Technician Class Practice Test

Select the most correct answer for each question, then submit your practice test to check your score. This practice test randomly pulls one question from each topic in the Technician pool.

Good Luck!

T1F06:

Which of the following formats of a self-assigned indicator is acceptable when identifying using a phone transmission?

KL7CC stroke W3
KL7CC slant W3
KL7CC slash W3
All of these choices are correct

T4A05:

What is the proper location for an external SWR meter?

In series with the feed line, between the transmitter and antenna
In series with the station's ground
In parallel with the push-to-talk line and the antenna
In series with the power supply cable, as close as possible to the radio

T6A07:

What electrical component usually is constructed as a coil of wire?

Switch
Capacitor
Diode
Inductor

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
UHF signals are absorbed by the ionospheric D layer

T6D08:

Which of the following is combined with an inductor to make a tuned circuit?

Resistor
Zener diode
Potentiometer
Capacitor

T5A04:

What is the name for a current that flows only in one direction?

Alternating current
Direct current
Normal current
Smooth current

T1D10:

What is the meaning of the term "broadcasting" in the FCC rules for the Amateur Radio Service?

Two-way transmissions by amateur stations
Transmission of music
Transmission of messages directed only to amateur operators
Transmissions intended for reception by the general public

T6C06:

What is component 6 in figure T2?

Resistor
Capacitor
Regulator IC
Transistor

T1E06:

When, under normal circumstances, may a Technician class licensee be the control operator of a station operating in an exclusive Amateur Extra class operator segment of the amateur bands?

At no time
When operating a special event station
As part of a multi-operator contest team
When using a club station whose trustee is an Amateur Extra class operator licensee

T9A06:

What type of antennas are the quad, Yagi, and dish?

Non-resonant antennas
Log periodic antennas
Directional antennas
Isotropic antennas

T5D13:

What happens to current at the junction of two components in series?

It divides equally between them
It is unchanged
It divides based on the on the value of the components
The current in the second component is zero

T0C09:

How can you make sure your station stays in compliance with RF safety regulations?

By informing the FCC of any changes made in your station
By re-evaluating the station whenever an item of equipment is changed
By making sure your antennas have low SWR
All of these choices are correct

T5C05:

What is the unit of frequency?

Hertz
Henry
Farad
Tesla

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

T5B07:

If a frequency display calibrated in megahertz shows a reading of 3.525 MHz, what would it show if it were calibrated in kilohertz?

0.003525 kHz
35.25 kHz
3525 kHz
3,525,000 kHz

T9B06:

Which of the following connectors is most suitable for frequencies above 400 MHz?

A UHF (PL-259/SO-239) connector
A Type N connector
An RS-213 connector
A DB-25 connector

T8D13:

What is FT8?

A wideband FM voice mode
A digital mode capable of operating in low signal-to-noise conditions that transmits on 15-second intervals
An eight channel multiplex mode for FM repeaters
A digital slow scan TV mode with forward error correction and automatic color compensation

T1B09:

Why should you not set your transmit frequency to be exactly at the edge of an amateur band or sub-band?

To allow for calibration error in the transmitter frequency display
So that modulation sidebands do not extend beyond the band edge
To allow for transmitter frequency drift
All of these choices are correct

T8A05:

Which of the following types of emission has the narrowest bandwidth?

FM voice
SSB voice
CW
Slow-scan TV

T0B09:

Why should you avoid attaching an antenna to a utility pole?

The antenna will not work properly because of induced voltages
The utility company will charge you an extra monthly fee
The antenna could contact high-voltage power lines
All of these choices are correct

T4B03:

What is the purpose of the squelch control on a transceiver?

To set the highest level of volume desired
To set the transmitter power level
To adjust the automatic gain control
To mute receiver output noise when no signal is being received

T2C10:

What information is contained in the preamble of a formal traffic message?

The email address of the originating station
The address of the intended recipient
The telephone number of the addressee
The information needed to track the message

T7D09:

What is the characteristic appearance of a cold solder joint?

Dark black spots
A bright or shiny surface
A grainy or dull surface
A greenish tint

T0A06:

What is a good way to guard against electrical shock at your station?

Use three-wire cords and plugs for all AC powered equipment
Connect all AC powered station equipment to a common safety ground
Use a circuit protected by a ground-fault interrupter
All of these choices are correct

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

T2B07:

How can you join a digital repeater's "talk group"?

Register your radio with the local FCC office
Join the repeater owner's club
Program your radio with the group's ID or code
Sign your call after the courtesy tone

T2A06:

Which of the following is required when making on-the-air test transmissions?

Identify the transmitting station
Conduct tests only between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time
Notify the FCC of the transmissions
All of these choices are correct

T7B02:

What would cause a broadcast AM or FM radio to receive an amateur radio transmission unintentionally?

The receiver is unable to reject strong signals outside the AM or FM band
The microphone gain of the transmitter is turned up too high
The audio amplifier of the transmitter is overloaded
The deviation of an FM transmitter is set too low

T7C12:

What does a dummy load consist of?

A high-gain amplifier and a TR switch
A non-inductive resistor and a heat sink
A low-voltage power supply and a DC relay
A 50 ohm reactance used to terminate a transmission line

T8C02:

Which of these items would be useful for a hidden transmitter hunt?

Calibrated SWR meter
A directional antenna
A calibrated noise bridge
All of these choices are correct

T1C09:

What is the grace period following the expiration of an amateur license within which the license may be renewed?

Two years
Three years
Five years
Ten years

T7A06:

What device converts the RF input and output of a transceiver to another band?

High-pass filter
Low-pass filter
Transverter
Phase converter

T1A08:

Which of the following entities recommends transmit/receive channels and other parameters for auxiliary and repeater stations?

Frequency Spectrum Manager appointed by the FCC
Volunteer Frequency Coordinator recognized by local amateurs
FCC Regional Field Office
International Telecommunications Union

T8B08:

What is meant by the statement that a satellite is operating in mode U/V?

The satellite uplink is in the 15 meter band and the downlink is in the 10 meter band
The satellite uplink is in the 70 centimeter band and the downlink is in the 2 meter band
The satellite operates using ultraviolet frequencies
The satellite frequencies are usually variable

T6B03:

Which of these components can be used as an electronic switch or amplifier?

Oscillator
Potentiometer
Transistor
Voltmeter