HAM RADIO FLASH CARDS FOR FCC TEST
When is willful interference to other amateur radio stations permitted?
At no time. Explanation: To quote FCC rules Part 97 section 101, (d) No amateur operator shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communication or signal. This FCC statement applies to radio communications, regardless of content, frequency, event, or time boundaries; therefore, the answer is At no time.
Where should the negative return connection of a mobile transceiver's power cable be connected?
At the battery or engine block ground strap. EXPLANATION: A mobile transceiver can draw many Amperes of current when transmitting. That current needs to come directly from the battery. Using another electrical path could reduce the current available and hinder the tranceiver's performance.
When using tactical identifiers such as "Race Headquarters" during a community service net operation, how often must your station transmit the station's FCC-assigned call sign?
At the end of each communication and every ten minutes during a communication. EXPLANATION: The rule when using tactical identifiers is the same as when not using tactical identifiers, it's every 10 minutes and at the end of each communication. What they're getting at, is that even though you might be "Race Headquarters" you still have to give your amateur radio call sign every 10 minutes.
What do RACES and ARES have in common.
Both organizations may provide communications during emergencies. EXPLANATION: RACES - Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (only active during periods of local, regional or national civil emergencies, such as hurricane Katrina.) ARES - Amateur Radio Emergency Service (sponsored by ARRL) ARRL - American Radio Relay League
What happens to current at the junction of two components in parallel?
It divides between them dependent on the value of the components. In the animation below, the amount of voltage is indicated by the darkness of the green, and the current is represented by the "walking ant" animation. In the animation the green is on top and the walking ant is on the bottom. The change occurs at the junctions.
What happens to current at the junction of two components in parallel?
It divides between them dependent on the value of the components. EXPLANATION: In the animation below, the amount of voltage is indicated by the darkness of the green, and the current is represented by the "walking ant" animation. In the animation the top is green and the bottom is the walking ant. The junction is where it changes.
What are the FCC rules regarding the use of a phonetic alphabet for station identification in the Amateur Radio Service?
It is encouraged.
Which of the following is a valid call sign for a Technician class amateur radio station?
K1XXX EXPLANATION: Technician class amateur operators must have three letters in the suffix, so having just X, or XX is not allowed.
How many operator/primary station license grants may be held by any one person?
One.
What does the abbreviation "PSK" mean?
Phase Shift Keying. Explanation: Phase Shift Keying is a method for digitally transmitting data (with a computer of some sort) by varying (keying) the phase of the signal. Phase refers to where you are in the cycle (the peaks and valleys of the sine wave)
What determines the transmitting privileges of an amateur station?
The class of operator license held by the control operator. EXPLANATION: When operating, the privileges that can be used are determined by the control operator. Keep in mind that you could have an extra class operator acting as the control operator and allowing a technician class operator to operate with their privileges, as long as they are present, but the extra class operator as the control operator would be responsible for the emissions of the station. The station licensee shares responsibility for the operation of the station, but it is the control operator who determines the privileges that can be used. Just having someone with a higher class license on the premises is not enough to allow you to use their privileges; they must be the control operator, you must be using their callsign and license, and they must be supervising (controlling) the operation of the station when their privileges are used.
Which of the following entities recommends transmit/receive channels and other parameters for auxiliary and repeater stations?
Volunteer Frequency Coordinator recognized by local amateurs
When may an amateur station transmit without on-the-air identification?
When transmitting signals to control model craft. EXPLANATION: This is a bit of a trick question; under ordinary circumstances you always need to identify your station whenever you transmit (once every 10 minutes and at the end of a conversation). However, an exception was made for remote controlling model craft where such identification might take valuable bandwidth needed to perform tasks such as keeping an airplane from crashing. When using radio signals to remote control a model craft a label indicating the station callsign and the station licensee's name and address must be affixed to the station transmitter (most likely the radio control). See the relevant part 97 rules.
What is the approximate maximum bandwidth required to transmit a CW signal?
150 Hz EXPLANATION: CW uses the least bandwidth of all commonly used modes; all you really need to get across clearly is a single tone so that the receiving station can hear when it is "on" or "off". A good rule of thumb for CW (Continuous Wave, Morse Code) is that when it asks about bandwidth it's probably the smallest value listed.
If a frequency display shows a reading of 2425 MHz, what frequency is that in GHz?
