Ham Radio General Class Test FCC Rules and Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FCC rules, what is the maximum power a General class licensee may use on the 75-meter phone band?
- 100 watts PEP
- 500 watts PEP
- 1500 watts PEP (Correct answer)
- 200 watts PEP
Correct answer: 1500 watts PEP
General class licensees are permitted the full 1500 watts PEP on HF bands including 75 meters where they have phone privileges.
Question 2: Which FCC rule part governs amateur radio service operations in the United States?
- Part 15
- Part 73
- Part 97 (Correct answer)
- Part 25
Correct answer: Part 97
FCC Part 97 contains all the rules and regulations governing the Amateur Radio Service in the United States.
Question 3: A General class licensee wants to operate on 14.200 MHz SSB. What must they ensure regarding their transmitted signal?
- The signal must not exceed 3 kHz bandwidth
- The signal must remain within the General class frequency privileges for that band (Correct answer)
- The carrier must be suppressed by at least 40 dB
- The audio must be filtered to 300 Hz – 3 kHz
Correct answer: The signal must remain within the General class frequency privileges for that band
Operators must always transmit within the frequency privileges granted by their license class; for 20 meters, General class phone privileges begin at 14.225 MHz, so 14.200 MHz is not permitted.
Question 4: What is the FCC's definition of 'harmful interference' in the amateur radio context?
- Any signal that causes noise on a neighboring frequency
- Interference that degrades, obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts a radio communication (Correct answer)
- Interference exceeding –100 dBm at the victim receiver
- Any unintentional emission outside the amateur bands
Correct answer: Interference that degrades, obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts a radio communication
The FCC defines harmful interference as interference that degrades, obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts the operation of a radio communication service.
Question 5: Under what circumstances may a licensed amateur transmit music over the air?
- When incidental to an authorized phone emission
- When the music is royalty-free
- Never under any circumstances (Correct answer)
- Only during special event stations
Correct answer: Never under any circumstances
FCC Part 97 prohibits amateur stations from transmitting music, with the only narrow exception being incidental music from space stations.
Question 6: What is required when an amateur station transmits a one-way broadcast intended for the general public?
- FCC approval must be obtained in advance
- The transmission is prohibited regardless of content (Correct answer)
- The transmission is allowed if it is informational only
- A special temporary authorization (STA) is required
Correct answer: The transmission is prohibited regardless of content
Amateur stations may not engage in broadcasting — one-way transmissions intended for the general public are prohibited by Part 97.
Question 7: A General class licensee is operating a remote station via the internet. Who is responsible for ensuring the station complies with FCC rules?
- The internet service provider hosting the link
- The control operator who is remotely operating it (Correct answer)
- The trustee of the club station license
- The station licensee only, not the control operator
Correct answer: The control operator who is remotely operating it
The control operator is always responsible for the proper operation of the amateur station, whether operating locally or via remote control.
Ham Radio General Class Test FCC Rules and Regulations 2
Under FCC rules, what is the maximum power a General class licensee may use on the 75-meter phone band?