Amateur Radio Question Pools

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Technician Class Question Pool

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T9A01
What is a beam antenna?

An antenna built from metal I-beams
An antenna that transmits and receives equally well in all directions
An antenna that concentrates signals in one direction
An antenna that reverses the phase of received signals
T9A02
What is an antenna that consists of a single element mounted perpendicular to the Earth's surface?

A conical monopole
A horizontal antenna
A vertical antenna
A traveling wave antenna
T9A03
What type of antenna is a simple dipole mounted so the elements are parallel to the Earth's surface?

A ground wave antenna
A horizontal antenna
A rhombic antenna
A vertical antenna
T9A04
What is a disadvantage of the "rubber duck" antenna supplied with most hand held radio transceivers?

It does not transmit or receive as effectively as a full sized antenna
It is much more expensive than a standard antenna
If the rubber end cap is lost it will unravel very quickly
It transmits a circular polarized signal
T9A05
How does the physical size of half-wave dipole antenna change with operating frequency?

It becomes longer as the frequency increases
It must be made larger because it has to handle more power
It becomes shorter as the frequency increases
It becomes shorter as the frequency decreases
T9A06
What is the advantage of 5/8 wavelength over 1/4 wavelength vertical antennas?

They are easier to match to the feed line than other types
Their radiation pattern concentrates energy at lower angles
They pick up less noise
Their radiation pattern concentrates energy at higher angles
T9A07
What is the primary purpose of a dummy load?

It does not radiate interfering signals when making tests
It will prevent over-modulation of your transmitter
It keeps you from making mistakes while on the air
It is used for close in work to prevent overloads
T9A08
What type of antennas are the quad, Yagi, and dish?

Antennas invented after 1985
Loop antennas
Directional or beam antennas
Antennas that are not permitted for amateur radio stations
T9A09
What is one type of antenna that offers good efficiency when operating mobile and can be easily installed or removed?

A microwave antenna
A quad antenna
A traveling wave antenna
A magnet mount vertical antenna
T9A10
What is a good reason not to use a "rubber duck" antenna inside your car?

Signals can be 10 to 20 times weaker than when you are outside of the vehicle
RF energy trapped inside the vehicle can distort your signal
You might cause a fire in the vehicle upholstery
The SWR might increase
T9A11
What is the approximate length, in inches, of a quarter-wavelength vertical antenna for 146 MHz?

112 inches
50 inches
19 inches
12 inches
T9A12
What is the approximate length, in inches, of a 6-meter 1/2 wavelength wire dipole antenna?

6 inches
50 inches
112 inches
236 inches
T9B01
Why are VHF/UHF signals not normally heard over long distances?

They are too weak to go very far
FCC regulations prohibit them from going more than 50 miles
VHF and UHF signals are usually not reflected by the ionosphere
They collide with trees and shrubbery and fade out
T9B02
What might be happening when we hear a VHF signal from long distances?

Signals are being reflected from outer space
Someone is playing a recording to us
Signals are being reflected by lightning storms in our area
A possible cause is sporadic E reflection from a layer in the ionosphere
T9B03
What is the most likely cause of sudden bursts of tones or fragments of different conversations that interfere with VHF or UHF signals?

The batteries in your transceiver are failing
Strong signals are overloading the receiver and causing undesired signals to be heard
The receiver is picking up low orbit satellites
A nearby broadcast station is having transmitter problems
T9B04
What is the radio horizon?

The point where radio signals between two points are blocked by the curvature of the Earth
The distance from the ground to a horizontally mounted antenna
The farthest point you can see when standing at the base of your antenna tower
The shortest distance between two points on the Earth's surface
T9B05
What should you do if a station reports that your signals were strong just a moment ago, but now they are weak or distorted?

Change the batteries in your radio to a different type
Speak more slowly so he can understand your better
Ask the other operator to adjust his squelch control
Try moving a few feet, random reflections may be causing multipath distortion.
T9B06
Why do UHF signals often work better inside of buildings than VHF signals?

