What is a common repeater frequency offset in the 2-meter band?
AnswerPlus or minus 600 kHz
Two-meter FM repeaters commonly separate their transmit and receive frequencies by 600 kHz.
RF PREP // FCC AMATEUR RADIO
T2 · Operating Procedures
Technician · correct answers only, in question-pool order.
What is the national calling frequency for FM simplex operations in the 2-meter band?
Answer146.520 MHz
146.520 MHz is the nationally recognized 2-meter FM simplex calling frequency.
What is a common repeater frequency offset in the 70-centimeter band?
AnswerPlus or minus 5 MHz
A common 70-centimeter repeater pair uses a 5 MHz separation between input and output.
What is an appropriate way to call another station on a repeater if you know the other station's call sign?
AnswerSay the station's call sign, then identify with your call sign
When calling a specific station through a repeater, say that station’s call sign first and then give your own call sign so everyone knows who is calling whom.
How should you respond to a station calling CQ?
AnswerTransmit the other station’s call sign followed by your call sign
A direct answer to CQ identifies both ends of the attempted contact: first the station you heard, then your own call sign.
What is an effective way to seek a call from any phone station when not using a repeater?
AnswerRepeat “CQ” a few times, followed by “this is,” and your call sign, then pause to listen; repeat as necessary
CQ is the standard way to invite a contact from any station on a phone frequency. Repeat CQ a few times, identify yourself, then pause and listen.
What does the term "repeater offset" mean?
AnswerThe difference between a repeater’s transmit and receive frequencies
A repeater normally receives on one frequency and retransmits on another. The spacing between those two frequencies is the repeater offset.
What is the meaning of the procedural signal “CQ”?
AnswerCalling any station
CQ is a general call rather than a call to one particular station. It means the operator is inviting any station to respond.
Which of the following is a customary way to indicate a station is listening on a repeater and looking for a contact?
AnswerThe station’s call sign followed by the word “listening”
On a repeater, a brief call sign followed by “listening” tells others that you are available for a contact without making a full CQ call.
What is a band plan, beyond the privileges established by the FCC?
AnswerA voluntary guideline for using different modes or activities within an amateur band
A band plan is a voluntary operating convention that suggests where different modes and activities should take place within the frequencies the FCC authorizes.
What term describes an amateur station that is transmitting and receiving on the same frequency?
AnswerSimplex
Simplex operation uses the same frequency for transmitting and receiving, with stations communicating directly rather than through a frequency pair.
What is the purpose of the reverse function on a VHF/UHF transceiver?
AnswerTo listen on a repeater’s input frequency
The reverse function lets you listen on the repeater input instead of its output. This can help determine whether you can hear the other station directly.
What term describes the use of a sub-audible tone transmitted along with normal voice audio to open the squelch of a receiver?
AnswerCTCSS
CTCSS adds a continuous sub-audible tone to the transmitted audio. A receiver or repeater can require the correct tone before opening its squelch.
Which of the following describes a linked repeater network?
AnswerA network of repeaters in which signals received by one repeater are transmitted by all the repeaters in the network
In a linked repeater network, repeaters are interconnected so a signal received by one can be retransmitted by the others in the network.
Which of the following could be the reason you are unable to access a repeater whose output you can hear?
AnswerCheck the transceiver offset, CTCSS tone, and DCS code; any of these can prevent access even when you can hear the repeater output.
Hearing a repeater’s output does not guarantee that your radio is transmitting the correct access information. A wrong offset, CTCSS tone, or DCS code can all keep the repeater from responding.
Which of the following would cause your FM transmission audio to drop out on voice peaks?
AnswerYou are talking too loudly
Speaking too loudly into an FM transmitter can overdrive the audio path. Voice peaks may then distort or drop out instead of becoming clearer or louder.
What type of signaling to a repeater uses two simultaneous audio tones?
AnswerDTMF
DTMF signaling is built from pairs of simultaneous audio tones. Each key selects one tone from each of two frequency groups.
How can you join a digital repeater’s “talkgroup”?
