Ham Radio Technician Test Equipment & Tools Usage 4

Question 1

What is the advantage of using a PL-259 connector with silver plating instead of a nickel-plated version for HF applications?

Accepted Answer

Silver has lower resistance and better RF conductivity than nickel at HF frequencies

Answer

Silver plating increases the connector's weight for stability

Answer

Silver coating prevents the connector from being used above 30 MHz

Answer

Nickel plating is only suitable for UHF use

Question 2

A technician notices the receive audio on a mobile radio is distorted only at high volume. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The audio amplifier is being driven into clipping or the speaker is damaged

Answer

Antenna SWR is too high

Answer

The squelch threshold is set too low

Answer

The operating frequency is off by 600 Hz

Question 3

What does an RF power meter read when the antenna feedline is open (disconnected at the antenna end)?

Accepted Answer

Full forward power and full reflected power (SWR infinite)

Answer

Zero watts forward, zero reflected

Answer

Half forward power and half reflected

Answer

Normal forward power and no reflected

Question 4

Which type of feedline generally has the lowest loss per 100 feet at VHF frequencies?

Accepted Answer

LMR-400 or equivalent low-loss coax

Answer

RG-58 coax

Answer

RG-8X coax

Answer

Standard TV twin-lead (300 ohm)

Question 5

When using a keyer paddle for CW, what does the 'iambic' mode allow the operator to do?

Accepted Answer

Squeeze both paddles to automatically alternate dots and dashes

Answer

Send voice and CW simultaneously

Answer

Lock the keyer into straight-key mode

Answer

Increase transmit power during fast sending

Question 6

What is the correct way to use a field strength meter during antenna installation?

Accepted Answer

Hold it at a fixed distance and compare relative readings as you adjust the antenna

Answer

Connect it in series with the feedline to measure SWR

Answer

Attach it directly to the transmitter output to calibrate power

Answer

Use it only indoors to avoid external RF interference

Question 7

What is the purpose of the automatic level control (ALC) circuit in a transceiver?

Accepted Answer

It limits the transmitter drive to prevent overdrive and distortion of the final amplifier

Answer

It automatically selects the best operating frequency

Answer

It adjusts the squelch based on band conditions

Answer

It increases receiver sensitivity during weak signal conditions