Greetings and thank you for deciding to participate in these amateur radio lessons I hope you will find them interesting, informative and helpful. My name is Bill and my amateur radio call sign is WA6OHP.
Ham radio has been an exciting part of my life for 47 years. During these years I have helped many to get their amateur radio license by teaching ham radio classes, mentoring individuals, and working as a Volunteer Examiner. Now it is my goal to help those in the United States who would like to get their ham radio license by using lessons on my blog web site and using the same technique later help those who have their license to up grade
Those of you in other countries please understand that it is not that I do not want to help you get your amateur radio license. I would love to help you but I can’t. Every country has different requirements and the only ones I know are those in the United States. Everyone is welcome to do the study and even if you do live in another nation there should be some information that would help you and you are welcome to ask questions.
This is to be an interactive series. If you do not understand something in the lesson e-mail your question to wa6ohp@yahoo.com be sure to include “hamslife” or “Ham’s Life” in the subject line so my spam monster will not eat it. You can also use the comment box at the bottom of each session and ask your question but because I do not check this blog each day it could go missed for a while.
These lessons are not written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and thus are not inerrant. It is possible that I can make mistakes though I have carefully studied each lesson before publishing it. I do not have a proof reader though I desperately need one. So if you find something you believe to be an error please let me know either by e-mail at the previously mentioned address or comment in the comment section. The test questions below the text are copied directly as they are written in the question pool and some of them are not grammatically correct but they written just as they will appear on the test.
If you have a ham related question or radio related technical question that is not part of the question pool please go to http://hamslife.com and use the comment box to ask your question and I will try to answer your question on that site.
Each lesson will consist of text which will discuss the information you will need to pass the technician class amateur radio test. This will be followed by questions from the test pool. All the questions will have been answered in the text. Then at the bottom of the questions are the answers to those questions which will look something like this A, B, C, D, A. This means that the answer to question 1 is A and the answer to question 2 is B and so forth.
Each test question is identified by a letter, a number, a letter, and a number. It will look something like this T1A01. These identify which question it is in the test pool. T is for technician class, 1 means it is the first that subelement, A identifies it as the first group (Basis and purpose of the Amateur Radio Service), and 01 means it is the first question in that subgroup.
All comments are moderated before they are displayed. Only comments I consider appropriate will be posted. If you would like to receive a personal email and leave your email address it will be removed before it is viewed by others if it is published.
I would appreciate knowing you are out there so please use the comment section of this post and let me know your name or even respond anonymously if you wish.
When you have passed your Technician Class exam please let me know if these lessons helped you.
Monday, January 28, 2008
LESSON 1
Basis and purpose of the Amateur Radio Service, penalties
for unlicensed operation, other penalties
If you have not yet read the introduction please scroll down to the bottom of this lesson to the Introduction and read it. It will help you understand how these lessons will work. Your participation is very important and that is explained in the Introduction.
When defining Amateur Radio there are two elements to be considered. First the operator who is a man, woman, boy, or girl licensed to operate an Amateur Radio Station and then Amateur Radio station it self.
A radio service defines the way and reasons for radio transmissions. There is the Broadcast radio service which is just the regular AM and FM radio we use for our enjoyment and information. There is also the Cellular and the Land Mobile radio service. Among the many radio services there is one called The Amateur Radio service.
An amateur station is defined as “a station in an Amateur Radio Service consisting of the apparatus necessary for carrying on radio communications.”
The origin term Amateur Radio operator seems to be unclear but it is a very good definitive description of who we are. We are individuals who have an interest in radio communications and who are willing to pursue this interest with no remunerations (with almost no exception pay of any kind for any radio communications on the amateur radio bands is prohibited). We are licensed by and issued amateur radio call signs by the regulating agency responsible for the administration of radio communications in the nation under which we will be operating. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the agency which makes and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?
The FCC part 97 of radio rules and regulations covers the laws which relate to the Amateur Radio Service in the United States of America. Part 97 defines an amateur operator as “A person named in an amateur operator/primary license grant in the FCC ULS database.”
Part 97 also defines the purpose of the Amateur Radio Service. There are four reasons described there in and they are: a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur radio service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art. d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.
There are some who feel that regulating the radio waves is not necessary and they feel it is their right to transmit when, where, and what they want. Originally there were no radio licenses or regulations but as the industry grew it was realized that there was a need to regulate the use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Without regulations there would be nothing but confusion.
Think of a room full of people each trying to talk. Some are trying to talk to everyone in the room at once. Some are speaking to the person next to them while others are speaking to someone or some group across the room. That would give you some idea of what it would be like in the radio world without regulations.
Even with regulations and operators trying not to overlap or interfere with other operations it still inadvertently happens. A transmission that disturbs other communications is called Harmful interference. If this interference is deliberate it is called malicious interference and is subject to legal action which can include fines and imprisonment.
There have been many changes to these regulations over the years. The ability to send and receive Morse code had to be demonstrated before an amateur license could be granted. Then a few years ago it was changed so those who were applying for their Technician class did not have to take a code test. It was earlier this year (2007) the FCC removed all code requirement. They, prior to this had discontinued issuing licenses for two classes of licenses, the Novice and the Advanced Classes. So there are now just three classes of amateur radio licenses which currently may be earned by examination. These three licenses are: Technician, General, Extra.
Those holding Novice and Advanced classes may renew their current license as Novice or Advanced, depending on which grade they hold, with the appropriate privileges for those classes. There are also some Technician class hams who passes a code test called Technician Plus class who can also renew their Technician Plus status and operate with the extra privileges granted by their license. But again the only new licenses which are being tested for and for those who are upgrading the only upgrades available are Technician, General, and Extra classes.
Up until 1984 the FCC had done all the testing for all radio services including the Amateur radio service. In 1984 the FCC, by an act of congress, began to certify organizations to coordinate and administer the test elements. These organizations were and still are called VOLUNTEER EXAMINER COORDINATOR (VEC). The first VEC was the Anchorage (Alaska) Amateur Radio Club and remains active to the day of this writing. There are now 14 approved VEC’s the largest of which is the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
The Amateur Radio tests are administered by Volunteer Examiners (VE’s). A VE is an amateur accredited by one or more VEC’s who volunteers to administer amateur license exams. To administer the technician class test there must be a minimum of three VE’s holding a General class license or higher.
Upon the completion of any element of the examination which you successfully pass the VE team will issue you a Certification of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) so a passed element needs not be repeated if upgrade is completed within one year. The CSCE is good for 365 days.
Test Questions
1. T1A01
Who is an amateur operator as defined in Part 97?
A. A person named in an amateur operator/primary license grant in the FCC ULS database
B. A person who has passed a written license examination
C. The person named on the FCC Form 605 Application
D. A person holding a Restricted Operating Permit
~~
2. T1A02
What is one of the basic purposes of the Amateur Radio Service as defined in Part 97?
A. To support teaching of amateur radio classes in schools
B. To provide a voluntary noncommercial communications service to the public, particularly in times of emergency
C. To provide free message service to the public
D. To allow the public to communicate with other radio services
~~
3. T1A03
What classes of US amateur radio licenses may currently be earned by examination?
A. Novice, Technician, General, Advanced
B. Technician, General, Advanced
C. Technician, General, Extra
D. Technician, Tech Plus, General
~~
4. T1A04
Who is a Volunteer Examiner?
A. A certified instructor who volunteers to examine amateur
teaching manuals
B. An FCC employee who accredits volunteers to administer amateur license exams
C. An amateur accredited by one or more VECs who volunteers to administer amateur license exams
D. Any person who volunteers to examine amateur station equipment
~~
5. T1A05
How long is a CSCE valid for license upgrade purposes?
A. 365 days
B. Until the current license expires
C. Indefinitely
D. Until two years following the expiration of the current
license
~~
6. T1A06
How many and what class of Volunteer Examiners are required to administer an Element 2 Technician written exam?
A. Three Examiners holding any class of license
B. Two Examiners holding any class of license
C. Three Examiners holding a Technician Class license
D. Three Examiners holding a General Class license or
higher
~~
7. T1A07
Who makes and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?
A. The Congress of the United States
B. The Federal Communications Commission
C. The Volunteer Examiner Coordinators
D. The Federal Bureau of Investigation
~~
8. T1A08
What are two of the five fundamental purposes for the Amateur Radio Service?
A. To protect historical radio data, and help the public
understand radio history
B. To aid foreign countries in improving radio communications and encourage visits from foreign hams
C. To modernize radio electronic design theory and improve
schematic drawings
D. To increase the number of trained radio operators and
electronics experts, and improve international goodwill
~~
9. T1A09
What is the definition of an amateur radio station?
A. A station in a public radio service used for radio
communications
B. A station using radio communications for a commercial purpose
C. A station using equipment for training new broadcast
operators and technicians
D. A station in an Amateur Radio Service consisting of the
apparatus necessary for carrying on radio communications
~~
10. T1A10
What is a transmission called that disturbs other communications?
A. Interrupted CW
B. Harmful interference
C. Transponder signals
D. Unidentified transmissions
Answers:
A, B, C, C, A, D, B, D, D, B
Note 1: If you are totally new to Amateur Radio and find you are a little confused at this point don’t become discouraged because you are just starting and that would be normal. If you can it would be best if you became acquainted with a local ham radio operator or attend a local ham club. I know of no other single thing that will help more then getting to know one or more hams. Don’t worry about contacting a stranger thinking you might be rejected because it is amazing just how helpful ham radio operators are.
