Element 1: Basic Radio Law

A ship station using VHF bridge-to-bridge Channel 13: A. May be identified by the name of the ship in lieu of call sign. B. Does not need to identify itself within 100 miles from shore. C. May be identified by call sign and country of origin. D. Must be identified by call sign and name of vessel.

A

By international agreement, which ships must carry radio equipment for the safety of life at sea? A. Cargo ships of more than 300 gross tons and vessels carrying more than 12 passengers. B. Ali cargo ships of more than 100 gross tons. C. All ships traveling more than 100 miles out to sea. D. Cargo ships of more than 100 gross tons and passenger vessels on international deep-sea voyages.

A

Equipment for radio telephony use in survival craft stations under GMDSS must have what capability? A. Operation on Ch-16. B. Operation on 457.525 MHz. C. Operation on 121.5 MHz. D. Any one of these.

A

GMDSS is required for which of the following? A. Sequentially scan all or selected channels. B. Monitor Ch-16 continuously and switching to either Ch-70 or Ch-13 every 5 seconds. C. Scan Ch-16 for Distress calls. D. Scan Ch-70 for Distress alerts.

A

Ordinarily, how often would a station using a telephony emission identify? A. At the beginning and end of each transmission and at 15-minute intervals. B. At least every 10 minutes. C. At 15-minute intervals, unless public correspondence is in progress. D. At 20-minute intervals.

A

What are the characteristics of the Reserve Source of Energy under GMDSS? A. Must be independent of the ship's electrical system when the RSE is needed to supply power to the GMDSS equipment. B. Cannot be independent of the propelling power of the ship. C. Must be incorporated into the ship's electrical system. D. Supplies independent HF and MF installations at the same time.

A

What is a bridge-to-bridge station? A. A VHF radio station located on a ship's navigational bridge or main control station that is used only for navigational communications. B. An internal communications system linking the wheel house with the ship's primary radio operating position and other integral ship control points. C. A portable ship station necessary to eliminate frequent application to operate a ship station on board different vessels. D. An inland waterways and coastal radio station serving ship stations operating within the United States.

A

What is the best way for a radio operator to minimize or prevent interference to other stations? A. Determine that a frequency is not in use by monitoring the frequency before transmitting. B. Reducing power to a level that will not affect other on-frequency communications. C. By changing frequency when notified that a radio communication causes interference. D. By using an omni-directional antenna pointed away from other stations.

A

What is the proper procedure for making a correction in the siation log? A. The original person making the entry must strike out the error, initial the correction and indicate the date of the correction. B. Rewrite the new entry in its entirety directly below the incorrect notation and initial the change. C. The ship's master must be notified, approve and initial all changes to the station log. D. The mistake may be erased and the correction made and initialized only by the radio operator making the original error.

A

What is the proper procedure for testing a radiotelephone installation? A. Transmit the station's call sign, followed by the word test" on the frequency being used for the test. B. A dummy antenna must be used to insure the test will not interfere with ongoing communications. C. Short tests must be confined to a single frequency and must never be conducted in port. D. Permission for the voice test must be requested and received from the nearest public coast station.

A

What is the purpose of the SART's audible tone alarm? A. It informs survivors that assistance may be nearby. B. It informs survivors when the battery's charge condition has weakened. C. It informs survivors that a nearby vessel is signaling on DSC. D. It informs survivors when the SART switches to the "standby" mode.

A

What is the responsibility of vessels under GMDSS? A. Every ship is able to perform those communications functions that are essential for the Safety of the ship itself and of other ships. B.Vessels operating under GMDSS, outside of areas effectively serviced by shore side authorities, operating in sea areas A2, and A4 may be required to render assistance in Distress situations, Navigation hazards, meteorological warnings, priority traffic. C. Only that vessel, regardless of size, closest to a vessel in Distress, is required to render assistance. D. Vessels over 300 gross tons may be required to render assistance if such assistance does not adversely affect their port schedule.

A

What would be an indication of a malfunction on a GMDSS station with a 24 voe battery system? A. A constant 30 volt reading on the GMDSS console voltmeter. B. After testing the station on battery power, the ammeter reading indicates a high rate of charge that then declines. C. After testing the station on battery power, a voltmeter reading of 30 volts for brief period followed by a steady 26 volt reading. D. None of the above.

A

When testing is conducted on 2182 kHz or Ch-16, testing should not continue for more than ___ in any 5-minute period. A. 10 seconds. B. 1 minute. C. 2 minutes. D. 30 seconds.

A

Where do you make an application for inspection of a ship GMDSS radio station? A. To the Engineer-in-Charge of the FCC District Office nearest the proposed place of inspection. B. To a Commercial Operator Licensing Examination Manager (COLE Manager). C. To the Federal Communications Commission. Washington, DC 20554. D. To an FCC-licensed technician holding a GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License.

