
Transformer

What electrical component opposes the flow of current in a DC circuit?

Inductor
Resistor
Inverter
Transformer

In which type of circuit is voltage the same across all components?

Series
Parallel
Resonant
Branch

In which type of circuit is DC current the same through all components?

Series
Parallel
Resonant
Branch

What is the voltage across a 10-ohm resistor if a current of 2 amperes flows through it?

8 volts
0.2 volts
12 volts
20 volts

What is the voltage across a 10-ohm resistor if a current of 1 ampere flows through it?

1 volt
10 volts
11 volts
9 volts

What is the voltage across a 2-ohm resistor if a current of 0.5 amperes flows through it?

1 volt
0.25 volts
2.5 volts
1.5 volts

What is the current through a 24-ohm resistor connected across 240 volts?

24,000 amperes
0.1 amperes
10 amperes
216 amperes

What is the current through a 100-ohm resistor connected across 200 volts?

20,000 amperes
0.5 amperes
2 amperes
100 amperes

What is the current in a circuit with an applied voltage of 120 volts and a resistance of 80 ohms?

9600 amperes
200 amperes
0.667 amperes
1.5 amperes

What is the resistance of a circuit that draws 4 amperes from a 12-volt source?

3 ohms
16 ohms
48 ohms
8 ohms

What is the resistance of a circuit for which the applied voltage is 12 volts and the current flow is 1.5 amperes?

18 ohms
0.125 ohms
8 ohms
13.5 ohms

What is the resistance of a circuit in which a current of 3 amperes flows when connected to 90 volts?

3 ohms
30 ohms
93 ohms
270 ohms

What formula is used to calculate resistance in a circuit?

R = E x I
R = E / I
R = E + I
R = E - I

What formula is used to calculate voltage in a circuit?

E = I x R
E = I / R
E = I + R
E = I - R

What formula is used to calculate current in a circuit?

I = E - R
I = E / R
I = E + R
I = E - R

What is the abbreviation for kilohertz?

KHZ
khz
khZ
kHz

What is impedance?

The opposition to AC current flow
The inverse of resistance
The Q or Quality Factor of a component
The power handling capability of a component

How much current is required to deliver 120 watts at a voltage of 12 volts DC?

0.1 amperes
10 amperes
12 amperes
132 amperes

How much power is delivered by a voltage of 12 volts DC and a current of 2.5 amperes?

4.8 watts
30 watts
14.5 watts
0.208 watts

How much power is delivered by a voltage of 13.8 volts DC and a current of 10 amperes?

138 watts
0.7 watts
23.8 watts
3.8 watts

What is the formula used to calculate electrical power (P) in a DC circuit?

P = I × E
P = E / I
P = E – I
P = I + E

What is the abbreviation for megahertz?

MH
mh
Mhz
MHz

What does the abbreviation "RF" mean?

Radio frequency signals of all types
The resonant frequency of a tuned circuit
The real frequency transmitted as opposed to the apparent frequency
Reflective force in antenna transmission lines

What is the unit of impedance?

The volt
The ampere
The coulomb
The ohm

What is the unit of inductance?

The coulomb
The farad
The henry
The ohm

What describes the ability to store energy in a magnetic field?

Admittance
Capacitance
Resistance
Inductance

What is the unit of capacitance?

The farad
The ohm
The volt
The henry

What describes the ability to store energy in an electric field?

Inductance
Resistance
Tolerance
Capacitance

Which is equal to 2425 MHz?

0.002425 GHz
24.25 GHz
2.425 GHz
2425 GHz

Which is equal to 28400 kHz?

28.400 kHz
2.800 MHz
284.00 MHz
28.400 MHz

Which decibel value represents a power increase from 20 watts to 200 watts?

10 dB
12 dB
18 dB
28 dB

Which decibel value most closely represents a power decrease from 12 watts to 3 watts?

-1 dB
-3 dB
-6 dB
-9 dB

Which decibel value most closely represents a power increase from 5 watts to 10 watts?

2 dB
3 dB
5 dB
10 dB

Which is equal to 1,000,000 picofarads?

0.001 microfarads
1 microfarad
1000 microfarads
1,000,000,000 microfarads

Which is equal to 3.525 MHz?

0.003525 kHz
35.25 kHz
3525 kHz
3,525,000 kHz

Which is equal to 3000 milliamperes?

0.003 amperes
0.3 amperes
3,000,000 amperes
3 amperes

Which is equal to 500 milliwatts?

0.02 watts
0.5 watts
5 watts
50 watts

Which is equal to one microvolt?

One one-millionth of a volt
One million volts
One thousand kilovolts
One one-thousandth of a volt

Which is equal to one kilovolt?

One one-thousandth of a volt
One hundred volts
One thousand volts
One million volts

Which is equal to 1,500,000 hertz?