Note 2: Amateur Radio is the official name of the radio service but Amateur operators are also known as hams. It is believed to come from the shortening of the word Amateur to Am but British accent had the tendency to ad the H sound prior to the word which made it ham.
for unlicensed operation, other penalties
If you have not yet read the introduction please scroll down to the bottom of this lesson to the Introduction and read it. It will help you understand how these lessons will work. Your participation is very important and that is explained in the Introduction.
When defining Amateur Radio there are two elements to be considered. First the operator who is a man, woman, boy, or girl licensed to operate an Amateur Radio Station and then Amateur Radio station it self.
A radio service defines the way and reasons for radio transmissions. There is the Broadcast radio service which is just the regular AM and FM radio we use for our enjoyment and information. There is also the Cellular and the Land Mobile radio service. Among the many radio services there is one called The Amateur Radio service.
An amateur station is defined as “a station in an Amateur Radio Service consisting of the apparatus necessary for carrying on radio communications.”
The origin term Amateur Radio operator seems to be unclear but it is a very good definitive description of who we are. We are individuals who have an interest in radio communications and who are willing to pursue this interest with no remunerations (with almost no exception pay of any kind for any radio communications on the amateur radio bands is prohibited). We are licensed by and issued amateur radio call signs by the regulating agency responsible for the administration of radio communications in the nation under which we will be operating. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the agency which makes and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?
The FCC part 97 of radio rules and regulations covers the laws which relate to the Amateur Radio Service in the United States of America. Part 97 defines an amateur operator as “A person named in an amateur operator/primary license grant in the FCC ULS database.”
Part 97 also defines the purpose of the Amateur Radio Service. There are four reasons described there in and they are: a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur radio service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art. d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.
There are some who feel that regulating the radio waves is not necessary and they feel it is their right to transmit when, where, and what they want. Originally there were no radio licenses or regulations but as the industry grew it was realized that there was a need to regulate the use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Without regulations there would be nothing but confusion.
Think of a room full of people each trying to talk. Some are trying to talk to everyone in the room at once. Some are speaking to the person next to them while others are speaking to someone or some group across the room. That would give you some idea of what it would be like in the radio world without regulations.
Even with regulations and operators trying not to overlap or interfere with other operations it still inadvertently happens. A transmission that disturbs other communications is called Harmful interference. If this interference is deliberate it is called malicious interference and is subject to legal action which can include fines and imprisonment.
There have been many changes to these regulations over the years. The ability to send and receive Morse code had to be demonstrated before an amateur license could be granted. Then a few years ago it was changed so those who were applying for their Technician class did not have to take a code test. It was earlier this year (2007) the FCC removed all code requirement. They, prior to this had discontinued issuing licenses for two classes of licenses, the Novice and the Advanced Classes. So there are now just three classes of amateur radio licenses which currently may be earned by examination. These three licenses are: Technician, General, Extra.
Those holding Novice and Advanced classes may renew their current license as Novice or Advanced, depending on which grade they hold, with the appropriate privileges for those classes. There are also some Technician class hams who passes a code test called Technician Plus class who can also renew their Technician Plus status and operate with the extra privileges granted by their license. But again the only new licenses which are being tested for and for those who are upgrading the only upgrades available are Technician, General, and Extra classes.
Up until 1984 the FCC had done all the testing for all radio services including the Amateur radio service. In 1984 the FCC, by an act of congress, began to certify organizations to coordinate and administer the test elements. These organizations were and still are called VOLUNTEER EXAMINER COORDINATOR (VEC). The first VEC was the Anchorage (Alaska) Amateur Radio Club and remains active to the day of this writing. There are now 14 approved VEC’s the largest of which is the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
The Amateur Radio tests are administered by Volunteer Examiners (VE’s). A VE is an amateur accredited by one or more VEC’s who volunteers to administer amateur license exams. To administer the technician class test there must be a minimum of three VE’s holding a General class license or higher.
Upon the completion of any element of the examination which you successfully pass the VE team will issue you a Certification of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) so a passed element needs not be repeated if upgrade is completed within one year. The CSCE is good for 365 days.
Test Questions
1. T1A01
Who is an amateur operator as defined in Part 97?
A. A person named in an amateur operator/primary license grant in the FCC ULS database
B. A person who has passed a written license examination
C. The person named on the FCC Form 605 Application
D. A person holding a Restricted Operating Permit
~~
2. T1A02
What is one of the basic purposes of the Amateur Radio Service as defined in Part 97?
A. To support teaching of amateur radio classes in schools
B. To provide a voluntary noncommercial communications service to the public, particularly in times of emergency
C. To provide free message service to the public
D. To allow the public to communicate with other radio services
~~
3. T1A03
What classes of US amateur radio licenses may currently be earned by examination?
A. Novice, Technician, General, Advanced
B. Technician, General, Advanced
C. Technician, General, Extra
D. Technician, Tech Plus, General
~~
4. T1A04
Who is a Volunteer Examiner?
A. A certified instructor who volunteers to examine amateur
teaching manuals
B. An FCC employee who accredits volunteers to administer amateur license exams
C. An amateur accredited by one or more VECs who volunteers to administer amateur license exams
D. Any person who volunteers to examine amateur station equipment
~~
5. T1A05
How long is a CSCE valid for license upgrade purposes?
A. 365 days
B. Until the current license expires
C. Indefinitely
D. Until two years following the expiration of the current
license
~~
6. T1A06
How many and what class of Volunteer Examiners are required to administer an Element 2 Technician written exam?
A. Three Examiners holding any class of license
B. Two Examiners holding any class of license
C. Three Examiners holding a Technician Class license
D. Three Examiners holding a General Class license or
higher
~~
7. T1A07
Who makes and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?
A. The Congress of the United States
B. The Federal Communications Commission
C. The Volunteer Examiner Coordinators
D. The Federal Bureau of Investigation
~~
8. T1A08
What are two of the five fundamental purposes for the Amateur Radio Service?
A. To protect historical radio data, and help the public
understand radio history
B. To aid foreign countries in improving radio communications and encourage visits from foreign hams
C. To modernize radio electronic design theory and improve
schematic drawings
D. To increase the number of trained radio operators and
electronics experts, and improve international goodwill
~~
9. T1A09
What is the definition of an amateur radio station?
A. A station in a public radio service used for radio
communications
B. A station using radio communications for a commercial purpose
C. A station using equipment for training new broadcast
operators and technicians
D. A station in an Amateur Radio Service consisting of the
apparatus necessary for carrying on radio communications
~~
10. T1A10
What is a transmission called that disturbs other communications?
A. Interrupted CW
B. Harmful interference
C. Transponder signals
D. Unidentified transmissions
Answers:
A, B, C, C, A, D, B, D, D, B
Note 1: If you are totally new to Amateur Radio and find you are a little confused at this point don’t become discouraged because you are just starting and that would be normal. If you can it would be best if you became acquainted with a local ham radio operator or attend a local ham club. I know of no other single thing that will help more then getting to know one or more hams. Don’t worry about contacting a stranger thinking you might be rejected because it is amazing just how helpful ham radio operators are.
Note 2: Amateur Radio is the official name of the radio service but Amateur operators are also known as hams. It is believed to come from the shortening of the word Amateur to Am but British accent had the tendency to ad the H sound prior to the word which made it ham.
LESSON 2
ITU regions, international regulations, US call sign
structure, special event calls, vanity call signs
In our previous lesson we looked at why it is important to have regulations and a regulating organization like the FCC. But radio waves do not recognize country borders and thus the issue of regulating radio waves is a global issue. Thus there was a need to form some type of means of coordinating the frequencies and their use on an international scale. The International Telecommunication Union was formed to assist in the management of frequency allocations. (Take special notice the U stands for Union.)
One of the responsibilities of the ITU was to designate how the station call signs of radio stations transmitting in any country would start. The United States was given the whole W, K, and N blocks and the partial A block consisting of AA to AL block (A block refers to all the letter number combinations possible starting with that letter or in some cases a number and a letter). Thus all radio stations with call signs starting with W, K, and N and AA through AL belong to the authority of the United States of America. Originally the stations starting with N or A were military stations but when more amateur station call signs were needed they were also used.
An Amateur call sign starts with the letters or number letter combination authorized by the ITU for that country. If you were to hear a station with a call sign starting with 5A and a number it would be a Libyan station because the 5A was issued to Libya by the ITU.
U. S. call signs will start with a letter as listed above if that letter is A then it will always be followed by another letter from A to L. W, K, and N may be followed by another letter so all U. S. call signs will start with 1 or 2 letters. That will be followed by a single number from 0 to 9 and then there will be 1 to 3 letters following.
An example of the above: KB3TMJ would be a U.S. Station. VE3TWJ would indicate the station is Canadian, UZ4FWD would originate in the Ukraine and KBL7766 is not an amateur radio station call sign.
Amateur radio call signs are assigned by the FCC Call in sequential order. After your call sign is assigned you can have it changed to another of your choosing if the call is available and if it follows the proper amateur call sign order. This program is called the vanity call sign program. There is a cost involved and the call sign must be applied for.
A club can apply for an amateur call sign for its club station through the FCC Club Station Call Sign Administrator. The FCC requires that the club membership consist of at least 4 licensed amateur radio operators to receive a club call.
One exception to the normal call sign sequence is a 1X1 (one by one) call. That is to say there is 1 letter, a number followed by 1 letter. This type of call can only be issued by the FCC for special events like the California State Fair in 2007. The call sign is only good for the time of the event.
