Technician Licensing Class Radio wave characteristics, radio and electromagnetic properties, propagation modes T3A - T3C Valid July 1, 2014 Through June 30, 2018 Developed by Bob Bytheway, K3DIO, and slightly modified by SPARC 1

T 3 A If another operator reports that your station’s 2 meter signals were strong just a moment ago, but now they are weak or distorted, Try moving a few feet or changing the direction of your antenna if possible, as reflections may be causing multi-path distortion. T3A01 UHF signals are often more effective from inside buildings than VHF signals due to their shorter wavelength which allows them to more easily penetrate the structure of buildings. T3A02 2

T 3 A Horizontal antenna polarization is normally used for long-distance weak-signal CW and SSB contacts using the VHF and UHF bands. T3A03 Signals could be significantly weaker if the antennas at opposite ends of a VHF or UHF line of sight radio link are not using the same polarization. T3A04 3

T 3 A When buildings or obstructions are blocking a direct line of sight path to a distant repeater using a directional antenna, try to find a path that reflects signals to the repeater. T3A05 4

T 3 A The rapid fluttering sound sometimes heard from mobile stations that are moving while transmitting is called picket fencing. T3A06 An Electromagnetic wave carries radio signals between transmitting and receiving stations. T3A07 5

T 3 A Random combining of signals arriving via different paths is a likely cause of irregular fading of signals received by ionospheric reflection. T3A08 Skip signals refracted from the ionosphere are elliptically polarized and can be received with either a vertically or horizontally polarized antenna. T3A09 6

T 3 A If data signals propagate over multiple paths the error rates are likely to increase. T3A10 The ionosphere is the part of the atmosphere that enables the propagation of radio signals around the world. T3A11 7

T 3 B The name for the distance that a radio wave travels over one complete cycle is its wavelength. T3B01 8

T 3 B The orientation of the electric field of a radio wave is used to describe its polarization. T3B02 The two components of a radio wave are electric and magnetic fields. T3B03 9

T 3 B A radio wave travels through free space at the speed of light. T3B04 The wavelength of a radio wave has a relationship to its frequency in that, as the wavelength gets shorter the frequency increases. T3B05 The formula for converting frequency to approximate wavelength in meters is: F (in MHz) = 300 ÷ wavelength (in meters) Wavelength (in meters) = 300 ÷ F (MHz) T3B06 The property of radio waves is often used to identify the different frequency bands and is called its approximate wavelength. T3B07 10

T 3 B The VHF spectrum extends from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. T3B08 The UHF spectrum extends from 300 MHz to 3000 MHz. T3B09 High frequency, called HF, extends from 3 to 30 MHz. T3B10 11

T 3 B The approximate velocity of a radio wave as it travels through free space is 300 million meters per second. T3B11 12

T 3 C Due to UHF frequencies signals not usually refracted by the ionosphere, direct UHF signals are rarely heard from stations outside your local coverage area. T3C01 Signals are being refracted from a sporatic E layer when VHF signals are received from long distances. T3C02 13

T 3 C A characteristic of VHF signals received via auroral reflection exhibits rapid fluctuations of strength and often sound distorted. T3C03 Sporadic E skip is most commonly associated with occasional strong over-the-horizon signals on the 10, 6, and 2 meter bands. T3C04 14

T 3 C Knife-edge diffraction effects might cause radio signals to be heard despite obstructions between transmitting and receiving stations. T3C05 15

T 3 C Tropospheric scatter is responsible for allowing over-the-horizon VHF and UHF communications to ranges of approximately 300 miles on a regular basis. T3C06 16

T 3 C The 6 meter band is best suited for communicating via meteor scatter. T3C07 17

T 3 C Temperature inversions in the atmosphere cause tropospheric ducting. T3C08 18

T 3 C From dawn to shortly after sunset during periods of high sunspot activity is generally the best time for long-distance 10 meter band propagation via the F layer. T3C09 The Radio horizon is the distance over which two stations can communicate by direct path. T3C10 19