2.425 GHz EXPLANATION: To convert from MHz to GHz, move the decimal point three positions to the left. Starting with 2425.0 MHz, move the decimal point three positions to the left, ending up between the 2 and 425, so 2.425 GHz.
How much power is being used in a circuit when the applied voltage is 12 volts DC and the current is 2.5 amperes?
30 watts, Power is the rate of of electrical energy generation or consumption. P=V×I (watts = volts × amperes) Where P is power (W), V is voltage (V), and I is current (A). P=I×V V=12V I=2.5A P=12V×2.5A=30W
What is the maximum power level that an amateur radio station may use at VHF frequencies before an RF exposure evaluation is required?
50 watts PEP at the antenna EXPLANATION: The FCC considers power levels less than 50 watts PEP as not being a significant risk to people and has issued rules excluding stations operating in the range from performing an evaluation. Obviously, this includes the smaller hand-held radios. Therefore, when a station reaches or exceeds 50 watts PEP at the antenna, an RF exposure evaluation is required. Reflected power depends on what it's being reflected by, so that choice can be discarded. Not many radios use less than 1 watt, so that can be discarded too. RF exposure is measured at the antenna, not at the transmitter output. For More information on PEP (peak envelope power) go to http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/t_and_m/rf-microwave-power-meter/peak-envelope-average-pulse-power.php tl;dr, its the maximum power or spike during a cycle.
Why are direct (not via a repeater) UHF signals rarely heard from stations outside your local coverage area?
UHF signals are usually not reflected by the ionosphere. EXPLANATION: Any time you hear stations directly (not using a repeater system) from far away, you can assume some sort of atmospheric condition is helping the signal to travel. Most long-distance radio waves bounce off the ionosphere. However, signals in the UHF spectrum have such a narrow wavelength that they don't bounce off the ionosphere at all -- they pass right through it into outer space. (This is why higher frequencies are ideal for communicating with satellites). Thus, if you hear a signal in the UHF band, it's safe to assume the source of that signal is nearby.
Why are direct (not via a repeater) UHF signals rarely heard from stations outside your local coverage area?
UHF signals are usually not reflected by the ionosphere. Explanation: Any time you hear stations directly (not using a repeater system) from far away, you can assume some sort of atmospheric condition is helping the signal to travel. Most long-distance radio waves bounce off the ionosphere. However, signals in the UHF spectrum have such a narrow wavelength that they don't bounce off the ionosphere at all -- they pass right through it into outer space. (This is why higher frequencies are ideal for communicating with satellites). Thus, if you hear a signal in the UHF band, it's safe to assume the source of that signal is nearby.
What is an electronic keyer?
A device that assists in manual sending of Morse code. Explanation: An electronic keyer is the modern fancy replacement for the traditional telegraph key, or in other words a device that assists in manual sending of Morse code. Electronic keyers can have a variety of functions including: Separate keys for sending dots and dashes at a specified rate. The ability to set a limited transmission rate (in WPM) while allowing the operator to "get ahead" of the current transmission by buffering up additional code or word spaces to be sent in sequence after previously entered code is sent. The ability to continually send dots or dashes by holding down a key so that fewer hand movements are required to transmit a series of dots or dashes. The ability to combine some functions with the use of a tradtional key that is plugged into the electronic keyer. Often they are hardware devices but they can also be computer or smartphone software applications that provide these and other functions.
Which of these items would be useful for a hidden transmitter hunt?
A directional antenna. Explanation: A hidden transmitter hunt, also known as a "Fox Hunt", involves having a hidden transmitter (the "fox") that transmits periodically while other operators attempt to find it. The simplest way to do this is to watch the signal strength meter on your radio while rotating a directional antenna to find out from which direction the signal is strongest. A calibrated SWR meter might be helpful for tuning your antenna, but for a fox hunt you may actually want an out of tune antenna -- since it wouldn't receive as well, it would be easier to see where the signal is coming from
Which of the following describes the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)?
A radio service using amateur frequencies for emergency management or civil defense communications B. A radio service using amateur stations for emergency management or civil defense communications C. An emergency service using amateur operators certified by a civil defense organization as being enrolled in that organization D. All of these choices are correct
Which of the following best describes DMR (Digital Mobile Radio)?
