Technician exam: operating procedures
Repeaters, simplex, calling and answering, emergency and public-service operating, and band plans. 37 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key operating procedures rulesShow the rules
- 146.520 MHz is the national FM simplex calling frequency on 2 meters, used to make first contact before moving elsewhere. (p. 17)
- On the 70-centimeter band, repeaters normally use a 5 MHz split between their input and output frequencies. (p. 18)
- DTMF, the telephone keypad system, signals each digit with two audio tones sent at the same time. (p. 20)
- QRM means interference from other stations, while QRN means static or natural noise. (p. 21)
- QSY means changing frequency, as when two stations move off a calling frequency. (p. 21)
- A DMR color code is an access code, similar to a CTCSS tone, that your radio must use to work a particular DMR repeater. (p. 21)
- Part 97 rules always apply to amateur stations, including during RACES, ARES or other emergency activities (§97.103(a)). (p. 22)
- RACES is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, a Part 97 service for civil defense communications during national emergencies. (p. 22)
- In net operation, traffic means formal messages that stations exchange and relay. (p. 22)
- RACES operators must be certified by a civil defense agency; ARES, MARS and SKYWARN do not have that requirement. (p. 24)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample operating procedures questions
1.What is an appropriate way to call another station on a repeater if you know the other station's call sign?
- AWait for the station to call CQ, then answer with your call sign
- BSay the station's call sign, then identify with your call sign
- CSay "CQ" three times, then the other station's call sign, followed by your call sign
- DSay "break, break," then the other station's call sign, followed by your call sign
Show the answer
✓ B. Say the station's call sign, then identify with your call sign
To call a known station on a repeater, say its call sign and then identify with your own; no CQ or special phrases are needed.
2.How can you join a digital repeater's "talkgroup"?
- ARegister with the digital repeater control operator
- BRegister with the local Frequency Coordinator
- CProgram your radio with the group's ID or code
- DProgram your radio with the DTMF tone used by the talkgroup
Show the answer
✓ C. Program your radio with the group's ID or code
On DMR and similar systems, you join a talkgroup by programming its ID number into your radio.
3.What is the national calling frequency for FM simplex operations in the 2-meter band?
- A432.100 MHz
- B145.000 MHz
- C146.520 MHz
- D446.000 MHz
Show the answer
✓ C. 146.520 MHz
146.520 MHz is the national FM simplex calling frequency on 2 meters, used to make first contact before moving elsewhere.
4.Which of the following requires certification by a civil defense agency?
- ARACES
- BARES
- CMARS
- DSKYWARN
Show the answer
✓ A. RACES
RACES operators must be certified by a civil defense agency; ARES, MARS and SKYWARN do not have that requirement.