Free Ham Radio Technician III Questions And Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What are RACES and ARES similar to?

Both organizations broadcast road and weather traffic information (Correct answer)
They represent the two largest ham clubs in the United States
Neither may handle emergency traffic supporting public service agencies
Both organizations may provide communications during emergencies

Correct answer: Both organizations broadcast road and weather traffic information

RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) and ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) are both volunteer organizations composed of licensed amateur radio operators. While their primary mission is to provide emergency communications during disasters, they can also support public service events, which may include broadcasting road and weather traffic information. This type of information dissemination is a form of public service communication that both organizations are equipped to handle, especially in situations where normal communication infrastructure is compromised.

Question 2: What occurs when an FM transmitter's deviation is raised?

Its signal occupies more bandwidth (Correct answer)
Its output power increases
Its output power and bandwidth increases
Asymmetric modulation occurs

Correct answer: Its signal occupies more bandwidth

When an FM transmitter's deviation is raised, its signal occupies more bandwidth. Frequency modulation works by varying the carrier frequency in proportion to the amplitude of the modulating signal; the amount of this variation is called deviation. According to Carson's Rule, increasing the frequency deviation directly increases the range of frequencies the modulated signal spans, thus requiring a wider bandwidth for transmission.

Question 3: What happens if an FM transmitter's deviation is increased?

Its output power increases
Its signal occupies more bandwidth (Correct answer)
Asymmetric modulation occurs
Its output power and bandwidth increases

Correct answer: Its signal occupies more bandwidth

Increasing an FM transmitter's deviation causes its signal to occupy more bandwidth. Deviation refers to the maximum shift in frequency from the carrier frequency caused by the modulating signal. A larger deviation means the carrier frequency swings over a wider range, which in turn spreads the signal across a broader spectrum of frequencies, thus increasing the required bandwidth for transmission.

Question 4: What is a typical offset for repeaters in the 70 cm band?

Plus or minus 5 MHz
Plus or minus 5 MHz
Plus or minus 5 MHz (Correct answer)
Plus or minus 5 MHz

Correct answer: Plus or minus 5 MHz

A typical offset for repeaters in the 70 cm band is plus or minus 5 MHz. This offset refers to the difference between the repeater's transmit and receive frequencies. For example, if a repeater receives on 444.000 MHz, it might transmit on 449.000 MHz (+5 MHz offset) or 439.000 MHz (-5 MHz offset), allowing for full-duplex communication without the user's transmitter interfering with their own receiver.

Question 5: Which of the following is an FCC regulation governing the power levels used in amateur bands when conditions are normal and undistressed?

No more than 200 watts PEP may be used
There is no limit to power as long as there is no interference with other services
Up to 1500 watts PEP may be used on any amateur frequency without restriction
Use the least amount of power required to carry out the desired communication while not exceeding the maximum power permitted on a given band. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Use the least amount of power required to carry out the desired communication while not exceeding the maximum power permitted on a given band.

An FCC regulation governing power levels in amateur bands under normal conditions mandates using the least amount of power required to carry out the desired communication, while not exceeding the maximum power permitted on a given band. This principle, known as 'minimum power necessary,' aims to minimize interference to other users and services. While maximums like 1500 watts PEP exist for some bands, operators are always expected to use only the power needed for a reliable contact.

Question 6: What kind of command are APRS network digipeaters subject to?

Local
Automatic (Correct answer)
Remote
Manual

Correct answer: Automatic

APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) network digipeaters are subject to automatic command. Digipeaters are specialized repeaters that receive and retransmit APRS packets, extending the range of mobile and portable stations. Their operation is largely automated, configured to process and forward packets based on predefined rules and paths, without requiring constant manual intervention from an operator.

Question 7: Which of the following describes effective emergency traffic management?

Passing messages exactly as received (Correct answer)
Making decisions as to whether or not messages should be relayed or delivered
All of these choices are correct
Communicating messages to the news media for broadcast outside the disaster area

Correct answer: Passing messages exactly as received

Effective emergency traffic management in amateur radio involves passing messages exactly as received. This ensures the integrity and accuracy of critical information during emergencies, preventing misinterpretation or alteration of vital details. Operators are trained to avoid editorializing or summarizing messages, focusing instead on precise relay to maintain the original content and intent of the communication.

Question 8: What is a control point for an amateur station?

The location at which the control operator function is performed (Correct answer)
The location of the station’s transmitting antenna
The location of the station transmitting apparatus
The mailing address of the station licensee

Correct answer: The location at which the control operator function is performed

A control point for an amateur station is defined as the physical location at which the control operator function is performed. This is where the licensed amateur operator directly manipulates the station's transmitting apparatus to ensure compliance with FCC regulations. It is distinct from the station's physical location or mailing address, focusing specifically on where the operational control takes place.

