Ham Radio General Class Test HF Operating Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of 'listening before transmitting' on an HF frequency?
- To determine whether the frequency is already in use before causing interference (Correct answer)
- To check if the band is open to the desired area
- To measure the noise floor before selecting power level
- To synchronize your transmit timing with other stations
Correct answer: To determine whether the frequency is already in use before causing interference
Listening first ensures you do not interfere with an ongoing QSO that may be in progress on the frequency.
Question 2: What does the abbreviation 'OM' stand for in amateur radio conversation?
- Old Man, a traditional friendly address for any male amateur operator (Correct answer)
- Operating Mode, referring to the emission type in use
- Outgoing Message, used in traffic net operations
- Omnidirectional Mode, describing antenna pattern
Correct answer: Old Man, a traditional friendly address for any male amateur operator
'OM' (Old Man) is traditional amateur radio shorthand for a friendly greeting to any male operator, regardless of age.
Question 3: What is the correct sequence for establishing an SSB contact after hearing a CQ?
- Say the calling station's callsign, then your callsign (Correct answer)
- Say your callsign, then the calling station's callsign
- Say 'Hello' followed by both callsigns
- Say 'QRZ' followed by your callsign
Correct answer: Say the calling station's callsign, then your callsign
To answer a CQ, say the calling station's callsign once, then identify yourself with your own callsign.
Question 4: What does 'working a net' mean in HF amateur radio?
- Participating in an organized on-air meeting on a scheduled frequency and time (Correct answer)
- Connecting multiple HF radios together via a local area network
- Using a fishing net-style antenna for 360-degree coverage
- Relaying signals through a series of digipeaters
Correct answer: Participating in an organized on-air meeting on a scheduled frequency and time
Working a net means participating in a scheduled, organized group communication session on a designated HF frequency.
Question 5: What is the typical frequency separation between upper sideband (USB) and lower sideband (LSB) in HF operation?
- USB is used above 10 MHz and LSB is used below 10 MHz by convention (Correct answer)
- USB and LSB are separated by exactly 3 kHz on all bands
- LSB is always used for CW while USB is used for voice
- The choice between USB and LSB depends on time of day
Correct answer: USB is used above 10 MHz and LSB is used below 10 MHz by convention
By amateur radio convention, LSB is used on bands below 10 MHz and USB is used on 10 MHz and above.
Question 6: What does it mean when a station is described as 'running high power' in HF DX operation?
- The station is transmitting at or near the legal maximum power limit (Correct answer)
- The station is using a power amplifier that exceeds FCC limits
- The station is operating with power levels above 100 watts
- The station is using an amplifier with more than 1 dB of gain
Correct answer: The station is transmitting at or near the legal maximum power limit
Running high power generally means operating near the legal limit (1500W PEP for US General class), often using a linear amplifier.
Question 7: What is 'shorthand' for a contact in amateur radio parlance?
- QSO (Correct answer)
- QSL
- QTH
- QRM
Correct answer: QSO
A QSO is an amateur radio contact or two-way communication between stations.
Ham Radio General Class Test HF Operating Procedures 5
What is the purpose of 'listening before transmitting' on an HF frequency?