Equipment & Tools Usage Flashcards
7 cards from real Ham Radio Technician Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Equipment & Tools Usage flashcards as text
What test equipment would you use to verify that a newly built low-pass filter is suppressing harmonics above 30 MHz?
Answer: Spectrum analyzer with a tracking generator or a network analyzer
A spectrum analyzer (with tracking generator) or network analyzer can sweep the filter's frequency response to confirm attenuation at harmonic frequencies.
Why is it important to ground the outer shield of a coaxial cable at the point where it enters a building?
Answer: To protect against lightning-induced surges and reduce RF interference entering the shack
Bonding the coax shield to a grounding electrode at the building entry point diverts lightning energy to ground before it can travel to equipment inside.
What is the function of a bias-T in an antenna system?
Answer: It allows DC power to be fed through a coaxial cable to power remote devices such as preamps
A bias-T injects DC voltage onto the center conductor of coax so a remote preamplifier or active antenna can be powered through the feedline.
An operator notices their received audio has a 60 Hz hum. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
Answer: A ground loop or inadequate filtering in the power supply is coupling AC hum into the audio chain
Sixty-Hz hum almost always traces to power-supply ripple or a ground loop where different equipment grounds differ in potential, modulating audio with AC frequency.
What is the purpose of ferrite beads or a common-mode choke on a feedline near the transmitter?
Answer: To suppress common-mode RF current flowing on the outside of the coax shield
Common-mode chokes (ferrite beads or wound coax) present high impedance to RF currents traveling on the coax shield's exterior, preventing them from entering the shack.
When installing a mobile VHF/UHF antenna on a vehicle, what is the purpose of making a good DC ground connection to the vehicle chassis?
Answer: To provide an RF ground plane that improves antenna performance and reduces noise
The vehicle chassis acts as the antenna's ground plane; a solid RF bond between the antenna mount and chassis ensures efficient radiation and minimizes noise pickup.
What tool is used to properly install BNC and N-type crimp connectors onto coaxial cable?
Answer: A coaxial crimp tool matched to the connector size
Crimp connectors require a crimp tool with the correct die size to deform the ferrule uniformly around the braid, creating a reliable mechanical and electrical connection.