Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on frequencies of 14 MHz or higher?
AnswerUpper sideband
The usual amateur convention is upper sideband for voice on frequencies of 14 MHz and above.
RF PREP // FCC AMATEUR RADIO
G2 · Operating Procedures
General · correct answers only, in question-pool order.
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands?
AnswerLower sideband
The conventional SSB voice mode on 160, 75, and 40 meters is lower sideband.
Which mode is most commonly used for SSB voice communications in the VHF and UHF bands?
AnswerUpper sideband
VHF and UHF SSB voice operation normally uses upper sideband.
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 17- and 12-meter bands?
AnswerUpper sideband
The 17- and 12-meter bands follow the normal higher-HF convention of using upper sideband for voice.
Which mode of voice communication is most commonly used on the HF amateur bands?
AnswerSingle sideband
Single sideband is the most common analog voice mode on the HF amateur bands.
Which of the following is an advantage of using single sideband, as compared to other analog voice modes on the HF amateur bands?
AnswerLess bandwidth used and greater power efficiency
SSB suppresses the carrier and one sideband, so it occupies less spectrum and uses transmitter power more efficiently than many other analog voice modes.
Which of the following statements is true of single sideband (SSB)?
AnswerOnly one sideband is transmitted; the other sideband and carrier are suppressed
In SSB, only one sideband is transmitted; the carrier and the other sideband are suppressed.
What is the recommended way to break into a phone contact?
AnswerSay your call sign once
The accepted way to join an existing phone contact is simply to say your call sign once and wait to be acknowledged.
Why do most amateur stations use lower sideband on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands?
AnswerIt is commonly accepted amateur practice
Lower sideband on 160, 75, and 40 meters is an operating convention, not a technical requirement that makes LSB inherently better.
Which of the following statements is true of VOX operation versus PTT operation?
AnswerIt allows “hands free” operation
VOX keys the transmitter automatically from your voice instead of requiring you to hold a push-to-talk control.
Generally, who should respond to a station in the contiguous 48 states calling “CQ DX”?
AnswerAny stations outside the lower 48 states
A station in the contiguous 48 states calling “CQ DX” is generally asking for stations outside the lower 48 states.
What control is typically adjusted for proper ALC setting on a single sideband transceiver?
AnswerTransmit audio or microphone gain
On an SSB transmitter, ALC is normally set by adjusting transmit audio or microphone gain so the transmitter is driven appropriately.
Which of the following is true concerning access to frequencies?
AnswerExcept during emergencies, no amateur station has priority access to any frequency
Outside emergencies, amateur stations do not own or have priority access to a frequency simply because a net, QSO, or contest is already using it.
What is the first thing you should do if you are communicating with another amateur station and hear a station in distress break in?
AnswerAcknowledge the station in distress and determine what assistance may be needed
A station reporting distress takes precedence. First acknowledge it and determine what help is needed.
What is good amateur practice if propagation changes during a contact creating interference from other stations using the frequency?
AnswerAttempt to resolve the interference problem with the other stations in a mutually acceptable manner
When propagation changes create interference, good amateur practice is cooperative problem solving rather than claiming ownership of the frequency.
When selecting a CW transmitting frequency, what minimum separation from other stations should be used to minimize interference to stations on adjacent frequencies?
Answer150 Hz to 500 Hz
CW signals are narrow, but some spacing is still needed to avoid adjacent-frequency interference. The pool gives 150 to 500 Hz as the appropriate minimum range.
When selecting an SSB transmitting frequency, what minimum separation should be used to minimize interference to stations on adjacent frequencies?
Answer2 kHz to 3 kHz
An SSB voice signal occupies a few kilohertz, so 2 to 3 kHz of separation helps reduce interference to adjacent signals.
How can you avoid harmful interference on an apparently clear frequency before calling CQ on CW or phone?
AnswerSend “QRL?” on CW, followed by your call sign; or, if using phone, ask if the frequency is in use, followed by your call sign
Before calling CQ, check whether the frequency is already in use: send QRL? with your call on CW, or ask on phone and identify.
Which of the following complies with commonly accepted amateur practice when choosing a frequency on which to initiate a call?
AnswerFollow the voluntary band plan
Voluntary band plans help operators choose appropriate frequencies and modes while reducing unnecessary conflict.
What is the voluntary band plan restriction for US stations transmitting within the 48 contiguous states in the 50.1 MHz to 50.125 MHz band segment?
