Ham Radio Extra Class Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which of these options is correct for an RF power amplifier to qualify for FCC certification?

It must satisfy the FCC's spurious emission standards when operated at its full output power (correct)

It must be capable of external RF switching between its input and output networks

It must exhibit a gain of 0 dB or less over its full output range

It must produce full legal output when driven by not more than 5 watts of mean RF input power

Who may be the control operator of an auxiliary station?

Only Technician, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operators (correct)

Any licensed amateur operator

Only General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operators

Only Amateur Extra Class operators

What types of communications may be transmitted to amateur stations in foreign countries?

Business-related messages

Communications incidental to the purpose of the amateur service and remarks of a personal nature (correct)

All of these choices are correct

Automatic retransmissions of any amateur communications

Under what circumstances might the FCC issue a 'Special Temporary Authority' (STA) to an amateur station?

To provide for experimental amateur communications Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of an ascending pass for an amateur satellite?

From south to north Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of a descending pass for an amateur satellite?

From north to south Signup and view all the answers

What is the orbital period of a satellite?

The time it takes for a satellite to complete one revolution around the Earth Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'mode' as applied to an amateur radio satellite?

The satellite's uplink and downlink frequency bands Signup and view all the answers

What, if any, are the differences between the radiation produced by radioactive materials and the electromagnetic energy radiated by an antenna?

RF radiation does not have sufficient energy to break apart atoms and molecules; radiation from radioactive sources does. Signup and view all the answers

When evaluating exposure levels from your station at a neighbor's home, what must you do?

Make sure signals from your station are less than the uncontrolled MPE limits. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would be a practical way to estimate whether the RF fields produced by an amateur radio station are within permissible MPE limits?

Use a computer-based antenna modeling program to calculate field strength at accessible locations. Signup and view all the answers

When evaluating a site with multiple transmitters operating at the same time, the operators and licensees of which transmitters are responsible for mitigating over-exposure situations?

Each transmitter that produces 5% or more of its maximum permissible exposure limit at accessible locations. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the potential hazards of using microwaves in the amateur radio bands?

The high gain antennas commonly used can result in high exposure levels. Signup and view all the answers

Why are there separate electric (E) and magnetic (H) field MPE limits?

All of these answers are correct. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'far-field' zone of an antenna?

The area where the shape of the antenna pattern is independent of distance. Signup and view all the answers

What does SAR measure?

The rate at which RF energy is absorbed by the body. Signup and view all the answers

Which insulating material commonly used as a thermal conductor for some types of electronic devices is extremely toxic if broken or crushed and the particles are accidentally inhaled?

Beryllium Oxide. Signup and view all the answers

What material found in some electronic components such as high-voltage capacitors and transformers is considered toxic?

Polychlorinated biphenyls. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these items might be a significant hazard when operating a klystron or cavity magnetron transmitter?

Injury from radiation leaks that exceed the MPE limits. Signup and view all the answers

When using a transceiver that displays the carrier frequency of phone signals, which of the following displayed frequencies will result in a normal USB emission being within the band?

3 kHz below the upper band edge. Signup and view all the answers

When using a transceiver that displays the carrier frequency of phone signals, which of the following displayed frequencies will result in a normal LSB emission being within the band?

3 kHz above the lower band edge. Signup and view all the answers

With your transceiver displaying the carrier frequency of phone signals, you hear a DX station's CQ on 14.349 MHz US. Is it legal to return the call using upper sideband on the same frequency?

No, my sidebands will extend beyond the band edge. Signup and view all the answers

With your transceiver displaying the carrier frequency of phone signals, you hear a DX station's CQ on 3.601 MHz LS. Is it legal to return the call using lower sideband on the same frequency?

No, my sidebands will extend beyond the edge of the phone band segment. Signup and view all the answers

Which is the only amateur band that does not permit the transmission of phone or image emissions?

30 meters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum power output permitted on the 60 meter band?

50 watts PEP effective radiated power relative to a dipole. Signup and view all the answers

What is the only amateur band where transmission on specific channels rather than a range of frequencies is permitted?

60 meter band. Signup and view all the answers

What is the only emission type permitted to be transmitted on the 60 meter band by an amateur station?

Single sideband, upper sideband only. Signup and view all the answers

Which frequency bands contain at least one segment authorized only to control operators holding an Amateur Extra Class operator license?

80/75, 40, 20 and 15 meters. Signup and view all the answers

If a station in a message forwarding system inadvertently forwards a message that is in violation of FCC rules, who is primarily accountable for the rules violation?

The control operator of the originating station. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first action you should take if your digital message forwarding station inadvertently forwards a communication that violates FCC rules?