A

Which modes could be selected to receive vessel traffic lists from high seas shore stations? A. SSB and FEC. B. ARQ and FEC. C. AM and VHF-FM. D. VHF-FM and SSB.

A

Which of the following Is the primary frequency that is used exclusively for NAVTEX broadcasts internationally? A. 518 kHz. B. VHF channel 16 when the vessel is sailing in Sea Area Al, and 2187.5 kHz when in Sea Area A2. C. 2187.5 kHz. D. 4209.5 kHz.

A

At what point does a SART begin transmitting? A. It immediately begins radiating when placed in the "on" position. B. If it has been placed in the "on" position, it will respond when it has been interrogated by a 9-GHz RADAR signal. C. It must be manually activated. D. If it has been placed in the "on" position, it will begin transmitting immediately upon detecting that it is in water.

B

For general communications purposes, paired frequencies are: A. Normally used between private coast and ship stations. B. Normally used with public coast stations. C. Normally used with private coast stations. D. Normally used between ship stations.

B

GMDSS is required for which of the following? A. Coastal vessels of less than 300 gross tons. B. SOLAS Convention ships of 300 gross tonnage or more. C. Vessels operating outside of the range of VHF coastal radio stations. D. All vessels capable of international voyages.

B

In which frequency band does a search and rescue transponder operate? A. S-band. B. 9 GHz. C. 406 MHz. D. 3 GHz.

B

The Urgency signal concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft or person shall be sent only on the authority of: A. Person responsible for mobile station. B. Either Master of ship or person responsible for mobile station. C. Master of ship. D. An FCC-licensed operator.

B

To set-up the MF/HF transceiver for a TELEX call to a coast station, the operator must: A. Select J3E mode for proper SITOR operations. B. Select F1 B mode or J2B mode, depending on the equipment manufacturer. C. Select F1 B/J2B mo<les or J3E mode, depending on whether ARQ or FEC is preferred. D. None of the above.

B

Under what circumstances may a coast station using telephony transmit a general call to a group of vessels? A. When the vessels are located in international waters beyond 12 miles. B. When announcing or preceding the transmission of Distress. Urgency, Safety or other important messages. C. Under no circumstances. D. When identical traffic is destined for multiple mobile stations within range.

B

What are the mandatory DSC watch keeping bands/channels? A. VHF Ch-70, 2 MHz MF DSC, 6 MHz DSC and 1 other HF DSC. B. 8 MHz HF DSC, 1 other HF DSC, 2 MHz MF DSC and VHF Ch-70. C. 2 MHz MF DSC, 8 MHz DSC, VHF Ch-16 and 1 other HF DSC. D. None of the above.

B

What is the aircraft frequency and emission used for distress communications? A. 156.525 MHz - FlB. B. 121.500 MHz - A3E. C. 121.500 MHz - F3E. D. 243.000 MHz - F3E.

B

What is the order of priority of radiotelephone communications in the maritime services? C. An internationally recognized communication indicating that the sender is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance. A. Government precedence, messages concerning safety of life and protection of property, and traffic concerning grave and imminent danger. B. Distress calls and signals, followed by communications preceded by Urgency and Safety signals and all other communications. C. Alarm and health and welfare communications. D. Navigation hazards, meteorological warnings, priority traffic.

B

What is the purpose of the INT-USA control settings on a VHF? A. To change all VHF channels from Duplex to Simplex while in U.S. waters. B. To change certain International Duplex channel assignments to simplex in the U.S. for VTS and other purposes. C. To change all VTS frequencies to Duplex so all vessels can receive maneuvering orders. D. To change to NOAA weather channels and receive weather broadcasts while in the U.S.

B

What is the requirement for emergency and reserve power in GMDSS radio installations? A. Only one of the above is required if a vessel is equipped with a second 406 EPIRB as a backup means of sending a distress alert. B. All newly constructed ships under GMDSS must have both emergency and reserve power sources for radio communications. C. A reserve power source is not required for radio communications. D. An emergency power source for radio communications is not required if a vessel has proper reserve power (batteries).

B

What means are used to prevent the reception of unwanted broadcasts by vessels utilizing the NAVTEX system? A. Coordinating reception with published broadcast schedules. B. Programming the receiver to reject unwanted broadcasts. C. Operating the receiver only during daytime hours. D. Automatic receiver de-sensitization during night hours.

B

When are EPIRB batteries changed? A. Whenever voltage drops to less than 20% of full charge. B. After emergency use or within the month and year replacement date printed on the EPIRB. C. After emergency use; after battery life expires. D. After emergency use; every 12 months when not used.

