1. Roanoke Valley Amateur Radio Club
Welcome
Roanoke Valley Amateur Radio Club

2. Amateur Radio License Training Course
Technician
Sponsored by the
Roanoke Valley Amateur Radio Club

3. Class Outline
T1 - 6 questions - FCC Rules, descriptions, and definitions for the Amateur Radio Service, operator and station license responsibilities.
T2 - 3 questions - Operating Procedures.
T3 - 3 questions - Radio wave characteristics: properties of radio waves; propagation modes.
T4 - 2 exam questions - Amateur radio practices and station set up.
T5 - 4 exam questions - Electrical principles: math for electronics; electronic principles; Ohm’s Law.
T6 - 4 exam questions - Electrical components; circuit diagrams; component functions.
T7 - 4 exam questions - Station equipment: common transmitter and receiver problems; antenna measurements; troubleshooting; basic repair and testing.
T8 - 4 exam questions - Modulation modes: amateur satellite operation; operating activities; non-voice and digital communications.
T9 - 2 exam questions - Antennas and feed lines.
T0 - 3 exam questions - Electrical safety: AC and DC power circuits; antenna installation; RF hazards.

4. Subelement T3
T3 - 3 questions - Radio wave characteristics: properties of radio waves; propagation modes.

5. Subelement T3
Electromagnetic is the type of wave that carries radio signals between transmitting and receiving stations. (T3A07)
The ionosphere is the part of the atmosphere enables the propagation of radio signals around the world. (T3A11)
A radio wave travels through free space at the speed of light. (T3B04)
300,000,000 meters per second is the approximate velocity of a radio wave as it travels through free space. (T3B11)

6. Atmospheric Layers Ionosphere Stratosphere Troposphere 31 – 400 miles6

7. How the Ionosphere is Formed
Positive Ion
Electron
(Negative Ion) + -
Releasing an electron forming positive and negative ions
Ultraviolet and other radiation from the sun
Electrically Neutral Atom
Strikes atoms in the upper atmosphere
Ultraviolet radiation is most responsible for ionization in the outer atmosphere. 7

8. Skip happens when signals refract and reflect off the ionosphere
Skip happens when signals refract and reflect off the ionosphere. DX stations 1000 miles away come booming in.

9. Subelement T3
Electric and magnetic fields are the two components of a radio wave. (T3B03)
Fog and light rain will have little effect on 10 meters and 6 meters. (T3A12)
Precipitation decreases range at microwave frequencies. (T3A13)
Direct (not via a repeater) UHF signals are rarely heard from stations outside your local coverage area because the ionosphere does usually not reflect them. (T3C01)

10. Subelement T3
Wavelength is the name for the distance a radio wave travels during one complete cycle. (T3B01)
The wavelength gets shorter as the frequency increases. (T3B05)
Wavelength in meters equals 300 divided by the frequency in megahertz is the formula for converting frequency to approximate wavelength in meters. (T3B06)

11. Subelement T3
The orientation of the electric field is used to describe a radio wave polarization. (T3B02)
Horizontal antenna polarization is normally used for long-distance weak-signal CW and SSB contacts using the VHF and UHF bands. (T3A03)

12. Subelement T3
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)
Either vertically or horizontally polarized antennas may be used for transmission or reception because skip signals refracted from the ionosphere are elliptically polarized. (T3A09)

13. Subelement T3
The approximate wavelength is often used to identify the different frequency bands. (T3B07)
30 to 300 MHz are the frequency limits of the VHF spectrum. (T3B08)
300 to 3000 MHz are the frequency limits of the UHF spectrum. (T3B09)
3 to 30 MHz is the frequency range referred to as HF. (T3B10)

14. Subelement T3
VHF and UHF radio signals usually travel somewhat farther than the visual line of sight distance between two stations because the Earth seems less curved to radio waves than to light. (T3C11)
Tropospheric scatter is responsible for allowing over-the-horizon VHF and UHF communications to ranges of approximately 300 miles on a regular basis. (T3C06)
Temperature inversions in the atmosphere causes tropospheric ducting. (T3C08)