1. T1B01 (C) [97.3(a)(28)]
What is the ITU?
A. The International Telecommunications Utility
B. The International Telephone Union
C. The International Telecommunication Union
D. The International Technology Union
~~
2. T1B02 (A) [97.301]
What is the purpose of ITU Regions?
A. They are used to assist in the management of frequency
allocations
B. They are useful when operating maritime mobile
C. They are used in call sign assignments
D. They must be used after your call sign to indicate your
location
~~
3. T1B03 (C) [97.17(d)]
What system does the FCC use to select new amateur radio call signs?
A. Call signs are assigned in random order
B. The applicant is allowed to pick a call sign
C. Call signs are assigned in sequential order
D. Volunteer Examiners choose an unassigned call sign
~~
4. T1B04 (A) [97.19(d)]
What FCC call sign program might you use to obtain a call sign containing your initials?
A. The vanity call sign program
B. The sequential call sign program
C. The special event call sign program
D. There is no FCC provision for choosing a your call sign
~~
5. T1B05 (B) [97.17(b)(2)]
How might an amateur radio club obtain a club station call sign?
A. By applying directly to the FCC in Gettysburg, PA
B. By applying through a Club Station Call Sign Administrator
C. By submitting a FCC Form 605 to the FCC in Washington, DC
D. By notifying a VE team using NCVEC Form 605
~~
6. T1B06 (C)
Who is eligible to apply for temporary use of a 1-by-1 format
Special Event call sign?
A. Only Amateur Extra class amateurs
B. Only military stations
C. Any FCC-licensed amateur
D. Only trustees of amateur radio club stations
~~
7. T1B07 (A) [97.107]
When are you allowed to operate your amateur station in a foreign
country?
A. When there is a reciprocal operating agreement between the
countries
B. When there is a mutual agreement allowing third party
communications
C. When authorization permits amateur communications in a foreign
language
D. When you are communicating with non-licensed individuals in
another country
~~
8. T1B08 (C)
Which of the following call signs is a valid US amateur call?
A. UZ4FWD
B. KBL7766
C. KB3TMJ
D. VE3TWJ
~~
9. T1B09 (B)
What letters must be used for the first letter in US amateur call signs?
A. K, N, U and W
B. A, K, N and W
C. A, B, C and D
D. A, N, V and W
~~
10. T1B10 (D)
What numbers are used in US amateur call signs?
A. Any two-digit number, 10 through 99
B. Any two-digit number, 22 through 45
C. A single digit, 1 though 9
D. A single digit, 0 through 9
Answers: C, A, C, A, B, C, A, C, B, D
structure, special event calls, vanity call signs
In our previous lesson we looked at why it is important to have regulations and a regulating organization like the FCC. But radio waves do not recognize country borders and thus the issue of regulating radio waves is a global issue. Thus there was a need to form some type of means of coordinating the frequencies and their use on an international scale. The International Telecommunication Union was formed to assist in the management of frequency allocations. (Take special notice the U stands for Union.)
One of the responsibilities of the ITU was to designate how the station call signs of radio stations transmitting in any country would start. The United States was given the whole W, K, and N blocks and the partial A block consisting of AA to AL block (A block refers to all the letter number combinations possible starting with that letter or in some cases a number and a letter). Thus all radio stations with call signs starting with W, K, and N and AA through AL belong to the authority of the United States of America. Originally the stations starting with N or A were military stations but when more amateur station call signs were needed they were also used.
An Amateur call sign starts with the letters or number letter combination authorized by the ITU for that country. If you were to hear a station with a call sign starting with 5A and a number it would be a Libyan station because the 5A was issued to Libya by the ITU.
U. S. call signs will start with a letter as listed above if that letter is A then it will always be followed by another letter from A to L. W, K, and N may be followed by another letter so all U. S. call signs will start with 1 or 2 letters. That will be followed by a single number from 0 to 9 and then there will be 1 to 3 letters following.
An example of the above: KB3TMJ would be a U.S. Station. VE3TWJ would indicate the station is Canadian, UZ4FWD would originate in the Ukraine and KBL7766 is not an amateur radio station call sign.
Amateur radio call signs are assigned by the FCC Call in sequential order. After your call sign is assigned you can have it changed to another of your choosing if the call is available and if it follows the proper amateur call sign order. This program is called the vanity call sign program. There is a cost involved and the call sign must be applied for.
A club can apply for an amateur call sign for its club station through the FCC Club Station Call Sign Administrator. The FCC requires that the club membership consist of at least 4 licensed amateur radio operators to receive a club call.
One exception to the normal call sign sequence is a 1X1 (one by one) call. That is to say there is 1 letter, a number followed by 1 letter. This type of call can only be issued by the FCC for special events like the California State Fair in 2007. The call sign is only good for the time of the event.
1. T1B01 (C) [97.3(a)(28)]
What is the ITU?
A. The International Telecommunications Utility
B. The International Telephone Union
C. The International Telecommunication Union
D. The International Technology Union
~~
2. T1B02 (A) [97.301]
What is the purpose of ITU Regions?
A. They are used to assist in the management of frequency
allocations
B. They are useful when operating maritime mobile
C. They are used in call sign assignments
D. They must be used after your call sign to indicate your
location
~~
3. T1B03 (C) [97.17(d)]
What system does the FCC use to select new amateur radio call signs?
A. Call signs are assigned in random order
B. The applicant is allowed to pick a call sign
C. Call signs are assigned in sequential order
D. Volunteer Examiners choose an unassigned call sign
~~
4. T1B04 (A) [97.19(d)]
What FCC call sign program might you use to obtain a call sign containing your initials?
A. The vanity call sign program
B. The sequential call sign program
C. The special event call sign program
D. There is no FCC provision for choosing a your call sign
~~
5. T1B05 (B) [97.17(b)(2)]
How might an amateur radio club obtain a club station call sign?
A. By applying directly to the FCC in Gettysburg, PA
B. By applying through a Club Station Call Sign Administrator
C. By submitting a FCC Form 605 to the FCC in Washington, DC
D. By notifying a VE team using NCVEC Form 605
~~
6. T1B06 (C)
Who is eligible to apply for temporary use of a 1-by-1 format
Special Event call sign?
A. Only Amateur Extra class amateurs
B. Only military stations
C. Any FCC-licensed amateur
D. Only trustees of amateur radio club stations
~~
7. T1B07 (A) [97.107]
When are you allowed to operate your amateur station in a foreign
country?
A. When there is a reciprocal operating agreement between the
countries
B. When there is a mutual agreement allowing third party
communications
C. When authorization permits amateur communications in a foreign
language
D. When you are communicating with non-licensed individuals in
another country
~~
8. T1B08 (C)
Which of the following call signs is a valid US amateur call?
A. UZ4FWD
B. KBL7766
C. KB3TMJ
D. VE3TWJ
~~
9. T1B09 (B)
What letters must be used for the first letter in US amateur call signs?
A. K, N, U and W
B. A, K, N and W
C. A, B, C and D
D. A, N, V and W
~~
10. T1B10 (D)
What numbers are used in US amateur call signs?
A. Any two-digit number, 10 through 99
B. Any two-digit number, 22 through 45
C. A single digit, 1 though 9
D. A single digit, 0 through 9
Answers: C, A, C, A, B, C, A, C, B, D
LESSON 3
Authorized frequencies (Technician), reciprocal licensing,
operation near band edges, spectrum sharing
When I first got my license, 1960, we were required to wait until the license came in the mail before we were permitted to transmit on the amateur bands. The FCC was and is understaffed so it could be several weeks of waiting. We had no way of knowing what our call sign would be until the ticket was in our hand.
Things have changed with the evolution of computers. Now within a very few days after the candidate has taken the exam the FCC will post the new call sign of those who have passed their test. The FCC has changed the rules so now all that is required to control an amateur station in the US is to be named in the FCC amateur license data base.
The United States has agreements with some other countries to allow US amateurs operating privileges in their country while the US allows their amateurs to operate in the US. These agreements are called reciprocal agreements. So an alien from a country with reciprocal operating authorization is also allows individual operating privileges.
The FCC only has jurisdiction in the United States and its territories. An amateur radio license issued by the FCC allows the holder to operate from wherever the Amateur Radio Service is regulated by the FCC or where reciprocal agreements are in place. Remember when operating in another country their rules apply so know them.
Most other radio services are assigned a specific frequency or set of frequencies called channels. The amateur radio service is allotted bands of frequencies. Because of the international nature of radio waves these bands are coordinated on an International level by the International Telecommunications Union. The ITU are the one who actually determine what frequencies or band of frequencies may be used by which radio services.
To obtain your ham radio license it is necessary that you know where these amateur bands are located on the radio spectrum chart. I know of no other way to be ready for the test other then memories those frequencies.
The ITU has broken the world up into 3 Regions. Each region has amateur bands that do not exactly correspond with the other regions. The United States is located in Region 2. So all of these bands listed are applicable to Region 2 and authorized bands for Technician class hams to operate.
6 –Meter is 50.0 – 54.00 MHz.
2-Meters is 144.0 - 148.0 MHz
1.25-Meter is 222.0 - 225.0 MHz
70-centimeter is 420.0 - 450.0 MHz
33-centimeter is 902 - 928 MHz
23-centimeter is 1240 - 1300 MHz
13-centimeter is 2300 - 2310 MHz and 2390 - 2450 MHz
Some bands are shared with other radio services and the Amateur radio service is considered secondary user by the FCC. That means Amateurs are allowed to use the frequency band only if they do not cause harmful interference to primary users. 23-centimeter band is one of these shared bands so if an amateur station is operating FM phone on the 23-cm band and learn that the transmitted signals are interfering with a radiolocation station outside the US then the ham station must stop operating or take steps to eliminate this harmful interference.