AnswerOnly contacts with stations not within the 48 contiguous states
The 50.1 to 50.125 MHz segment is voluntarily reserved for contacts with stations outside the 48 contiguous states.
Who may be the control operator of an amateur station transmitting in RACES to assist relief operations during a disaster?
AnswerOnly a person holding an FCC-issued amateur operator license
RACES transmissions must be controlled by a person holding an FCC-issued amateur operator license.
Which of the following is good amateur practice for net management?
AnswerHave a backup frequency in case of interference or poor conditions
A backup frequency gives a net somewhere to move if the primary frequency becomes unusable because of interference or poor propagation.
How often may RACES training drills and tests be routinely conducted without special authorization?
AnswerNo more than 1 hour per week
Routine RACES drills and tests may be conducted for no more than one hour per week without special authorization.
Which of the following describes full break-in CW operation (QSK)?
AnswerTransmitting stations can receive between code characters and elements
Full break-in CW, or QSK, lets the transmitting station hear between its own code elements and characters.
What should you do if a CW station sends “QRS?”
AnswerSend slower
QRS is the Q signal asking the other operator to reduce sending speed.
What does it mean when a CW operator sends “KN” at the end of a transmission?
AnswerListening only for a specific station or stations
KN tells other stations that the operator is listening only for a specific station or stations.
What does the Q signal “QRL?” mean?
Answer“Are you busy?” or “Is this frequency in use?”
QRL? asks whether the frequency is busy or already in use.
What is the best speed to use when answering a CQ in Morse code?
AnswerThe fastest speed at which you are comfortable copying, but no faster than the CQ
When answering a CW CQ, match the other operator's pace by sending no faster than the CQ station while staying within your own comfortable copying speed.
What does the term “zero beat” mean in CW operation?
AnswerMatching the transmit frequency to the frequency of a received signal
Zero beat means adjusting your transmit frequency to match the frequency of the signal you are receiving.
When sending CW, what does a “C” mean when added to the RST report?
AnswerChirpy or unstable signal
A C appended to an RST report means the transmitted CW note sounds chirpy or unstable.
What prosign is sent to indicate the end of a formal message when using CW?
AnswerAR
AR is the prosign used to mark the end of a formal message.
What does the Q signal “QSL” mean?
AnswerI have received and understood
QSL means the message or information has been received and understood.
What does the Q signal “QRN” mean?
AnswerI am troubled by static
QRN reports interference from natural static rather than another transmitting station.
What does the Q signal “QRV” mean?
AnswerI am ready to receive
QRV means the operator is ready to receive.
What is the Volunteer Monitor Program?
AnswerAmateur volunteers who are formally enlisted to monitor the airwaves for rules violations
The Volunteer Monitor Program formally enlists amateur volunteers to monitor amateur frequencies for possible rules violations.
Which of the following are objectives of the Volunteer Monitor Program?
AnswerTo encourage amateur radio operators to self-regulate and comply with the rules
The program's objective is to encourage amateurs to self-regulate and comply with the rules.
What procedure may be used by Volunteer Monitors to localize a station whose continuous carrier is holding a repeater on in their area?
AnswerCompare beam headings on the repeater input from their home locations with that of other Volunteer Monitors
Volunteer Monitors can compare beam headings toward the repeater input from several locations and use the intersecting bearings to help localize a continuous carrier.
Which of the following describes an azimuthal projection map?
AnswerA map that shows true bearings and distances from a specific location
An azimuthal projection centered on a location shows true bearings and distances outward from that point.
Which of the following indicates that you are looking for an HF contact with any station?
AnswerRepeat “CQ” a few times, followed by “this is,” then your call sign a few times, then pause to listen, repeat as necessary
The standard HF call for any station is to repeat CQ a few times, identify with your call sign, pause to listen, and repeat as necessary.
How is a directional antenna pointed when making a “long-path” contact with another station?
Answer180 degrees from the station’s short-path heading
Long-path propagation reaches the other station by the direction opposite the usual short path, so point the antenna 180 degrees away from the short-path heading.
Which of the following are examples of the NATO Phonetic Alphabet?
AnswerAlpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta are the standard NATO phonetic words for A, B, C, and D.
Why do many amateurs keep a station log?
AnswerTo help with a reply if the FCC requests information about your station
A station log can help document what happened if the FCC later asks for information about station operation.
Which of the following is required when participating in a contest on HF frequencies?
AnswerIdentify your station according to normal FCC regulations
Contest participation does not change normal FCC identification requirements. You still identify the station according to the usual rules.
What is QRP operation?
