Ham Radio General Class Test Ham Radio General 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which layer of the ionosphere is primarily responsible for long-distance HF communication during daylight hours?
- D layer
- E layer
- F layer (Correct answer)
- Troposphere
Correct answer: F layer
The F layer (particularly F2 during the day) is the highest and most stable ionospheric layer, capable of refracting HF signals back to Earth over very long distances. The D layer absorbs signals at lower frequencies, and the E layer supports only shorter skip distances.
Question 2: What is the correct procedure before transmitting on an HF frequency to avoid causing interference?
- Immediately begin calling CQ
- Listen for several seconds and ask 'Is this frequency in use?' (Correct answer)
- Transmit a series of dashes to clear the frequency
- Check with your local repeater trustee first
Correct answer: Listen for several seconds and ask 'Is this frequency in use?'
Best operating practice requires listening first and then asking 'Is this frequency in use?' (or sending 'QRL?' on CW) before transmitting. This prevents interference with contacts that may not be audible from your location due to skip propagation.
Question 3: What is the primary advantage of using a directional antenna such as a Yagi over an omnidirectional dipole?
- It covers a wider range of frequencies without retuning
- It provides gain in a specific direction, increasing effective radiated power toward the target (Correct answer)
- It eliminates the need for an antenna tuner on all bands
- It allows the transmitter to run at lower power while staying within legal limits
Correct answer: It provides gain in a specific direction, increasing effective radiated power toward the target
A Yagi focuses RF energy in one direction, producing gain (measured in dBd or dBi) compared to a dipole reference. This increases effective radiated power toward the desired station without raising the transmitter's actual output.
Question 4: What is the maximum PEP output power permitted for a General class licensee operating on the 80-meter amateur band?
- 200 watts
- 750 watts
- 1,000 watts
- 1,500 watts (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 1,500 watts
General class licensees are authorized up to 1,500 watts PEP on most HF bands including 80 meters, the same ceiling as Extra class on those frequencies. Lower limits apply only in specific circumstances defined by FCC rules.
Question 5: What does 'PSK31' describe in amateur radio digital communications?
- A packet switching protocol operating on the 31-meter shortwave band
- A phase shift keying mode running at approximately 31 baud (Correct answer)
- A satellite downlink standard using 31-channel frequency multiplexing
- A contest logging software package with 31 built-in macro buttons
Correct answer: A phase shift keying mode running at approximately 31 baud
PSK31 stands for Phase Shift Keying at 31 baud. It is an extremely narrow-bandwidth digital mode (roughly 31 Hz wide) popular on HF bands for real-time keyboard-to-keyboard contacts, particularly effective under weak-signal or crowded band conditions.
Question 6: Approximately how long should a half-wave dipole antenna be cut for operation at a center frequency of 7.15 MHz (40-meter band)?
- 33 feet
- 65 feet (Correct answer)
- 130 feet
- 260 feet
Correct answer: 65 feet
The standard formula for a half-wave dipole is 468 ÷ frequency (MHz). At 7.15 MHz: 468 ÷ 7.15 ≈ 65.5 feet. A quarter-wave would be roughly 33 feet, and a full-wave about 130 feet.
Ham Radio General Class Test Ham Radio General 1
Which layer of the ionosphere is primarily responsible for long-distance HF communication during daylight hours?