Question 9: How frequently must your station transmit the station's FCC-assigned call sign when employing tactical identifiers like "Race Headquarters" during a community service net operation?

At the end of each communication and every ten minutes during a communication
Once during every hour
Never, the tactical call is sufficient
At the end of every transmission (Correct answer)

Correct answer: At the end of every transmission

When employing tactical identifiers like 'Race Headquarters' during a community service net operation, your station must transmit its FCC-assigned call sign at the end of every transmission. This regulation ensures proper station identification, even when using informal tactical calls for operational convenience. It helps maintain accountability and compliance with FCC rules regarding station identification.

Question 10: When must the licensee of the station make the facility and its documents available to the FCC for inspection?

Only when presented with a valid warrant by an FCC official or government agent
At any time ten days after notification by the FCC of such an inspection
At any time upon request by an FCC representative (Correct answer)
Only after failing to comply with an FCC notice of violation

Correct answer: At any time upon request by an FCC representative

The licensee of an amateur station must make the facility and its documents available to the FCC for inspection at any time upon request by an FCC representative. This regulation ensures that the FCC can verify compliance with all amateur radio rules and regulations. It is a condition of holding an amateur radio license, emphasizing the FCC's authority to oversee amateur operations.

Question 11: If you know another station's call sign and want to call them on a repeater, how should you do it?

Say the station’s call sign then identify with your call sign (Correct answer)
Say break, break then say the station’s call sign
Say CQ three times then the other station’s call sign
Wait for the station to call CQ then answer it

Correct answer: Say the station’s call sign then identify with your call sign

To call another station on a repeater when you know their call sign, the correct procedure is to first say the station's call sign, then identify with your own call sign. For example, 'W1ABC, this is W2XYZ.' This clearly indicates who you are trying to reach and who is initiating the call, facilitating efficient communication on the shared repeater channel.

Question 12: What method of call sign identification is required for a station transmitting phone signals?

Send the call sign using only phone emission
Send the call sign followed by the indicator R
Send the call sign followed by the indicator RPT
Send the call sign using CW or phone emission (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Send the call sign using CW or phone emission

For a station transmitting phone (voice) signals, the required method of call sign identification is to send the call sign using either CW (Morse code) or phone emission. While voice is the primary mode of communication, the FCC allows for flexibility in identification. This means you can either speak your call sign or send it in Morse code, as long as it is clearly transmitted.

Question 13: What kind of amateur station broadcasts another amateur station's signal simultaneously on a separate channel or channels?

Beacon station
Earth station
Repeater station (Correct answer)
Message forwarding station

Correct answer: Repeater station

A repeater station is a type of amateur station that broadcasts another amateur station's signal simultaneously on a separate channel or channels. Repeaters are designed to extend the communication range of amateur radio operators, especially those using lower power or operating in challenging terrain. They receive a signal on one frequency and retransmit it on another, often from a high-elevation site.

Question 14: Who is in charge of seeing that the station is run properly when the control operator is not the station licensee?

Only the station licensee
All licensed amateurs who are present at the operation
The control operator and the station licensee are equally responsible (Correct answer)
Only the control operator

Correct answer: The control operator and the station licensee are equally responsible

When the control operator is not the station licensee, both the control operator and the station licensee are equally responsible for seeing that the station is run properly. The control operator has immediate responsibility for the station's operation at the time of transmission, while the station licensee holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring the station is always operated in compliance with FCC rules.

Question 15: What does the procedural signal "CQ" mean?

A new antenna is being tested (no station should answer]
Only the called station should transmit
Calling any station (Correct answer)
Call on the quarter hour

Correct answer: Calling any station

The procedural signal 'CQ' means 'Calling any station.' It is used by an amateur radio operator to solicit a contact with any station that might be listening. When an operator transmits 'CQ,' they are indicating their availability and desire to communicate with anyone who hears and wishes to respond, rather than calling a specific station.

Question 16: Which of the following is an FCC regulation governing the power levels used in amateur bands when conditions are normal and undistressed?

Full duplex communication
Diplex communication
Simplex communication (Correct answer)
Multiplex communication

Correct answer: Simplex communication

The question asks about an FCC regulation governing power levels, but the provided correct answer is 'Simplex communication.' Simplex communication refers to a mode where communication occurs in only one direction at a time, or on a single frequency where transmit and receive happen sequentially. This answer describes a communication mode, not an FCC regulation regarding power levels, indicating a mismatch between the question and the provided correct answer.

Free Ham Radio Technician III Questions And Answers

What are RACES and ARES similar to?

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Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

arrl.org — Eligibility, passing score, renewal, retake policy, score release, score validity, test delivery, test dates, fees, retake fee · verified Oct 2026
home.arrl.org — Exam format · verified Oct 2026