1500 kHz
1500 MHz
15 GHz
150 kHz

How many milliamperes is 1.5 amperes?

15 milliamperes
150 milliamperes
1500 milliamperes
15,000 milliamperes

What describes the number of times per second that an alternating current makes a complete cycle?

Pulse rate
Speed
Wavelength
Frequency

What type of current flow is opposed by resistance?

Direct current
Alternating current
RF current
All these choices are correct

Which term describes the rate at which electrical energy is used?

Resistance
Current
Power
Voltage

Which of the following describes alternating current?

Current that alternates between a positive direction and zero
Current that alternates between a negative direction and zero
Current that alternates between positive and negative directions
All these answers are correct

Which of the following is a good electrical insulator?

Copper
Glass
Aluminum
Mercury

Why are metals generally good conductors of electricity?

They have relatively high density
They have many free electrons
They have many free protons
All these choices are correct

What is the unit of frequency?

Hertz
Henry
Farad
Tesla

What is the electrical term for the force that causes electron flow?

Voltage
Ampere-hours
Capacitance
Inductance

What are the units of electrical resistance?

Siemens
Mhos
Ohms
Coulombs

What is the name for the flow of electrons in an electric circuit?

Voltage
Resistance
Capacitance
Current

Electrical power is measured in which of the following units?

Volts
Watts
Watt-hours
Amperes

Electrical current is measured in which of the following units?

Volts
Watts
Ohms
Amperes

What is the result of tuning an FM receiver above or below a signal's frequency?

Change in audio pitch
Sideband inversion
Generation of a heterodyne tone
Distortion of the signal's audio

Which of the following must be programmed into a D-STAR digital transceiver before transmitting?

Your call sign
Your output power
The codec type being used
All these choices are correct

Which of the following receiver filter bandwidths provides the best signal-to-noise ratio for SSB reception?

500 Hz
1000 Hz
2400 Hz
5000 Hz

How is a specific group of stations selected on a digital voice transceiver?

By retrieving the frequencies from transceiver memory
By enabling the group's CTCSS tone
By entering the group's identification code
By activating automatic identification

What is the advantage of having multiple receive bandwidth choices on a multimode transceiver?

Permits monitoring several modes at once by selecting a separate filter for each mode
Permits noise or interference reduction by selecting a bandwidth matching the mode
Increases the number of frequencies that can be stored in memory
Increases the amount of offset between receive and transmit frequencies

What does a DMR "code plug" contain?

Your call sign in CW for automatic identification
Access information for repeaters and talkgroups
The codec for digitizing audio
The DMR software version

Which of the following controls could be used if the voice pitch of a single-sideband signal returning to your CQ call seems too high or low?

The AGC or limiter
The bandwidth selection
The tone squelch
The RIT or Clarifier

What does the scanning function of an FM transceiver do?

Checks incoming signal deviation
Prevents interference to nearby repeaters
Tunes through a range of frequencies to check for activity
Checks for messages left on a digital bulletin board

What is a way to enable quick access to a favorite frequency or channel on your transceiver?

Enable the frequency offset
Store it in a memory channel
Enable the VOX
Use the scan mode to select the desired frequency

How is squelch adjusted so that a weak FM signal can be heard?

Set the squelch threshold so that receiver output audio is on all the time
Turn up the audio level until it overcomes the squelch threshold
Turn on the anti-squelch function
Enable squelch enhancement

Which of the following can be used to enter a transceiver's operating frequency?

The keypad or VFO knob
The CTCSS or DTMF encoder
The Automatic Frequency Control
All these choices are correct

What is the effect of excessive microphone gain on SSB transmissions?

Frequency instability
Distorted transmitted audio
Increased SWR
All these choices are correct

What is an electronic keyer?

A device for switching antennas from transmit to receive
A device for voice activated switching from receive to transmit
A device that assists in manual sending of Morse code
An interlock to prevent unauthorized use of a radio

Where should the negative power return of a mobile transceiver be connected in a vehicle?

At the 12 volt battery chassis ground
At the antenna mount
To any metal part of the vehicle
Through the transceiver's mounting bracket

What function is performed with a transceiver and a digital mode hot spot?

Communication using digital voice or data systems via the internet
FT8 digital communications via AFSK
RTTY encoding and decoding without a computer
High-speed digital communications for meteor scatter

How can you determine the length of time that equipment can be powered from a battery?

Divide the watt-hour rating of the battery by the peak power consumption of the equipment
Divide the battery ampere-hour rating by the average current draw of the equipment
Multiply the watts per hour consumed by the equipment by the battery power rating
Multiply the square of the current rating of the battery by the input resistance of the equipment

Which of the following conductors is preferred for bonding at RF?

Copper braid removed from coaxial cable
Steel wire
Twisted-pair cable
Flat copper strap

Which of the following connections is made between a computer and a transceiver to use computer software when operating digital modes?