Now if two amateur radio stations want to use the same frequency at the same time both station operators have an equal right to operate on the frequency. The normal operating practice is first come first served.
1. T1C01
What is required before you can control an amateur station in the US?
A. You must hold an FCC restricted operator's permit for a
licensed radio station
B. You must submit an FCC Form 605 with a license examination fee
C. You must be named in the FCC amateur license database, or be an alien with reciprocal operating authorization
D. The FCC must issue you a Certificate of Successful Completion
of Amateur Training
~~
2. T1C02
Where does a US amateur license allow you to transmit?
A. From anywhere in the world
B. From wherever the Amateur Radio Service is regulated by the FCC or where reciprocal agreements are in place
C. From a country that shares a third party agreement with the US
D. Only from the mailing address printed on your license
~~
3. T1C03
Under what conditions are amateur stations allowed to communicate with stations operating in other radio services?
A. When other radio services make contact with amateur stations
B. When authorized by the FCC
C. When communicating with stations in the Family Radio Service
D. When commercial broadcast stations are off the air
~~
4. T1C04
Which frequency is within the 6-meter band?
A. 49.00 MHz
B. 52.525 MHz
C. 28.50 MHz
D. 222.15 MHz
~~
5. T1C05
Which amateur band are you using when transmitting on 146.52 MHz?
A. 2 meter band
B. 20 meter band
C. 14 meter band
D. 6 meter band
~~
6. T1C06
Which 70-centimeter frequency is authorized to a Technician class license holder operating in ITU Region 2?
A. 455.350 MHz
B. 146.520 MHz
C. 443.350 MHz
D. 222.520 MHz
~~
7. T1C07
Which 23 centimeter frequency is authorized to a Technician class license holder operating in ITU Region 2?
A. 2315 MHz
B. 1296 MHz
C. 3390 MHz
D. 146.52 MHz
~~
8. T1C08
What amateur band are you using if you are operating on 223.50 MHz?
A. 15 meter band
B. 10 meter band
C. 2 meter band
D. 1.25 meter band
~~
9. T1C09
What do the FCC rules mean when an amateur frequency band is said to be available on a secondary basis?
A. Secondary users of a frequency have equal rights to operate
B. Amateurs are only allowed to use the frequency at night
C. Amateurs may not cause harmful interference to primary users
D. Secondary users are not allowed on amateur bands
~~
10. T1C10
When may a US amateur operator communicate with an amateur in a foreign country?
A. Only when a third-party agreement exists between the US and the foreign country
B. At any time except between 146.52 and 146.58 MHz
C. Only when a foreign amateur uses English
D. At any time unless prohibited by either government
~~
11. T1C11
Which of the following types of communications are not permitted in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Brief transmissions to make adjustments to the station
B. Brief transmissions to establish two-way communications with other stations
C. Transmissions to assist persons learning or improving
proficiency in CW
D. Communications on a regular basis that could reasonably be furnished alternatively through other radio services
Answers: C, B, B, B, A, C, B, D, C, D, D
A FCC license data base search can be done at: http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp Search by entering your last name first then a comma and your first name. When you are in the system your call sign will be displayed.
operation near band edges, spectrum sharing
When I first got my license, 1960, we were required to wait until the license came in the mail before we were permitted to transmit on the amateur bands. The FCC was and is understaffed so it could be several weeks of waiting. We had no way of knowing what our call sign would be until the ticket was in our hand.
Things have changed with the evolution of computers. Now within a very few days after the candidate has taken the exam the FCC will post the new call sign of those who have passed their test. The FCC has changed the rules so now all that is required to control an amateur station in the US is to be named in the FCC amateur license data base.
The United States has agreements with some other countries to allow US amateurs operating privileges in their country while the US allows their amateurs to operate in the US. These agreements are called reciprocal agreements. So an alien from a country with reciprocal operating authorization is also allows individual operating privileges.
The FCC only has jurisdiction in the United States and its territories. An amateur radio license issued by the FCC allows the holder to operate from wherever the Amateur Radio Service is regulated by the FCC or where reciprocal agreements are in place. Remember when operating in another country their rules apply so know them.
Most other radio services are assigned a specific frequency or set of frequencies called channels. The amateur radio service is allotted bands of frequencies. Because of the international nature of radio waves these bands are coordinated on an International level by the International Telecommunications Union. The ITU are the one who actually determine what frequencies or band of frequencies may be used by which radio services.
To obtain your ham radio license it is necessary that you know where these amateur bands are located on the radio spectrum chart. I know of no other way to be ready for the test other then memories those frequencies.
The ITU has broken the world up into 3 Regions. Each region has amateur bands that do not exactly correspond with the other regions. The United States is located in Region 2. So all of these bands listed are applicable to Region 2 and authorized bands for Technician class hams to operate.
6 –Meter is 50.0 – 54.00 MHz.
2-Meters is 144.0 - 148.0 MHz
1.25-Meter is 222.0 - 225.0 MHz
70-centimeter is 420.0 - 450.0 MHz
33-centimeter is 902 - 928 MHz
23-centimeter is 1240 - 1300 MHz
13-centimeter is 2300 - 2310 MHz and 2390 - 2450 MHz
Some bands are shared with other radio services and the Amateur radio service is considered secondary user by the FCC. That means Amateurs are allowed to use the frequency band only if they do not cause harmful interference to primary users. 23-centimeter band is one of these shared bands so if an amateur station is operating FM phone on the 23-cm band and learn that the transmitted signals are interfering with a radiolocation station outside the US then the ham station must stop operating or take steps to eliminate this harmful interference.
Now if two amateur radio stations want to use the same frequency at the same time both station operators have an equal right to operate on the frequency. The normal operating practice is first come first served.
1. T1C01
What is required before you can control an amateur station in the US?
A. You must hold an FCC restricted operator's permit for a
licensed radio station
B. You must submit an FCC Form 605 with a license examination fee
C. You must be named in the FCC amateur license database, or be an alien with reciprocal operating authorization
D. The FCC must issue you a Certificate of Successful Completion
of Amateur Training
~~
2. T1C02
Where does a US amateur license allow you to transmit?
A. From anywhere in the world
B. From wherever the Amateur Radio Service is regulated by the FCC or where reciprocal agreements are in place
C. From a country that shares a third party agreement with the US
D. Only from the mailing address printed on your license
~~
3. T1C03
Under what conditions are amateur stations allowed to communicate with stations operating in other radio services?
A. When other radio services make contact with amateur stations
B. When authorized by the FCC
C. When communicating with stations in the Family Radio Service
D. When commercial broadcast stations are off the air
~~
4. T1C04
Which frequency is within the 6-meter band?
A. 49.00 MHz
B. 52.525 MHz
C. 28.50 MHz
D. 222.15 MHz
~~
5. T1C05
Which amateur band are you using when transmitting on 146.52 MHz?
A. 2 meter band
B. 20 meter band
C. 14 meter band
D. 6 meter band
~~
6. T1C06
Which 70-centimeter frequency is authorized to a Technician class license holder operating in ITU Region 2?
A. 455.350 MHz
B. 146.520 MHz
C. 443.350 MHz
D. 222.520 MHz
~~
7. T1C07
Which 23 centimeter frequency is authorized to a Technician class license holder operating in ITU Region 2?
A. 2315 MHz
B. 1296 MHz
C. 3390 MHz
D. 146.52 MHz
~~
8. T1C08
What amateur band are you using if you are operating on 223.50 MHz?
A. 15 meter band
B. 10 meter band
C. 2 meter band
D. 1.25 meter band
~~
9. T1C09
What do the FCC rules mean when an amateur frequency band is said to be available on a secondary basis?
A. Secondary users of a frequency have equal rights to operate
B. Amateurs are only allowed to use the frequency at night
C. Amateurs may not cause harmful interference to primary users
D. Secondary users are not allowed on amateur bands
~~
10. T1C10
When may a US amateur operator communicate with an amateur in a foreign country?
A. Only when a third-party agreement exists between the US and the foreign country
B. At any time except between 146.52 and 146.58 MHz
C. Only when a foreign amateur uses English
D. At any time unless prohibited by either government
~~
11. T1C11
Which of the following types of communications are not permitted in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Brief transmissions to make adjustments to the station
B. Brief transmissions to establish two-way communications with other stations
C. Transmissions to assist persons learning or improving
proficiency in CW
D. Communications on a regular basis that could reasonably be furnished alternatively through other radio services
Answers: C, B, B, B, A, C, B, D, C, D, D
A FCC license data base search can be done at: http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp Search by entering your last name first then a comma and your first name. When you are in the system your call sign will be displayed.
LESSON 4
The station license, correct name and address on file,
license term, renewals, grace period
The VE exam questions and correct answers are word for word the question and answer found in the quiz section of these lessons. Originally the questions, answers, and distracters were all exactly the same even the order in which they were given was the same. That allowed an applicant to memorize questions and answers without even knowing what they were really saying.
