Operating Procedures Flashcards
Phone operating procedures: USB/LSB conventions, breaking into a contact, transmitter setup for voice operation; answering DX stations
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on frequencies of 14 MHz or higher?
A. Upper sideband
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Double sideband
A. Upper sideband
To keep bandwidth to a minimum and to make transmissions consistent the upper sideband is used by convention for voice communications on frequencies 14 MHz or higher.
Note: Remember that the HIGHER frequencies (smaller wavelengths) generally use the UPPER sideband. LOWER frequencies (larger wavelengths) generally use the LOWER sideband.
Background info: John Renshaw Carson invented SSB in 1915 (WW1), when the parts needed to make a single sideband radio were much cheaper for LSB at frequencies below 9MHz, and much cheaper for USB at frequencies above 9MHz. 9MHz is the split, and that’s why.
So- “Are pre-WW2 SSB radios easy to find? Nein.”
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands?
A. Upper sideband
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Double sideband
B. Lower sideband
To make communications consistent and to keep bandwidths to a minimum, the convention is to use lower sideband (LSB) communications for the longer wavelength (lower frequency) bands at 160, 75, and 40 meters.
Note: Just remember that LOWER frequencies (longer wavelengths) generally use the LOWER sideband, and the HIGHER frequencies (shorter wavelengths) generally use the UPPER sideband.
Background info: John Renshaw Carson invented SSB in 1915 (WW1), when the parts needed to make a single sideband radio were much cheaper for LSB at frequencies below 9MHz, and much cheaper for USB at frequencies above 9MHz. 9MHz is the split, and that’s why.
So- “Are pre-WW2 SSB radios easy to find? Nein.”
Another trick: 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands are in decreasing order so “Lower Side Band”.
Which mode is most commonly used for SSB voice communications in the VHF and UHF bands?
A. Upper sideband
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Double sideband
A. Upper sideband
Amateur radio operators normally designate either upper or lower sideband for phone communications on a specific band to keep things consistent and to keep bandwidths reasonable. The Upper Sideband (USB) is most commonly used for SSB voice communications in the VHF (very high frequency) and UHF (ultra high frequency) bands.
Note: Just remember that HIGHER frequencies generally use the UPPER sideband, and LOWER frequencies generally use the LOWER sideband.
Memory Aid: John Renshaw Carson invented SSB in 1915 (WW1), when the parts needed to make a single sideband radio were much cheaper for LSB at frequencies below 9MHz, and much cheaper for USB at frequencies above 9MHz. 9MHz is the split, and that’s why.
So- “Are pre-WW2 SSB radios easy to find? Nein.”
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 17- and 12-meter bands?
A. Upper sideband
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Double sideband
A. Upper sideband
The 17 and 12 meter bands are some of the higher frequency bands (shorter wavelength) to which general class operators are granted privileges. The convention is to use the Upper Sideband on these frequencies for voice communications.
Note: Just remember that HIGHER frequencies above 10 MHz (< 30m, shorter wavelengths) generally use the UPPER sideband, and LOWER frequencies below 10 MHz (> 30m, longer wavelengths) generally use the LOWER sideband.
Memory Aid: John Renshaw Carson invented SSB in 1915 (WW1), when the parts needed to make a single sideband radio were much cheaper for LSB at frequencies below 9MHz, and much cheaper for USB at frequencies above 9MHz. 9MHz is the split, and that’s why.
So- “Are pre-WW1 SSB radios easy to find? Nein.”
Which mode of voice communication is most commonly used on the HF amateur bands?
A. Frequency modulation
B. Double sideband
C. Single sideband
D. Single phase modulation
C. Single sideband
One of the signal properties that we have to be aware of is signal bandwidth. Single sideband communications are most commonly used on the high frequency amateur bands because they should take up less than 3 kHz of bandwidth.
Which of the following is an advantage of using single sideband, as compared to other analog voice modes on the HF amateur bands?