Computer “line out” to transceiver push-to-talk
Computer “line in” to transceiver push-to-talk
Computer “line in” to transceiver speaker connector
Computer “line out” to transceiver speaker connector

What signals are used in a computer-radio interface for digital mode operation?

Receive and transmit mode, status, and location
Antenna and RF power
Receive audio, transmit audio, and transmitter keying
NMEA GPS location and DC power

Where should an RF power meter be installed?

In the feed line, between the transmitter and antenna
At the power supply output
In parallel with the push-to-talk line and the antenna
In the power supply cable, as close as possible to the radio

How are the transceiver audio input and output connected in a station configured to operate using FT8?

To a computer running a terminal program and connected to a terminal node controller unit
To the audio input and output of a computer running WSJT-X software
To an FT8 conversion unit, a keyboard, and a computer monitor
To a computer connected to the FT8converter.com website

Why are short, heavy-gauge wires used for a transceiver's DC power connection?

To minimize voltage drop when transmitting
To provide a good counterpoise for the antenna
To avoid RF interference
All these choices are correct

Which of the following should be considered when selecting an accessory SWR meter?

The frequency and power level at which the measurements will be made
The distance that the meter will be located from the antenna
The types of modulation being used at the station
All these choices are correct

Which of the following is an appropriate power supply rating for a typical 50 watt output mobile FM transceiver?

24.0 volts at 4 amperes
13.8 volts at 4 amperes
24.0 volts at 12 amperes
13.8 volts at 12 amperes

Why is the radio horizon for VHF and UHF signals more distant than the visual horizon?

Radio signals move somewhat faster than the speed of light
Radio waves are not blocked by dust particles
The atmosphere refracts radio waves slightly
Radio waves are blocked by dust particles

Which of the following bands may provide long-distance communications via the ionosphere's F region during the peak of the sunspot cycle?

6 and 10 meters
23 centimeters
70 centimeters and 1.25 meters
All these choices are correct

What is generally the best time for long-distance 10 meter band propagation via the F region?

From dawn to shortly after sunset during periods of high sunspot activity
From shortly after sunset to dawn during periods of high sunspot activity
From dawn to shortly after sunset during periods of low sunspot activity
From shortly after sunset to dawn during periods of low sunspot activity

What causes tropospheric ducting?

Discharges of lightning during electrical storms
Sunspots and solar flares
Updrafts from hurricanes and tornadoes
Temperature inversions in the atmosphere

What band is best suited for communicating via meteor scatter?

33 centimeters
6 meters
2 meters
70 centimeters

What type of propagation is responsible for allowing over-the-horizon VHF and UHF communications to ranges of approximately 300 miles on a regular basis?

Tropospheric ducting
D region refraction
F2 region refraction
Faraday rotation

Which of the following effects may allow radio signals to travel beyond obstructions between the transmitting and receiving stations?

Knife-edge diffraction
Faraday rotation
Quantum tunneling
Doppler shift

Which of the following types of propagation is most commonly associated with occasional strong signals on the 10, 6, and 2 meter bands from beyond the radio horizon?

Backscatter
Sporadic E
D region absorption
Gray-line propagation

What is a characteristic of VHF signals received via auroral backscatter?

They are often received from 10,000 miles or more
They are distorted and signal strength varies considerably
They occur only during winter nighttime hours
They are generally strongest when your antenna is aimed west

What is a characteristic of HF communication compared with communications on VHF and higher frequencies?

HF antennas are generally smaller
HF accommodates wider bandwidth signals
Long-distance ionospheric propagation is far more common on HF
There is less atmospheric interference (static) on HF

Why are simplex UHF signals rarely heard beyond their radio horizon?

They are too weak to go very far
FCC regulations prohibit them from going more than 50 miles
UHF signals are usually not propagated by the ionosphere
UHF signals are absorbed by the ionospheric D region

What is the approximate velocity of a radio wave in free space?

150,000 meters per second
300,000,000 meters per second
300,000,000 miles per hour
150,000 miles per hour

What frequency range is referred to as HF?

300 to 3000 MHz
30 to 300 MHz
3 to 30 MHz
300 to 3000 kHz

What frequency range is referred to as UHF?

30 to 300 kHz
30 to 300 MHz
300 to 3000 kHz
300 to 3000 MHz

What frequency range is referred to as VHF?

30 kHz to 300 kHz
30 MHz to 300 MHz
300 kHz to 3000 kHz
300 MHz to 3000 MHz

In addition to frequency, which of the following is used to identify amateur radio bands?

The approximate wavelength in meters
Traditional letter/number designators
Channel numbers
All these choices are correct

What is the formula for converting frequency to approximate wavelength in meters?

Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz multiplied by 300
Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz divided by 300
Wavelength in meters equals frequency in megahertz divided by 300
Wavelength in meters equals 300 divided by frequency in megahertz

What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

Wavelength gets longer as frequency increases
Wavelength gets shorter as frequency increases
Wavelength and frequency are unrelated
Wavelength and frequency increase as path length increases

What is the velocity of a radio wave traveling through free space?

Speed of light
Speed of sound
Speed inversely proportional to its wavelength
Speed that increases as the frequency increases

What are the two components of a radio wave?

Impedance and reactance
Voltage and current
Electric and magnetic fields
Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation

What property of a radio wave defines its polarization?

The orientation of the electric field
The orientation of the magnetic field
The ratio of the energy in the magnetic field to the energy in the electric field
The ratio of the velocity to the wavelength

What is the relationship between the electric and magnetic fields of an electromagnetic wave?

They travel at different speeds
They are in parallel
They revolve in opposite directions
They are at right angles

What is the effect of fog and rain on signals in the 10 meter and 6 meter bands?

Absorption
There is little effect
Deflection
Range increase

Which region of the atmosphere can refract or bend HF and VHF radio waves?

The stratosphere
The troposphere
The ionosphere
The mesosphere

What effect does multi-path propagation have on data transmissions?

Transmission rates must be increased by a factor equal to the number of separate paths observed
Transmission rates must be decreased by a factor equal to the number of separate paths observed
No significant changes will occur if the signals are transmitted using FM
Error rates are likely to increase

Which of the following results from the fact that signals propagated by the ionosphere are elliptically polarized?

Digital modes are unusable
Either vertically or horizontally polarized antennas may be used for transmission or reception
FM voice is unusable
Both the transmitting and receiving antennas must be of the same polarization

What is a likely cause of irregular fading of signals propagated by the ionosphere?

Frequency shift due to Faraday rotation
Interference from thunderstorms
Intermodulation distortion
Random combining of signals arriving via different paths

What weather condition might decrease range at microwave frequencies?

High winds
Low barometric pressure
Precipitation
Colder temperatures

What is the meaning of the term "picket fencing"?

Alternating transmissions during a net operation
Rapid flutter on mobile signals due to multipath propagation
A type of ground system used with vertical antennas
Local vs long-distance communications

When using a directional antenna, how might your station be able to communicate with a distant repeater if buildings or obstructions are blocking the direct line of sight path?

Change from vertical to horizontal polarization
Try to find a path that reflects signals to the repeater
Try the long path
Increase the antenna SWR

What happens when antennas at opposite ends of a VHF or UHF line of sight radio link are not using the same polarization?

The modulation sidebands might become inverted
Received signal strength is reduced
Signals have an echo effect
Nothing significant will happen

What antenna polarization is normally used for long-distance CW and SSB contacts on the VHF and UHF bands?

Right-hand circular
Left-hand circular
Horizontal
Vertical

What is the effect of vegetation on UHF and microwave signals?

Knife-edge diffraction
Absorption
Amplification
Polarization rotation

Why do VHF signal strengths sometimes vary greatly when the antenna is moved only a few feet?

The signal path encounters different concentrations of water vapor
VHF ionospheric propagation is very sensitive to path length
Multipath propagation cancels or reinforces signals
All these choices are correct

What is meant by "check" in a radiogram header?

The number of words or word equivalents in the text portion of the message
The call sign of the originating station
A list of stations that have relayed the message
A box on the message form that indicates that the message was received and/or relayed

What information is contained in the preamble of a formal traffic message?

The email address of the originating station
The address of the intended recipient
The telephone number of the addressee
Information needed to track the message

Are amateur station control operators ever permitted to operate outside the frequency privileges of their license class?

No
Yes, but only when part of a FEMA emergency plan
Yes, but only when part of a RACES emergency plan
Yes, but only in situations involving the immediate safety of human life or protection of property

Which of the following is a characteristic of good traffic handling?

Passing messages exactly as received
Making decisions as to whether messages are worthy of relay or delivery
Ensuring that any newsworthy messages are relayed to the news media
All these choices are correct

Which of the following is standard practice when you participate in a net?

When first responding to the net control station, transmit your call sign, name, and address as in the FCC database
Record the time of each of your transmissions
Unless you are reporting an emergency, transmit only when directed by the net control station
All these choices are correct

What is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)?

A group of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service
A group of licensed amateurs who are members of the military and who voluntarily agreed to provide message handling services in the case of an emergency
A training program that provides licensing courses for those interested in obtaining an amateur license to use during emergencies
A training program that certifies amateur operators for membership in the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service

What does the term "traffic" refer to in net operation?

Messages exchanged by net stations
The number of stations checking in and out of a net
Operation by mobile or portable stations
Requests to activate the net by a served agency

What is RACES?

An emergency organization combining amateur radio and citizens band operators and frequencies
An international radio experimentation society
A radio contest held in a short period, sometimes called a “sprint”
An FCC part 97 amateur radio service for civil defense communications during national emergencies

What technique is used to ensure that voice messages containing unusual words are received correctly?

