Ham Radio General Class Test FCC Rules and Regulations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the FCC require regarding station identification when using a phone emission?
- ID must be sent in CW only at least every 10 minutes
- ID must be given in English at the beginning and end of each contact and every 10 minutes (Correct answer)
- ID may be given in any language at intervals not exceeding 30 minutes
- ID must include the licensee's full name and call sign every 15 minutes
Correct answer: ID must be given in English at the beginning and end of each contact and every 10 minutes
Part 97 requires phone stations to identify in English (or CW) at the beginning and end of contacts and at least every 10 minutes during a contact.
Question 2: Under FCC rules, what is the maximum symbol rate permitted for RTTY and data emissions below 28 MHz for General class licensees?
- 300 baud (Correct answer)
- 1200 baud
- 9600 baud
- 19200 baud
Correct answer: 300 baud
FCC Part 97 limits RTTY and data transmissions below 28 MHz to a maximum symbol rate of 300 baud.
Question 3: A General class licensee wishes to operate on 3.800 MHz SSB. Is this permitted, and why?
- Yes, because 3.800 MHz is within the General class 75-meter phone sub-band (Correct answer)
- No, because 3.800 MHz is reserved for Extra class only
- Yes, but only with less than 200 watts PEP
- No, because SSB is not allowed on 75 meters
Correct answer: Yes, because 3.800 MHz is within the General class 75-meter phone sub-band
General class licensees have phone privileges from 3.800 to 4.000 MHz on the 75/80-meter band, so 3.800 MHz is permitted.
Question 4: What is a 'third-party' in amateur radio communications under FCC rules?
- A relay station used to extend communication range
- A person who is neither the control operator nor a licensed amateur participating in the communication (Correct answer)
- Any station operating under a club license
- A foreign amateur using a reciprocal operating permit
Correct answer: A person who is neither the control operator nor a licensed amateur participating in the communication
A third party is any person on whose behalf an amateur station transmits messages, who is neither the control operator nor the station licensee.
Question 5: Which of the following accurately describes the FCC's 'no business communications' rule for amateur radio?
- Amateurs may never discuss any topic related to their profession
- Amateurs may not transmit communications intended to facilitate a business for pecuniary benefit (Correct answer)
- Amateurs may not transmit from business premises
- Amateurs may conduct business only on designated business frequencies
Correct answer: Amateurs may not transmit communications intended to facilitate a business for pecuniary benefit
Part 97 prohibits amateur transmissions that are made for the material benefit (pecuniary interest) of the operator or their employer.
Question 6: Under FCC rules, when is an amateur station permitted to use codes or ciphers to obscure the meaning of a transmission?
- When communicating with another licensed amateur
- When transmitting tactical traffic in an emergency
- Only when specifically authorized by the FCC
- Never; all amateur transmissions must be in plain language or an authorized digital mode (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Never; all amateur transmissions must be in plain language or an authorized digital mode
Part 97 prohibits the use of codes or ciphers to obscure the meaning of amateur transmissions except for certain narrow exceptions like telecommand of spacecraft.
Question 7: What action should a General class licensee take if they discover they are causing harmful interference to another station?
- Continue operating because amateurs have equal frequency rights
- Immediately cease transmitting and resolve the interference issue (Correct answer)
- Reduce power by at least 50% and continue
- Move to a frequency 5 kHz away and continue
Correct answer: Immediately cease transmitting and resolve the interference issue
Part 97 requires amateur operators to take immediate action to eliminate harmful interference they are causing to other stations.
Ham Radio General Class Test FCC Rules and Regulations 3
What does the FCC require regarding station identification when using a phone emission?