15. The Earth seems less curved to VHF and UHF radio signals.
Tropospheric Ducting

16. Subelement T3
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)

17. Subelement T3
VHF signals received via auroral reflection exhibit rapid fluctuations of strength and often sound distorted. (T3C03)
An advantage of HF vs VHF and higher frequencies is that long distance ionospheric propagation is far more common on HF. (T3C02)
Sporadic E is most commonly associated with occasional strong over-the-horizon signals on the 10, 6, and 2-meter bands. (T3C04)

18. Subelement T3
Picket fencing is the term commonly used to describe the rapid fluttering sound sometimes heard from mobile stations that are moving while transmitting. (T3A06)
Your station can access a distant repeater if buildings or obstructions are blocking the direct line of sight path by using a directional antenna to find a path that reflects signals to the repeater. (T3A05)

19. Subelement T3
If data signals arrive via multiple paths the error rates are likely to increase. (T3A10)
Random combining of signals arriving via different paths is a likely cause of irregular fading of signals received by ionospheric reflection. (T3A08)
Knife-edge diffraction cause radio signals to be heard despite obstructions between the transmitting and receiving stations. (T3C05)
6 meters is best suited for communicating via meteor scatter. (T3C07)

20. Knife-Edge Diffraction
Signals from hundreds of miles away sound fluttery and distorted by auroral bounce.
Knife-Edge Diffraction

21. Subelement T3
6 or 10 meter bands provide long distance communications during the peak of the sunspot cycle. (T3C10)
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)

22. 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? (T3A01)
A. Change the batteries in your radio to a different type
B. Turn on the CTCSS tone
C. Ask the other operator to adjust his squelch control
D. Try moving a few feet or changing the direction of your antenna if possible, as reflections may be causing multi-path distortion

23. 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? (T3A01)
A. Change the batteries in your radio to a different type
B. Turn on the CTCSS tone
C. Ask the other operator to adjust his squelch control
D. Try moving a few feet or changing the direction of your antenna if possible, as reflections may be causing multi-path distortion

24. Why might the range of VHF and UHF signals be greater in the winter
Why might the range of VHF and UHF signals be greater in the winter? (T3A02)
A. Less ionospheric absorption
B. Less absorption by vegetation
C. Less solar activity
D. Less tropospheric absorption

25. Why might the range of VHF and UHF signals be greater in the winter
Why might the range of VHF and UHF signals be greater in the winter? (T3A02)
A. Less ionospheric absorption
B. Less absorption by vegetation
C. Less solar activity
D. Less tropospheric absorption

26. What antenna polarization is normally used for long-distance weak-signal CW and SSB contacts using the VHF and UHF bands? (T3A03)
A. Right-hand circular
B. Left-hand circular
C. Horizontal
D. Vertical

27. What antenna polarization is normally used for long-distance weak-signal CW and SSB contacts using the VHF and UHF bands? (T3A03)
A. Right-hand circular
B. Left-hand circular
C. Horizontal
D. Vertical

28. 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? (T3A04)
A. The modulation sidebands might become inverted
B. Signals could be significantly weaker
C. Signals have an echo effect on voices
D. Nothing significant will happen

29. 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? (T3A04)
A. The modulation sidebands might become inverted
B. Signals could be significantly weaker
C. Signals have an echo effect on voices
D. Nothing significant will happen

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

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

32. What term is commonly used to describe the rapid fluttering sound sometimes heard from mobile stations that are moving while transmitting? (T3A06)
A. Flip-flopping
B. Picket fencing
C. Frequency shifting
D. Pulsing

33. What term is commonly used to describe the rapid fluttering sound sometimes heard from mobile stations that are moving while transmitting? (T3A06)
A. Flip-flopping
B. Picket fencing
C. Frequency shifting
D. Pulsing

