Ham Radio Technician Test Operating Procedures & Etiquette 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should you do if you accidentally transmit on a frequency where a net is in progress?
- Continue your transmission since you have equal frequency rights
- Apologize to the net control station and immediately clear the frequency (Correct answer)
- Ask the net to move to accommodate your contact
- Increase power to complete your transmission quickly
Correct answer: Apologize to the net control station and immediately clear the frequency
Courtesy requires immediately apologizing and clearing the frequency so the net can continue its organized operation without further disruption.
Question 2: What is the role of a 'Net Control Station' (NCS) during an amateur radio net?
- To act as a relay for all signals on the net frequency
- To direct the flow of communication and recognize stations wishing to participate (Correct answer)
- To log contacts and report them to the FCC
- To boost the signal strength of weaker stations on the net
Correct answer: To direct the flow of communication and recognize stations wishing to participate
The NCS manages the net by calling the net to order, recognizing check-ins, and directing the flow of traffic and communications.
Question 3: What does it mean to 'check in' to an amateur radio net?
- To register with the FCC before operating on a net frequency
- To announce your call sign to the Net Control Station when invited to do so (Correct answer)
- To listen to the net for at least 10 minutes before transmitting
- To verify the net frequency is authorized for your license class
Correct answer: To announce your call sign to the Net Control Station when invited to do so
Checking in means responding to the NCS's call for check-ins by giving your call sign so the NCS can log your participation.
Question 4: What is proper etiquette when signing off from a contact with another amateur operator?
- Simply stop transmitting without any closing
- Give your call sign and a standard sign-off such as '73' or 'good day' (Correct answer)
- Ask the other operator for permission to end the contact
- Transmit your call sign five times to ensure reception
Correct answer: Give your call sign and a standard sign-off such as '73' or 'good day'
A proper sign-off includes your call sign (for FCC identification) and a courteous closing, with '73' being the traditional expression for 'best regards.'
Question 5: If you hear 'QSY to 146.460' during a contact, what does the other station want you to do?
- Increase your power to 146.460 watts
- Move your transmitting and receiving to 146.460 MHz (Correct answer)
- Reduce transmit frequency offset by 146.460 kHz
- Switch to mode 146.460 on your radio's memory channels
Correct answer: Move your transmitting and receiving to 146.460 MHz
QSY means 'change frequency,' so 'QSY to 146.460' instructs all stations in the contact to move to 146.460 MHz.
Question 6: What is the significance of the number '73' in amateur radio?
- It indicates the operator is running 73 watts of power
- It is a traditional expression meaning 'best regards' or 'best wishes' (Correct answer)
- It is the standard repeater offset for 2-meter operation
- It refers to Article 73 of the FCC rules governing amateur radio
Correct answer: It is a traditional expression meaning 'best regards' or 'best wishes'
'73' is a traditional numeric code dating back to telegraph days, universally recognized in amateur radio as an expression of goodwill at the end of a contact.
Question 7: What is the recommended action if you are mobile and your signal is causing interference to a repeater due to multipath or poor signal?
- Increase transmitter power to overcome the interference
- Move to a different location or use a different repeater (Correct answer)
- Switch to a higher deviation setting on your radio
- Ask the repeater trustee to adjust the repeater's sensitivity
Correct answer: Move to a different location or use a different repeater
Moving to a different location can resolve multipath interference; using a different repeater is the courteous option when you cannot achieve a clean signal.
Ham Radio Technician Test Operating Procedures & Etiquette 5
What should you do if you accidentally transmit on a frequency where a net is in progress?