Discontinue forwarding the communication as soon as you become aware of it. Signup and view all the answers

If an amateur station is installed on board a ship or aircraft, what condition must be met before the station is operated?

Its operation must be approved by the master of the ship or the pilot in command of the aircraft. Signup and view all the answers

When a US-registered vessel is in international waters, what type of FCC-issued license or permit is required to transmit amateur communications from an on-board amateur transmitter?

Any amateur license or reciprocal permit for alien amateur licensee. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following constitutes a spurious emission?

An emission outside its necessary bandwidth that can be reduced or eliminated without affecting the information transmitted. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors might cause the physical location of an amateur station apparatus or antenna structure to be restricted?

The location is significant to our environment, American history, architecture, or culture. Signup and view all the answers

Within what distance must an amateur station protect an FCC monitoring facility from harmful interference?

1 mile. Signup and view all the answers

What must be done before placing an amateur station within an officially designated wilderness area or wildlife preserve, or an area listed in the National Register of Historical Places?

An Environmental Assessment must be submitted to the FCC. Signup and view all the answers

What height restrictions apply to an amateur station antenna structure not close to a public use airport unless the FAA is notified and it is registered with the FCC?

It must be no higher than 200 feet above ground level at its site. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following additional rules apply if you are installing an amateur station antenna at a site within 20,000 feet of a public use airport?

You may have to notify the Federal Aviation Administration and register it with the FCC. Signup and view all the answers

Whose approval is required before erecting an amateur station antenna located at or near a public use airport if the antenna would exceed a certain height depending upon the antenna's distance from the nearest active runway?

The FAA must be notified and it must be registered with the FCC. Signup and view all the answers

On what frequencies may the operation of an amateur station be restricted if its emissions cause interference to the reception of a domestic broadcast station on a receiver of good engineering design?

On the interfering amateur service transmitting frequencies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)?

A radio service of amateur stations for civil defense communications during periods of local, regional, or national civil emergencies. Signup and view all the answers

Which amateur stations may be operated in RACES?

Any FCC-licensed amateur station certified by the responsible civil defense organization for the area served. Signup and view all the answers

What frequencies are normally authorized to an amateur station participating in RACES?

All amateur service frequencies otherwise authorized to the control operator. Signup and view all the answers

What are the frequencies authorized to an amateur station participating in RACES during a period when the President's War Emergency Powers are in force?

Specific amateur service frequency segments authorized in FCC Part 214. Signup and view all the answers

What communications are permissible in RACES?

Authorized civil defense emergency communications affecting the immediate safety of life and property. Signup and view all the answers

What is a remotely controlled station?

A station controlled indirectly through a control link. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by automatic control of a station?

The use of devices and procedures for control so that the control operator does not have to be present at a control point. Signup and view all the answers

How do the control operator responsibilities of a station under automatic control differ from one under local control?

Under automatic control the control operator is not required to be present at the control point. Signup and view all the answers

When may an automatically controlled station retransmit third party communications?

When specifically agreed upon by the sending and receiving stations. Signup and view all the answers

When may an automatically controlled station originate third party communications?

Never. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements concerning remotely controlled amateur stations is true?

A control operator need not be present at the control point. Signup and view all the answers

A control operator must be present at the control point D.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by local control?

Direct manipulation of the transmitter by a control operator Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum permissible duration of a remotely controlled station's transmissions if its control link malfunctions?

3 minutes Signup and view all the answers

Which of these frequencies are available for automatically controlled ground-station repeater operation?

29.500 - 29.700 MHz Signup and view all the answers

What types of amateur stations may automatically retransmit the radio signals of other amateur stations?

Only auxiliary, repeater or space stations Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of the term telemetry?

One-way transmission of measurements at a distance from the measuring instrument Signup and view all the answers

What is the amateur-satellite service?

A radio communications service using amateur stations on satellites Signup and view all the answers

What is a telecommand station in the amateur satellite service?

An amateur station that transmits communications to initiate, modify or terminate certain functions of a space station Signup and view all the answers

What is an Earth station in the amateur satellite service?

An amateur station within 50 km of the Earth's surface for communications with amateur stations by means of objects in space Signup and view all the answers

What class of licensee is authorized to be the control operator of a space station?

A holder of any class of license Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following special provisions must a space station incorporate in order to comply with space station requirements?

The space station must be capable of effecting a cessation of transmissions by telecommand when so ordered by the FCC Signup and view all the answers

Which amateur service HF bands have frequencies authorized to space stations?

Only 40m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m and 10m Signup and view all the answers

Which VHF amateur service bands have frequencies available for space stations?

2 meters Signup and view all the answers

Which amateur service UHF bands have frequencies available for a space station?

