ARRL ARRL Operating Procedures and Bands 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'QRP' mean in amateur radio?
- Transmit at high power
- Transmit at low power (5 watts or less for CW) (Correct answer)
- Request for a radio check
- Query receiver performance
Correct answer: Transmit at low power (5 watts or less for CW)
QRP refers to low-power operation, conventionally 5 watts or less for CW and 10 watts PEP or less for voice transmissions.
Question 2: What is an amateur radio 'repeater'?
- A device that stores messages for retransmission later
- An automated station that receives and retransmits signals to extend range (Correct answer)
- An antenna system that amplifies received signals
- A software logging feature
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 3: What is 'DXing' in amateur radio?
- Transmitting at maximum legal power
- Making contact with distant stations, especially in other countries (Correct answer)
- Using only digital modes on HF
- Operating portable stations outdoors
Correct answer: Making contact with distant stations, especially in other countries
DXing refers to the amateur radio practice of making contact with distant stations, particularly those in rare or foreign locations.
Question 4: What is an amateur radio 'net'?
- An antenna array configuration
- An organized group of stations meeting on a specific frequency at a scheduled time (Correct answer)
- A digital packet network protocol
- A licensing examination session
Correct answer: An organized group of stations meeting on a specific frequency at a scheduled time
A net is an organized group of amateur radio stations that convene on a designated frequency at a scheduled time for a specific purpose.
Question 5: What does the Q-code 'QSL' mean in amateur radio?
- Can you acknowledge receipt?
- I acknowledge receipt / confirmation of communication (Correct answer)
- Shall I decrease power?
- I am experiencing interference
Correct answer: I acknowledge receipt / confirmation of communication
QSL means 'I acknowledge receipt' and in amateur radio it confirms a two-way communication, typically documented via a QSL card.
Question 6: What is the purpose of amateur radio contests (radiosport)?
- To determine FCC licensing eligibility
- To make as many contacts as possible within a specified time period (Correct answer)
- To test emergency communication infrastructure only
- To demonstrate Morse code proficiency for certification
Correct answer: To make as many contacts as possible within a specified time period
Amateur radio contests challenge operators to make the maximum number of contacts within a set timeframe, promoting operating skills and band exploration.
ARRL ARRL Operating Procedures and Bands 2
What does the term 'QRP' mean in amateur radio?