ARRL Amateur Radio Technician License Examination — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Under FCC Part 97, what is one of the stated purposes of the amateur radio service?

Military communications support
Emergency services only
Self-training, intercommunication, and technical investigation (Correct answer)
Commercial broadcasting

Correct answer: Self-training, intercommunication, and technical investigation

FCC Part 97.1 defines amateur radio purposes including self-training, intercommunication, and technical investigations by licensed operators.

Question 2: What natural phenomenon causes aurora propagation, and on which bands does it typically occur?

Solar wind particles exciting the aurora borealis, most effective on VHF bands like 6 and 2 meters (Correct answer)
Meteor showers causing E-layer ionization effective on 10 meters
Solar flares ionizing the F2 layer, most effective on 40 meters
Geomagnetic calm periods enhancing F2 propagation on 15 meters

Correct answer: Solar wind particles exciting the aurora borealis, most effective on VHF bands like 6 and 2 meters

Aurora propagation is caused by charged solar wind particles exciting the aurora borealis (and australis), which reflects VHF signals; it is most commonly worked on the 6-meter and 2-meter bands with a distinctive buzzy signal quality.

Question 3: The K-index is a measure used in amateur radio propagation forecasting. What does a high K-index (K=5 or above) indicate?

High solar flux improving F2-layer ionization
Excellent HF propagation conditions with low absorption
Favorable sporadic-E conditions on VHF bands
Increased geomagnetic storm activity likely disrupting HF propagation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Increased geomagnetic storm activity likely disrupting HF propagation

A K-index of 5 or above indicates a geomagnetic storm, which disturbs the ionosphere and typically degrades or disrupts HF propagation, especially at higher latitudes.

Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a 'resolution' section in a narrative about overcoming interference on a contest weekend?

To recommend new FCC regulations
To list all contacts made during the interference
To blame the source of the interference
To show how the problem was solved and what was learned (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To show how the problem was solved and what was learned

The resolution section closes the narrative arc by demonstrating the outcome and any lessons learned, giving the story satisfying closure.

Question 5: What does the ARRL's 'Get On The Air' (GOTA) initiative primarily aim to achieve?

Promote satellite operation
Introduce new people to amateur radio at public events (Correct answer)
Encourage CW proficiency
Train operators for DXpeditions

Correct answer: Introduce new people to amateur radio at public events

GOTA stations at events like Field Day allow newcomers and unlicensed individuals to experience amateur radio firsthand under licensed supervision.

Question 6: What international organization does the ARRL work with to protect amateur radio interests globally?

The United Nations
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) (Correct answer)
The World Trade Organization
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Correct answer: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

The ARRL works closely with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to protect amateur radio interests on a global scale. The ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for coordinating global telecommunication networks and services, including the allocation of radio spectrum worldwide, making it a crucial partner for international advocacy.

Question 7: According to ARRL informational texts, what is required before transmitting in the 60-meter (5 MHz) amateur band?

USB voice or specific digital modes only; no CW or AM (Correct answer)
A special secondary license endorsement
A minimum of General class license and a directional antenna
Prior coordination with FEMA

Correct answer: USB voice or specific digital modes only; no CW or AM

The 60-meter band has unique restrictions including USB voice and specific digital modes; CW and AM are not permitted.

Question 8: What is 'third-party traffic' in amateur radio?

Interference caused by a non-amateur transmitter
Communications on behalf of a person who is not a licensed amateur (Correct answer)
Messages passed between two relay repeaters
Emergency traffic handed off to a third net

Correct answer: Communications on behalf of a person who is not a licensed amateur

Third-party traffic refers to messages transmitted by an amateur on behalf of a non-amateur (the third party), which is subject to restrictions with certain countries.

Question 9: What is transequatorial propagation (TEP) and when does it typically occur?

