General exam: fcc rules for general licensees
General privileges, band edges, power limits, identification and third-party traffic. 52 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key fcc rules for general licensees rulesShow the rules
- As a secondary user, amateurs must not cause harmful interference to the primary service and must accept any interference it causes them (§97.303). (p. 10)
- A beacon station may transmit no more than 100 watts PEP output (§97.203(c)). (p. 13)
- On 60 meters, every emission, including USB phone, must occupy no more than 2.8 kHz; this limit applies to all 60 m spectrum (§97.303(h)(3)). (p. 14)
- Before using a new digital code on the air, its technical characteristics must be publicly documented so others can decode it (§97.309(a)(4)). (p. 15)
- A Technician exam must be administered and observed by at least three Volunteer Examiners holding General class or higher (§97.509). (p. 16)
- A control operator running a US station remotely from abroad must hold a US amateur operator/primary station license (§97.7). (p. 16)
- Until the upgrade shows in the FCC database, a new General must add "AG" to their call sign whenever using General frequency privileges (§97.119(f)(2)). (p. 16)
- Examiners must give element credit for each element a CSCE shows was passed within the previous 365 days (§97.505(b)). (p. 17)
- A person must be at least 18 years old to be accredited as a Volunteer Examiner (§97.509(b)(2)). (p. 17)
- A person whose amateur license was revoked and not reinstated may not take part as a third party in sending messages (§97.115(b)(2)). (p. 18)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample fcc rules for general licensees questions
1.What is the maximum transmitter power an amateur station may use on the 12-meter band?
- A1500 watts PEP output
- B50 watts PEP output
- C200 watts PEP output
- DAn effective radiated power equivalent to 100 watts from a half-wave dipole
Show the answer
✓ A. 1500 watts PEP output
The 12-meter band follows the general amateur limit of 1500 watts PEP output (§97.313).
2.Which of the following is a purpose of a beacon station as identified in the FCC rules?
- AObservation of propagation and reception
- BTransmission of bulletins of general interest to amateur radio licensees
- CAutomatic identification of repeaters
- DAll these choices are correct
Show the answer
✓ A. Observation of propagation and reception
The FCC defines a beacon as a station sending one-way transmissions to observe propagation and reception (§97.3(a)(9)).
3.What action is required to obtain a new General class license after a previously held license has expired and the two-year grace period has passed?
- AThe applicant must show proof of the appropriate expired license grant and pass the current Element 2 exam
- BContact the FCC to have the license reinstated
- CThere are no requirements other than being able to show a copy of the expired license
- DThey must have a letter from the FCC showing they once held an amateur or commercial license
Show the answer
✓ A. The applicant must show proof of the appropriate expired license grant and pass the current Element 2 exam
After the two-year grace period, the applicant must prove the old license grant and pass the current Element 2 exam to get General back (§97.505).
4.On which HF and/or MF amateur bands are there portions where General class licensees cannot transmit?
- A80 meters, 40 meters, 20 meters, and 15 meters
- B80 meters, 20 meters, 15 meters, and 10 meters
- C160 meters, 60 meters, 15 meters, and 12 meters
- D60 meters, 30 meters, 17 meters, and 12 meters
Show the answer
✓ A. 80 meters, 40 meters, 20 meters, and 15 meters
General licensees lose part of the phone and CW segments on 80, 40, 20 and 15 meters, where the lowest edges are reserved for Amateur Extra class (§97.301(d)).