AnswerProgram your radio with the group’s ID or code
A DMR talkgroup is selected by programming the appropriate group identifier or code into the radio so transmitted and received traffic is associated with that group.
Which of the following applies when two stations transmitting on the same frequency interfere with each other?
AnswerThe stations should negotiate continued use of the frequency
Amateur operators do not gain permanent ownership of a shared frequency by arriving first. When stations interfere, they should communicate and work out continued use cooperatively.
Why are simplex channels designated in the VHF/UHF band plans?
AnswerSo stations within range of each other can communicate without tying up a repeater
If two stations are already within direct radio range, simplex lets them communicate without occupying a repeater channel that others may need.
Which Q signal indicates that you are receiving interference from other stations?
AnswerQRM
QRM is the Q signal for interference from other stations. It is distinct from QRN, which refers to natural or atmospheric noise.
Which Q signal indicates that you are changing frequency?
AnswerQSY
QSY is the Q signal used to indicate a change of operating frequency.
What is the digital color code used on DMR repeater systems?
AnswerAn access code which must be programmed into a DMR transmitter to access a specific repeater
A DMR color code acts as an access code for a repeater. The transmitter must be programmed with the proper color code to use that repeater.
What is the purpose of a squelch function?
AnswerMute the receiver audio when a signal is not present
Squelch keeps a receiver quiet when no usable signal is present, preventing continuous background noise from coming through the speaker.
Which of the following is a “talkgroup”?
AnswerAn identifier used by DMR to organize radio traffic so that those who want to hear the group aren’t bothered by other radio traffic
In DMR, a talkgroup is an identifier that separates conversations into logical traffic groups. Radios monitor the talkgroups their users want to hear.
When do the FCC Part 97 Amateur Radio Service rules NOT apply to the operation of an amateur station?
AnswerFCC rules always apply
Operating under ARES, RACES, FEMA, or another emergency framework does not suspend the Amateur Radio Service rules. Part 97 still applies to amateur station operation.
Which of the following are typical duties of a Net Control Station?
AnswerCall the net to order and direct communications between stations checking in
The Net Control Station manages the flow of a directed net by opening the net and directing communications among stations that check in.
What technique is used to ensure that voice messages containing unusual words are received correctly?
AnswerSpell the words using a standard phonetic alphabet
A standard phonetic alphabet makes unusual names, words, and letter combinations easier to copy accurately over voice.
What is RACES?
AnswerAn FCC Part 97 amateur radio service for civil defense communications during national emergencies
RACES is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service established under FCC Part 97 for civil-defense communications during national emergencies.
What does the term “traffic” refer to in net operation?
AnswerFormal messages exchanged by net stations
In net operation, “traffic” means formal messages being passed between participating stations, not the number of operators or amount of activity.
What is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)?
AnswerA group of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service
ARES is made up of licensed amateurs who voluntarily register their capabilities and equipment so they can provide public-service communications when needed.
Which of the following is standard practice when you participate in a net?
AnswerUnless you are reporting an emergency, transmit only when directed by the net control station
A directed net depends on the Net Control Station coordinating transmissions. Except for an emergency report, stations wait until Net Control directs them to transmit.
Which of the following relays messages using email addresses based on amateur callsigns?
AnswerWinlink
Winlink is a radio messaging system that can relay messages using email-style addresses based on amateur call signs.
Are amateur station control operators ever permitted to operate outside the frequency privileges of their license class?
AnswerYes, but only in situations involving the immediate safety of human life or protection of property
Part 97 permits an operator to go outside normal license-class frequency privileges only when necessary for the immediate safety of human life or the protection of property.
What information is contained in the preamble of a formal traffic message?
AnswerInformation needed to track the message
The preamble of a formal traffic message contains tracking and handling information so the message can be identified and followed through the traffic system.
What is meant by “check” in a radiogram header?
AnswerThe number of words or word equivalents in the text portion of the message
In a radiogram, the “check” is a count of the words or word equivalents in the text. The receiving station can use it to verify that the message body was copied completely.
Which of the following requires certification by a civil defense agency?
AnswerRACES
RACES participation requires certification by a civil-defense organization, distinguishing it from volunteer programs such as ARES.