T 3 C VHF and UHF radio signals usually travel somewhat farther than the visual line of sight distance between two stations due to the earth seems less curved to radio waves than to light. T3C11 6 or 10 meters may provide long distance communications during the peak of the sunspot cycle. T3C12 20

Element 2 Technician Class Question Pool T 3 A – T 3 C Valid July 1, 2014 Through June 30, 2018 21

T3A01. What should you do if another operator reports that T3A01 What should you do if another operator reports that your station’s 2 meter signals were strong just a moment ago, but now they are weak or distorted? Change the batteries in your radio to a different type Turn on the CTCSS tone Ask the other operator to adjust his squelch control Try moving a few feet or changing the direction of your antenna if possible, as reflections may be causing multi-path distortion 22

T3A02. Why are UHF signals often more effective from T3A02 Why are UHF signals often more effective from inside buildings than VHF signals? VHF signals lose power faster over distance The shorter wavelength allows them to more easily penetrate the structure of buildings This is incorrect; VHF works better than UHF inside buildings UHF antennas are more efficient than VHF antennas 23

T3A03. What antenna polarization is normally used for T3A03 What antenna polarization is normally used for long-distance weak-signal CW and SSB contacts using the VHF and UHF bands? Right-hand circular Left-hand circular Horizontal Vertical 24

T3A04. What can happen if the antennas at opposite ends T3A04 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 significantly weaker Signals have an echo effect on voices Nothing significant will happen 25

T3A05. When using a directional antenna, how might your T3A05 When using a directional antenna, how might your station access a distant repeater if buildings or obstructions are blocking the direct line of sight path? Change from vertical to horizontal polarization Try to find a path that reflects signals to the repeater Try the long path Increase the antenna SWR 26

T3A06. What term is commonly used to describe the rapid T3A06 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 27

T3A07. What type of wave carries radio signals between T3A07 What type of wave carries radio signals between transmitting and receiving stations? Electromagnetic Electrostatic Surface acoustic Magnetostrictive 28

T3A08. Which of the following is a likely cause of T3A08 Which of the following is a likely cause of irregular fading of signals received by ionospheric reflection? Frequency shift due to Faraday rotation Interference from thunderstorms Random combining of signals arriving via different path lengths Intermodulation distortion 29

T3A09. Which of the following results from the fact that T3A09 Which of the following results from the fact that skip signals refracted from the ionosphere are elliptically polarized? Digital modes are unusable Either vertically or horizontally polarized antennas may be used for transmission or reception FM voice is unusable Both the transmitting and receiving antennas must be of the same polarization 30

T3A10 What may occur if data signals propagate over multiple paths? Transmission rates can be increased by a factor equal to the number of separate paths observed Transmission rates must be decreased by a factor equal to the number of separate paths observed No significant changes will occur if the signals are transmitting using FM Error rates are likely to increase 31

T3A11. Which part of the atmosphere enables the T3A11 Which part of the atmosphere enables the propagation of radio signals around the world? The stratosphere The troposphere The ionosphere The magnetosphere 32

T3B01. What is the name for the distance a radio wave T3B01 What is the name for the distance a radio wave travels during one complete cycle? Wave speed Waveform Wavelength Wave spread 33

T3B02. What property of a radio wave is used to describe T3B02 What property of a radio wave is used to describe its polarization? The orientation of the electric field The orientation of the magnetic field The ratio of the energy in the magnetic field to the energy in the electric field The ratio of the velocity to the wavelength 34

T3B03 What are the two components of a radio wave? AC and DC Voltage and current Electric and magnetic fields Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation 35

T3B04 How fast does a radio wave travel through free space? At the speed of light At the speed of sound Its speed is inversely proportional to its wavelength Its speed increases as the frequency increases 36

T3B05 How does the wavelength of a radio wave relate to its frequency? The wavelength gets longer as the frequency increases The wavelength gets shorter as the frequency increases There is no relationship between wavelength and frequency The wavelength depends on the bandwidth of the signal 37