Propagation across the equator via F2 layer around local noon on the highest HF bands
A ground wave mode effective only near the geographic equator
An F-layer mode most active near the equinoxes in the late afternoon on upper HF/low VHF bands (Correct answer)
Propagation along the magnetic equator via the E layer during winter months

Correct answer: An F-layer mode most active near the equinoxes in the late afternoon on upper HF/low VHF bands

TEP is a special F-layer mode where signals cross the magnetic equator; it peaks around the equinoxes in the late afternoon hours and can support contacts on 10 meters, 6 meters, and occasionally 2 meters over very long paths.

Question 10: When describing a complex antenna installation for a general ham radio audience, the writer should:

Balance technical accuracy with accessible language and analogies (Correct answer)
Omit technical details entirely to avoid confusion
Assume no readers have any radio knowledge
Use all technical jargon without explanation

Correct answer: Balance technical accuracy with accessible language and analogies

Effective technical narratives balance accuracy with accessibility by using analogies and defining jargon to serve both novice and experienced readers.

Question 11: What is the purpose of an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between an ARES group and a served agency?

To establish payment terms for volunteer operator services
To formally define the scope, expectations, and responsibilities of both the ARES group and the served agency (Correct answer)
To transfer radio equipment ownership to the served agency
To grant ARES operators FCC emergency licenses

Correct answer: To formally define the scope, expectations, and responsibilities of both the ARES group and the served agency

An MOU clarifies exactly what communications services ARES will provide, under what conditions, and what the served agency is responsible for, preventing misunderstandings during activations.

Question 12: What is multipath propagation and how does it affect received signals?

Propagation via multiple ionospheric layers simultaneously without interference
A signal reaching the receiver via multiple routes, causing fading or distortion (Correct answer)
A technique for splitting one signal into multiple frequency paths
The use of multiple antennas to enhance signal strength

Correct answer: A signal reaching the receiver via multiple routes, causing fading or distortion

Multipath propagation occurs when a signal travels via two or more different paths and arrives at the receiver slightly out of phase, causing fading, distortion, or cancellation of the received signal.

Question 13: What is the frequency range of the 40-meter amateur HF band?

3.5–4.0 MHz
7.0–7.3 MHz (Correct answer)
14.0–14.35 MHz
10.1–10.15 MHz

Correct answer: 7.0–7.3 MHz

The 40-meter amateur band covers 7.0–7.3 MHz and is popular for regional and continental daytime and nighttime communication.

Question 14: When testifying before a local planning board about antenna installations, what should an amateur operator emphasize first?

The public safety and emergency communications value amateur radio provides (Correct answer)
The cost of their equipment
The historical significance of radio
The technical specifications of their equipment

Correct answer: The public safety and emergency communications value amateur radio provides

Emphasizing public safety and emergency communications value immediately establishes a community benefit that planning boards find compelling.

Question 15: What is the most widely used weak-signal digital mode on HF amateur radio bands as of recent years?

RTTY
FT8 (Correct answer)
Packet radio
PSK31

Correct answer: FT8

FT8 has become the most popular weak-signal digital mode on HF, capable of making contacts at very low signal levels invisible to human ears.

Question 16: Which ARRL publication serves as the primary resource for operators seeking to understand FCC regulations affecting amateur radio?

The ARRL Handbook
The ARRL Regulatory Information page and associated publications (Correct answer)
CQ magazine
QST magazine

Correct answer: The ARRL Regulatory Information page and associated publications

ARRL's Regulatory Information resources provide up-to-date guidance on FCC rules, proceedings, and regulatory changes affecting amateur radio.

Question 17: What does ARRL stand for?

American Radio Relay League (Correct answer)
Amateur Radio Research Laboratory
Amateur Radio Relay Law
American Regulatory Radio League

Correct answer: American Radio Relay League

ARRL stands for the American Radio Relay League, the national association for amateur radio in the United States, founded in 1914.

Question 18: Why should emergency communicators avoid using 10-codes or agency-specific jargon on amateur radio nets?