70 cm, 23 cm, 13 cm Signup and view all the answers

Which amateur stations are eligible to be telecommand stations?

Any amateur station so designated by the space station licensee Signup and view all the answers

Which amateur stations are eligible to operate as Earth stations?

Any amateur station, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held by the control operator Signup and view all the answers

Who must be notified before launching an amateur space station?

The FCC's International Bureau, Washington, DC Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum number of qualified VEs required to administer an Element 4 amateur operator license examination?

3 Signup and view all the answers

Where are the questions for all written US amateur license examinations listed?

In the VEC-maintained question pool Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for maintaining the question pools from which all amateur license examination questions must be taken?

All of the VECs Signup and view all the answers

What is a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator?

An organization that has entered into an agreement with the FCC to coordinate amateur operator license examinations Signup and view all the answers

What is a VE?

An amateur operator who is approved by a VEC to administer amateur operator license examinations Signup and view all the answers

What is a VE team?

A group of at least three VEs who administer examinations for an amateur operator license Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following persons seeking to become VEs cannot be accredited?

Persons who have ever had an amateur operator or amateur station license suspended or revoked Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the Volunteer Examiner accreditation process?

The procedure by which a VEC confirms that the VE applicant meets FCC requirements to serve as an examiner Signup and view all the answers

Where must the VE team be while administering an examination?

All of the administering VEs must be present where they can observe the examinees throughout the entire examination Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for the proper conduct and necessary supervision during an amateur operator license examination session?

Each administering VE Signup and view all the answers

What should a VE do if a candidate fails to comply with the examiner's instructions during an amateur operator license examination?

Immediately terminate the candidate's examination Signup and view all the answers

To which of the following examinees may a VE not administer an examination?

The VE's close relatives as listed in the FCC rules Signup and view all the answers

What may be the penalty for a VE who fraudulently administers or certifies an examination?

Revocation of the VE's amateur station license grant and the suspension of the VE's amateur operator license grant Signup and view all the answers

What must the VE team do with the examinee's test papers once they have finished the examination?

The VE team must collect and grade them immediately Signup and view all the answers

What must the VE team do if an examinee scores a passing grade on all examination elements needed for an upgrade or new license?

Three VEs must certify that the examinee is qualified for the license grant and that they have complied with the VE requirements Signup and view all the answers

What must the VE team do with the application form if the examinee does not pass the exam?

Return the application document to the examinee Signup and view all the answers

What are the consequences of failing to appear for re-administration of an examination when so directed by the FCC?

The licensee's license will be cancelled Signup and view all the answers

For which types of out-of-pocket expenses may VEs and VECs be reimbursed?

Preparing, processing, administering and coordinating an examination for an amateur radio license Signup and view all the answers

How much reimbursement may the VE team and VEC accept for preparing, processing, administering and coordinating an examination?

Actual out-of-pocket expenses Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum age to be a volunteer examiner?

18 years old Signup and view all the answers

On what frequencies are spread spectrum transmissions permitted?

Only on amateur frequencies above 222 MHz Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following operating arrangements allows an FCC-licensed US citizen to operate in many European countries, and alien amateurs from many European countries to operate in the US?

CEPT agreement Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following operating arrangements allow an FCC-licensed US citizen and many Central and South American amateur operators to operate in each other's countries?

IARP agreement Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if an external RF amplifier is listed on the FCC database as certificated for use in the amateur service?

That particular RF amplifier may be marketed for use in the amateur service Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances may a dealer sell an external RF power amplifier capable of operation below 144 MHz if it has not been granted FCC certification?

It was purchased in used condition from an amateur operator and is sold to another amateur operator for use at that operator's station Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following geographic descriptions approximately describes 'Line A'?

A line roughly parallel to and south of the US-Canadian border Signup and view all the answers

Amateur stations may not transmit in which of the following frequency segments if they are located north of Line A?

420 - 430 MHz Signup and view all the answers

What is the National Radio Quiet Zone?

An area surrounding the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Signup and view all the answers

When may the control operator of a repeater accept payment for providing communication services to another party?

Under no circumstances Signup and view all the answers

When may an amateur station send a message to a business?

When neither the amateur nor his or her employer has a pecuniary interest in the communications Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of amateur operator-to-amateur operator communications are prohibited?

Communications transmitted for hire or material compensation, except as otherwise provided in the rules Signup and view all the answers

FCC-licensed amateur stations may use spread spectrum (SS) emissions to communicate under which of the following conditions?

All of these choices are correct Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum transmitter power for an amateur station transmitting spread spectrum communications?

All amateur power limits apply Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Radiation and Exposure

RF radiation lacks enough energy to break atoms and molecules, unlike radiation from radioactive sources.
When evaluating exposure at a neighbor's home, signals must remain below uncontrolled Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits.
A practical method to estimate RF fields is utilizing a computer-based antenna modeling program for accessible locations.