B

Which channel ls utilized for the required bridge-to-bridge watch? A. The vessel's VHF working frequency. B. VHF-FM on Ch-13 in most areas of the continental United States. C. DSC on Ch-70. D. VHF-FM on Ch-16

B

Which channel would most likely be used for routine ship-to-ship voice traffic? A. Ch-22A. B. Ch-08. C. Ch-70. D. Ch-16.

B

Which of the following log keeping statements is true? A. Entries relating to pre-voyage, pre-departure and daily tests are required. B. Both a) and c) C. A summary of all required Distress communications heard and Urgency communications affecting the station's own ship. Also, all Safety communications (other than VHF) affecting the station's own ship must be logged. D. Routine daily MF-HF and Inmarsat-C transmissions do not have to be logged.

B

How long should station logs be retained when there are entries relating to distress or disaster situations? A. Indefinitely, or until destruction is specifically authorized by the U.S. Coast Guard. B. For a period of three years from the last date of entry, unless notified by the FCC. C. Until authorized by the Commission in writing to destroy them. D. For a period of one year from the last date of entry.

C

MF/HF transceiver power levels should be set: A. Both a) and c) are correct. B. To the level necessary to maximize the propagation radius. C. To the lowest level necessary for effective communications. D. To the highest level possible so as to ensure other stations cannot "break-in" on the channel during use.

C

Small passenger vessels that sail 20 to 150 nautical miles from the nearest land must have what additional equipment? A. Inmarsat-C terminal. B. Inmarsat-B terminal. C. MF-HF SSB Transceiver. D. Aircraft Transceiver with 121.5 MHz.

C

The best way to test the MF-HF NBDP system is? A. Make a radiotelephone call to a coast station. B. Initiate an ARQ call to demonstrate that the transmitter and antenna are working. C. Initiate an ARQ call to a Coast Station and wait for the automatic exchange of answer backs. D. Initiate an FEC call to demonstrate that the transmitter and antenna are working.

C

What channel must all compulsory, non-GMDSS vessels monitor at all times in the open sea? A. Channel 8. B. Channel 70. C. Channel 16. D. Channel 6.

C

What is a Distress communication? A. Communications indicating that the calling station has a very urgent message concerning safety. B. An official radio communication notification of approaching navigational or meteorological hazards. C. An internationally recognized communication indicating that the sender is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance. D. Radio communications which, if delayed, will adversely affect the safety of life or property.

C

What is the priority of communications? A. Radio direction-finding, Distress and Safety. B. Distress, Safety, radio direction-finding, search and rescue. C. Distress, Urgency and Safety. D. Safety, Distress, Urgency and radio direction finding .

C

What should a station operator do before making a transmission? A. Transmit a general notification that the operator wishes to utilize the channel. B. Ask ii the frequency is in use. C. Except for the transmission of distress calls, determine that the frequency is not in use by monitoring the frequency before transmitting. D. Check transmitting equipment to be certain ii is properly calibrated.

C

What traffic management service is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard in certain designated water areas to prevent ship collisions, groundings and environmental harm? A. Ship Movement and Safety Agency (SMSA). B. Water Safety Management Bureau (WSMB) C. Vessel Traffic Service (VTS). D. Interdepartmental Harbor and Port Patrol (IHPP).

C

Where should the GMDSS radio log be kept on board ship? A. Sea cabin. B. Anywhere on board the vessel. C. At the GMDSS operating position. D. Captain's office.

C

Which of the following conditions would be a symptom of malfunction in a 2182 kHz radiotelephone system that must be reported to the Master, then logged appropriately. A. When testing a radiotelephone alarm on 2182 kHz into an artificial antenna, the Distress frequency watch receiver becomes unmuted, an improper testing procedure. B. Failure to contact a shore station 600 nautical miles distant during daytime operation. C. No indication of power output when speaking into the microphone. D. Much higher noise level observed during daytime operation.

C

Which of the following persons are ineligible to be issued a commercial radio operator license? A. Foreign maritime radio operators unless they are certified by the International Maritime Organization(IMO). B. U.S. Military radio operators who are still on active duty. C. Individuals who are unable to send and receive correctly by telephone spoken messages in English. D. Handicapped persons with uncorrected disabilities which affect their ability to perform all duties required of commercial radio operators.

C

Which would be an indication of proper operation of a SSB transmitter rated at 60 watt PEP output? A. In SSB (J3E) mode, speaking into the microphone causes power meter to fluctuate slightly around the 60 watt reading. B. A steady indication of transmitted energy on an RF Power meter with no fluctuations when speaking into the microphone. C. In SITOR communications, the power meter can be seen fluctuating regularly from zero to the 60 watt relative output reading. D. In SSB (J3E) voice mode, with the transmitter keyed but without speaking into the microphone, power output is indicated.