A technique for time-multiplexing two digital voice signals on a single 12.5 kHz repeater channel. EXPLANATION: DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) is one of several digital modes. It's the only one that uses time-multiplexing to allow two digital voice signals to be repeated through the same repeater, using the same 12.5 kHz repeater channel. It's not a position tracking system. It's not a logging technique. The third distractor is tempting, because it talks about two simultaneous repeater inputs, but the part about time-multiplexing is unique to DMR, so the best answer.
Which of the following is a purpose of the Amateur Radio Service as stated in the FCC rules and regulations?
Advancing skills in the technical and communication phases of the radio art
Who selects a Frequency Coordinator?
Amateur operators in a local or regional area whose stations are eligible to be repeater or auxiliary stations. EXPLANATION: Frequency Coordinators are regular amateur radio operators who are selected by repeater operators to coordinate the use of the radio frequencies for a given geographical area. This is important to keep repeaters from interfering with each other and to ensure that enough frequencies remain usable for simplex operation. Some people may think that any frequencies can be used for simplex operation, but if you are uninformed as to the band plan selected by the Frequency Coordinator in your area, you may find yourself operating on or close to the input frequency of a repeater, thus causing harmful interference to others in the area. Click here for more information.
What is the FCC Part 97 definition of a "space station"?
An amateur station located more than 50 km above the Earth's surface. EXPLANATION: The key to remember with this question is that we are talking about Amateur Radio definitions; though the other answers could also be correct definitions for the term "Space Station", Part 97 defines a space station as "An amateur station located more than 50 km above the Earth's surface." Similarly, an amateur earth station is any station less than 50 km above the earth's surface. 50 km is the dividing line between the two.
What is the FCC Part 97 definition of a "beacon"?
An amateur station transmitting communications for the purposes of observing propagation or related experimental activities
With regard to satellite communications, what is Doppler shift?
An observed change in signal frequency caused by relative motion between the satellite and the earth station. EXPLANATION: The most common references to the doppler effect (or doppler shift) refer to sound; one of the most common examples used in highschool science classes involves a fire engine (or other vehicle with a siren) whose siren seems to drop in pitch drastically when the vehicle passes you. The producer of the sound does not actually change frequency, but the relative speed of the vehicle producing the sound to the object (you) receiving the sound makes it seem to you that it does. The same principle applies to a radio frequency signal; the relative motion between a satellite and the earth station can cause a shift in the frequency at which you can receive the signal depending on what its position and momentum are relative to the receiving station.
What is a Part 15 device?
An unlicensed device that may emit low-powered radio signals on frequencies used by a licensed service. EXPLANATION: Part 15 devices are things like Wireless Routers or the little switching power supplies that you plug in the wall, or even computers. They can put out some low powered radio signals, but they're supposed to be limited to very low powered signals that could be filtered out or avoided by placement of a radio receiver. Since they're not intended to radiate RF outside their intended band, they can't be citizen's band radios, and amateur radios don't share any frequencies with Citizen's Bands. Part 15 devices radiate tiny amounts of radio frequency energy, and as such are not likely to be useful for long distance communications. Indeed, you should be able to get rid of interference from a Part 15 device by locating the receiver at a greater distance from the device. 91.15? Nice try, but no, it's not a test set.
What formula is used to calculate current in a circuit?
Current (I) equals voltage (E) divided by resistance (R) EXPLANATION: Ohms law involves 3 variables - Voltage (E, for Electromotive force) Resistance (R), and Current (I). In a recent webcast, Gordon West suggested a simple method for remembering their order. He suggests that you think of E as an Eagle, I as an Igloo, and R as a Rabbit. Any time E is on the left side, I and R are on the right side; the Igloo and the Rabbit are both on the ground, so they go next to each other (multiplication, or E=I×R). If E is on the right side, then the Eagle is always on top (in the air). So Resistance is EI, because the Eagle is always above the Igloo. Current (I) is ER, because the eagle is always above the Rabbit. (Remember that ER means E divided by R) This might help you remember the formulae for Ohms Law.
What formula is used to calculate current in a circuit?
