Subelement C – Equipment Operations

Question 1

What is the purpose of the INT-USA control settings on a VHF?

A. To change all VTS frequencies to Duplex so all vessels can receive maneuvering orders.

B. To change all VHF channels from Duplex to Simplex while in U.S. waters.

C. To change certain International Duplex channel assignments to simplex in the U.S. for VTS and other purposes.

D. To change to NOAA weather channels and receive weather broadcasts while in the U.S.

Answer 1

C. To change certain International Duplex channel assignments to simplex in the U.S. for VTS and other purposes.

Question 2

VHF ship station transmitters must have the capability of reducing carrier power to:

A. 1 watt.

B. 10 watts.

C. 25 watts.

D. 50 watts.

Answer 2

A. 1 watt.

Question 3

The Dual Watch (DW) function is used to:

A. Listen to Ch-70 at the same time while monitoring Ch-16.

B. Sequentially monitor 4 different channels.

C. Sequentially monitoring all VHF channels.

D. Listen on any selected channel while periodically monitoring Ch-16.

Answer 3

D. Listen on any selected channel while periodically monitoring Ch-16.

Question 4

Which of the following statements best describes the correct setting for manual adjustment of the squelch control?

A. Adjust squelch control to the minimum level necessary to barely suppress any background noise.

B. Always adjust squelch control to its maximum level.

C. Always adjust squelch control to its minimum level.

D. Adjust squelch control to approximately twice the minimum level necessary to barely suppress any background noise.

Answer 4

A. Adjust squelch control to the minimum level necessary to barely suppress any background noise.

Question 5

The “Scan” function is used to:

A. Monitor Ch-16 continuously and switching to either Ch-70 or Ch-13 every 5 seconds.

B. Scan Ch-16 for Distress calls.

C. Scan Ch-70 for Distress alerts.

D. Sequentially scan all or selected channels.

Answer 5

D. Sequentially scan all or selected channels.

Question 6

Why must all VHF Distress, Urgency and Safety communications (as well as VTS traffic calls) be performed in Simplex operating mode?

A. To minimize interference from vessels engaged in routine communications.

B. To ensure that vessels not directly participating in the communications can hear both sides of the radio exchange.

C. To enable an RCC or Coast station to only hear communications from the vessel actually in distress.

D. To allow an RCC or Coast station to determine which transmissions are from other vessels and which transmissions are from the vessel actually in distress.

Answer 6

B. To ensure that vessels not directly participating in the communications can hear both sides of the radio exchange.

Question 7

What channel must VHF-FM-equipped vessels monitor at all times when the vessel is at sea?

A. Channel 8.

B. Channel 16.

C. Channel 5A.

D. Channel 1A.

Answer 7

B. Channel 16.

Question 8

What is the aircraft frequency and emission used for distress communications?

A. 243.000 MHz - F3E.

B. 121.500 MHz - F3E.

C. 156.525 MHz - F1B.

D. 121.500 MHz - A3E.

Answer 8

D. 121.500 MHz - A3E.

Question 9

Which VHF channel is used only for digital selective calling?

A. Channel 70.

B. Channel 16.

C. Channel 22A.

D. Channel 6.

Answer 9

A. Channel 70.

Question 10

Which channel is utilized for the required bridge-to-bridge watch?

A. DSC on Ch-70.

B. VHF-FM on Ch-16.

C. VHF-FM on Ch-13 in most areas of the continental United States.

D. The vessel’s VHF working frequency.

Answer 10

C. VHF-FM on Ch-13 in most areas of the continental United States.

Question 11

Which channel would most likely be used for routine ship-to-ship voice traffic?

A. Ch-16.

B. Ch-08.

C. Ch-70.

D. Ch-22A.

Answer 11

B. Ch-08.

Question 12

What channel would you use to place a call to a shore telephone?

A. Ch-16.

B. Ch-70.

C. Ch-28.

D. Ch-06.

Answer 12

C. Ch-28.

Question 13

Which modes could be selected to receive vessel traffic lists from high seas shore stations?

A. AM and VHF-FM.

B. ARQ and FEC.

C. VHF-FM and SSB.

D. SSB and FEC.

Answer 13

D. SSB and FEC.

Question 14

Why must all MF-HF Distress, Urgency and Safety communications take place solely on the 6 assigned frequencies and in the simplex operating mode?