For example of a question from the pool that I think is kind of…, well I don’t think I am going to finish that thought. The question is T1D01 “Which of the following services are issued an operator station license by the FCC?” The distracters are: “ A. Family Radio Service B. Amateur Radio Service C. General Radiotelephone Service D. The Citizens Radio Service.” The answer is B. Originally if you just learned T1D01 is B you could get it right if that question appeared on your test.
The VE teams are now allowed to change the distracters as well as the letter which is the correct answer.
Another thought about taking the exam using the above question. You might look at the answers and think Family Radio Service might be correct because there are Family Radio Stations in the Broadcast Radio service but those are Family Radio Stations not Family Radio Service. There is a Family Radio Service available under FCC rules but no license is issued. The FCC no longer issues licenses Citizen Band 27 MHz. The only correct answer is Amateur Radio Service, that probably does not shock you because remember what the test is for, and even if you might think other answers might be correct there is only one correct answer to this question.
There are questions that have more then one correct answer but they will give a group option like “all of the above are correct” or “Answers A and B are correct”. Don’t just mark the first correct answer you see; read them all because if A and B are both correct marking A or B will be incorrect.
Another big change that has come into existence in the past few years is the authorization of who can obtain a license in the United States. Remember your opinion or my opinion has no bearing on the proper answer. It is only the FCC’s opinion that counts when taking the exam because it is the Federal Communications Commission who issues amateur radio license. Anyone except a representative of a foreign government may obtain an amateur radio license in the United States. There is no age limit. If you are old enough to answer the questions and you pass the test then you qualify.
The amateur radio licenses issued now have a normal term of 10 years. Thus if you do not upgrade, change mailing address, or make some other change that would require modifying your license you will not have to do anything but renew in the time period not more then 90 days before expiration 10 years after it was issued. So if your license would expire on January 1, 2008 you can not renew it before October 3, 2007.
The FCC requires the station licensee keep the correct mailing address in the Universal Licensing System database so they can use that address in the event they need to contact you by mail which is almost the only way they will attempt to contact you. Not changing your address could result in suspension or revocation of your amateur license.
If you forget to renew your license and it expires you must discontinue transmitting until you have been able to renew and that renewal can be seen in the FCC data base. You do have two years to renew after expiration without retesting but if the expiration date is more then two years old it is necessary to start all over just as if you had never had an amateur radio license.
A great advantage of the VE program is when you take the test you know at that time whether or not you passed. Passing the test does not and again let me emphasize does not allow you to transmit on the ham bands. It is not until your name with the information about your call sign appears in the FCC data base that you are allowed to transmit on the ham bands.
It makes sense if you think about it. If you don’t have a valid amateur radio call sign then you have no way to identify your station and you will not have a valid call sign until the FCC issues it. Neither the VE team giving the test nor the VEC they represent can issue an amateur radio license. Only the FCC can issue a valid license in the United States of America.
1. T1D01
Which of the following services are issued an operator station license by the FCC?
A. Family Radio Service
B. Amateur Radio Service
C. General Radiotelephone Service
D. The Citizens Radio Service
~~
2. T1D02
Who can become an amateur licensee in the US?
A. Anyone except a representative of a foreign government
B. Only a citizen of the United States
C. Anyone except an employee of the US government
D. Anyone
~~
3. T1D03
What is the minimum age required to hold an amateur license?
A. 14 years or older
B. 18 years or older
C. 70 years or younger
D. There is no minimum age requirement
~~
4. T1D04
What government agency grants your amateur radio license?
A. The Department of Defense
B. The Bureau of Public Communications
C. The Department of Commerce
D. The Federal Communications Commission
~~
5. T1D05
How soon may you transmit after passing the required examination elements for your first amateur radio license?
A. Immediately
B. 30 days after the test date
C. As soon as your license grant appears in the FCC's ULS database
D. As soon as you receive your license in the mail from the FCC
~~
6. T1D06
What is the normal term for an amateur station license grant?
A. 5 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years
D. For the lifetime of the licensee
~~
7. T1D07
What is the grace period during which the FCC will renew an
expired 10-year license without re-examination?
A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 10 years
D. There is no grace period
~~
8. T1D08
What is your responsibility as a station licensee?
A. You must allow another amateur to operate your station upon request
B. You must be present whenever the station is operated
C. You must notify the FCC if another amateur acts as the control operator
D. Your station must be operated in accordance with the FCC rules
~~
9. T1D09
When may the FCC revoke or suspend a license if the mailing
address of the holder is not current with the FCC?
A. If mail is returned to the FCC as undeliverable
B. When the licensee transmits without having updated the address
C. When the licensee operates portable at a different address
D. If the address is not updated within the 2 year grace period
~~
10. T1D10
The FCC requires which address to be kept up to date on the
Universal Licensing System database?
A. The station location address
B. The station licensee mailing address
C. The station location address and mailing address
D. The station transmitting location address
~~
11. T1D11
When are you permitted to continue to transmit if you forget to renew your amateur license and it expires?
A. Transmitting is not allowed until the license is renewed and appears on the FCC ULS database
B. When you identify using the suffix EXP
C. When you notify the FCC you intend to renew within 90 days
D. Transmitting is allowed any time during the 2-year grace period
~~
12. T1D12
Why must an Amateur radio operator have a correct name and mailing address on file with the FCC?
A. To receive mail delivery from the FCC by the United States Postal Service
B. So the FCC Field office can contact the licensee
C. It isn't required when you haven't operated your station in a year
D. So the FCC can locate your transmitting location
Answers: B A D D C C A D A B A A
license term, renewals, grace period
The VE exam questions and correct answers are word for word the question and answer found in the quiz section of these lessons. Originally the questions, answers, and distracters were all exactly the same even the order in which they were given was the same. That allowed an applicant to memorize questions and answers without even knowing what they were really saying.
For example of a question from the pool that I think is kind of…, well I don’t think I am going to finish that thought. The question is T1D01 “Which of the following services are issued an operator station license by the FCC?” The distracters are: “ A. Family Radio Service B. Amateur Radio Service C. General Radiotelephone Service D. The Citizens Radio Service.” The answer is B. Originally if you just learned T1D01 is B you could get it right if that question appeared on your test.
The VE teams are now allowed to change the distracters as well as the letter which is the correct answer.
Another thought about taking the exam using the above question. You might look at the answers and think Family Radio Service might be correct because there are Family Radio Stations in the Broadcast Radio service but those are Family Radio Stations not Family Radio Service. There is a Family Radio Service available under FCC rules but no license is issued. The FCC no longer issues licenses Citizen Band 27 MHz. The only correct answer is Amateur Radio Service, that probably does not shock you because remember what the test is for, and even if you might think other answers might be correct there is only one correct answer to this question.
There are questions that have more then one correct answer but they will give a group option like “all of the above are correct” or “Answers A and B are correct”. Don’t just mark the first correct answer you see; read them all because if A and B are both correct marking A or B will be incorrect.
Another big change that has come into existence in the past few years is the authorization of who can obtain a license in the United States. Remember your opinion or my opinion has no bearing on the proper answer. It is only the FCC’s opinion that counts when taking the exam because it is the Federal Communications Commission who issues amateur radio license. Anyone except a representative of a foreign government may obtain an amateur radio license in the United States. There is no age limit. If you are old enough to answer the questions and you pass the test then you qualify.
The amateur radio licenses issued now have a normal term of 10 years. Thus if you do not upgrade, change mailing address, or make some other change that would require modifying your license you will not have to do anything but renew in the time period not more then 90 days before expiration 10 years after it was issued. So if your license would expire on January 1, 2008 you can not renew it before October 3, 2007.
The FCC requires the station licensee keep the correct mailing address in the Universal Licensing System database so they can use that address in the event they need to contact you by mail which is almost the only way they will attempt to contact you. Not changing your address could result in suspension or revocation of your amateur license.
If you forget to renew your license and it expires you must discontinue transmitting until you have been able to renew and that renewal can be seen in the FCC data base. You do have two years to renew after expiration without retesting but if the expiration date is more then two years old it is necessary to start all over just as if you had never had an amateur radio license.
A great advantage of the VE program is when you take the test you know at that time whether or not you passed. Passing the test does not and again let me emphasize does not allow you to transmit on the ham bands. It is not until your name with the information about your call sign appears in the FCC data base that you are allowed to transmit on the ham bands.
It makes sense if you think about it. If you don’t have a valid amateur radio call sign then you have no way to identify your station and you will not have a valid call sign until the FCC issues it. Neither the VE team giving the test nor the VEC they represent can issue an amateur radio license. Only the FCC can issue a valid license in the United States of America.
1. T1D01
Which of the following services are issued an operator station license by the FCC?
A. Family Radio Service
B. Amateur Radio Service
C. General Radiotelephone Service
D. The Citizens Radio Service
~~
2. T1D02
Who can become an amateur licensee in the US?
A. Anyone except a representative of a foreign government
B. Only a citizen of the United States
C. Anyone except an employee of the US government
D. Anyone
~~
3. T1D03
What is the minimum age required to hold an amateur license?
A. 14 years or older
B. 18 years or older
C. 70 years or younger
D. There is no minimum age requirement
~~
4. T1D04
What government agency grants your amateur radio license?
A. The Department of Defense
B. The Bureau of Public Communications
C. The Department of Commerce
D. The Federal Communications Commission
~~
5. T1D05
How soon may you transmit after passing the required examination elements for your first amateur radio license?
A. Immediately
B. 30 days after the test date
C. As soon as your license grant appears in the FCC's ULS database
D. As soon as you receive your license in the mail from the FCC
~~
6. T1D06
What is the normal term for an amateur station license grant?
