November 30, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T2B07)

Q) What should you do if you receive a report that your station’s transmissions are causing splatter or interference on nearby frequencies?

A) Check your transmitter for off-frequency operation or spurious emissions


NJ2X Notes:
"Splatter" on SSB transmissions is high-order intermodulation distortion (IMD) caused by gross overdriving.  A transmitter will generate IMD if it is driven too hard.  It is important to make sure that overdriving never happens with your transmitter or amplifier.

November 29, 2013

Scientific value of bad times...

Bad times have a scientific value. These are occasions a good learner would not miss. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T2B09)

Q) Which of the following methods is encouraged by the FCC when identifying your station when using phone?

A) Use of a phonetic alphabet


NJ2X Notes:
Amateur radio operators often use the phonetic alphabet when transmitting their call via phone. It is good idea to practice and memorize the phonetic alphabet since you will encounter it often.   By the way, why isn't "phonetic" spelled that way? :-)

ITU Phonetic Alphabet
Letter to be transmitted Phonetic Spoken as
A Alfa AL FAH
B Bravo BRAH VOH
C Charlie CHAR LEE
D Delta DELL TAH
E Echo ECK OH
F Foxtrot FOKS TROT
G Golf GOLF
H Hotel HOH TELL
I India IN DEE AH
J Juliett JEW LEE ETT
K Kilo KEY LOH
L Lima LEE MAH
M Mike MIKE
N November NO VEM BER
O Oscar OSS CAH
P Papa PAH PAH
Q Quebec KEH BECK
R Romeo ROW ME OH
S Sierra SEE AIR RAH
T Tango TANG GO
U Uniform YOU NEE FORM
V Victor VIK TAH
W Whiskey WISS KEY
X X-ray ECKS RAY
Y Yankee YANG KEY
Z Zulu ZOO LOO

November 28, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T2B01)

Q) What is the term used to describe an amateur station that is transmitting and receiving on the same frequency?

A) Simplex communication


NJ2X Notes:
According to the ITU-T, a simplex circuit is one where signals can flow in only one direction at a time.  Most amateur radio contacts are simplex since they occur on a single frequency.


---Single Frequency --->

November 27, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T2B10)

Q) What is the "Q" signal used to indicate that you are receiving interference from other stations?

A) QRM


NJ2X Notes:
Q-signals are codes abbreviating a detailed question or answer.  The codes, as agreed upon by the International Telecommunication Union, are used worldwide on radiotelegraph.

Q-signal abbreviations are given the form of a question when followed by a question mark.  When an abbreviation is used as a question and is followed by additional or complementary information, the question mark should follow this information.

example:
QRZ? QRZ? - means, "who is calling?"



November 26, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T2B08)

Q) What is the proper course of action if your station’s transmission unintentionally interferes with another station?

A) Properly identify your transmission and move to a different frequency

NJ2X Notes:
Section 97.101(d) of the Commission's Rules prohibits amateur operators from willfully or maliciously interfering with or causing interference to any radio communication or signal. 47 C.F.R. § 97.101(d).

November 25, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1F09)

Q) What type of amateur station simultaneously retransmits the signal of another amateur station on a different channel or channels?

A) Repeater station


NJ2X Note:
Part 97 : Sec. 97.3 Definitions
Repeater. An amateur station that simultaneously retransmits the transmission of another amateur station on a different channel or channels.

November 24, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T2B11)

Q) What is the "Q" signal used to indicate that you are changing frequency?

A) QSY

NJ2X Notes:
Q-signals are standardized codes used in CW (morse code) communication to speed up contacts.  Do not use these codes for voice communication.  When using phone communications simply say what you intend.
QRG - Will you tell me my exact frequency? Your exact frequency is...
QRL - Are you busy? I am busy. Please do not interfere.
QRM - Is my transmission being interfered with? Your transmission is being interfered.
QRN - Are you troubled by static? I am troubled by static.
QRO - Shall I increase power? Increase power.
QRP - Shall I decrease power? Decrease power.
QRQ - Shall I send faster? Send faster.
QRS - Shall I send more slowly? Send more slowly.
QRT - Shall I stop sending? Stop sending.
QRU - Have you anything for me? I have nothing for you.
QRV - Are you ready? I am ready.
QRX - When will you call me again? I will call you again at... (hours).
QRZ - Who is calling me? You are being called by...
QSB - Are my signals fading? Your signals are fading.
QSK - Can you hear me between your signals and if so can I break in on your transmission? I can hear you between signals; break in on my transmission.
QSL - Can you acknowledge receipt (of message or transmission)? I am acknowledging receipt.
QSN - Did you hear me on (frequency)? I did hear you on (frequency).
QSO - Can you communicate with (call sign) direct or by relay? I can communicate with (call sign) direct or relay through (call sign).
QSP - Will you relay to (call sign)? I will relay to (call sign).
QST - General call preceding a message addressed to all amateurs and ARRL members. This is in effect "CQ ARRL".
QSX - Will you listen to (call sign) on (frequency)? I am listening to (call sign) on (frequency).
QSY - Shall I change to transmission on another frequency? Change to transmission on another frequency.
QTB - Do you agree with my counting of words? I do not agree with your counting of words. I will repeat the first letter or digit of each word or group.
QTC - How many messages have you to send? I have # messages for you.
QTH - What is your location? My location is ...
QTR - What is the correct time? The time is ...


