What is the direction of an ascending pass for an amateur satellite?
AnswerFrom south to north
An ascending satellite pass is one in which the satellite crosses the equator traveling northward, so its ground track is generally from south to north.
RF PREP // FCC AMATEUR RADIO
E2 · Operating Procedures
Amateur Extra · correct answers only, in question-pool order.
How does an inverting linear transponder affect the combined uplink and downlink Doppler shift?
AnswerDoppler shift is reduced because the uplink and downlink shifts are in opposite directions.
The official E2A02 source identifies opposite-direction uplink and downlink Doppler shifts as a characteristic of an inverting linear transponder.
What happens to a signal's position within the passband of an inverting linear transponder?
AnswerSignal position in the band is reversed.
The official E2A02 source states that an inverting transponder reverses the spectral position of signals across its passband.
What happens to SSB sense through an inverting linear transponder?
AnswerUpper sideband on the uplink becomes lower sideband on the downlink, and vice versa.
The official E2A02 source identifies sideband reversal as a characteristic of an inverting linear transponder.
How is an upload signal processed by an inverting linear transponder?
AnswerThe signal is mixed with a local oscillator signal and the difference product is transmitted
An inverting linear transponder mixes the received uplink with a local oscillator and transmits the difference product, reversing the spectral order.
What is meant by the “mode” of an amateur radio satellite?
AnswerThe satellite’s uplink and downlink frequency bands
A satellite's operating mode identifies the frequency bands used for its uplink and downlink.
What do the letters in a satellite’s mode designator specify?
AnswerThe uplink and downlink frequency ranges
The letters in a satellite mode designator specify the uplink and downlink frequency ranges.
What are Keplerian elements?
AnswerParameters that define the orbit of a satellite
Keplerian elements are the orbital parameters used to describe and predict the position of a satellite.
Can FM and CW signals be relayed through a linear transponder?
AnswerYes. FM and CW can be relayed through a linear transponder.
The official E2A07 source includes FM and CW among the signal types a linear transponder can relay.
Can SSB and SSTV signals be relayed through a linear transponder?
AnswerYes. SSB and SSTV can be relayed through a linear transponder.
The official E2A07 source includes SSB and SSTV among the signal types a linear transponder can relay.
Can PSK and packet signals be relayed through a linear transponder?
AnswerYes. PSK and packet can be relayed through a linear transponder.
The official E2A07 source includes PSK and packet among the signal types a linear transponder can relay.
Why should effective radiated power (ERP) be limited to a satellite that uses a linear transponder?
AnswerTo avoid reducing the downlink power to all other users
A linear transponder has limited total RF output power. One excessively strong uplink can consume too much of that shared power and reduce downlink power available to other users.
What do the terms “L band” and “S band” specify?
AnswerThe 23- and 13-centimeter bands
In amateur satellite terminology, L band corresponds to 23 centimeters and S band to 13 centimeters.
What type of satellite appears to stay in one position in the sky?
AnswerGeostationary
A geostationary satellite orbits at the same angular rate as Earth over the equator, so it appears fixed at one point in the sky.
What type of antenna can be used to minimize the effects of spin modulation and Faraday rotation?
AnswerA circularly polarized antenna
Circular polarization reduces fading caused by satellite spin and by Faraday rotation because reception is less dependent on the instantaneous orientation of a linear polarization.
What is the purpose of digital store-and-forward functions on an amateur radio satellite?
AnswerTo hold digital messages in the satellite for later download
Store-and-forward systems hold uploaded digital messages in satellite memory so they can be downloaded later when another station is in range.
In digital television, what does a coding rate of 3/4 mean?
Answer25% of the data sent is forward error correction data
A coding rate of 3/4 means three quarters of the transmitted bits carry payload information and one quarter is forward-error-correction overhead.
How many horizontal lines make up a fast-scan (NTSC) television frame?
Answer525
The NTSC fast-scan television standard uses 525 horizontal lines per frame.
How is an interlaced scanning pattern generated in a fast-scan (NTSC) television system?
AnswerBy scanning odd-numbered lines in one field and even-numbered lines in the next
Interlaced NTSC scanning divides a frame into two fields: one scans the odd-numbered lines and the other scans the even-numbered lines.
How is color information sent in analog SSTV?
AnswerColor lines are sent sequentially
In analog SSTV, the color components are sent as sequential color lines rather than as a conventional television color subcarrier.
Which of the following describes the use of vestigial sideband in analog fast-scan TV transmissions?
AnswerVestigial sideband reduces the bandwidth while increasing the fidelity of low frequency video components
Vestigial-sideband television transmits one full sideband and only part of the other, reducing bandwidth while preserving low-frequency video detail.