Send the words by voice and Morse code
Speak very loudly into the microphone
Spell the words using a standard phonetic alphabet
All these choices are correct

Which of the following are typical duties of a Net Control Station?

Choose the regular net meeting time and frequency
Ensure that all stations checking into the net are properly licensed for operation on the net frequency
Call the net to order and direct communications between stations checking in
All these choices are correct

When do FCC rules NOT apply to the operation of an amateur station?

When operating a RACES station
When operating under special FEMA rules
When operating under special ARES rules
FCC rules always apply

What is the purpose of a squelch function?

Reduce a CW transmitter's key clicks
Mute the receiver audio when a signal is not present
Eliminate parasitic oscillations in an RF amplifier
Reduce interference from impulse noise

What is the purpose of the color code used on DMR repeater systems?

Must match the repeater color code for access
Defines the frequency pair to use
Identifies the codec used
Defines the minimum signal level required for access

Which Q signal indicates that you are changing frequency?

QRU
QSY
QSL
QRZ

Which Q signal indicates that you are receiving interference from other stations?

QRM
QRN
QTH
QSB

Why are simplex channels designated in the VHF/UHF band plans?

So stations within range of each other can communicate without tying up a repeater
For contest operation
For working DX only
So stations with simple transmitters can access the repeater without automated offset

Which of the following applies when two stations transmitting on the same frequency interfere with each other?

The stations should negotiate continued use of the frequency
Both stations should choose another frequency to avoid conflict
Interference is inevitable, so no action is required
Use subaudible tones so both stations can share the frequency

How can you join a digital repeater's "talkgroup"?

Register your radio with the local FCC office
Join the repeater owner's club
Program your radio with the group's ID or code
Sign your call after the courtesy tone

What type of signaling uses pairs of audio tones?

DTMF
CTCSS
GPRS
D-STAR

What would cause your FM transmission audio to be distorted on voice peaks?

Your repeater offset is inverted
You need to talk louder
You are talking too loudly
Your transmit power is too high

Which of the following could be the reason you are unable to access a repeater whose output you can hear?

Improper transceiver offset
You are using the wrong CTCSS tone
You are using the wrong DCS code
All these choices are correct

Which of the following describes a linked repeater network?

A network of repeaters in which signals received by one repeater are transmitted by all the repeaters in the network
A single repeater with more than one receiver
Multiple repeaters with the same control operator
A system of repeaters linked by APRS

What term describes the use of a sub-audible tone transmitted along with normal voice audio to open the squelch of a receiver?

Carrier squelch
Tone burst
DTMF
CTCSS

How is a VHF/UHF transceiver's "reverse" function used?

To reduce power output
To increase power output
To listen on a repeater's input frequency
To listen on a repeater's output frequency

What should you do before calling CQ?

Listen first to be sure that no one else is using the frequency
Ask if the frequency is in use
Make sure you are authorized to use that frequency
All these choices are correct

What term describes an amateur station that is transmitting and receiving on the same frequency?

Full duplex
Diplex
Simplex
Multiplex

What is a band plan, beyond the privileges established by the FCC?

A voluntary guideline for using different modes or activities within an amateur band
A list of operating schedules
A list of available net frequencies
A plan devised by a club to indicate frequency band usage

Which of the following indicates that a station is listening on a repeater and looking for a contact?

“CQ CQ” followed by the repeater's call sign
The station's call sign followed by the word “monitoring”
The repeater call sign followed by the station's call sign
“QSY” followed by your call sign

What is the meaning of the procedural signal "CQ"?

Call on the quarter hour
Test transmission, no reply expected
Only the called station should transmit
Calling any station

What is meant by "repeater offset"?

The difference between a repeater's transmit and receive frequencies
The repeater has a time delay to prevent interference
The repeater station identification is done on a separate frequency
The number of simultaneous transmit frequencies used by a repeater

Which of the following is required when making on-the-air test transmissions?

Identify the transmitting station
Conduct tests only between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time
Notify the FCC of the transmissions
All these choices are correct

How should you respond to a station calling CQ?

Transmit "CQ" followed by the other station's call sign
Transmit your call sign followed by the other station's call sign
Transmit the other station's call sign followed by your call sign
Transmit a signal report followed by your call sign

What is an appropriate way to call another station on a repeater if you know the other station's call sign?

Say "break, break," then say the station's call sign
Say the station's call sign, then identify with your call sign
Say "CQ" three times, then the other station's call sign
Wait for the station to call CQ, then answer

What is a common repeater frequency offset in the 70 cm band?

Plus or minus 5 MHz
Plus or minus 600 kHz
Plus or minus 500 kHz
Plus or minus 1 MHz

What is the national calling frequency for FM simplex operations in the 2 meter band?