Straight Key and PicoKeyer Plus



November 23, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T2C01)

Q) What set of rules applies to proper operation of your station when using amateur radio at the request of public service officials?

A) FCC Rules


NJ2X Notes:
Be sure to read and understand the FCC rules governing amateur radio.  These are designated as part 97.

November 22, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T2C04)

Q) What do RACES and ARES have in common?

A) Both organizations may provide communications during emergencies


NJ2X Notes:
RACES stands for "Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service," a protocol created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC Part 97, Section 407).

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public interest service when disaster strikes.  Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization is eligible to apply for membership in the ARES.



November 21, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T2C05)

Q) What is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service?

A) A radio service using amateur stations for emergency management or civil defense communications

NJ2X Notes:
RACES stands for "Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service," and is a protocol created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC Part 97, Section 407). 

Many government agencies across the country train their Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) volunteers using the RACES protocol.  Volunteers serve their respective jurisdictions according to guidelines and mandates established by local emergency management officials.

RACES volunteer operators are:

  • Licensed Radio Amateurs
  • Certified by a civil defense agency
  • Able to communicate on Amateur Radio frequencies during drills, exercises and emergencies
  • Activated by local, county and state jurisdictions and are the only Amateur Radio operators authorized to transmit during declared emergencies when the President of the United States specifically invokes the War Powers Act.
If you know a RACES volunteer operator, be sure to thank them for their service to our country.



November 20, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T2C06)

Q) Which of the following is common practice during net operations to get the immediate attention of the net control station when reporting an emergency?

A) Begin your transmission with “Priority” or “Emergency” followed by your call sign


NJ2X Notes:
It is important to understand this protocol since someday you may need it.



November 19, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1F11)

Q) To which foreign stations do the FCC rules authorize the transmission of non-emergency third party communications?

A) Any station whose government permits such communications.


NJ2X Note:
Part 97 : Sec. 97.3 Definitions
Third party communications. A message from the control operator (first party) of an amateur station to another amateur station control operator (second party) on behalf of another person (third party).

November 18, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T2C07)

Q) What should you do to minimize disruptions to an emergency traffic net once you have checked in?

A) Do not transmit on the net frequency until asked to do so by the net control station


NJ2X Notes:
Its a good idea to participate in nets to learn how they work under normal conditions.  Hams with net training can help make net operations run much smoother during an actual emergency.

November 17, 2013

The Leonids

The Leonids meteor shower is back and expected to peak on November 17, 2013 between 1000 and 1600 UTC.  The Leonids is associated with the comet Tempel-Tuttle.  If you have clear night skies be sure to direct your gaze toward the constellation Leo and be ready with a wish.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1B06)

Q) Which 23 cm frequency is authorized to a Technician Class operator license?

A) 1296 MHz

NJ2X Note:
You can memorize this answer.  Alternatively, you can learn and apply the underling theory which will help you beyond the test.   The relationship between a radio signal's frequency and its wavelength is described by the following formula:

wavelength in meters = 300 / frequency in MHz





November 16, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1B08)

Q) What do the FCC rules mean when an amateur frequency band is said to be available on a secondary basis?

A) Amateurs may not cause harmful interference to primary users.


NJ2X Note:
A good example of a band available to amateurs on a secondary basis is 60m.




November 15, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1B09)

Q) Why should you not set your transmit frequency to be exactly at the edge of an amateur band or sub-band?

A) All the following are correct.
- To allow for calibration error in the transmitter frequency display.
- So that modulation sidebands do not extend beyond the band edge
- To allow for transmitter frequency drift


Note from NJ2X: You definitely do not want to transmit outside the amateur radio bands since it is illegal.  However, this is exactly what will happen if you are transmitting on a frequency that is at the very edge of one of the amateur radio bands.  That is because all modes of communication use a certain amount of bandwidth so your radio is transmitting over a frequency range and not just the frequency you are tuned to.

For example, when transmitting on upper side band on 28.500Mhz the frequency range would extend up to 28.500Mhz + 3Khz.  Technician privileges end at 28.500Mhz so any voice transmission above this frequency would be illegal if made by a technician license holder.





November 14, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1C06)

Q) From which of the following may an FCC-licensed amateur station transmit, in addition to places where the FCC regulates communications?

A) From any vessel or craft located in international waters and documented or registered in the United States.


NJ2X Notes:
This question is from the FCC Element 2 Technician Class Question Pool
Effective July 1, 2010 for examinations and is valid until June 30, 2014


November 13, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1C01)

Q) Which type of call sign has a single letter in both the prefix and suffix?

A) Special event.

