Ham Radio General Class Test Amateur Radio Practices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a speech processor in an SSB transmitter?
- To reduce audio distortion
- To increase average power output by compressing audio peaks (Correct answer)
- To filter out unwanted sidebands
- To convert AM signals to SSB
Correct answer: To increase average power output by compressing audio peaks
A speech processor compresses audio peaks to increase average power, improving intelligibility without exceeding PEP limits.
Question 2: What type of amateur station is required to have a current copy of Part 97 rules?
- Only club stations
- Only repeater control stations
- Every amateur station (Correct answer)
- Only stations transmitting above 30 MHz
Correct answer: Every amateur station
FCC Part 97 requires every amateur station to have the current FCC rules (Part 97) available.
Question 3: What does the term 'third-party traffic' refer to in amateur radio?
- Messages relayed through a repeater
- Communications on behalf of someone who is not a licensed amateur (Correct answer)
- Traffic handled by three or more operators simultaneously
- Data transmitted through packet radio networks
Correct answer: Communications on behalf of someone who is not a licensed amateur
Third-party traffic is a message passed on behalf of a person who is not the control operator or their immediate family.
Question 4: Which feed line type has the lowest loss at VHF and UHF frequencies for long runs?
- RG-58 coaxial cable
- Ladder line (open wire) (Correct answer)
- RG-8 coaxial cable
- RG-174 coaxial cable
Correct answer: Ladder line (open wire)
Open-wire ladder line has much lower loss per foot than any common coaxial cable, making it superior for long VHF/UHF runs.
Question 5: What is the correct way to indicate you are listening on a frequency after calling CQ?
- Say 'over and out'
- Say 'QRZ'
- Say 'listening' or your call sign followed by 'QSK'
- Say your call sign followed by 'standing by' or 'K' (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Say your call sign followed by 'standing by' or 'K'
After calling CQ, you end the transmission with your call sign and the prosign 'K' to invite any station to respond.
Question 6: What is the maximum symbol rate permitted in the 10-meter General class phone segment?
- 300 baud
- 1200 baud
- Digital modes are not allowed on 10 meters
- No symbol rate limit applies to phone segments (Correct answer)
Correct answer: No symbol rate limit applies to phone segments
In phone sub-bands, the FCC does not specify a maximum symbol rate; the emission type restriction applies instead.
Question 7: A 'VOX' circuit in a transceiver performs what function?
- Automatically tunes the antenna
- Switches the transceiver from receive to transmit when audio is detected (Correct answer)
- Controls the volume of the received signal
- Reduces background noise on received audio
Correct answer: Switches the transceiver from receive to transmit when audio is detected
VOX (Voice Operated Transmit) automatically keys the transmitter when the operator speaks, eliminating the need to press a PTT button.
Ham Radio General Class Test Amateur Radio Practices 2
What is the purpose of a speech processor in an SSB transmitter?