10-codes slow down message traffic compared to voice
Amateur radio equipment cannot decode 10-codes without special firmware
10-codes vary by agency and region, causing confusion; plain language is required under NIMS (Correct answer)
FCC regulations prohibit use of 10-codes by amateur operators

Correct answer: 10-codes vary by agency and region, causing confusion; plain language is required under NIMS

NIMS mandates plain language in emergency communications because 10-codes differ between agencies and regions, creating dangerous misunderstandings during multi-agency responses.

Question 19: The ARRL Handbook discusses 'Q' (quality factor) of resonant circuits. What does a high Q value indicate when analyzing a filter's performance?

The filter requires higher supply voltage to operate
Q has no relationship to filter selectivity
The filter has a narrow bandwidth relative to its resonant frequency and low losses (Correct answer)
The filter passes a wide range of frequencies equally

Correct answer: The filter has a narrow bandwidth relative to its resonant frequency and low losses

A high Q factor indicates a resonant circuit with narrow bandwidth and low energy loss, resulting in greater selectivity.

Question 20: What does 'SSB' stand for in amateur radio voice communication?

Short Skip Band
Single Signal Beam
Single Sideband (Correct answer)
Standard Signal Broadcast

Correct answer: Single Sideband

SSB stands for Single Sideband, a form of amplitude modulation that suppresses one sideband and the carrier for efficient voice transmission.

Question 21: Why is anecdotal evidence generally considered weaker than statistical evidence in evaluating media claims?

Statistics are easier to fabricate than personal stories
Anecdotal evidence is illegal to cite in journalism
Anecdotes are always fabricated
Individual stories may not represent the broader population or pattern (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Individual stories may not represent the broader population or pattern

A single personal story can be genuine yet still be an outlier that doesn't reflect the typical experience, making it unreliable for drawing broad conclusions.

Question 22: What is an amateur radio 'repeater'?

An antenna system that amplifies received signals
A software logging feature
An automated station that receives and retransmits signals to extend range (Correct answer)
A device that stores messages for retransmission later

Correct answer: An automated station that receives and retransmits signals to extend range

A repeater is an automated amateur radio station that simultaneously receives on one frequency and retransmits on another to extend the range of mobile and portable stations.

Question 23: How does a major geomagnetic storm generally affect HF radio propagation?

It disrupts the ionosphere, causing HF blackouts and increased absorption especially at high latitudes (Correct answer)
It has no effect on HF propagation but enhances VHF propagation
It improves F2-layer propagation for all bands above 14 MHz
It lowers the MUF, making lower HF bands more reliable

Correct answer: It disrupts the ionosphere, causing HF blackouts and increased absorption especially at high latitudes

Geomagnetic storms, caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), disrupt the ionosphere and dramatically increase absorption, often causing HF radio blackouts that are worst at high latitudes.

Question 24: What does the Q-code 'QTH' refer to?

Signal strength report
Time of transmission
Your location or station address (Correct answer)
Quality of audio

Correct answer: Your location or station address

QTH stands for the location or address of the transmitting station, commonly used when exchanging location information.

Question 25: What organization typically sponsors public service communication at events like marathons and parades in the US?

The FCC regional office
Local ARRL-affiliated amateur radio clubs through ARES or RACES (Correct answer)
The Department of Homeland Security ham radio division
The National Weather Service volunteer observer network

Correct answer: Local ARRL-affiliated amateur radio clubs through ARES or RACES

ARRL-affiliated clubs, often through ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) or RACES, provide communication support at public events like marathons and parades.

ARRL Amateur Radio Technician License Examination

The ARRL Technician Class exam is the entry-level US amateur radio license test, covering FCC regulations, operating procedures, radio wave propagation, basic electronics, and station safety. Candidates must answer at least 26 of 35 questions correctly to earn their license.

Questions

30 min

Time Limit

74%

To Pass

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