ARRL Grammar Fundamentals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the Q-code 'QRM' indicate in amateur radio communication?
- Your signal is fading
- Interference from other stations (Correct answer)
- Change your frequency
- Your transmission is distorted
Correct answer: Interference from other stations
QRM specifically refers to man-made interference affecting your signal, often from other stations transmitting on or near your frequency.
Question 2: When should the procedural word 'OVER' be used during a radio contact?
- At the end of a complete transmission with no reply expected
- To indicate you are finished with the contact entirely
- To invite the other station to reply (Correct answer)
- When acknowledging receipt of a message
Correct answer: To invite the other station to reply
'OVER' signals that your transmission is complete and you are expecting a response from the other party.
Question 3: What does the Q-code 'QSY' instruct the receiving station to do?
- Increase transmitter power
- Change operating frequency (Correct answer)
- Reduce sending speed
- Stand by for traffic
Correct answer: Change operating frequency
QSY is used to request or indicate a change to a different operating frequency.
Question 4: In amateur radio tradition, what does sending or saying '73' mean?
- Message received and understood
- Best regards or best wishes (Correct answer)
- Request for signal report
- End of contact, goodbye
Correct answer: Best regards or best wishes
'73' is one of the oldest telegraph/radio abbreviations and universally means 'best regards' among amateur operators.
Question 5: What does the Q-code 'QTH' refer to?
- Signal strength report
- Your location or station address (Correct answer)
- Time of transmission
- 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 6: What is the correct use of 'BREAK BREAK' during an ongoing amateur radio contact?
- To politely join a ragchew conversation
- To indicate an emergency or urgent interruption (Correct answer)
- To request the other station repeat their message
- To signal the end of a net check-in
Correct answer: To indicate an emergency or urgent interruption
'BREAK BREAK' (said twice) signals an urgent or emergency interruption that takes priority over the current conversation.
Question 7: What does the Q-code 'QSL' mean in an amateur radio exchange?
- Please slow down your sending
- I acknowledge receipt of your transmission (Correct answer)
- What is your signal strength?
- Are you ready to receive traffic?
Correct answer: I acknowledge receipt of your transmission
QSL means 'I confirm receipt' and is widely used both on-air and as the name for the paper confirmation cards operators exchange.
ARRL Grammar Fundamentals 2
What does the Q-code 'QRM' indicate in amateur radio communication?