AnswerLow-power transmit operation
QRP refers to operating with low transmitter power.
Why are signal reports typically exchanged at the beginning of an HF contact?
AnswerTo allow each station to operate according to conditions
Exchanging signal reports early lets both stations adjust operating choices to the actual propagation and signal conditions.
Which mode is normally used when sending RTTY signals via AFSK with an SSB transmitter?
AnswerLSB
For traditional AFSK RTTY sent through an SSB transmitter, lower sideband is the normal mode specified by this pool.
What is VARA?
AnswerA digital protocol used with Winlink
VARA is a digital protocol used with Winlink for radio-based messaging.
What retry-related symptom can indicate interference during a PACTOR or VARA transmission?
AnswerFrequent retries or timeouts.
The official G2E03 source lists frequent retries or timeouts as one symptom of other signals interfering with a PACTOR or VARA link.
What timing symptom can indicate interference during a PACTOR or VARA transmission?
AnswerLong pauses in message transmission.
The official G2E03 source identifies long pauses in message transfer as another possible result of interfering signals.
What connection symptom can result from interference during PACTOR or VARA operation?
AnswerFailure to establish a connection between stations.
The official G2E03 source lists failure to establish a connection as a possible interference symptom.
Which of the following is good practice when choosing a transmitting frequency to answer a station calling CQ using FT8?
AnswerFind a clear frequency during the alternate time slot to the calling station
FT8 alternates transmit and receive time slots. When answering a CQ, choose a clear frequency and transmit during the opposite time slot from the calling station.
What is the standard sideband for JT65, JT9, FT4, or FT8 digital signal when using AFSK?
AnswerUSB
JT65, JT9, FT4, and FT8 normally use upper sideband when their audio-frequency signals are sent through an SSB transmitter.
What is the most common frequency shift for RTTY emissions in the amateur HF bands?
Answer170 Hz
The most common amateur-HF RTTY shift is 170 Hz between mark and space tones.
Which of the following is required when using FT8?
AnswerComputer time accurate to within approximately 1 second
FT8 transmissions use tightly synchronized time slots, so the computer clock must be accurate to roughly one second.
In what segment of the 20-meter band are most digital mode operations commonly found?
AnswerBetween 14.070 MHz and 14.100 MHz
Most 20-meter digital-mode operation is concentrated between roughly 14.070 and 14.100 MHz.
How do you join a contact between two stations using the PACTOR protocol?
AnswerJoining an existing contact is not possible, PACTOR connections are limited to two stations
A PACTOR connection is a point-to-point session between two stations, so a third station cannot simply join an existing connection.
Which of the following is a way to establish contact with a digital messaging system gateway station?
AnswerTransmit a connect message on the station’s published frequency
A digital messaging gateway is contacted by sending the appropriate connect message on its published operating frequency.
What is the primary purpose of an Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) mesh network?
AnswerTo provide high-speed data services during an emergency or community event
AREDN mesh networks are intended to provide high-speed data networking for emergencies and community events.
What amateur-radio network can be used to send and receive email on the internet?
AnswerWinlink.
The official G2E12 source describes Winlink as an amateur-radio wireless network used to send and receive email on the internet.
What packet-radio-related system is Winlink?
AnswerA form of Packet Radio.
The official G2E12 source identifies Winlink as a form of Packet Radio.
On which broad amateur bands can Winlink operate?
AnswerBoth VHF and HF bands.
The official G2E12 source states that Winlink is capable of operation on both VHF and HF bands.
What is another name for a Winlink Remote Message Server?
AnswerGateway
A Winlink Remote Message Server is commonly called a gateway.
What mark/space problem can prevent decoding of an apparently well-tuned RTTY or FSK signal?
AnswerThe mark and space frequencies may be reversed.
The official G2E14 source lists reversed mark and space frequencies as one cause of failed RTTY or FSK decoding.
What speed-setting problem can prevent decoding of an apparently well-tuned RTTY or FSK signal?
AnswerThe wrong baud rate may be selected.
The official G2E14 source identifies an incorrect baud-rate setting as another cause of failed decoding.
What receiver-mode problem can prevent decoding of an apparently well-tuned RTTY or FSK signal?
AnswerYou may be listening on the wrong sideband.
The official G2E14 source lists use of the wrong sideband as a possible reason an RTTY or FSK signal will not decode.
Which of the following is a common location for FT8?
AnswerApproximately 14.074 MHz to 14.077 MHz
A common 20-meter FT8 activity range is approximately 14.074 to 14.077 MHz.