CBT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CBT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the primary function of a radome on a broadcast antenna? → To protect the antenna from environmental elements
2. A broadcast station receives a Required Weekly Test (RWT) of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). What is the station's primary obligation regarding this test? → Log the receipt of the test.
3. Which parameter describes the ratio of reflected wave voltage to incident wave voltage on a transmission line? → Voltage Reflection Coefficient (Γ)
4. Which U.S. federal agency regulates RF exposure limits in broadcast environments? → FCC
5. When two FM stations on the same frequency are co-located, what minimum carrier-to-interference ratio is generally required to protect the desired signal? → 30 dB
6. According to Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL), what is the relationship of currents at a junction (or node) in a circuit? → The total current leaving a junction is equal to the total current entering it.
7. What should be the first step when diagnosing a broadcast equipment failure? → Observe symptoms and gather information
8. What is the purpose of a PSIP (Program and System Information Protocol) in ATSC broadcasting? → To provide channel guide, time, and virtual channel data to receivers
9. What is the primary purpose of a Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) license as defined by the FCC? → To relay broadcast signals between points, such as from a remote location to the studio.
10. What modulation technique does ATSC 1.0 use for terrestrial broadcast transmission? → 8-VSB
11. Which of the following is a primary purpose of the OSHA Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard (29 CFR 1910.147)? → To prevent the unexpected startup or release of stored energy during equipment servicing.
12. What is the primary danger of high RF fields in broadcast environments? → Tissue heating and potential health risks
13. What is the function of a video delay line (time delay unit) in broadcast operations? → Delays the program signal by a fixed time for compliance or profanity filtering purposes
14. What is the result of connecting resistors in series? → Total resistance increases
15. What is the standard characteristic impedance of most coaxial transmission lines used in broadcast RF systems? → 50 ohms
16. A technician measures 120V across a circuit and 1.5A of current flowing through it. Using Ohm's Law, what is the resistance of the circuit? → 80 Ohms
17. What is the function of a conditional access (CA) system in digital broadcasting? → Encrypts content so only authorized subscribers can decrypt and view it
18. Which type of antenna is most commonly used for omnidirectional FM broadcast coverage? → Circularly polarized panel antenna or batwing antenna
19. What is a likely cause of low power output from a transmitter? → Damaged output connector
20. What is the primary function of a circulator in a high-power broadcast transmitter output stage? → To protect the transmitter PA from damage caused by high reflected power
21. What is the function of a transmitter in a broadcast system? → Converts signals into RF for broadcasting
22. Which component ensures continuous power to a studio during outages? → UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
23. In a broadcast facility, three resistors with values of 100Ω, 200Ω, and 300Ω are connected in series. What is the total resistance of this combination? → 600Ω
24. Which of the following electronic components is primarily used to amplify signals or act as an electronic switch? → Transistor
25. What is the purpose of the MPEG-2 transport stream null packet (PID 0x1FFF)? → Fills unused bandwidth to maintain constant bit rate
26. Which audio measurement unit is standardized for normalizing broadcast audio levels by taking into account human perception of loudness over time? → LUFS
27. What frame rate and scan format is designated as 1080i/59.94 in broadcast production? → 1080 lines, interlaced, 59.94 fields per second
28. What is the maximum data rate of a single ATSC 1.0 6 MHz broadcast channel? → 19.39 Mbps
29. What does Ohm’s Law state? → Voltage equals current times resistance
30. What is the primary function of a diode in an electronic circuit? → To allow current to flow in only one direction.