C

A vertical whip antenna has a radiation pattern best described by? A. A cardioid. B. A figure eight. C. An ellipse. D. A circle.

D

For a small passenger vessel inspection, reserve power batteries must be tested: A. Before any new voyage B. At intervals not exceeding every 3 months. C. At intervals not exceeding every 6 months D. At intervals not exceeding 12 months, or during the inspection.

D

For general communications purposes, simplex frequencies are: A. Normally used between ship stations and private coast stations. B. Normally used with public coast stations. C. Normally used between ship stations. D. Both a) and c) are correct.

D

GMDSS ls primarily a system based on? A. Distress. Urgency and Safety communications carried out by the use of narrow-band direct printing telegraphy. B. Ship-to-ship Distress communications using MF or HF radio telephony. C. VHF digital selective calling from ship to shore. D. The linking of search and rescue authorities ashore with shipping in the immediate vicinity of a ship in Distress or in need of assistance.

D

MSI can be obtained by one (or more) of the following: A. NAVTEX. B. SafetyNET. C. HF NBDP. D. All of the above.

D

Radiotelephone stations required to keep logs of their transmissions must include: Station. date and time. Name of operator on duty. Station call signs with which communication took place. All of these.

D

The Urgency signal has lower priority than: A. Ship-to-ship routine calls. B. Security. C. Safety. D. Distress.

D

VHF ship station transmitters must have the capability of reducing carrier power to: A. 50 watts. B. 25 watts. C. 10 watts. D. 1 watt.

D

What Is an EPIRB? A. An alerting device notifying mariners of imminent danger. B. A satellite-based maritime distress and safety alerting system. C. A high-efficiency audio amplifier. D. A battery-operated emergency position-indicating radio beacon that floats free of a sinking ship.

D

What equipment is programmed to initiate transmission of distress alerts and calls to individual stations? A. Scanning Watch Receiver. B. NAVTEX. C. GPS. D. DSC controller.

D

What information must be included in a Distress message? A. Name of vessel. B. Location. C. Type of distress and specifics of help requested. D. All of the above.

D

What is an advantage of a 406 MHz satellite EPIR8? A. It is compatible with the COSPAS-SARSAT Satellites and Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) regulations. B. Provides a fast, accurate method for the Coast Guard to locating and rescuing persons in distress. C. Includes a digitally encoded message containing the ship's identity and nationality. D. All of the above.

D

What is the MF radiotelephony calling and Distress frequency? A. Ch-22 VHF. B. 2670 kHz. C. Ch-06 VHF. D. 2182 kHz.

D

What is the most common type of antenna for GMDSS VHF? A. Horizontally polarized circular antenna. B. Long wire antenna. C. Both of the above. D. None of the above.

D

What regulations govern the use and operation of FCC-licensed ship stations in international waters? A. The Maritime Mobile Directives of the International Telecommunication Union. B. The regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Radio Officers Union. C. Those of the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Maritime Mobile Service, Washington, DC 20554. D. Part 80 of the FCC Rules plus the international Radio Regulations and agreements to which the United States is a party.

D

What safety signal call word is spoken three times, followed by the station call letters spoken three times, to announce a storm warning, danger to navigation, or special aid to navigation? A. PAN PAN. B. SAFETY. C. MAYDAY. D. SECURITE.

D

When is a Marine Radio Operator Permit or higher license required for aircraft communications? A. When operating on frequencies below 30 MHz allocated exclusively to aeronautical mobile services. B. When operating on frequencies above 30 MHz allocated exclusively to aeronautical mobile services. C. When operating on frequencies above 30 MHz not assigned for international use. D. When operating on frequencies below 30 MHz not allocated exclusively to aeronautical mobile services.

D

Which is true concerning a required watch on VHF Ch-16? A. It is compulsory at all times while at sea until further notice, unless the vessel is in a VTS system. B. When a vessel is in an A 1 sea area and subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge act and in a VTS system, a watch is not required on Ch-16, provided the vessel monitors both Ch-13 and VTS channel. C. It is always compulsory in sea areas A2. A3 and A4. D. All of the above.

D

Which statement is NOT true regarding the requirements of survival craft portable two-way VHF radiotelephone equipment? A. Effective radiated power should be a minimum of 0.25 Watts. B. Simplex voice communications only. C. Operation on Ch-16. D. Operation on Ch-13.

D

Who is responsible for the proper maintenance of station logs? A. The station licensee. B. The ship's master and the station licensee. C. The commercially-licensed radio operator in charge of the station. D. The station licensee and the radio operator in charge of the station.

D