146.520 MHz
145.000 MHz
432.100 MHz
446.000 MHz

What is a common repeater frequency offset in the 2 meter band?

Plus or minus 5 MHz
Plus or minus 600 kHz
Plus or minus 500 kHz
Plus or minus 1 MHz

Which of the following is a requirement for the issuance of a club station license grant?

The trustee must have an Amateur Extra Class operator license grant
The club must have at least four members
The club must be registered with the American Radio Relay League
All these choices are correct

Who is accountable if a repeater inadvertently retransmits communications that violate the FCC rules?

The control operator of the originating station
The control operator of the repeater
The owner of the repeater
Both the originating station and the repeater owner

What type of amateur station simultaneously retransmits the signal of another amateur station on a different channel or channels?

Beacon station
Earth station
Repeater station
Message forwarding station

What is the definition of third party communications?

A message from a control operator to another amateur station control operator on behalf of another person
Amateur radio communications where three stations are in communications with one another
Operation when the transmitting equipment is licensed to a person other than the control operator
Temporary authorization for an unlicensed person to transmit on the amateur bands for technical experiments

Which of the following restrictions apply when a non-licensed person is allowed to speak to a foreign station using a station under the control of a licensed amateur operator?

The person must be a U.S. citizen
The foreign station must be in a country with which the U.S. has a third party agreement
The licensed control operator must do the station identification
All these choices are correct

Which of the following self-assigned indicators are acceptable when using a phone transmission?

KL7CC stroke W3
KL7CC slant W3
KL7CC slash W3
All these choices are correct

What method of call sign identification is required for a station transmitting phone signals?

Send the call sign followed by the indicator RPT
Send the call sign using a CW or phone emission
Send the call sign followed by the indicator R
Send the call sign using only a phone emission

What language may you use for identification when operating in a phone sub-band?

Any language recognized by the United Nations
Any language recognized by the ITU
English
English, French, or Spanish

When are you required to transmit your assigned call sign?

At the beginning of each contact, and every 10 minutes thereafter
At least once during each transmission
At least every 15 minutes during and at the end of a communication
At least every 10 minutes during and at the end of a communication

How often must you identify with your FCC-assigned call sign when using tactical call signs such as "Race Headquarters"?

Never, the tactical call is sufficient
Once during every hour
At the end of each communication and every ten minutes during a communication
At the end of every transmission

When must the station and its records be available for FCC inspection?

At any time ten days after notification by the FCC of such an inspection
At any time upon request by an FCC representative
At any time after written notification by the FCC of such inspection
Only when presented with a valid warrant by an FCC official or government agent

Who does the FCC presume to be the control operator of an amateur station, unless documentation to the contrary is in the station records?

The station custodian
The third party participant
The person operating the station equipment
The station licensee

Which of the following is an example of remote control as defined in Part 97?

Repeater operation
Operating the station over the internet
Controlling a model aircraft, boat, or car by amateur radio
All these choices are correct

Which of the following are required for remote control operation?

The control operator must be at the control point
A control operator is required at all times
The control operator must indirectly manipulate the controls
All these choices are correct

Which of the following is an example of automatic control?

Repeater operation
Controlling a station over the internet
Using a computer or other device to send CW automatically
Using a computer or other device to identify automatically

When the control operator is not the station licensee, who is responsible for the proper operation of the station?

All licensed amateurs who are present at the operation
Only the station licensee
Only the control operator
The control operator and the station licensee

When, under normal circumstances, may a Technician class licensee be the control operator of a station operating in an Amateur Extra Class band segment?

At no time
When designated as the control operator by an Amateur Extra Class licensee
As part of a multi-operator contest team
When using a club station whose trustee holds an Amateur Extra Class license

What is an amateur station's control point?

The location of the station's transmitting antenna
The location of the station's transmitting apparatus
The location at which the control operator function is performed
The mailing address of the station licensee

What determines the transmitting frequency privileges of an amateur station?

The frequency authorized by the frequency coordinator
The frequencies printed on the license grant
The highest class of operator license held by anyone on the premises
The class of operator license held by the control operator

Who must designate the station control operator?

The station licensee
The FCC
The frequency coordinator
Any licensed operator

Who may be the control operator of a station communicating through an amateur satellite or space station?

Only an Amateur Extra Class operator
A General class or higher licensee with a satellite operator certification
Only an Amateur Extra Class operator who is also an AMSAT member
Any amateur allowed to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency

When may an amateur station transmit without a control operator?

When using automatic control, such as in the case of a repeater
When the station licensee is away and another licensed amateur is using the station
When the transmitting station is an auxiliary station
Never

When may an amateur station transmit without identifying on the air?

When the transmissions are of a brief nature to make station adjustments
When the transmissions are unmodulated
When the transmitted power level is below 1 watt
When transmitting signals to control model craft

How does the FCC define broadcasting for the Amateur Radio Service?