A. 5 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years
D. For the lifetime of the licensee
~~
7. T1D07
What is the grace period during which the FCC will renew an
expired 10-year license without re-examination?
A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 10 years
D. There is no grace period
~~
8. T1D08
What is your responsibility as a station licensee?
A. You must allow another amateur to operate your station upon request
B. You must be present whenever the station is operated
C. You must notify the FCC if another amateur acts as the control operator
D. Your station must be operated in accordance with the FCC rules
~~
9. T1D09
When may the FCC revoke or suspend a license if the mailing
address of the holder is not current with the FCC?
A. If mail is returned to the FCC as undeliverable
B. When the licensee transmits without having updated the address
C. When the licensee operates portable at a different address
D. If the address is not updated within the 2 year grace period
~~
10. T1D10
The FCC requires which address to be kept up to date on the
Universal Licensing System database?
A. The station location address
B. The station licensee mailing address
C. The station location address and mailing address
D. The station transmitting location address
~~
11. T1D11
When are you permitted to continue to transmit if you forget to renew your amateur license and it expires?
A. Transmitting is not allowed until the license is renewed and appears on the FCC ULS database
B. When you identify using the suffix EXP
C. When you notify the FCC you intend to renew within 90 days
D. Transmitting is allowed any time during the 2-year grace period
~~
12. T1D12
Why must an Amateur radio operator have a correct name and mailing address on file with the FCC?
A. To receive mail delivery from the FCC by the United States Postal Service
B. So the FCC Field office can contact the licensee
C. It isn't required when you haven't operated your station in a year
D. So the FCC can locate your transmitting location
Answers: B A D D C C A D A B A A
LESSON 5
Prohibited communications: music, broadcasting, codes and
ciphers, business use, permissible communications, bulletins, code
practice, incidental music
When a radio transmitter sends out a signal it can be for several intended purposes.
Most of the signals sent in the amateur radio bands are for the purpose of being heard by one or more licensed hams who are expected to respond to that transmission when it is complete. That type of activity is known as two way radio communication and is what most people think of when the term ham radio is used but there are other types of radio transmissions allowed by ham radio operators.
Amateur radio transmissions can be used to control a model aircraft, boat, car or some other device. When using amateur frequencies for radio control models it is not necessary to transmit a radio station identifying. Normally an amateur radio station must identify every 10 minutes during communications and at the end of each communications. The only other time when an amateur station is not required to identify itself during a transmission is when that signal is sent from a space station.
The transmission of codes or cipher used to hide the meaning of messages transmitted is forbidden on the ham bands with two exceptions. The two exceptions are when these codes or ciphers are used to transmitted control commands to a space stations or radio controlled craft.
There are short hand expressions and abbreviations commonly used which are understood in the ham community and that do not fall within the above prohibition. These will be discussed in a later lesson.
So sense most of us will never operate a station from space in general we could say if you are not using your transmitter as a means to control a radio controlled model then you must identify by giving the call letters of the transmitting station. The same could be said about codes or ciphers used to hide the meaning of a message being transmitted.
Though this will not appear on the test this might be a good time to mention, if you are use to the slang and terms used on the CB radio frequencies they are not the same as those used on the ham bands. Most of these expressions will not be well received by other hams.
When transmitting it is the responsibility of the control operator to protect what is being transmitted. With only one exception music is not allowed to be transmitted on an amateur radio station. When operation CW (Morse code) ambient sounds will not be transmitted but when you are using a mike you must be sure that there is no music in the back ground that can be picked up by the mike and transmitted. Do not operate where the TV, radio, or any other source of music can be heard. If that music is transmitted even in very low level it is a violation of FCC regulations.
As was mentioned earlier there is one exception to the music transmission prohibition. The FCC has authorized some amateur radio stations to rebroadcast to space shuttle communications. Sometimes, such as wake up call, music is sent to the space shuttle. The transmission of music is not prohibited when it is incidental to an authorized rebroadcast of space shuttle communications.
While speaking of background sounds the mike must also be out of the hearing range of indecent and obscene language. While music has one exception the prohibition of indecent and obscene language has no exception.
False or deceptive transmissions are never permitted on the ham bands. Do not send a distress or emergency message unless there is an actual distress or emergency. I have personally had the privilege of assisting the FCC to send a ham to a long prison term for transmitting a false distress signal.
Transmissions intended for reception by the general public, either direct or relayed is called broadcasting. Broadcasting on an amateur radio station is prohibited by FCC regulations.
There are some one way communications to a specific group such as code practice transmissions that are permitted. If you are planning to make such transmissions be sure to check with part 97 of the FCC regulations to see if your type is permitted.
A few of the regulations may seem a little ambiguous and different people see them differently. The distinction between an illegally compensated transmission and a legitimate use of the ham bands can sometimes be in this category. There is nothing like an amateur radio repeater where someone thinks that another ham is abusing these regulations to start an interesting discussion.
Some repeaters have a telephone interconnect called an autopatch that allows the repeater to be used to make telephone calls. These have started a few arguments as to which calls are legal and which are not.
It is legal to call your family, it is legal to call a friend, and it is legal to call for a tow truck if your car breaks down on the road. A call to your employer requesting directions to a customer's office or calling to order a pizza is not legal. Fortunately the common use of cell phones today has reduced the questionable use of autopatches but other uses of the amateur bands for compensation can still be in question to some.
It is legal to use your ham radio to tell others about a piece of amateur radio equipment you have for sale or trade on an occasional basis. Receiving any compensation for a transmission whether it is monetary or material is permitted by the FCC only when in accordance with part 97 rules. And for the most part that is never.
Part 97.113 of the FCC rules and regulations covers prohibited transmissions and I strongly encourage, before you go on the air, you to obtain a copy of part 97 and read it. You can find them and down load them at: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/cfr/1998/47cfr97.pdf .
Even for me to tell others about these lessons using the amateur bands is not legal because of the ad found on this page. Others hams can go on the air and tell or talk about it but I can not.
1. T2A01
When is an amateur station authorized to transmit information to the general public?
A. Never
B. Only when the operator is being paid
C. Only when the transmission lasts more than 10 minutes
D. Only when the transmission lasts longer than 15 minutes
~~
2. T2A02
When is an amateur station authorized to transmit music?
A. Amateurs may not transmit music, except as incidental to an authorized rebroadcast of space shuttle communications
B. Only when the music produces no spurious emissions
C. Only to interfere with an illegal transmission
D. Only when the music is above 1280 MHz
~~
3. T2A03
When is the transmission of codes or ciphers allowed to hide the meaning of a message transmitted by an amateur station?
A. Only during contests
B. Only when operating mobile
C. Only when transmitting control commands to space stations or radio control craft
D. Only when frequencies above 1280 MHz are used
~~
4. T2A04
When may an amateur station transmit false or deceptive signals?
A. Never
B. When operating a beacon transmitter in a "fox hunt" exercise
C. Only when making unidentified transmissions
D. When needed to hide the meaning of a message for secrecy
~~
5. T2A05
When may an amateur station transmit unidentified communications?
A. Only during brief tests not meant as messages
B. Only when they do not interfere with others
C. Only when sent from a space station or to control a model craft
D. Only during two-way or third party communications
~~
6. T2A06
What does the term broadcasting mean?
A. Transmissions intended for reception by the general public, either direct or relayed
B. Retransmission by automatic means of programs or signals from non-amateur stations
C. One-way radio communications, regardless of purpose or content
D. One-way or two-way radio communications between two or more stations
~~
7. T2A07
Which of the following are specifically prohibited in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Discussion of politics
B. Discussion of programs on broadcast stations
C. Indecent and obscene language
D. Morse code practice
~~
8. T2A08
Which of the following one-way communications may not be
transmitted in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Telecommand of model craft
B. Broadcasts intended for reception by the general public
C. Brief transmissions to make adjustments to the station
D. Morse code practice
~~
9. T2A09
When does the FCC allow an amateur radio station to be used as a method of communication for hire or material compensation?
A. Only when making test transmissions
B. Only when news is being broadcast in times of emergency
C. Only when in accordance with part 97 rules
D. Only when your employer is using amateur radio to broadcast advertising
~~
10. T2A10
What type of communications are prohibited when using a repeater autopatch?
A. Calls to a recorded weather report
B. Calls to your employer requesting directions to a customer's office
C. Calls to the police reporting a traffic accident
D. Calls to a public utility reporting an outage of your telephone
~~
11. T2A11
When may you use your station to tell people about equipment you have for sale?
A. Never
B. When you are conducting an on-line auction
C. When you are offering amateur radio equipment for sale or trade on an occasional basis
D. When you are helping a recognized charity
~~
Answers: A A C A C A C B C B C
ciphers, business use, permissible communications, bulletins, code
practice, incidental music
When a radio transmitter sends out a signal it can be for several intended purposes.
Most of the signals sent in the amateur radio bands are for the purpose of being heard by one or more licensed hams who are expected to respond to that transmission when it is complete. That type of activity is known as two way radio communication and is what most people think of when the term ham radio is used but there are other types of radio transmissions allowed by ham radio operators.
Amateur radio transmissions can be used to control a model aircraft, boat, car or some other device. When using amateur frequencies for radio control models it is not necessary to transmit a radio station identifying. Normally an amateur radio station must identify every 10 minutes during communications and at the end of each communications. The only other time when an amateur station is not required to identify itself during a transmission is when that signal is sent from a space station.