Multiple Transmitter Responsibility

Each transmitter creating 5% or more of the MPE limit is responsible for mitigating over-exposure situations.
High-gain antennas in amateur radio can lead to significant exposure to microwaves.

Field Measurement

Electric (E) and magnetic (H) field MPE limits are separate due to different radiation intensity peaks and body reactions.
The far-field zone of an antenna is where its radiation pattern is consistent regardless of distance.

Health and Safety

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) measures the rate at which RF energy is absorbed by the human body.
Beryllium oxide is extremely toxic and poses health risks if inhaled in particle form.

EMC Regulations and Licensing

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in certain electronic components are classified as toxic.
Klystron or cavity magnetron transmitters can present radiation exposure hazards.

Operating Standards

Normal USB emission is lawful at frequencies 3 kHz below the upper band edge, while for LSB emissions, it is 3 kHz above the lower band edge.
USA stations cannot use phone emissions above 14.340 MHz or below 3.610 MHz.

Band Specifications

The 30-meter band is the only amateur band that prohibits phone or image emissions.
The 60-meter band allows a maximum power output of 50 watts PEP relative to a dipole.

Antenna Installation Rules

When placing an amateur station in officially designated areas, an Environmental Assessment must be submitted to the FCC.
Antennas near public use airports must adhere to specific height restrictions, usually capped at 200 feet above ground.

Interference Prevention

Amateur stations must avoid interference with domestic broadcast stations and may operate on specific frequencies for this purpose.

Emergency Communications

RACES provides a framework for amateur stations to communicate during civil emergencies.
Any FCC-licensed amateur station can operate in RACES if certified by the responsible civil defense organization.

Control of Stations

Remotely controlled stations operate via a control link, allowing indirect control.
Automatic control allows for operation without a control operator present at the control point.

Retransmission Protocol

Automatically controlled stations can retransmit third-party communications when using RTTY or data emissions.

Telemetry and Amateur Satellite Service

Telemetry encompasses one-way transmission of measurements remote from measuring instruments.
The amateur-satellite service engages amateur stations for educational and intercommunication purposes through satellites.### Radio Communications in Amateur Satellite Service
Utilizes Earth satellite stations for gathering weather information.

Definitions and Roles

Telecommand Station: An amateur station on Earth that sends commands to space stations, enabling initiation or modification of functions.
Earth Station: An amateur station located within 50 km of the Earth's surface, facilitating communication with amateur satellites.

License Classifications

Any class of license holder can be a control operator of a space station.
Only General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class operators can control space stations.

Special Provisions for Space Stations

Must have the ability to cease transmission upon FCC order.

Authorized Frequencies for Space Stations

HF Bands: 40m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m authorized for use.
VHF Bands: Only the 2 meters band is available for space stations.
UHF Bands: Frequencies include 70 cm and 23 cm.

Telecommand and Earth Stations Eligibility

Telecommand stations must be designated by the space station licensee.
Any amateur station can operate as an Earth station as per licensing privileges.

Launch Notifications

Notification required to the FCC's International Bureau before launching an amateur space station.

Volunteer Examiners (VEs) and Examinations

Minimum of three VEs required to administer amateur operator license examinations.
Questions for written examinations sourced from a VEC-maintained question pool.
VEs maintain the examination integrity, supervising candidates throughout.

Examination Process and Conduct

VEs must certify candidates who pass their exams and submit examination documents.
Penalties for VEs who do not adhere to guidelines include possible revocation of licenses.

Spread Spectrum Communications

Permissible on amateur frequencies above 222 MHz.
Conditions for use include compliance with FCC regulations and not obscuring the communication content.

Operating Arrangements and Certifications

CEPT Agreement: Facilitates operation for US amateurs in Europe and vice versa.
External RF amplifiers require FCC certification to ensure compliance.

Geographic Restrictions

Amateur stations north of "Line A" face specific frequency transmission limitations.

Communication Regulations

Amateur stations may not profit from communications and must comply with third-party regulations.

Satellite Operations

Understanding the directional dynamics of satellite passes is crucial, differentiating between ascending (south to north) and descending (north to south) passes.

Orbital Dynamics

Orbital period refers to the time taken for a satellite to complete one full revolution around Earth.

Amateur Satellite Modes

"Mode" reflects the satellite's operational frequencies for uplink and downlink communication.

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Description

Test your knowledge with this Ham Radio Extra Class question pool flashcard quiz. Dive into the differences between radiation types relevant to amateur radio. Ideal for students and enthusiasts preparing for the Extra Class exam.