Current (I) equals voltage (E) divided by resistance (R). EXPLANATION: Ohms law involves 3 variables - Voltage (E, for Electromotive force) Resistance (R), and Current (I). In a recent webcast, Gordon West suggested a simple method for remembering their order. He suggests that you think of E as an Eagle, I as an Igloo, and R as a Rabbit. Any time E is on the left side, I and R are on the right side; the Igloo and the Rabbit are both on the ground, so they go next to each other (multiplication, or E=I×R). If E is on the right side, then the Eagle is always on top (in the air). So Resistance is EI, because the Eagle is always above the Igloo. Current (I) is ER, because the eagle is always above the Rabbit. (Remember that ER means E divided by R) This might help you remember the formulae for Ohms Law.
Which of the following precautions should be taken when measuring high voltages with a voltmeter?
Ensure that the voltmeter and leads are rated for use at the voltages to be measured. EXPLANATION: What they're getting at here, is YOUR SAFETY! If you're measuring high voltage, you need to make sure the meter probes, leads and insides of the meter can take that high voltage without conducting that voltage to you or burning up. Both of those are undesirable features for a high voltage voltmeter. Voltmeters have a very high impedance - indeed, the standard for voltmeters used to be 20,000 Ohms/Volt. You want to make sure the voltmeter doesn't affect the circuit that you're measuring, so it has to have a very high impedance. So the choice of low impedance is just wrong. You always hear that things have to be grounded well. But you don't want to be grounding the high voltage through your meter! You might want to measure the difference in voltage between ground and some circuit, but the intention is not to ground the circuit. If you did that, the difference would be zero, and that measure would only obtain for a short while, the length of time it took to blow up your circuit or the meter. Voltmeters might be measuring RF energy, but you usually want a voltmeter that will measure a wide range of RF frequencies, not a particular frequency. So setting it to the "correct frequency" is a bit of nonsense.
Which agency regulates and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?
FCC
What does the abbreviation FET stand for?
Field Effect Transistor. Explanation: A Field Effect Transistor controls voltage and current like a regular transistor but can operate on a much smaller signal, which makes it ideal for radio receivers. It operates using an electric field to control the shape of the channel in the semi-conductor material.
How might fog and light rain affect radio range on 10 meter and 6 meter bands?
Fog and light rain will have little effect on these bands Explanation: The main thing to remember is that the higher the frequency, the more RF energy is absorbed (and converted into heat) by water and solids. For 10m and 6m wavelengths, the frequency isn't high enough to be affected by fog and light rain so fog and light rain will have little effect on those bands. The easiest way to remember this is your microwave oven. The microwave oven is a microwave oven because the oven microwave frequency used is optimized for getting absorbed by and thus heating the water in your food. If your microwave oven were a 10m or 6m wave oven instead, it wouldn't be much of an oven because your leftovers wouldn't be getting very warm at the same power usage. 10m and 6m are rather far from "micro" when it comes to wavelength.
What types of amateur stations can automatically retransmit the signals of other amateur stations?
Repeater, auxiliary, or space stations EXPLANATION: To convert from MHz to GHz, move the decimal point three positions to the left. Starting with 2425.0 MHz, move the decimal point three positions to the left, ending up between the 2 and 425, so 2.425 GHz. Last edited by kd7bbc. Click here to edit. T1C05 Correct Which of the following is a valid call sign for a Technician class amateur radio station? A. KA1X B. All of these choices are correct C. W1XX D. K1XXX T1C05 Technician class amateur operators must have three letters in the suffix, so having just X, or XX is not allowed. Last edited by gkvpadmin. Click here to edit. T6B08 Incorrect What does the abbreviation FET stand for? A. Free Electron Transmitter B. Fast Electron Transistor C. Field Effect Transistor D. Frequency Emission Transmitter T6B08 T3A12 Correct How might fog and light rain affect radio range on 10 meter and 6 meter bands? A. Fog and rain will increase radio range B. Fog and rain will deflect these signals C. Fog and rain absorb these wavelength bands D. Fog and light rain will have little effect on these bands T3A12 T7B09 Incorrect What is a Part 15 device? A. A device for long-distance communications using special codes sanctioned by the International Amateur Radio Union B. An unlicensed device that may emit low-powered radio signals on frequencies used by a licensed service C. An amplifier that has been type-certified for amateur radio D. A type of test set used to determine whether a transmitter complies with FCC regulation 91.15 T7B09 T1E04 Incorrect What determines the transmitting privileges of an amateur station? A. The highest class of operator license held by anyone on the premises B. The frequencies printed on the license grant C. The frequency authorized by the frequency coordinator D. The class of operator license held by the control operator T1E04 T1D07 Correct What types of amateur stations can automatically retransmit the signals of other amateur stations? A. Repeater, auxiliary, or space stations B. Earth, repeater, or space stations C. Beacon, repeater, or space stations D. Auxiliary, beacon, or Earth stations T1D07 Auxiliary stations are defined as An amateur station, other than a message forwarding system, that is transmitting communications point-to-point within a system of cooperating amateur stations [97.3(a)(7)]. Repeater stations are defined as an amateur station that simultaneously retransmits the transmission of another amateur station on a different channel or channels [97.3(a)(39)] Stations may automatically retransmit signals from either of these types of stations as well as signals from the space station, which is a concession designed to make it possible for stations to listen to space station transmissions and broadcasts that may otherwise be limited to only those with special equipment. Beacon signals are only broadcasts and do not need to be retransmitted and "earth station" would be redundant with "repeater" since a repeater is an earth station, so the three distractors can be easily eliminated.