T3B06. What is the formula for converting frequency to T3B06 What is the formula for converting frequency to approximate wavelength in meters? Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz multiplied by 300 Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz divided by 300 Wavelength in meters equals frequency in megahertz divided by 300 Wavelength in meters equals 300 divided by frequency in megahertz 38

T3B07. What property of radio waves is often used to T3B07 What property of radio waves is often used to identify the different frequency bands? The approximate wavelength The magnetic intensity of waves The time it takes for waves to travel one mile The voltage standing wave ratio of waves 39

T3B08 What are the frequency limits of the VHF spectrum? 30 to 300 kHz 30 to 300 MHz 300 to 3000 kHz 300 to 3000 MHz 40

T3B09 What are the frequency limits of the UHF spectrum? 30 to 300 kHz 30 to 300 MHz 300 to 3000 kHz 300 to 3000 MHz 41

T3B10 What frequency range is referred to as HF? 300 to 3000 MHz 30 to 300 MHz 3 to 30 MHz 300 to 3000 kHz 42

T3B11. What is the approximate velocity of a. radio wave T3B11 What is the approximate velocity of a radio wave as it travels through free space? 3000 kilometers per second 300,000,000 meters per second 300,000 miles per hour 186,000 miles per hour 43

T3C01. Why are direct (not via a repeater) UHF signals T3C01 Why are direct (not via a repeater) UHF signals rarely heard from stations outside your local coverage area? They are too weak to go very far FCC regulations prohibit them from going more than 50 miles UHF signals are usually not reflected by the ionosphere They collide with trees and shrubbery and fade out 44

T3C02. Which of the following might be happening when T3C02 Which of the following might be happening when VHF signals are being received from long distances? Signals are being reflected from outer space Signals are arriving by sub-surface ducting Signals are being reflected by lightning storms in your area Signals are being refracted from a sporadic E layer 45

T3C03. What is a characteristic of VHF signals received T3C03 What is a characteristic of VHF signals received via auroral reflection? Signals from distances of 10,000 or more miles are common The signals exhibit rapid fluctuations of strength and often sound distorted These types of signals occur only during winter nighttime hours These types of signals are generally strongest when your antenna is aimed west 46

T3C04. Which of the following propagation types is most T3C04 Which of the following propagation types is most commonly associated with occasional strong over- the-horizon signals on the 10, 6, and 2 meter bands? Backscatter Sporadic E D layer absorption Gray-line propagation 47

T3C05. Which of the following might cause radio signals T3C05 Which of the following might cause radio signals to be heard despite obstructions between the transmitting and receiving stations? knife-edge diffraction Faraday rotation Quantum tunneling Doppler shift 48

T3C06. What mode is responsible for allowing over-the- T3C06 What mode is responsible for allowing over-the- horizon VHF and UHF communications to ranges of approximately 300 miles on a regular basis? Tropospheric scatter D layer refraction F2 layer refraction Faraday rotation 49

T3C07 What band is best suited to communicating via meteor scatter? 10 meters 6 meters 2 meters 70 cm 50

T3C08 What causes tropospheric ducting? Discharges of lightning during electrical storms Sunspots and solar flares Updrafts from hurricanes and tornadoes Temperature inversions in the atmosphere 51

T3C09. What is generally the best time for long-distance T3C09 What is generally the best time for long-distance 10 meter band propagation via the F layer? From dawn to shortly after sunset during periods of high sunspot activity From shortly after sunset to dawn during periods of high sunspot activity From dawn to shortly after sunset during periods of low sunspot activity From shortly after sunset to dawn during periods of low sunspot activity 52

T3C10 What is the radio horizon? The distance over which two stations can communicate by direct path 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 53

T3C11. Why do VHF and UHF radio signals usually T3C11 Why do VHF and UHF radio signals usually travel somewhat farther than the visual line of sight distance between two stations? Radio signals move somewhat faster than the speed of light 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 54