A. Very high-fidelity voice modulation
B. Less subject to interference from atmospheric static crashes
C. Ease of tuning on receive and immunity to impulse noise
D. Less bandwidth used and greater power efficiency
D. Less bandwidth used and greater power efficiency
Single sideband operations have a number of advantages over other voice communication methods, especially when used for the HF amateur bands. They use much less bandwidth (less than 3 kHz) and they also have a higher power efficiency as the power is directed over a smaller segment of the band.
Hint: Less is more!
Which of the following statements is true of single sideband (SSB)?
A. Only one sideband and the carrier are transmitted; the other sideband is suppressed
B. Only one sideband is transmitted; the other sideband and carrier are suppressed
C. SSB is the only voice mode authorized on the 20-, 15-, and 10-meter amateur bands
D. SSB is the only voice mode authorized on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter amateur bands
B. Only one sideband is transmitted; the other sideband and carrier are suppressed
What is the recommended way to break into a phone contact?
A. Say “QRZ” several times, followed by your call sign
B. Say your call sign once
C. Say “Breaker Breaker”
D. Say “CQ” followed by the call sign of either station
B. Say your call sign once
You don’t need to say “Break”, “QRZ” or “CQ” or any other jargon when trying to enter a conversation using voice operations. All you need to do is to listen for a gap in the conversation and then say your call sign during a break between the transmissions from the other stations, so that you can be heard, identified, and invited to join in!
Why do most amateur stations use lower sideband on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands?
A. Lower sideband is more efficient than upper sideband at these frequencies
B. Lower sideband is the only sideband legal on these frequency bands
C. Because it is fully compatible with an AM detector
D. It is commonly accepted amateur practice
D. It is commonly accepted amateur practice
There are no hard and fast rules from the FCC, however it is current amateur practice to use the lower sideband (LSB) on the 160, 75 and 40 meter bands.
Note: Just remember that LOWER frequencies (longer wavelengths) generally use the LOWER sideband, while HIGHER frequencies (shorter wavelengths) generally use the UPPER sideband.
Background info: John Renshaw Carson invented SSB in 1915 (WW1), when the parts needed to make a single sideband radio were much cheaper for LSB at frequencies below 9MHz, and much cheaper for USB at frequencies above 9MHz. 9MHz is the split, and that’s why.
So- “Are pre-WW2 SSB radios easy to find? Nein.”
Which of the following statements is true of VOX operation versus PTT operation?
A. The received signal is more natural sounding
B. It allows “hands free” operation
C. It occupies less bandwidth
D. It provides more power output
B. It allows “hands free” operation
Generally, who should respond to a station in the contiguous 48 states calling “CQ DX”?
A. Any caller is welcome to respond
B. Only stations in Germany
C. Any stations outside the lower 48 states
D. Only contest stations
C. Any stations outside the lower 48 states
What control is typically adjusted for proper ALC setting on a single sideband transceiver?
A. RF clipping level
B. Transmit audio or microphone gain
C. Antenna inductance or capacitance
D. Attenuator level
B. Transmit audio or microphone gain
The transmit audio or microphone gain is typically adjusted for proper ALC setting on an amateur single sideband transceiver.
ALC (Automatic Level Control) is a self-controlling transmitter circuit that attempts to maintain a constant level of output power by automatically adjusting the gain of the final amplifier, to prevent it from overloading and damaging the final stage by excessive drive. An operator would adjust the input signal, which is the microphone gain (the transmitted audio) to ensure that the ALC is set appropriately for SSB.
Which of the following is true concerning access to frequencies?
A. Nets have priority
B. QSOs in progress have priority
C. Except during emergencies, no amateur station has priority access to any frequency
D. Contest operations should yield to non-contest use of frequencies
C. Except during emergencies, no amateur station has priority access to any frequency
What is the first thing you should do if you are communicating with another amateur station and hear a station in distress break in?