In which type of circuit is current the same through all components?
Series EXPLANATION: Series is correct. In series current is the same through all components. In the animation below, the amount of voltage is indicated by the darkness of the green, and the current is represented by the "walking ant" animation. The voltage is not the same everywhere in this series but the current is! Easy way to remember the difference between series and parallel, is parallel is like train tracks they run side by side. Series is like a movie series, one episode after another.
What is proof of possession of an FCC-issued operator/primary license grant?
The control operator's operator/primary station license must appear in the FCC ULS consolidated licensee database. EXPLANATION: The ultimate proof of licensing is the FCC ULS consolidated licensee database available to and searchable by the public at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/ While there is an official paper license document, this is not the final word on whether you have a license or not because only the database shows if a license is active, cancelled, or revoked. Tip: If you're planning to take the amateur license exam, it is recommended that you Register to receive a FRN (FCC Registration Number) before you go to the exam. The FCC will assign you an FRN anyway when you submit an application, but by obtaining one beforehand you can avoid using your Social Security Number on the license application. Remember your FRN and password because this is what you will need to login to the FCC database to check the status of your applications or file new ones. The FRN takes the place of your SSN in identifying you to the FCC, but it does not prove that you have any licenses.
Which of the following can be used to enter the operating frequency on a modern transceiver?
The keypad or VFO knob. EXPLANATION: VFO means Variable Frequency Oscillator; back in the time of crystals you often had to "program" a radio by changing crystals in the radio and then using a knob to select them. Modern radios are much easier to set up; most of them you can simply type in the frequency you want on the keypad. Some lack a keypad, but have a "tuning knob", or "VFO knob". Many have both options, since each has its uses. CTCSS refers to a subaudible tone (also called a PL tone or a privacy code by FRS manufacturers) and DTMF tones are the tones generated when you press a key on your telephone; neither has anything to do with entering the operating frequency. Automatic Frequency Control keeps the receiver tuned to an incoming signal - thus it is not a method of entering an operating frequency.
What might be the problem if a repeater user says your transmissions are breaking up on voice peaks?
You are talking too loudly. EXPLANATION: If transmissions are breaking up on voice peaks then of the given options it is most likely that you are talking too loudly. The key thing to notice here is that the question says it only happens on voice peaks and not all the time, so it is probably not overall transmit power. The other options are associated with other problems. (Your mouth could also be too close to the microphone, but that's not one of the options given.) High audio levels can overload one or more stages of the transmitter and result in distortion such as Clipping or Gain Compression. Only the time periods where the overload occurs are affected which would correspond to the voice peaks of the transmission. If a receiver were overloaded by excessive received power, it would most likely affect the whole signal and not just the voice peaks.
What kind of hazard might exist in a power supply when it is turned off and disconnected?
You might receive an electric shock from the charge stored in large capacitors. EXPLANATION: Power supplies may use large capacitors to help provide smooth output voltages. These capacitors can store a significant amount of energy and may store it at large enough voltages (more than 30 volts) to pose a shock hazard. The charge could last quite a few minutes, depending on the power supply capacitors. If there is a charge on the capacitor, you may inadvertently become the low resistance drain, so it's a good idea to check the circuit with a voltmeter before you expose yourself to a potential shock hazard. Even without the shock hazard (lower voltage), it's a good idea to drain the capacitors to prevent damage to sensitive circuits. A resistor between 1 and 10 Megaohms generally works well for something like this.
