HAM General Questions 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following amateur radio contacts qualifies for DXCC credit?
- A contact with a station in a different US state
- A contact with a station in a separate DXCC entity at least 350 km away (Correct answer)
- Any two-way contact confirmed with a QSL card
- A contact made using a satellite transponder
Correct answer: A contact with a station in a separate DXCC entity at least 350 km away
DXCC credit requires confirmed two-way contact with a station in a separate, recognized DXCC entity as defined by ARRL rules.
Question 2: What type of amateur license examination is administered by a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC)?
- Only Technician class exams
- Only Extra class exams
- Technician, General, and Amateur Extra class exams (Correct answer)
- Only upgrade exams from General to Extra
Correct answer: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra class exams
VECs coordinate the administration of all three classes of amateur radio exams: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra.
Question 3: What is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)?
- An FCC enforcement unit for emergency band monitoring
- An ARRL-organized group of licensed amateurs registered for emergency communications (Correct answer)
- A FEMA program using ham radio for disaster relief
- A federal mandate requiring all hams to serve in emergencies
Correct answer: An ARRL-organized group of licensed amateurs registered for emergency communications
ARES is an ARRL program where licensed amateur operators register to provide emergency communications support during disasters.
Question 4: What privilege does an Amateur Extra class license provide that a General class license does not?
- The ability to operate digital modes
- Access to all amateur frequency allocations including Extra-only sub-bands (Correct answer)
- Permission to use more than 1500 watts PEP
- The right to build and sell amateur equipment
Correct answer: Access to all amateur frequency allocations including Extra-only sub-bands
Amateur Extra licensees have access to all US amateur allocations, including exclusive phone and CW sub-bands not available to General class.
Question 5: What is the function of the National Traffic System (NTS) in amateur radio?
- Coordinating repeater frequencies nationwide
- Relaying formal written messages across the country using a structured net system (Correct answer)
- Providing emergency power to repeaters during outages
- Monitoring interference complaints for the FCC
Correct answer: Relaying formal written messages across the country using a structured net system
The NTS is an ARRL-sponsored system of nets that efficiently routes formal written messages (radiograms) across the country.
Question 6: Which of the following correctly describes 'split operation' during a DX pileup?
- Transmitting and receiving on the same frequency alternately
- Transmitting on one frequency while listening on a different frequency (Correct answer)
- Using two separate radios simultaneously for duplex operation
- Operating with reduced power to avoid interference
Correct answer: Transmitting on one frequency while listening on a different frequency
Split operation means the DX station transmits on one frequency and listens on a different (often spread) frequency to manage pileups efficiently.
Question 7: What document serves as the primary reference for FCC rules governing amateur radio in the United States?
- The ARRL Handbook
- Title 47 CFR Part 97 (Correct answer)
- The ITU Radio Regulations
- The National Electrical Code
Correct answer: Title 47 CFR Part 97
Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 97, contains all FCC rules governing the Amateur Radio Service in the US.
HAM General Questions 5
Which of the following amateur radio contacts qualifies for DXCC credit?