A. Inform your local emergency coordinator
B. Acknowledge the station in distress and determine what assistance may be needed
C. Immediately decrease power to avoid interfering with the station in distress
D. Immediately cease all transmissions
B. Acknowledge the station in distress and determine what assistance may be needed
“Help! It’s an emergency”.
A call for help, or a station in distress should always be immediately acknowledged, and you should determine what assistance may be needed.
Don’t just move away to another frequency or ignore the signal. You may be the only one in a position to help!
NOTE: It could be argued that the FIRST thing to do is actually cease all transmissions so that you can actually hear the message that the station in distress is transmitting. If the first thing you do is start transmitting yourself, then you may very well be talking over their signal.
What is good amateur practice if propagation changes during a contact creating interference from other stations using the frequency?
A. Advise the interfering stations that you are on the frequency and that you have priority
B. Decrease power and continue to transmit
C. Attempt to resolve the interference problem with the other stations in a mutually acceptable manner
D. Switch to the opposite sideband
C. Attempt to resolve the interference problem with the other stations in a mutually acceptable manner
Remember our golden rule: Be courteous and don’t cause harmful interference. If the propagation of your signal changes during your contact or you notice increasing interference, it is a good indication that another station is operating on a nearby frequency and that your signal may be causing THEM interference as well. Use the initiative as a common courtesy, and move your contact to another frequency.
When selecting a CW transmitting frequency, what minimum separation from other stations should be used to minimize interference to stations on adjacent frequencies?
A. 5 Hz to 50 Hz
B. 150 Hz to 500 Hz
C. 1 kHz to 3 kHz
D. 3 kHz to 6 kHz
B. 150 Hz to 500 Hz
Morse code (CW) operation takes very little bandwidth, and most CW operators use filters to keep their signals tight as well, so moving your frequency by as little as 150 to 500 Hz should be a sufficient minimum frequency separation to avoid interference.
Hint: Any answer with kHz is too large - not that much separation is required.
The only two remaining answers are in the Hz range, and 5-50 is certainly too small (since CW bandwidth is at LEAST 100 Hz), so the only obvious answer is 150-500 Hz.
Silly hint: The Roman numeral “C” means 100, so choose the answer for 150 - 500 Hz.
When selecting an SSB transmitting frequency, what minimum separation should be used to minimize interference to stations on adjacent frequencies?
A. 5 Hz to 50 Hz
B. 150 Hz to 500 Hz
C. 2 kHz to 3 kHz
D. Approximately 6 kHz
C. 2 kHz to 3 kHz
The general rule is that you want to allow at least the amount of bandwidth occupied by the signal type between signals to avoid interference. A single sideband (SSB) transmission generally takes up less than 3 kHz of bandwidth. Therefore, the customary minimum frequency separation between SSB signals is approximately 3 kHz.
Remember from the technician question pool that 2400 Hz is an appropriate receive filter bandwidth to select in order to minimize noise and interference for SSB reception. 3000 Hz is the closest to this.
Easy Cheat* SSB rhymes with 123
“SSB” has “2” S’s “3” letters total
” SSB….2 to 3”
How can you avoid harmful interference on an apparently clear frequency before calling CQ on CW or phone?
A. Send “QRL?” on CW, followed by your call sign; or, if using phone, ask if the frequency is in use, followed by your call sign
B. Listen for 2 minutes before calling CQ
C. Send the letter “V” in Morse code several times and listen for a response, or say “test” several times and listen for a response
D. Send “QSY” on CW or if using phone, announce “the frequency is in use,” then give your call sign and listen for a response
A. Send “QRL?” on CW, followed by your call sign; or, if using phone, ask if the frequency is in use, followed by your call sign
Always listen for a short while first –2 minutes followed by CQ is not required so that answer is wrong. Then, on CW send “QRL?” followed by your call sign, or using voice, ask if the frequency is in use, followed by your call sign. Always wait to give any other station a chance to respond before continuing with your transmission.