34. What type of wave carries radio signals between transmitting and receiving stations? (T3A07)
A. Electromagnetic
B. Electrostatic
C. Surface acoustic
D. Ferromagnetic

35. What type of wave carries radio signals between transmitting and receiving stations? (T3A07)
A. Electromagnetic
B. Electrostatic
C. Surface acoustic
D. Ferromagnetic

36. Which of the following is a likely cause of irregular fading of signals received by ionospheric reflection? (T3A08)
A. Frequency shift due to Faraday rotation
B. Interference from thunderstorms
C. Random combining of signals arriving via different paths
D. Intermodulation distortion

37. Which of the following is a likely cause of irregular fading of signals received by ionospheric reflection? (T3A08)
A. Frequency shift due to Faraday rotation
B. Interference from thunderstorms
C. Random combining of signals arriving via different paths
D. Intermodulation distortion

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

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

40. What may occur if data signals arrive via multiple paths? (T3A10)
A. Transmission rates can be increased by a factor equal to the number of separate paths observed
B. Transmission rates must be decreased by a factor equal to the number of separate paths observed
C. No significant changes will occur if the signals are transmitted using FM
D. Error rates are likely to increase

41. What may occur if data signals arrive via multiple paths? (T3A10)
A. Transmission rates can be increased by a factor equal to the number of separate paths observed
B. Transmission rates must be decreased by a factor equal to the number of separate paths observed
C. No significant changes will occur if the signals are transmitted using FM
D. Error rates are likely to increase

42. Which part of the atmosphere enables the propagation of radio signals around the world? (T3A11)
A. The stratosphere
B. The troposphere
C. The ionosphere
D. The magnetosphere

43. Which part of the atmosphere enables the propagation of radio signals around the world? (T3A11)
A. The stratosphere
B. The troposphere
C. The ionosphere
D. The magnetosphere

44. How might fog and light rain affect radio range on the 10 meter and 6 meter bands? (T3A12)
A. Fog and rain absorb these wavelength bands
B. Fog and light rain will have little effect on these bands
C. Fog and rain will deflect these signals
D. Fog and rain will increase radio range

45. How might fog and light rain affect radio range on the 10 meter and 6 meter bands? (T3A12)
A. Fog and rain absorb these wavelength bands
B. Fog and light rain will have little effect on these bands
C. Fog and rain will deflect these signals
D. Fog and rain will increase radio range

46. What weather condition would decrease range at microwave frequencies
What weather condition would decrease range at microwave frequencies? (T3A13)
A. High winds
B. Low barometric pressure
C. Precipitation
D. Colder temperatures

47. What weather condition would decrease range at microwave frequencies
What weather condition would decrease range at microwave frequencies? (T3A13)
A. High winds
B. Low barometric pressure
C. Precipitation
D. Colder temperatures

48. What is the name for the distance a radio wave travels during one complete cycle? (T3B01)
A. Wave speed
B. Waveform
C. Wavelength
D. Wave spread

49. What is the name for the distance a radio wave travels during one complete cycle? (T3B01)
A. Wave speed
B. Waveform
C. Wavelength
D. Wave spread

50. What property of a radio wave is used to describe its polarization
What property of a radio wave is used to describe its polarization? (T3B02)
A. The orientation of the electric field
B. The orientation of the magnetic field
C. The ratio of the energy in the magnetic field to the energy in the electric field
D. The ratio of the velocity to the wavelength

51. What property of a radio wave is used to describe its polarization
What property of a radio wave is used to describe its polarization? (T3B02)
A. The orientation of the electric field
B. The orientation of the magnetic field
C. The ratio of the energy in the magnetic field to the energy in the electric field
D. The ratio of the velocity to the wavelength

52. What are the two components of a radio wave? (T3B03)
A. AC and DC
B. Voltage and current
C. Electric and magnetic fields
D. Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation

53. What are the two components of a radio wave? (T3B03)
A. AC and DC
B. Voltage and current
C. Electric and magnetic fields
D. Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation

54. How fast does a radio wave travel through free space? (T3B04)
A. At the speed of light
B. At the speed of sound
C. Its speed is inversely proportional to its wavelength
D. Its speed increases as the frequency increases

55. How fast does a radio wave travel through free space? (T3B04)
A. At the speed of light
B. At the speed of sound
C. Its speed is inversely proportional to its wavelength
D. Its speed increases as the frequency increases

56. How does the wavelength of a radio wave relate to its frequency
How does the wavelength of a radio wave relate to its frequency? (T3B05)
A. The wavelength gets longer as the frequency increases
B. The wavelength gets shorter as the frequency increases
C. There is no relationship between wavelength and frequency
D. The wavelength depends on the bandwidth of the signal

57. How does the wavelength of a radio wave relate to its frequency
How does the wavelength of a radio wave relate to its frequency? (T3B05)
A. The wavelength gets longer as the frequency increases
B. The wavelength gets shorter as the frequency increases
C. There is no relationship between wavelength and frequency
D. The wavelength depends on the bandwidth of the signal

58. What is the formula for converting frequency to approximate wavelength in meters? (T3B06)
A. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz multiplied by 300
B. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz divided by 300
C. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in megahertz divided by 300
D. Wavelength in meters equals 300 divided by frequency in megahertz

59. What is the formula for converting frequency to approximate wavelength in meters? (T3B06)
A. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz multiplied by 300
B. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz divided by 300
C. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in megahertz divided by 300
D. Wavelength in meters equals 300 divided by frequency in megahertz

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

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

62. What are the frequency limits of the VHF spectrum? (T3B08)
A. 30 to 300 kHz
B. 30 to 300 MHz
C. 300 to 3000 kHz
D. 300 to 3000 MHz

63. What are the frequency limits of the VHF spectrum? (T3B08)
A. 30 to 300 kHz
B. 30 to 300 MHz
C. 300 to 3000 kHz
D. 300 to 3000 MHz

64. What are the frequency limits of the UHF spectrum? (T3B09)
A. 30 to 300 kHz
B. 30 to 300 MHz
C. 300 to 3000 kHz
D. 300 to 3000 MHz

65. What are the frequency limits of the UHF spectrum? (T3B09)
A. 30 to 300 kHz
B. 30 to 300 MHz
C. 300 to 3000 kHz
D. 300 to 3000 MHz

66. What frequency range is referred to as HF? (T3B10)
A. 300 to 3000 MHz
B. 30 to 300 MHz
C. 3 to 30 MHz
D. 300 to 3000 kHz

67. What frequency range is referred to as HF? (T3B10)
A. 300 to 3000 MHz
B. 30 to 300 MHz
C. 3 to 30 MHz
D. 300 to 3000 kHz

68. What is the approximate velocity of a radio wave as it travels through free space? (T3B11)
A kilometers per second
B. 300,000,000 meters per second
C. 300,000 miles per hour
D. 186,000 miles per hour

69. What is the approximate velocity of a radio wave as it travels through free space? (T3B11)
A kilometers per second
B. 300,000,000 meters per second
C. 300,000 miles per hour
D. 186,000 miles per hour

70. Why are direct (not via a repeater) UHF signals rarely heard from stations outside your local coverage area? (T3C01)
A. They are too weak to go very far
B. FCC regulations prohibit them from going more than 50 miles
C. UHF signals are usually not reflected by the ionosphere
D. UHF signals are absorbed by the ionospheric D layer

71. Why are direct (not via a repeater) UHF signals rarely heard from stations outside your local coverage area? (T3C01)
A. They are too weak to go very far
B. FCC regulations prohibit them from going more than 50 miles
C. UHF signals are usually not reflected by the ionosphere
D. UHF signals are absorbed by the ionospheric D layer