The transmission of codes or cipher used to hide the meaning of messages transmitted is forbidden on the ham bands with two exceptions. The two exceptions are when these codes or ciphers are used to transmitted control commands to a space stations or radio controlled craft.
There are short hand expressions and abbreviations commonly used which are understood in the ham community and that do not fall within the above prohibition. These will be discussed in a later lesson.
So sense most of us will never operate a station from space in general we could say if you are not using your transmitter as a means to control a radio controlled model then you must identify by giving the call letters of the transmitting station. The same could be said about codes or ciphers used to hide the meaning of a message being transmitted.
Though this will not appear on the test this might be a good time to mention, if you are use to the slang and terms used on the CB radio frequencies they are not the same as those used on the ham bands. Most of these expressions will not be well received by other hams.
When transmitting it is the responsibility of the control operator to protect what is being transmitted. With only one exception music is not allowed to be transmitted on an amateur radio station. When operation CW (Morse code) ambient sounds will not be transmitted but when you are using a mike you must be sure that there is no music in the back ground that can be picked up by the mike and transmitted. Do not operate where the TV, radio, or any other source of music can be heard. If that music is transmitted even in very low level it is a violation of FCC regulations.
As was mentioned earlier there is one exception to the music transmission prohibition. The FCC has authorized some amateur radio stations to rebroadcast to space shuttle communications. Sometimes, such as wake up call, music is sent to the space shuttle. The transmission of music is not prohibited when it is incidental to an authorized rebroadcast of space shuttle communications.
While speaking of background sounds the mike must also be out of the hearing range of indecent and obscene language. While music has one exception the prohibition of indecent and obscene language has no exception.
False or deceptive transmissions are never permitted on the ham bands. Do not send a distress or emergency message unless there is an actual distress or emergency. I have personally had the privilege of assisting the FCC to send a ham to a long prison term for transmitting a false distress signal.
Transmissions intended for reception by the general public, either direct or relayed is called broadcasting. Broadcasting on an amateur radio station is prohibited by FCC regulations.
There are some one way communications to a specific group such as code practice transmissions that are permitted. If you are planning to make such transmissions be sure to check with part 97 of the FCC regulations to see if your type is permitted.
A few of the regulations may seem a little ambiguous and different people see them differently. The distinction between an illegally compensated transmission and a legitimate use of the ham bands can sometimes be in this category. There is nothing like an amateur radio repeater where someone thinks that another ham is abusing these regulations to start an interesting discussion.
Some repeaters have a telephone interconnect called an autopatch that allows the repeater to be used to make telephone calls. These have started a few arguments as to which calls are legal and which are not.
It is legal to call your family, it is legal to call a friend, and it is legal to call for a tow truck if your car breaks down on the road. A call to your employer requesting directions to a customer's office or calling to order a pizza is not legal. Fortunately the common use of cell phones today has reduced the questionable use of autopatches but other uses of the amateur bands for compensation can still be in question to some.
It is legal to use your ham radio to tell others about a piece of amateur radio equipment you have for sale or trade on an occasional basis. Receiving any compensation for a transmission whether it is monetary or material is permitted by the FCC only when in accordance with part 97 rules. And for the most part that is never.
Part 97.113 of the FCC rules and regulations covers prohibited transmissions and I strongly encourage, before you go on the air, you to obtain a copy of part 97 and read it. You can find them and down load them at: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/cfr/1998/47cfr97.pdf .
Even for me to tell others about these lessons using the amateur bands is not legal because of the ad found on this page. Others hams can go on the air and tell or talk about it but I can not.
1. T2A01
When is an amateur station authorized to transmit information to the general public?
A. Never
B. Only when the operator is being paid
C. Only when the transmission lasts more than 10 minutes
D. Only when the transmission lasts longer than 15 minutes
~~
2. T2A02
When is an amateur station authorized to transmit music?
A. Amateurs may not transmit music, except as incidental to an authorized rebroadcast of space shuttle communications
B. Only when the music produces no spurious emissions
C. Only to interfere with an illegal transmission
D. Only when the music is above 1280 MHz
~~
3. T2A03
When is the transmission of codes or ciphers allowed to hide the meaning of a message transmitted by an amateur station?
A. Only during contests
B. Only when operating mobile
C. Only when transmitting control commands to space stations or radio control craft
D. Only when frequencies above 1280 MHz are used
~~
4. T2A04
When may an amateur station transmit false or deceptive signals?
A. Never
B. When operating a beacon transmitter in a "fox hunt" exercise
C. Only when making unidentified transmissions
D. When needed to hide the meaning of a message for secrecy
~~
5. T2A05
When may an amateur station transmit unidentified communications?
A. Only during brief tests not meant as messages
B. Only when they do not interfere with others
C. Only when sent from a space station or to control a model craft
D. Only during two-way or third party communications
~~
6. T2A06
What does the term broadcasting mean?
A. Transmissions intended for reception by the general public, either direct or relayed
B. Retransmission by automatic means of programs or signals from non-amateur stations
C. One-way radio communications, regardless of purpose or content
D. One-way or two-way radio communications between two or more stations
~~
7. T2A07
Which of the following are specifically prohibited in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Discussion of politics
B. Discussion of programs on broadcast stations
C. Indecent and obscene language
D. Morse code practice
~~
8. T2A08
Which of the following one-way communications may not be
transmitted in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Telecommand of model craft
B. Broadcasts intended for reception by the general public
C. Brief transmissions to make adjustments to the station
D. Morse code practice
~~
9. T2A09
When does the FCC allow an amateur radio station to be used as a method of communication for hire or material compensation?
A. Only when making test transmissions
B. Only when news is being broadcast in times of emergency
C. Only when in accordance with part 97 rules
D. Only when your employer is using amateur radio to broadcast advertising
~~
10. T2A10
What type of communications are prohibited when using a repeater autopatch?
A. Calls to a recorded weather report
B. Calls to your employer requesting directions to a customer's office
C. Calls to the police reporting a traffic accident
D. Calls to a public utility reporting an outage of your telephone
~~
11. T2A11
When may you use your station to tell people about equipment you have for sale?
A. Never
B. When you are conducting an on-line auction
C. When you are offering amateur radio equipment for sale or trade on an occasional basis
D. When you are helping a recognized charity
~~
Answers: A A C A C A C B C B C
LESSON 6
Basic identification requirements, repeater ID standards,
identification for non-voice modes, identification requirements
for mobile and portable operation
When you pass your test for the technician class amateur radio license you will receive a CSCE signed by the VEs. This can only be used if you try to upgrade before your license arrives. It is proof that you have completed element 2. The CSCE does not authorize you to go on the air. For one obvious reason is you will not have a valid call sign to identify your station. If you continue to watch the FCC register your name and new call sign will appear a few days after you took the test. Only then are you allowed to be the control operator of an amateur radio station.
If you already have a call sign and upgrade to General class or Extra class the CSCE does give you authorization to use the new upgraded privileges. When using the upgraded provisions, if using CW (Morse code), you send your call sign followed by “/AG” if the upgrade is to general and “/AE” if extra class upgrade has been achieved. For voice you merely say your call sign followed by AG or AE which means Authorized General or Authorized Extra. So if I were a technician class and upgraded to general the station identification for my station when using the general class privileges would be WA6OHP/AG on CW or WA6OHP AG on voice. If my up grade was from general to extra my station identification would then be WA6OHP/AE if using CW and WA6OHP AE if using voice in the extra portion of the amateur band.
The AG (/AG) or AE (/AE) tags are not necessary when operating within the limits of your presently held license. They are only necessary when you are using your newly acquired privileges and the FCC has not yet upgraded your station class in the registry.
If an amateur radio operator with a General Class license or higher should desire to use your station and operate with other then Technician Class privileges it is legal only if properly identified. This is done by first giving the station call from which the operation is taking place followed by the call sign of the operator using the station.
With the two exceptions mentioned in the last lesson an amateur radio transmission must be identified with the call sign of the transmitting station. This identification is given at least every 10 minutes of operation and at the end of your communications.
When an amateur radio station sends even short transmissions with no identifications they are called unidentified communications or signals. If they do not meet the two exemptions they could also be called illegal transmissions.
When identifying your station even if you are communicating with another ham speaking a language other then English your station identifications must be in English.
Normally stations will identify by giving the call sign of the station they are speaking to and say “this is” and give their call sign. On CW the words “this is” is replaced by the letters “de”. The call sign of the other station is no longer required but it is still common practice to do such.
Frequently amateurs become involved in aiding special events like marathons, long distance bike runs, or some other similar event. During these events there may be operations or stations which can be difficult to keep track of who is operating the amateur radio station at that location. Sometimes the operators at these station can change so in order to keep track each activity may be assigned special identifier called “Tactical ID”. There may be a judge’s stand, 4 aid stations, and a sweep rider. So a call may go something like this, “sweep rider this is aid station 3” with the answer, “aid station 3 this is sweep rider”. FCC call signs must be given at least once every hour.
When using self-assigned identifiers or tactical ID the indicator must not conflict with an indicator specified by FCC rules or with a prefix assigned to another country. So Field Three can not be shortened to F3 because F3 is the prefix of some French stations.
Something we have not discussed yet is the repeater station. Last lesson it was mentioned that they might contain an autopatch and there may be some who wondered, “What is a repeater?” I hope it did not case any confusion and if it did I am sorry.