Two-way transmissions by amateur stations
Any transmission made by the licensed station
Transmission of messages directed only to amateur operators
Transmissions intended for reception by the general public

When may amateur stations transmit information in support of broadcasting, program production, or news gathering, assuming no other means is available?

When such communications are directly related to the immediate safety of human life or protection of property
When broadcasting communications to or from the space shuttle
Where noncommercial programming is gathered and supplied exclusively to the National Public Radio network
Never

In which of the following circumstances may the control operator of an amateur station receive compensation for operating that station?

When the communication is related to the sale of amateur equipment by the control operator's employer
When the communication is incidental to classroom instruction at an educational institution
When the communication is made to obtain emergency information for a local broadcast station
All these choices are correct

What types of amateur stations can automatically retransmit the signals of other amateur stations?

Auxiliary, beacon, or Earth stations
Earth, repeater, or space stations
Beacon, repeater, or space stations
Repeater, auxiliary, or space stations

What, if any, are the restrictions concerning transmission of language that may be considered indecent or obscene?

The FCC maintains a list of words that are not permitted to be used on amateur frequencies
Any such language is prohibited
The ITU maintains a list of words that are not permitted to be used on amateur frequencies
There is no such prohibition

When may amateur radio operators use their stations to notify other amateurs of the availability of equipment for sale or trade?

Never
When the equipment is not the personal property of either the station licensee, or the control operator, or their close relatives
When no profit is made on the sale
When selling amateur radio equipment and not on a regular basis

Under what conditions is an amateur station authorized to transmit music using a phone emission?

When incidental to an authorized retransmission of manned spacecraft communications
When the music produces no spurious emissions
When transmissions are limited to less than three minutes per hour
When the music is transmitted above 1280 MHz

When is it permissible to transmit messages encoded to obscure their meaning?

Only during contests
Only when transmitting certain approved digital codes
Only when transmitting control commands to space stations or radio control craft
Never

Under which of the following circumstances are one-way transmissions by an amateur station prohibited?

In all circumstances
Broadcasting
International Morse Code Practice
Telecommand or transmissions of telemetry

With which countries are FCC-licensed amateur radio stations prohibited from exchanging communications?

Any country whose administration has notified the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that it objects to such communications
Any country whose administration has notified the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) that it objects to such communications
Any country banned from such communications by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)
Any country banned from making such communications by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)

If your license has expired and is still within the allowable grace period, may you continue to transmit on the amateur radio bands?

Yes, for up to two years
Yes, as soon as you apply for renewal
Yes, for up to one year
No, you must wait until the license has been renewed

How soon after passing the examination for your first amateur radio license may you transmit on the amateur radio bands?

Immediately on receiving your Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE)
As soon as your operator/station license grant appears on the ARRL website
As soon as your operator/station license grant appears in the FCC's license database
As soon as you receive your license in the mail from the FCC

What is the grace period for renewal if an amateur license expires?

Two years
Three years
Five years
Ten years

What is the normal term for an FCC-issued amateur radio license?

Five years
Life
Ten years
Eight years

Which of the following can result in revocation of the station license or suspension of the operator license?

Failure to inform the FCC of any changes in the amateur station following performance of an RF safety environmental evaluation
Failure to provide and maintain a correct email address with the FCC
Failure to obtain FCC type acceptance prior to using a home-built transmitter
Failure to have a copy of your license available at your station

From which of the following locations may an FCC-licensed amateur station transmit?

From within any country that belongs to the International Telecommunication Union
From within any country that is a member of the United Nations
From anywhere within International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regions 2 and 3
From any vessel or craft located in international waters and documented or registered in the United States

Which of the following is a valid Technician class call sign format?

KF1XXX
KA1X
W1XX
All these choices are correct

What may happen if the FCC is unable to reach you by email?

Fine and suspension of operator license
Revocation of the station license or suspension of the operator license
Revocation of access to the license record in the FCC system
Nothing; there is no such requirement

What types of international communications are an FCC-licensed amateur radio station permitted to make?

Communications incidental to the purposes of the Amateur Radio Service and remarks of a personal character
Communications incidental to conducting business or remarks of a personal nature
Only communications incidental to contest exchanges; all other communications are prohibited
Any communications that would be permitted by an international broadcast station

Who may select a desired call sign under the vanity call sign rules?

Only a licensed amateur with a General or Amateur Extra Class license
Only a licensed amateur with an Amateur Extra Class license
Only a licensed amateur who has been licensed continuously for more than 10 years
Any licensed amateur

For which license classes are new licenses currently available from the FCC?

Novice, Technician, General, Amateur Extra
Technician, Technician Plus, General, Amateur Extra
Novice, Technician Plus, General, Advanced
Technician, General, Amateur Extra

Except for some specific restrictions, what is the maximum peak envelope power output for Technician class operators using frequencies above 30 MHz?

