FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T8D11)

Q) What is a "parity" bit?

A) An extra code element used to detect errors in received data


NJ2X Notes:
A parity bit is used to detect errors in a data transmission.  It is a simple technique.  With "even parity", the number of bits with the value one is counted and then the parity bit is set such that the sum of all the bits is even.  With "odd" parity, the number of bits with the value of one are counted and then a parity bit is set such that the sum of all the bits is odd. 

With even parity, the receiver then checks the parity count and confirms it is even.  If data is received that is not even, then the receiver recognizes that an error has occurred.

Even Parity Example:
00001111 = 4, parity bit = 0, sum of all bits is even
11001101 = 5, parity bit = 1, sum of all bits is even
11111111 = 8, parity bit = 0, sum of all bits is even
01111111 = 7, parity bit = 1, sum of all bits is even


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FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T0B07)

Q) Which of the following is an important safety rule to remember when using a crank-up tower?

A) This type of tower must never be climbed unless it is in the fully retracted position


NJ2X Notes:
Crank-up masts are typically held in the extended position by a single cable.  If this cable were to break then the sections would collapse suddenly.  Crank-up towers must never be climbed unless it is in the fully retracted position.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T0B09)

Q) Why should you avoid attaching an antenna to a utility pole?

A) The antenna could contact high-voltage power wires

NJ2X Notes:
It is important to assure that antenna wires cannot come into contact with overhead power lines.  Do not attempt to attach antennas to utility poles since the antenna would be in close proximity to high-voltage power wires.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T8C10)

Q) How do you select a specific IRLP node when using a portable transceiver?

A) Use the keypad to transmit the IRLP node ID

NJ2X Notes:
IRLP =  Internet Radio Linking Project
IRPL is used to link amateur radio systems without the use of RF links, leased lines, or satellites.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T0B08)

Q) What is considered to be a proper grounding method for a tower?

A) Separate eight-foot-long ground rods for each tower leg, bonded to the tower and each other

NJ2X Notes:
Lightning protection systems for towers and amateur radio equipment is good engineering.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T8D07)

Q) What is PSK31?

A) A low-rate data transmission mode

NJ2X Notes:
PSK31 is a digital mode and a whole lot of fun.  All you need to get started with PSK31 is a computer, a program that supports PSK31 (many are free), and a transceiver.  PSK31 is great fun to operator.  Hope to see you on the waterfall soon.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T8D09)

Q) What code is used when sending CW in the amateur bands?

A) International Morse

NJ2X Notes:
This is a fairly easy question to get right if you recognize that "CW" refers to Morse code.  If you know that then you can easily eliminate the wrong answers since none of them includes the word, "Morse".  CW stands for continuous wave and is often used interchangeably with the term Morse code.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T8C08)

Q) What is required in place of on-air station identification when sending signals to a radio control model using amateur frequencies?

A) A label indicating the licensee's name, call sign and address must be affixed to the transmitter

NJ2X Notes:

§97.215 Telecommand of model craft. -

An amateur station transmitting signals to control a model craft may be operated as follows:
(a) The station identification procedure is not required for transmissions directed only to the model craft, provided that a label indicating the station call sign and the station licensee's name and address is affixed to the station transmitter.
(b) The control signals are not considered codes or ciphers intended to obscure the meaning of the communication.
(c) The transmitter power must not exceed 1 W.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T0B04)

Q) Which of the following is an important safety precaution to observe when putting up an antenna tower?

A) Look for and stay clear of any overhead electrical wires

NJ2X Notes:
Contact with overhead electrical wires is a significant risk when putting up an antenna.  Ladders, masts, towers, coaxial cable, and antenna wire are all potential conductors and must be kept well clear of overhead electrical wires.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T0B03)

Q) Under what circumstances is it safe to climb a tower without a helper or observer?

A) Never

NJ2X Notes:
Be safe and always have a helper or observer involved whenever climbing a tower.  The safety of the climber may depend on the aid of the helper or observer.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T9B05)

Q) What generally happens as the frequency of a signal passing through coaxial cable is increased?

A) The loss increases

NJ2X Notes:
Coaxial cable loss (attenuation) increases as the signal frequency increases.  RF power is lost in several ways:

• Resistive loss
• Dielectric loss
• Radiated loss



FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T9B06)

Q) Which of the following connectors is most suitable for frequencies above 400 MHz?

A) A Type N connector

NJ2X Notes:
The Type N connector is superior to the UHF connector.  The N connector is waterproof and preserves the impedance match of the cable.  The N connector works very well at UHF frequencies too.



N Connector (picture couresy of Joe Ravi CC-BY-SA 3.0)

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T0B06)

Q) What is the minimum safe distance from a power line to allow when installing an antenna?

A) So that if the antenna falls unexpectedly, no part of it can come closer than 10 feet to the power wires

NJ2X Notes:
Be safe and keep well away from power lines when installing antennas.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T8C07)

Q) What is the maximum power allowed when transmitting telecommand signals to radio controlled models?

A) 1 watt

NJ2X Notes:
Part 97

§97.215 Telecommand of model craft. -

An amateur station transmitting signals to control a model craft may be operated as follows:
(a) The station identification procedure is not required for transmissions directed only to the model craft, provided that a label indicating the station call sign and the station licensee's name and address is affixed to the station transmitter.
(b) The control signals are not considered codes or ciphers intended to obscure the meaning of the communication.
(c) The transmitter power must not exceed 1 W.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T9B08)

Q) Why should coax connectors exposed to the weather be sealed against water intrusion?

A) To prevent an increase in feedline loss


NJ2X Notes:
Water contamination of coaxial cable or intrusion in the connector is a sure way to cause problems including increased feedline loss, corrosion, SWR problems, ...  Be sure to seal coaxial connectors.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T0B05)

Q) What is the purpose of a gin pole?

A) To lift tower sections or antennas

NJ2X Notes:
A jin-pole or gin pole is a device with a pulley on the end used for the purpose of lifting from a tower.  The gin pole can be detached, moved up, and re-attached to the upper segment for the purpose of lifting the next segment.  This process is then repeated until the final section of the tower is in place.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T8B06)

Q) What can be used to determine the time period during which an amateur satellite or space station can be accessed?

A) A satellite tracking program


NJ2X Notes:
Your smartphone can be used to track satellites.  HamSatDroid for Android operating system mobile devices is one example that can do the job.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T8A11)

Q) What is the approximate maximum bandwidth required to transmit a CW signal?

A) 150 Hz

NJ2X Notes:
The abbreviation, "CW" means, "continuous wave" and was used to differentiate the original spark-gap generated waves from the early days of radio.  CW is used to transmit morse code and is a very narrow bandwidth mode and very efficient.  As a result, CW is an excellent choice for attempting a contact under conditions where other modes are not making it.  For weak signal work, CW seems to punch through like magic.

FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T8B01)

Q) Who may be the control operator of a station communicating through an amateur satellite or space station?

A) Any amateur whose license privileges allow them to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency



NJ2X Notes:

FCC Part 97

§97.207 Space station. -

(a) Any amateur station may be a space station. A holder of any class operator license may be the control operator of a space station, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held by the control operator.

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FCC Technician Exam Question Of The Day (T8A04)

Q) Which type of modulation is most commonly used for VHF and UHF voice repeaters?

A) FM

NJ2X Notes:
Working local contacts and participating in "nets" via repeaters is great fun and a very inexpensive way to get started in amateur radio.  A used 2m FM HT can be had very reasonably.  Try asking around a local amateur radio club or at a local hamfest.