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's higher conductivity reduces skin-effect losses in the connector, which is important even at HF where current concentrates near the conductor surface.

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

Distortion at high volume almost always indicates the audio amplifier is overdriven past its linear range or the speaker cone is physically damaged.

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

An open circuit reflects all transmitted power back toward the transmitter, so forward equals reflected and the SWR reading is effectively infinite.

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

LMR-400 and similar large-diameter, foam-dielectric coaxial cables have significantly lower attenuation per unit length than smaller RG-58 or RG-8X at VHF.

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

Iambic mode lets the operator squeeze both paddle contacts simultaneously, causing the keyer to automatically alternate between dots and dashes for efficient CW sending.

Ham Radio Technician Test Practice Test

Ham Radio Technician Test Practice Test

Ham Radio Technician Test Equipment & Tools Usage 4