50 watts
100 watts
500 watts
1500 watts

What is the maximum peak envelope power output for Technician class operators in their HF band segments?

200 watts
100 watts
50 watts
10 watts

Where may SSB phone be used in amateur bands above 50 MHz?

Only in sub-bands allocated to General class or higher licensees
Only on repeaters
In at least some segment of all these bands
On any band if the power is limited to 25 watts

Why should you not set your transmit frequency to be exactly at the edge of an amateur band or sub-band?

To allow for calibration error in the transmitter frequency display
So that modulation sidebands do not extend beyond the band edge
To allow for transmitter frequency drift
All these choices are correct

How are US amateurs restricted in segments of bands where the Amateur Radio Service is secondary?

U.S. amateurs may find non-amateur stations in those segments, and must avoid interfering with them
U.S. amateurs must give foreign amateur stations priority in those segments
International communications are not permitted in those segments
Digital transmissions are not permitted in those segments

Which of the following VHF/UHF band segments are limited to CW only?

50.0 MHz to 50.1 MHz and 144.0 MHz to 144.1 MHz
219 MHz to 220 MHz and 420.0 MHz to 420.1 MHz
902.0 MHz to 902.1 MHz
All these choices are correct

On which HF bands does a Technician class operator have phone privileges?

None
10 meter band only
80 meter, 40 meter, 15 meter, and 10 meter bands
30 meter band only

How may amateurs use the 219 to 220 MHz segment of 1.25 meter band?

Spread spectrum only
Fast-scan television only
Emergency traffic only
Fixed digital message forwarding systems only

Which amateur band includes 146.52 MHz?

6 meters
20 meters
70 centimeters
2 meters

Which frequency is in the 6 meter amateur band?

49.00 MHz
52.525 MHz
28.50 MHz
222.15 MHz

Which amateurs may contact the International Space Station (ISS) on VHF bands?

Any amateur holding a General class or higher license
Any amateur holding a Technician class or higher license
Any amateur holding a General class or higher license who has applied for and received approval from NASA
Any amateur holding a Technician class or higher license who has applied for and received approval from NASA

Which of the following frequency ranges are available for phone operation by Technician licensees?

28.050 MHz to 28.150 MHz
28.100 MHz to 28.300 MHz
28.300 MHz to 28.500 MHz
28.500 MHz to 28.600 MHz

When is willful interference to other amateur radio stations permitted?

To stop another amateur station that is breaking the FCC rules
At no time
When making short test transmissions
At any time, stations in the Amateur Radio Service are not protected from willful interference

What is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)?

A radio service using amateur frequencies for emergency management or civil defense communications
A radio service using amateur stations for emergency management or civil defense communications
An emergency service using amateur operators certified by a civil defense organization as being enrolled in that organization
All these choices are correct

Who selects a Frequency Coordinator?

The FCC Office of Spectrum Management and Coordination Policy
The local chapter of the Office of National Council of Independent Frequency Coordinators
Amateur operators in a local or regional area whose stations are eligible to be repeater or auxiliary stations
FCC Regional Field Office

Which of the following entities recommends transmit/receive channels and other parameters for auxiliary and repeater stations?

Frequency Spectrum Manager appointed by the FCC
Volunteer Frequency Coordinator recognized by local amateurs
FCC Regional Field Office
International Telecommunication Union

What is the FCC Part 97 definition of a space station?

Any satellite orbiting Earth
A manned satellite orbiting Earth
An amateur station located more than 50 km above Earth's surface
An amateur station using amateur radio satellites for relay of signals

What is the FCC Part 97 definition of a beacon?

A government transmitter marking the amateur radio band edges
A bulletin sent by the FCC to announce a national emergency
A continuous transmission of weather information authorized in the amateur bands by the National Weather Service
An amateur station transmitting communications for the purposes of observing propagation or related experimental activities

What proves that the FCC has issued an operator/primary license grant?

A printed copy of the certificate of successful completion of examination
An email notification from the NCVEC granting the license
The license appears in the FCC ULS database
All these choices are correct

How many operator/primary station license grants may be held by any one person?

One
No more than two
One for each band on which the person plans to operate
One for each permanent station location from which the person plans to operate

What do the FCC rules state regarding the use of a phonetic alphabet for station identification in the Amateur Radio Service?

It is required when transmitting emergency messages
It is encouraged
It is required when in contact with foreign stations
All these choices are correct

Which agency regulates and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?

FEMA
Homeland Security
The FCC
All these choices are correct

Which of the following is part of the Basis and Purpose of the Amateur Radio Service?

Providing personal radio communications for as many citizens as possible
Providing communications for international non-profit organizations
Advancing skills in the technical and communication phases of the radio art
All these choices are correct