VHF signals lose power faster over distance
The shorter wavelength of UHF signals allows them to more easily penetrate urban areas and buildings
This is incorrect; VHF works better than UHF inside buildings
UHF antennas are more efficient than VHF antennas
T9B07
What is a good thing to remember when using your hand-held VHF or UHF radio to reach a distant repeater?

Speak as loudly as possible to help your signal go farther
Keep your transmissions short to conserve battery power
Keep the antenna as close to vertical as you can
Turn off the CTCSS tone
T9B08
What can happen if the antennas at opposite ends of a VHF or UHF line of sight radio link are not using the same polarization?

The modulation sidebands might become inverted
Signals could be as much as 100 times weaker
Signals have an echo effect on voices
Nothing significant will happen
T9B09
What might be a way to reach a distant repeater if buildings or obstructions are blocking the direct line of sight path?

Change from vertical to horizontal polarization
Try using a directional antenna to find a path that reflects signals to the repeater
Ask the repeater owners to repair their receiver
Transmit on the repeater output frequency
T9B10
What term is commonly used to describe the rapid fluttering sound sometimes heard from mobile stations that are moving while transmitting?

Flip-flopping
Picket fencing
Frequency shifting
Pulsing
T9B11
Why do VHF and UHF Radio signals usually travel about a third farther than the visual line of sight distance between 2 stations?

Radio signals move somewhat faster than the speed of light and travel farther in the same amount of time
Radio waves are not blocked by dust particles
The Earth seems less curved to radio waves than to light
Radio waves are blocked by dust particles
T9C01
What, in general terms, is standing wave ratio (SWR)?

A measure of how well a load is matched to a transmitter
The ratio of high to low impedance in a feed line
The transmitter efficiency ratio
An indication of the quality of your station ground connection
T9C02
What reading on a SWR meter indicates a perfect impedance match between the antenna and the feed line?

2 to 1
1 to 3
1 to 1
10 to 1
T9C03
What might be indicated by erratic changes in SWR readings?

The transmitter is being modulated
A loose connection in your antenna or feed line
The transmitter is being over modulated
Interference from other stations is distorting your signal
T9C04
What is the SWR value where the protection circuits in most solid state transmitters begin to reduce transmitter power?

2 to 1
1 to 2
6 to 1
10 to 1
T9C05
What happens to the power lost in a feed line?

It increases the SWR
It comes back into your transmitter and could cause damage
It is converted into heat by losses in the line
It can cause distortion of your signal
T9C06
What instrument other than a SWR meter could you use to determine if your feedline and antenna are properly matched?

Voltmeter
Ohmmeter
Iambic pentameter
Directional wattmeter
T9C07
What is the most common reason for failure of coaxial cables?

Moisture contamination
Gamma rays
End of service life
Overloading
T9C08
Why is it important to have a low SWR in an antenna system that uses coaxial cable feedline?

To reduce television interference
To allow the efficient transfer of power and reduce losses
To prolong antenna life
To keep your signal from changing polarization
T9C09
What can happen to older coaxial cables that are exposed to weather and sunlight for several years?

Nothing, weather and sunlight do not affect coaxial cable
The cable can shrink and break
Losses can increase dramatically
It will short-circuit
T9C10
Why is the outer sheath of most coaxial cables black in color?

It is the cheapest color to use
To see nicks and cracks in the cable
Black cables have less loss
Black provides protection against ultraviolet damage
T9C11
What is the impedance of the most commonly used coaxial cable in typical amateur radio installations?

8 Ohms
50 Ohms
600 Ohms
12 Ohms
T9C12
Why is coaxial cable used more often than any other feed line for amateur radio antenna systems?

It is easy to use and requires few special installation considerations
It has less loss than any other type of feedline
It can handle more power than any other type of feedline
It is less expensive than any other types of line
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