A. For non-GMDSS ships, to maximize the chances for other vessels to receive those communications.

B. Answers a) and c) are both correct.

C. For GMDSS or DSC-equipped ships, to maximize the chances for other vessels to receive those communications following the transmission of a DSC call of the correct priority.

D. To enable an RCC or Coast station to only hear communications from the vessel actually in distress.

Answer 14

B. Answers a) and c) are both correct.

Question 15

To set-up the MF/HF transceiver for a voice call to a coast station, the operator must:

A. Select J3E mode for proper SITOR operations.

B. Select F1B mode or J2B mode, depending on the equipment manufacturer.

C. Select J3E mode for proper voice operations.

D. Select F1B/J2B modes or J3E mode, depending on whether FEC or ARQ is preferred.

Answer 15

C. Select J3E mode for proper voice operations.

Question 16

MF/HF transceiver power levels should be set:

A. To the lowest level necessary for effective communications.

B. To the level necessary to maximize the propagation radius.

C. To the highest level possible so as to ensure other stations cannot “break-in” on the channel during use.

D. Both a) and c) are correct.

Answer 16

A. To the lowest level necessary for effective communications.

Question 17

To set-up the MF/HF transceiver for a TELEX call to a coast station, the operator must:

A. Select J3E mode for proper SITOR operations.

B. Select F1B mode or J2B mode, depending on the equipment manufacturer.

C. Select F1B/J2B modes or J3E mode, depending on whether ARQ or FEC is preferred.

D. None of the above.

Answer 17

B. Select F1B mode or J2B mode, depending on the equipment manufacturer.

Question 18

What is the purpose of the Receiver Incremental Tuning (RIT) or “Clarifier” control?

A. It acts as a “fine-tune” control on the receive frequency.

B. It acts as a “fine-tune” control on the transmitted frequency.

C. It acts as a “fine-tune” control on both the receive and transmitted frequencies.

D. None of the above.

Answer 18

A. It acts as a “fine-tune” control on the receive frequency.

Question 19

On what frequency would a vessel normally call another ship station when using a radiotelephony emission?

A. Only on 2182 kHz in ITU Region 2.

B. On 2182 kHz or Ch-16, unless the station knows that the called vessel maintains a simultaneous watch on another intership working frequency.

C. On the appropriate calling channel of the ship station at 15 minutes past the hour.

D. On the vessel’s unique working radio channel assigned by the Federal Communications Commission.

Answer 19

B. On 2182 kHz or Ch-16, unless the station knows that the called vessel maintains a simultaneous watch on another intership working frequency.

Question 20

What is the MF radiotelephony calling and Distress frequency?

A. 2670 kHz.

B. Ch-06 VHF.

C. 2182 kHz.

D. Ch-22 VHF.

Answer 20

C. 2182 kHz.

Question 21

For general communications purposes, paired frequencies are:

A. Normally used with private coast stations.

B. Normally used between ship stations.

C. Normally used between private coast and ship
stations.

D. Normally used with public coast stations.

Answer 21

D. Normally used with public coast stations.

Question 22

What emission must be used when operating on the MF distress and calling voice frequency?

A. J3E – Single sideband telephony.

B. A1A – On-off keying without modulation by an audio frequency.

C. F3E – Frequency modulation telephony.

D. A3E – Amplitude modulation telephony, double sideband.

Answer 22

A. J3E – Single sideband telephony.

Question 23

Which of the following defines high frequency “ITU Channel 1212”?

A. Ch-12 in the 16 MHz band.

B. Ch-1216 in the MF band.

C. The 12th channel in the 12 MHz band.

D. This would indicate the 1st channel in the 12 MHz band.

Answer 23

C. The 12th channel in the 12 MHz band.

Question 24

For general communications purposes, simplex frequencies are:

A. Normally used between ship stations and private coast stations.

B. Normally used with public coast stations.

C. Normally used between ship stations.

D. Both a) and c) are correct.

Answer 24

D. Both a) and c) are correct.

Question 25

What is the proper procedure for testing a radiotelephone installation?

A. A dummy antenna must be used to insure the test will not interfere with ongoing communications.

B. Transmit the station’s call sign, followed by the word “test” on the frequency being used for the test.

C. Permission for the voice test must be requested and received from the nearest public coast station.

D. Short tests must be confined to a single frequency and must never be conducted in port.

Answer 25

B. Transmit the station’s call sign, followed by the word “test” on the frequency being used for the test.

Question 26

When testing is conducted on 2182 kHz or Ch-16, testing should not continue for more than ______ in any 5-minute period.