When operating on VHF and UHF bands the communication range, especially of a mobile, can be very limited. Range can be extended by raising the height of the antenna of either one or both stations. If a mobile station is talking to another mobile station the ability to raise the height of the antenna is very limited. There are Amateur radio stations placed where they can take advantage of a high structure such as a water tower, tall building, or TV transmitting tower. Some of these stations are placed on mountain tops. These stations receive incoming signals on one frequency and retransmit it on another frequency. So a mobile twenty five miles north of the repeater site could talk to another mobile station 25 miles south of the repeater site. The range of the communications through the repeater would be 50 miles which is far beyond the range normally expected without the use of a repeater.
Just as with any other station these stations must be identified with their call sign. A repeater station can identify by phone (voice) using the English language, by video image conforming to applicable standards, or By Morse code at a speed not to exceed 20 words per minute.
1. T2B01
What must you transmit to identify your amateur station?
A. Your tactical ID
B. Your call sign
C. Your first name and your location
D. Your full name
~~
2. T2B02
What is a transmission called that does not contain station identification?
A. Unidentified communications or signals
B. Reluctance modulation
C. Test emission
D. Intentional interference
~~
3. T2B03
How often must an amateur station transmit the assigned call sign?
A. At the beginning of each transmission and every 10 minutes during communication
B. Every 10 minutes during communications and at the end of each communication
C. At the end of each transmission
D. Only at the end of the communication
~~
4. T2B04
What is an acceptable method of transmitting a repeater station identification?
A. By phone using the English language
B. By video image conforming to applicable standards
C. By Morse code at a speed not to exceed 20 words per minute
D. All of these answers are correct.
~~
5. T2B05
What identification is required when two amateur stations end communications?
A. No identification is required
B. One of the stations must transmit both stations' call signs
C. Each station must transmit its own call sign
D. Both stations must transmit both call signs
~~
6. T2B06
What is the longest period of time an amateur station can operate without transmitting its call sign?
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes
~~
7. T2B07
What is a permissible way to identify your station when you are speaking to another amateur operator using a language other than English?
A. You must identify using the official version of the foreign language
B. Identification is not required when using other languages
C. You must identify using the English language
D. You must identify using phonetics
~~
8. T2B08
How often must you identify using your assigned call sign when operating while using a special event call sign?
A. Every 10 minutes
B. Once when the event begins and once when it concludes
C. Never
D. Once per hour
~~
9. T2B09
What is required when using one or more self-assigned indicators with your assigned call sign?
A. The indicator must not conflict with an indicator specified by FCC rules or with a prefix assigned to another country
B. The indicator must consist only of numeric digits
C. The indicator must include the 2-letter abbreviation for your state
D. The indicator must be separated from your call sign by a
double slash mark
~~
10. T2B10
What is the correct way to identify when visiting a station if you hold a higher class license than that of the station licensee and you are using a frequency not authorized to his class of license?
A. Send your call sign first, followed by his call sign
B. Send his call sign first, followed by your call sign
C. Send your call sign only, his is not required
D. Send his call sign followed by "/KT"
~~
11. T2B11
When exercising the operating privileges earned by examination upgrade of a license what is meant by use of the indicator "/AG"?
A. Authorized General
B. Adjunct General
C. Address as General
D. Automatically General
Answers: B A B D C B C D A B A
-----------------------------------
identification for non-voice modes, identification requirements
for mobile and portable operation
When you pass your test for the technician class amateur radio license you will receive a CSCE signed by the VEs. This can only be used if you try to upgrade before your license arrives. It is proof that you have completed element 2. The CSCE does not authorize you to go on the air. For one obvious reason is you will not have a valid call sign to identify your station. If you continue to watch the FCC register your name and new call sign will appear a few days after you took the test. Only then are you allowed to be the control operator of an amateur radio station.
If you already have a call sign and upgrade to General class or Extra class the CSCE does give you authorization to use the new upgraded privileges. When using the upgraded provisions, if using CW (Morse code), you send your call sign followed by “/AG” if the upgrade is to general and “/AE” if extra class upgrade has been achieved. For voice you merely say your call sign followed by AG or AE which means Authorized General or Authorized Extra. So if I were a technician class and upgraded to general the station identification for my station when using the general class privileges would be WA6OHP/AG on CW or WA6OHP AG on voice. If my up grade was from general to extra my station identification would then be WA6OHP/AE if using CW and WA6OHP AE if using voice in the extra portion of the amateur band.
The AG (/AG) or AE (/AE) tags are not necessary when operating within the limits of your presently held license. They are only necessary when you are using your newly acquired privileges and the FCC has not yet upgraded your station class in the registry.
If an amateur radio operator with a General Class license or higher should desire to use your station and operate with other then Technician Class privileges it is legal only if properly identified. This is done by first giving the station call from which the operation is taking place followed by the call sign of the operator using the station.
With the two exceptions mentioned in the last lesson an amateur radio transmission must be identified with the call sign of the transmitting station. This identification is given at least every 10 minutes of operation and at the end of your communications.
When an amateur radio station sends even short transmissions with no identifications they are called unidentified communications or signals. If they do not meet the two exemptions they could also be called illegal transmissions.
When identifying your station even if you are communicating with another ham speaking a language other then English your station identifications must be in English.
Normally stations will identify by giving the call sign of the station they are speaking to and say “this is” and give their call sign. On CW the words “this is” is replaced by the letters “de”. The call sign of the other station is no longer required but it is still common practice to do such.
Frequently amateurs become involved in aiding special events like marathons, long distance bike runs, or some other similar event. During these events there may be operations or stations which can be difficult to keep track of who is operating the amateur radio station at that location. Sometimes the operators at these station can change so in order to keep track each activity may be assigned special identifier called “Tactical ID”. There may be a judge’s stand, 4 aid stations, and a sweep rider. So a call may go something like this, “sweep rider this is aid station 3” with the answer, “aid station 3 this is sweep rider”. FCC call signs must be given at least once every hour.
When using self-assigned identifiers or tactical ID the indicator must not conflict with an indicator specified by FCC rules or with a prefix assigned to another country. So Field Three can not be shortened to F3 because F3 is the prefix of some French stations.
Something we have not discussed yet is the repeater station. Last lesson it was mentioned that they might contain an autopatch and there may be some who wondered, “What is a repeater?” I hope it did not case any confusion and if it did I am sorry.
When operating on VHF and UHF bands the communication range, especially of a mobile, can be very limited. Range can be extended by raising the height of the antenna of either one or both stations. If a mobile station is talking to another mobile station the ability to raise the height of the antenna is very limited. There are Amateur radio stations placed where they can take advantage of a high structure such as a water tower, tall building, or TV transmitting tower. Some of these stations are placed on mountain tops. These stations receive incoming signals on one frequency and retransmit it on another frequency. So a mobile twenty five miles north of the repeater site could talk to another mobile station 25 miles south of the repeater site. The range of the communications through the repeater would be 50 miles which is far beyond the range normally expected without the use of a repeater.
Just as with any other station these stations must be identified with their call sign. A repeater station can identify by phone (voice) using the English language, by video image conforming to applicable standards, or By Morse code at a speed not to exceed 20 words per minute.
1. T2B01
What must you transmit to identify your amateur station?
A. Your tactical ID
B. Your call sign
C. Your first name and your location
D. Your full name
~~
2. T2B02
What is a transmission called that does not contain station identification?
A. Unidentified communications or signals
B. Reluctance modulation
C. Test emission
D. Intentional interference
~~
3. T2B03
How often must an amateur station transmit the assigned call sign?
A. At the beginning of each transmission and every 10 minutes during communication
B. Every 10 minutes during communications and at the end of each communication
C. At the end of each transmission
D. Only at the end of the communication
~~
4. T2B04
What is an acceptable method of transmitting a repeater station identification?
A. By phone using the English language
B. By video image conforming to applicable standards
C. By Morse code at a speed not to exceed 20 words per minute
D. All of these answers are correct.
~~
5. T2B05
What identification is required when two amateur stations end communications?
A. No identification is required
B. One of the stations must transmit both stations' call signs
C. Each station must transmit its own call sign
D. Both stations must transmit both call signs
~~
6. T2B06
What is the longest period of time an amateur station can operate without transmitting its call sign?
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes
~~
7. T2B07
What is a permissible way to identify your station when you are speaking to another amateur operator using a language other than English?
A. You must identify using the official version of the foreign language
B. Identification is not required when using other languages
C. You must identify using the English language
D. You must identify using phonetics
~~
8. T2B08
How often must you identify using your assigned call sign when operating while using a special event call sign?
A. Every 10 minutes
B. Once when the event begins and once when it concludes
C. Never
D. Once per hour
~~
9. T2B09
What is required when using one or more self-assigned indicators with your assigned call sign?
A. The indicator must not conflict with an indicator specified by FCC rules or with a prefix assigned to another country
B. The indicator must consist only of numeric digits
C. The indicator must include the 2-letter abbreviation for your state
D. The indicator must be separated from your call sign by a
double slash mark
~~
10. T2B10
What is the correct way to identify when visiting a station if you hold a higher class license than that of the station licensee and you are using a frequency not authorized to his class of license?
A. Send your call sign first, followed by his call sign
B. Send his call sign first, followed by your call sign
C. Send your call sign only, his is not required
D. Send his call sign followed by "/KT"
~~
11. T2B11
When exercising the operating privileges earned by examination upgrade of a license what is meant by use of the indicator "/AG"?
A. Authorized General
B. Adjunct General
C. Address as General
D. Automatically General
Answers: B A B D C B C D A B A
-----------------------------------
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