NJ2X Note:
This type of call is known as a, "1 by 1".  An example would be N2B

November 12, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1D06)

Q) Which of the following types of transmissions are prohibited?

A) Transmissions that contain obscene or indecent words or language.

NJ2X Note:
Amateur radio is no place for bad language.  The hobby is enjoyed by families, the young and elderly, - mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, and grandparents alike.  Don't say anything you would not want printed in the Sunday newspaper, read to your mother, and attributed to you.  It is also important to be your best while operating.  That is because your behavior on the air is a matter of national pride, and the world is listening. We are all international ambassadors representing our great nation and the amateur radio community.



November 11, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1B10)

Q) Which of the bands available to Technician Class operators have mode-restricted sub-bands?

A) The 6-meter, 2-meter, and 1.25-meter bands.

NJ2X Note:
These mode-restricted sub-bands are reserved for CW operations only.



November 10, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1B07)


Q) What amateur band are you using if you are transmitting on 223.50 MHz?

A) 1.25 meter band

NJ2X Note:
You can memorize this answer.  Alternatively, you can learn and apply the underling theory which will help you beyond the test.  The relationship between a radio signal's frequency and its wavelength is described by the following formula:

wavelength in meters = 300 / frequency in MHz

In the example above, wavelength = 1.34m = 300 / 223.50Mhz.  On the test, the closest answer to the calculated wavelength is the 1.25m band.


November 9, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1E05 )

Q) What is an amateur station control point?

A) The location at which the control operator function is performed


NJ2X Note:
According to the FCC defintions (Part 97 : Sec. 97.3 Definitions):

Control operator. An amateur operator designated by the licensee of a station to be responsible for the transmissions from that station to assure compliance with the FCC Rules.

November 8, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1E06)

Q) Under which of the following types of control is it permissible for the control operator to be at a location other than the control point?

A) Automatic control

NJ2X Note:
Automatic control. The use of devices and procedures for control of a station when it is transmitting so that compliance with the FCC Rules is achieved without the control operator being present at a control point.

November 7, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1B11)

Q) What emission modes are permitted in the mode-restricted sub-bands at 50.0 to 50.1 MHz and 144.0 to 144.1 MHz?

A) CW only.

NJ2X Note:
CW is synonymous with Morse code.  Morse code is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off "continuous wave" tones.  Continuous wave refers to the fact that the tone does not change frequency or amplitude.

Technician license privileges allow operating CW on HF (80m, 40m, 15m, and 10m), VHF (6m and 2m), and UHF (222 MHz, 420 MHz, 902 MHz, and 1240 MHz).  Technician license holders will do well to learn Morse code.


Example of 6m and 2m band plan

November 6, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1E04)

Q) What determines the transmitting privileges of an amateur station?

A) The class of operator license held by the control operator

NJ2X Note:
There are three amateur radio license classes available to the new US ham:
  • Technician
  • General
  • Extra
Additionally, there are radio amateurs licensed under license classes that are no longer available.
  • Novice
  • Technician Plus
  • Advanced

November 5, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1E07)

Q) When the control operator is not the station licensee, who is responsible for the proper operation of the station?

A) The control operator and the station licensee are equally responsible

NJ2X Note:
Control operator.  An amateur operator designated by the licensee of a station to be responsible for the transmissions from that station to assure compliance with the FCC Rules.




November 4, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1C02)

Q) Which of the following is a valid US amateur radio station call sign?

A) W3ABC

Note from NJ2X: Your call becomes a little like your second name.  It may seem a little awkward at first as you commit your call to memory in both the alphabet and phonetics.  Soon you will be introducing yourself to other hams with your call just as naturally as if you were born with it!  :-)



November 3, 2013

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1C03)

Q) What types of international communications are permitted by an FCC-licensed amateur station?

A) Communications incidental to the purposes of the amateur service and remarks of a personal character.


NJ2X Notes:
The best approach to this question is to simply memorize the answer.  For some, associating the key words, "incident" and "personal" can help.



November 2, 2013

Empires of the mind

The empires of the future are the empires of the mind.
-- Sir Winston Churchill

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1C05)

Q) What must you do if you are operating on the 23 cm band and learn that you are interfering with a radiolocation station outside the United States?

A) Stop operating or take steps to eliminate the harmful interference.

NJ2X Note:
Being an amateur radio operator means operating under a code of honor in addition to the laws.  One of the rules of The Amateur's Code is to be, "CONSIDERATE...never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others."



November 1, 2013

Safe Harbor

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. -- John Augustus Shedd - Salt from My Attic (1928)


Love this quote, it makes one ask, "Am I living the life I was built for?"



FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T1E08)

Q) What type of control is being used for a repeater when the control operator is not present at a control point?

A) Automatic control

NJ2X Note:
Automatic control. The use of devices and procedures for control of a station when it is transmitting so that compliance with the FCC Rules is achieved without the control operator being present at a control point.

Control point. The location at which the control operator function is performed.

Control operator. An amateur operator designated by the licensee of a station to be responsible for the transmissions from that station to assure compliance with the FCC Rules.