A. 2 minutes.

B. 1 minute.

C. 30 seconds.

D. 10 seconds.

Answer 26

D. 10 seconds.

Question 27

Under GMDSS, a compulsory VHF-DSC radiotelephone installation must be tested at what minimum intervals at sea?

A. Daily.

B. Annually, by a representative of the FCC.

C. Weekly.

D. Monthly.

Answer 27

A. Daily.

Question 28

The best way to test the MF-HF NBDP system is?

A. Make a radiotelephone call to a coast station.

B. Initiate an ARQ call to demonstrate that the transmitter and antenna are working.

C. Initiate an FEC call to demonstrate that the transmitter and antenna are working.

D. Initiate an ARQ call to a Coast Station and wait for the automatic exchange of answerbacks.

Answer 28

D. Initiate an ARQ call to a Coast Station and wait for the automatic exchange of answerbacks.

Question 29

The best way to test the Inmarsat-C terminal is?

A. Compose and send a brief message to your own Inmarsat-C terminal.

B. Send a message to a shore terminal and wait for confirmation.

C. Send a message to another ship terminal.

D. If the “Send” light flashes, proper operation has been confirmed.

Answer 29

A. Compose and send a brief message to your own Inmarsat-C terminal.

Question 30

When may you test a radiotelephone transmitter on the air?

A. Between midnight and 6:00 AM local time.

B. Only when authorized by the Commission.

C. At any time (except during silent periods) as necessary to assure proper operation.

D. After reducing transmitter power to 1 watt.

Answer 30

C. At any time (except during silent periods) as necessary to assure proper operation.

Question 31

Under normal circumstances, what do you do if the transmitter aboard your ship is operating off-frequency, overmodulating or distorting?

A. Reduce to low power.

B. Reduce audio volume level.

C. Stop transmitting.

D. Make a notation in station operating log.

Answer 31

C. Stop transmitting.

Question 32

Which would be an indication of proper operation of a SSB transmitter rated at 60 watt PEP output?

A. In SSB (J3E) voice mode, with the transmitter keyed but without speaking into the microphone, power output is indicated.

B. In SITOR communications, the power meter can be seen fluctuating regularly from zero to the 60 watt relative output reading.

C. In SSB (J3E) mode, speaking into the microphone causes power meter to fluctuate slightly around the 60 watt reading.

D. A steady indication of transmitted energy on an RF Power meter with no fluctuations when speaking into the microphone.

Answer 32

B. In SITOR communications, the power meter can be seen fluctuating regularly from zero to the 60 watt relative output reading.

Question 33

If a ship radio transmitter signal becomes distorted:

A. Reduce transmitter power.

B. Use minimum modulation.

C. Cease operations.

D. Reduce audio amplitude.

Answer 33

C. Cease operations.

Question 34

What would be an indication of a malfunction on a GMDSS station with a 24 VDC battery system?

A. A constant 30 volt reading on the GMDSS console voltmeter.

B. After testing the station on battery power, the ammeter reading indicates a high rate of charge that then declines.

C. After testing the station on battery power, a voltmeter reading of 30 volts for brief period followed by a steady 26 volt reading.

D. None of the above.

Answer 34

A. A constant 30 volt reading on the GMDSS console voltmeter.

Question 35

Your antenna tuner becomes totally inoperative. What would you do to obtain operation on both the 8 MHz and 22 MHz frequency bands?

A. Without an operating antenna tuner, transmission is impossible.

B. It is impossible to obtain operation on 2 different HF bands, without an operating antenna tuner.

C. Bypass the antenna tuner and shorten the whip to 15 ft.

D. Bypass the antenna tuner. Use a straight whip or wire antenna approximately 30 ft long.

Answer 35

D. Bypass the antenna tuner. Use a straight whip or wire antenna approximately 30 ft long.

Question 36

Which of the following conditions would be a symptom of malfunction in a 2182 kHz radiotelephone system that must be reported to the Master, then logged appropriately.

A. Much higher noise level observed during daytime operation.

B. No indication of power output when speaking into the microphone.

C. When testing a radiotelephone alarm on 2182 kHz into an artificial antenna, the Distress frequency watch receiver becomes unmuted, an improper testing procedure.

D. Failure to contact a shore station 600 nautical miles distant during daytime operation.

Answer 36

B. No indication of power output when speaking into the microphone.