Ham Radio Technician Test General 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the approximate length of a quarter-wave vertical antenna for 146 MHz?
- 19 inches (Correct answer)
- 38 inches
- 9 inches
- 52 inches
Correct answer: 19 inches
A quarter-wave vertical for 146 MHz is approximately 19 inches (about 48 cm) long.
Question 2: What safety hazard is associated with RF burns?
- Tissue damage from RF energy absorbed at high power levels (Correct answer)
- Electric shock from antenna contact during transmit
- Skin irritation from prolonged antenna handling
- Eye damage from antenna reflections
Correct answer: Tissue damage from RF energy absorbed at high power levels
RF burns occur when high levels of RF energy are absorbed by body tissue, causing heating and damage.
Question 3: What is the correct way to respond when a station calls 'CQ'?
- Transmit the calling station's call sign followed by your own call sign (Correct answer)
- Simply say your call sign twice
- Say 'Roger' and give your location
- Transmit 'CQ' back to the calling station
Correct answer: Transmit the calling station's call sign followed by your own call sign
Standard procedure is to say the CQ station's call sign and then identify yourself with your own call sign.
Question 4: Which band is most commonly used for local emergency communication by Technician licensees?
- 2 meters (144-148 MHz) (Correct answer)
- 40 meters (7 MHz)
- 10 meters (28 MHz)
- 160 meters (1.8 MHz)
Correct answer: 2 meters (144-148 MHz)
The 2-meter band with its wide repeater network is the primary local emergency communication band for Technicians.
Question 5: What is 'packet radio'?
- A digital mode that sends data in bursts using AX.25 protocol (Correct answer)
- A method of voice communication over the internet
- A satellite uplink technique
- A type of antenna matching network
Correct answer: A digital mode that sends data in bursts using AX.25 protocol
Packet radio is a digital communication mode that transmits data in discrete packets using the AX.25 protocol.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the FCC amateur radio station log?
- To record station operations for reference and to assist in resolving interference complaints (Correct answer)
- To report daily usage to the FCC automatically
- To track antenna performance over time
- To register each contact in the national database
Correct answer: To record station operations for reference and to assist in resolving interference complaints
Station logs are kept voluntarily by most operators for personal reference and can help resolve interference or other complaints.
Question 7: What does 'QRM' mean in amateur radio shorthand?
- Interference from other stations (Correct answer)
- Poor signal quality
- Static from atmospheric noise
- The operator is busy
Correct answer: Interference from other stations
QRM refers to man-made interference, typically from other radio stations transmitting on or near your frequency.
Ham Radio Technician Test General 3
What is the approximate length of a quarter-wave vertical antenna for 146 MHz?