What is vestigial sideband modulation?
AnswerAmplitude modulation in which one complete sideband and a portion of the other are transmitted
Vestigial sideband is amplitude modulation with one complete sideband plus a small portion, or vestige, of the other sideband.
Which types of modulation are used for amateur television DVB-T signals?
AnswerQAM and QPSK
Amateur DVB-T television uses QAM and QPSK modulation schemes.
What technique allows commercial analog TV receivers to be used for fast-scan TV operations on the 70-centimeter band?
AnswerTransmitting on channels shared with cable TV
Some 70-centimeter amateur fast-scan TV frequencies correspond to channels used by cable television, allowing suitable commercial analog TV receivers to tune them directly.
What kind of receiver can be used to receive and decode SSTV using the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) protocol?
AnswerSSB
Digital Radio Mondiale SSTV can be received and decoded using an SSB receiver feeding the appropriate digital decoder.
What aspect of an analog slow-scan television signal encodes the brightness of the picture?
AnswerTone frequency
In analog SSTV, picture brightness is represented by tone frequency.
What is the function of the vertical interval signaling (VIS) code sent as part of an SSTV transmission?
AnswerTo identify the SSTV mode being used
The VIS code identifies which SSTV mode is being transmitted so receiving software can select the proper timing and format.
What signals SSTV receiving software to begin a new picture line?
AnswerSpecific tone frequencies
SSTV software recognizes specific synchronization tone frequencies as the signal to begin a new picture line.
What indicator is required to be used by US-licensed operators when operating a station via remote control and the remote transmitter is located in the US?
AnswerNo additional indicator is required
A US-licensed operator remotely controlling a transmitter located in the United States does not need to add any special remote-operation indicator to the call sign.
Which of the following file formats is used for exchanging amateur radio log data?
AnswerADIF
ADIF, the Amateur Data Interchange Format, is a standard file format used to exchange amateur radio log data between programs and services.
From which of the following bands is amateur radio contesting generally excluded?
Answer30 meters
Amateur contesting is generally avoided on 30 meters.
Which of the following frequencies can be used for amateur radio mesh networks?
AnswerFrequencies shared with various unlicensed wireless data services
Amateur mesh networks commonly operate on amateur frequencies that overlap spectrum used by unlicensed wireless data services.
What is the function of a DX QSL Manager?
AnswerHandle the receiving and sending of confirmations for a DX station
A DX QSL Manager receives and sends contact confirmations on behalf of a DX station.
During a VHF/UHF contest, in which band segment would you expect to find the highest level of SSB or CW activity?
AnswerIn the weak signal segment of the band, with most of the activity near the calling frequency
During VHF/UHF contests, most CW and SSB activity is found in the weak-signal portion of each band, clustered near the established calling frequencies.
What is the Cabrillo format?
AnswerA standard for submission of electronic contest logs
Cabrillo is the standard electronic format used to submit contest logs.
Can Logbook of The World confirm special-event contacts between stations in the US?
AnswerYes. LoTW can confirm special-event contacts between stations in the US.
The official E2C08 source lists US special-event contacts among those that may be confirmed through LoTW.
Can Logbook of The World confirm contacts between a US station and a non-US station?
AnswerYes. LoTW can confirm contacts between a US station and a non-US station.
The official E2C08 source lists international contacts among those that may be confirmed through LoTW.
Can Logbook of The World confirm contacts used for Worked All States credit?
AnswerYes. LoTW can confirm contacts for Worked All States credit.
The official E2C08 source lists Worked All States contacts among those that may be confirmed through LoTW.
What type of equipment is commonly used to implement an amateur radio mesh network?
AnswerA wireless router running custom firmware
Amateur mesh networks are commonly built from wireless routers loaded with custom amateur-oriented firmware.
Why might a DX station transmit on a frequency that some responding stations cannot use?
AnswerThe DX station may be transmitting on a frequency that is prohibited to some responding stations.
The official E2C10 source identifies differing frequency privileges as one reason DX stations use split operation.
How does split-frequency DX operation help manage a pileup?
AnswerIt separates the calling stations from the DX station.
The official E2C10 source identifies physical separation of callers from the DX transmitting frequency as a reason for split operation.
How can split-frequency DX operation improve operating efficiency?
AnswerIt improves operating efficiency by reducing interference.
The official E2C10 source identifies reduced interference and improved efficiency as a reason DX stations transmit and receive on different frequencies.
How should you generally identify your station when attempting to contact a DX station during a contest or in a pileup?
AnswerSend your full call sign once or twice
In a DX pileup or contest, sending the full call sign once or twice is the clearest and most efficient way to identify yourself.