72. Which of the following is an advantage of HF vs VHF and higher frequencies? (T3C02)
A. HF antennas are generally smaller
B. HF accommodates wider bandwidth signals
C. Long distance ionospheric propagation is far more common on HF
D. There is less atmospheric interference (static) on HF

73. Which of the following is an advantage of HF vs VHF and higher frequencies? (T3C02)
A. HF antennas are generally smaller
B. HF accommodates wider bandwidth signals
C. Long distance ionospheric propagation is far more common on HF
D. There is less atmospheric interference (static) on HF

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

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

76. 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? (T3C04)
A. Backscatter
B. Sporadic E
C. D layer absorption
D. Gray-line propagation

77. 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? (T3C04)
A. Backscatter
B. Sporadic E
C. D layer absorption
D. Gray-line propagation

78. Which of the following effects might cause radio signals to be heard despite obstructions between the transmitting and receiving stations? (T3C05)
A. Knife-edge diffraction
B. Faraday rotation
C. Quantum tunneling
D. Doppler shift

79. Which of the following effects might cause radio signals to be heard despite obstructions between the transmitting and receiving stations? (T3C05)
A. Knife-edge diffraction
B. Faraday rotation
C. Quantum tunneling
D. Doppler shift

80. What mode is responsible for allowing over-the-horizon VHF and UHF communications to ranges of approximately 300 miles on a regular basis? (T3C06)
A. Tropospheric ducting
B. D layer refraction
C. F2 layer refraction
D. Faraday rotation

81. What mode is responsible for allowing over-the-horizon VHF and UHF communications to ranges of approximately 300 miles on a regular basis? (T3C06)
A. Tropospheric ducting
B. D layer refraction
C. F2 layer refraction
D. Faraday rotation

82. What band is best suited for communicating via meteor scatter? (T3C07)
A. 10 meter band
B. 6 meter band
C. 2 meter band
D. 70 centimeter band

83. What band is best suited for communicating via meteor scatter? (T3C07)
A. 10 meter band
B. 6 meter band
C. 2 meter band
D. 70 centimeter band

84. What causes tropospheric ducting? (T3C08)
A. Discharges of lightning during electrical storms
B. Sunspots and solar flares
C. Updrafts from hurricanes and tornadoes
D. Temperature inversions in the atmosphere

85. What causes tropospheric ducting? (T3C08)
A. Discharges of lightning during electrical storms
B. Sunspots and solar flares
C. Updrafts from hurricanes and tornadoes
D. Temperature inversions in the atmosphere

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

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

88. Which of the following bands may provide long distance communications during the peak of the sunspot cycle? (T3C10)
A. 6 or 10 meter bands
B. 23 centimeter band
C. 70 centimeter or 1.25 meter band
D. All of these choices are correct

89. Which of the following bands may provide long distance communications during the peak of the sunspot cycle? (T3C10)
A. 6 or 10 meter bands
B. 23 centimeter band
C. 70 centimeter or 1.25 meter band
D. All of these choices are correct

90. Why do VHF and UHF radio signals usually travel somewhat farther than the visual line of sight distance between two stations? (T3C11)
A. Radio signals move somewhat faster than the speed of light
B. Radio waves are not blocked by dust particles
C. The Earth seems less curved to radio waves than to light
D. Radio waves are blocked by dust particles

91. Why do VHF and UHF radio signals usually travel somewhat farther than the visual line of sight distance between two stations? (T3C11)
A. Radio signals move somewhat faster than the speed of light
B. Radio waves are not blocked by dust particles
C. The Earth seems less curved to radio waves than to light
D. Radio waves are blocked by dust particles

92. Let's see what you've learned. Practice test time!

93. Practice Test Resources
ARRL
Review by subelement
QRZ
Gives correct answers as you go
eHam
Like taking the real test
AA9PW
Gives the most info—shows where you need to study