QRL means “Are you busy?” or “I am busy”.
“RL” Really Listening”
Which of the following complies with commonly accepted amateur practice when choosing a frequency on which to initiate a call?
A. Listen on the frequency for at least two minutes to be sure it is clear
B. Identify your station by transmitting your call sign at least 3 times
C. Follow the voluntary band plan
D. All these choices are correct
C. Follow the voluntary band plan
Before choosing a frequency for your transmission, it is always a good idea to check the Voluntary Band Plan for the operating mode you intend to use, so you know that you are using the right segment of the frequency band. For example, within the CW/data section of a band, there are plans for which band segment to use specifically for RTTY or for packet, as well as CW.
“Check to see if the channel is assigned to another station” is false because amateur operators are not assigned any specific frequency and no one has a frequency monopoly.
“Identify your station by transmitting your call sign at least 3 times” is false because transmitting your call sign multiple times is unnecessary, all answers on the test that call for doing so are false.
What is the voluntary band plan restriction for US stations transmitting within the 48 contiguous states in the 50.1 MHz to 50.125 MHz band segment?
A. Only contacts with stations not within the 48 contiguous states
B. Only contacts with other stations within the 48 contiguous states
C. Only digital contacts
D. Only SSTV contacts
A. Only contacts with stations not within the 48 contiguous states
This is commonly known as the DX (long distance) window on 6 meters. Complying with the DX window allows other amateurs to enjoy a low local noise level in order to more easily receive stations outside of the continental U.S.
Memory aid: The 50.1 MHz to 50.125 MHz band is “not within the 48 contiguous states”. THIS IS A POORLY WRITTEN QUESTION If the question is asking what is “restricted” then the answer should be B. Contacts within the 48 contiguous states.
Who may be the control operator of an amateur station transmitting in RACES to assist relief operations during a disaster?
A. Only a person holding an FCC-issued amateur operator license
B. Only a RACES net control operator
C. A person holding an FCC-issued amateur operator license or an appropriate government official
D. Any control operator when normal communication systems are operational
A. Only a person holding an FCC-issued amateur operator license
The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is an organization which uses the radio service for emergency communications. It is a requirement that an amateur station in RACES must hold an FCC issued amateur operator license to transmit for assisting in relief operations during a disaster.
Note: RACES is authorized in Part 97.407, while Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) is organized by the ARRL.
Which of the following is good amateur practice for net management?
A. Always use multiple sets of phonetics during check-in
B. Have a backup frequency in case of interference or poor conditions
C. Transmit the full net roster at the beginning of every session
D. All these choices are correct
B. Have a backup frequency in case of interference or poor conditions
How often may RACES training drills and tests be routinely conducted without special authorization?
A. No more than 1 hour per month
B. No more than 2 hours per month
C. No more than 1 hour per week
D. No more than 2 hours per week
C. No more than 1 hour per week
RACES: Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services
A group of Hams certified by a civil defense agency.
A restriction of 1 hour per week has been imposed on RACES for drills and testing etc to ensure there is not a large burden placed on volunteers.
Which of the following describes full break-in CW operation (QSK)?
A. Breaking stations send the Morse code prosign “BK”
B. Automatic keyers, instead of hand keys, are used to send Morse code
C. An operator must activate a manual send/receive switch before and after every transmission
D. Transmitting stations can receive between code characters and elements
D. Transmitting stations can receive between code characters and elements
One way to send a CW or data transmission is to use full break-in telegraphy (QSK). The abbreviation QSK is used as Q code for “Can you hear me between your signals?” or “I can hear you between my signals.” Using this method allows the transmitting stations to receive returning signals between code characters and elements. This is useful for the receiving station to be able to “break-in” during a long transmission and ask about a mis-spelled word or other issue with your transmission.
Hint: You have to read BETWEEN the lines.