What indicates the delay between a control operator action and the corresponding change in the transmitted signal?
AnswerLatency
Latency is the delay between a control action and the corresponding change at the remotely controlled transmitter.
Which of the following digital modes is designed for meteor scatter communications?
AnswerMSK144
MSK144 is designed specifically for high-speed weak-signal meteor-scatter communication.
What information replaces signal-to-noise ratio when using the FT8 or FT4 modes in a VHF contest?
AnswerGrid square
In VHF contests using FT8 or FT4, the exchanged location information is the Maidenhead grid square rather than a signal-to-noise report.
Which of the following digital modes is designed for EME communications?
AnswerQ65
Q65 is designed for extremely weak-signal paths such as Earth-Moon-Earth communication.
What technology is used for real-time tracking of balloons carrying amateur radio transmitters?
AnswerAPRS
APRS can transmit real-time position reports from balloon-borne amateur stations for tracking.
What is the characteristic of the JT65 mode?
AnswerDecodes signals with a very low signal-to-noise ratio
JT65 can decode signals at very low signal-to-noise ratios, which made it useful for weak-signal work such as EME.
Which of the following is a method for establishing EME contacts?
AnswerTime-synchronous transmissions alternating between stations
EME contacts commonly use precisely timed transmit and receive periods, with the two stations alternating so they are not transmitting simultaneously.
What type of packet frame is used to transmit APRS beacon data?
AnswerUnnumbered Information
APRS beacon information is carried in AX.25 Unnumbered Information frames, commonly called UI frames.
What type of modulation is used by JT65?
AnswerMultitone AFSK
JT65 uses multiple audio-frequency tones, making it a multitone AFSK mode.
What does the packet path WIDE3-1 designate?
AnswerThree digipeater hops are requested with one remaining
WIDE3-1 means the path originally requested up to three wide-area digipeater hops and one hop remains unused.
How do APRS stations relay data?
AnswerBy packet digipeaters
APRS stations relay packets through packet digipeaters.
Which of the following types of modulation is used for data emissions below 30 MHz?
AnswerFSK
FSK is an authorized and commonly used modulation method for data emissions below 30 MHz.
Which of the following synchronizes WSJT-X digital mode transmit/receive timing?
AnswerSynchronization of computer clocks
WSJT-X modes rely on accurately synchronized computer clocks so stations transmit and receive in the correct time slots.
To what does the "4" in FT4 refer?
AnswerFour-tone continuous-phase frequency shift keying
The '4' in FT4 refers to its four-tone continuous-phase frequency-shift keying modulation.
What modulation method is characteristic of FST4?
AnswerFour-tone Gaussian frequency shift keying.
The official E2E04 source identifies four-tone Gaussian frequency shift keying as an FST4 characteristic.
What timing flexibility is characteristic of FST4?
AnswerVariable transmit/receive periods.
The official E2E04 source identifies variable transmit/receive periods as an FST4 characteristic.
How many different tone spacings are available in FST4?
AnswerSeven different tone spacings.
The official E2E04 source identifies seven available tone spacings as an FST4 characteristic.
Which of these digital modes does not support keyboard-to-keyboard operation?
AnswerWSPR
WSPR is intended for automated weak-signal propagation reporting rather than live keyboard-to-keyboard conversations.
What is the length of an FT8 transmission cycle?
Answer15 seconds
An FT8 transmission cycle is 15 seconds long, with stations alternating between synchronized time slots.
How does Q65 differ from JT65?
AnswerMultiple receive cycles are averaged
Q65 differs from JT65 by averaging multiple receive cycles, improving recovery of very weak or varying signals.
Which of the following HF digital modes can be used to transfer binary files?
AnswerPACTOR
PACTOR supports robust connected data transfer and can carry binary files over HF.
Which of the following HF digital modes uses variable-length character coding?
AnswerPSK31
PSK31 uses Varicode, a variable-length character coding system.
Which of these digital modes has the narrowest bandwidth?
AnswerFT8
Among the listed modes, FT8 has the narrowest occupied bandwidth.
What is the difference between direct FSK and audio FSK?
AnswerDirect FSK modulates the transmitter VFO
Direct FSK changes the transmitter's VFO or carrier frequency directly, while audio FSK sends tones through an SSB transmitter.
How do ALE stations establish contact?
AnswerALE constantly scans a list of frequencies, activating the radio when the designated call sign is received
Automatic Link Establishment scans a programmed list of frequencies and responds when the station's designated call sign is received.
Which of these digital modes has the highest data throughput under clear communication conditions?
AnswerPACTOR IV
PACTOR IV provides the highest data throughput of the listed HF digital modes under clear communication conditions.