Free Ham Radio General License Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the "QRN" in the Q signal mean?
- I am troubled by static (Correct answer)
- Send more slowly
- Stop sending
- Zero beat my signal
Correct answer: I am troubled by static
The Q signal "QRN" is used as a question and stands for "noise from natural sources."
Question 2: The QRP operation is what?
- Low-power transmit operation (Correct answer)
- Transmission using Quick Response Protocol
- Traffic relay procedure net operation
- Remote piloted model control
Correct answer: Low-power transmit operation
Low power transmitting is known as QRP operation. Many people favor this style of operation because it calls for extraordinary accuracy and skill. QRP denotes a transmitter output power of no more than 5 watts for Morse code and no more than 10 watts for voice transmission. Most QRP communication takes place on HF and in Morse code.
Question 3: Which of the following represents a method of making contact with a gateway station for a digital messaging system?
- Respond when the station broadcasts its SSID
- Transmit a connect message on the station’s published frequency (Correct answer)
- Send an email to the system control operator
- Send QRL in Morse code
Correct answer: Transmit a connect message on the station’s published frequency
Simply transmit a connect message on the station's designated frequency to make contact with a gateway station for the digital messaging system.
Question 4: What results in the periodic variation of HF propagation conditions in a 26- to 28-day cycle?
- Cyclic variation in Earth’s radiation belts
- Rotation of the Sun’s surface layers around its axis (Correct answer)
- The position of the Moon in its orbit
- Long term oscillations in the upper atmosphere
Correct answer: Rotation of the Sun’s surface layers around its axis
The 26- to 28-day cycle of HF propagation conditions is caused by the spinning of the Sun's surface layers around its axis.
Question 5: What is the maximum distance on Earth's surface that can typically be traversed in one hop while using the E region?
- 12,000 miles
- 2,500 miles
- 1,200 miles (Correct answer)
- 180 miles
Correct answer: 1,200 miles
The maximum distance that may often be traversed in one hop using the E area is 1,200 miles along the surface of the Earth. The portion of the ionosphere between 90 and 150 kilometers above the surface of the Earth is referred to as the E area or Kennelly-Heaviside layer. This layer has the ability to reflect medium-frequency radio signals, especially at night when the solar wind is pulling the ionosphere farther from the Earth. The time of year and the amount of sunspot activity also have an impact on how far the E layer can send messages.
Question 6: NVIS (near vertical incidence skywave) propagation – what is it?
- Double hop propagation near the LUF
- Propagation near the MUF
- Short distance MF or HF propagation at high elevation angles (Correct answer)
- Long path HF propagation at sunrise and sunset
Correct answer: Short distance MF or HF propagation at high elevation angles
Short-range MF or HF propagation at steep elevation angles is known as near vertical incidence skywave (NVIS) propagation.
Question 7: What is an electronic keyer used for?
- Computer interface for PSK and RTTY operation
- Automatic transmit/receive switching
- To allow time for switching the antenna from the receiver to the transmitter
- Automatic generation of dots and dashes for CW operation (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Automatic generation of dots and dashes for CW operation
The automatic creation of dots and dashes for CW operation is the function of an electronic keyer.
Free Ham Radio General License Questions and Answers
What does the "QRN" in the Q signal mean?