Part 97 definitions, interference, repeater frequency coordinators, and the ITU
The Amateur Radio Service is a service regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC regulates and enforces the rules which govern the service in the United States
T1A02 [97.1]
Which agency regulates and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?
A. FEMA
B. Homeland Security
C. The FCC
D. All these choices are correct
Part 97 is the part of the radio regulations that govern the Amateur Radio Service. Part 97.1 lists five “purposes” for the existence of amateur radio. The first is recognition of its usefulness in providing emergency and public-service communications. Another is that amateur radio helps people improve their technical skills and operating skills.
T1A01 [97.1]
Which of the following is part of the Basis and Purpose of the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Providing personal radio communications for as many citizens as possible
B. Providing communications for international non-profit organizations
C. Advancing skills in the technical and communication phases of the radio art
D. All these choices are correct
Part 97 defines terms and concepts that every amateur radio operator needs to know. Specifically, you need to know the definition of a beacon and a space station.
T1A06 [97.3(a)(9)]
What is the FCC Part 97 definition of a beacon?
A. A government transmitter marking the amateur radio band edges
B. A bulletin sent by the FCC to announce a national emergency
C. A continuous transmission of weather information authorized in the amateur bands by the National Weather Service
D. An amateur station transmitting communications for the purposes of observing propagation or related experimental activities
T1A07 [97.3(a)(41)]
What is the FCC Part 97 definition of a space station?
A. Any satellite orbiting Earth
B. A manned satellite orbiting Earth
C. An amateur station located more than 50 km above Earth’s surface
D. An amateur station using amateur radio satellites for relay of signals
One of the most important concepts defined by Part 97 is that of harmful interference. Part 97 defines harmful interference as “interference which endangers the functioning of a radionavigation service or of other safety services or seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations.” Amateur stations can never willfully interfere with other amateur stations.
T1A11 [97.101 (d)]
When is willful interference to other amateur radio stations permitted?
A. To stop another amateur station that is breaking the FCC rules
B. At no time
C. When making short test transmissions
D. At any time, stations in the Amateur Radio Service are not protected from willful interference
Part 97 also contains rules about how repeater frequencies are assigned. This responsibility is assigned to regional frequency coordinators, who volunteer to do this work and are chosen by radio amateurs in that region.
T1A08 [97.3(a)(22)]
Which of the following entities recommends transmit/receive channels and other parameters for auxiliary and repeater stations?
A. Frequency Spectrum Manager appointed by the FCC
B. Volunteer Frequency Coordinator recognized by local amateurs
C. FCC Regional Field Office
D. International Telecommunication Union
T1A09 [97.3(a)(22)]
Who selects a Frequency Coordinator?
A. The FCC Office of Spectrum Management and Coordination Policy
B. The local chapter of the Office of National Council of Independent Frequency Coordinators
C. Amateur operators in a local or regional area whose stations are eligible to be repeater or auxiliary stations
D. FCC Regional Field Office
Frequency allocations and power output limits
Because operation outside of the amateur radio bands is a serious offense, it is important to know about the frequencies that amateur radio operators can use, as well as the modes you can use on those frequencies.
T1B03 [97.301(a)]
Which frequency is in the 6 meter amateur band?
A. 49.00 MHz
B. 52.525 MHz
C. 28.50 MHz
D. 222.15 MHz
T1B04 [97.301(a)]
Which amateur band includes 146.52 MHz?
A. 6 meters
B. 20 meters
C. 70 centimeters
D. 2 meters
T1B06 [97.301(e), 97.305]
On which HF bands does a Technician class operator have phone privileges?
A. None
B. 10 meter band only
C. 80 meter, 40 meter, 15 meter, and 10 meter bands
D. 30 meter band only
T1B01 [97.301 (e)]
Which of the following frequency ranges are available for phone operation by Technician licensees?
A. 28.050 MHz to 28.150 MHz
B. 28.100 MHz to 28.300 MHz
C. 28.300 MHz to 28.500 MHz
D. 28.500 MHz to 28.600 MHz
T1B10 [97.305(c)]
Where may SSB phone be used in amateur bands above 50 MHz?
A. Only in sub-bands allocated to General class or higher licensees
B. Only on repeaters
C. In at least some segment of all these bands
D. On any band if the power is limited to 25 watts
T1B07 [97.305(a), (c)]
Which of the following VHF/UHF band segments are limited to CW only?
A. 50.0 MHz to 50.1 MHz and 144.0 MHz to 144.1 MHz
B. 219 MHz to 220 MHz and 420.0 MHz to 420.1 MHz
C. 902.0 MHz to 902.1 MHz
D. All these choices are correct
T1B05 [97.305(c)]
How may amateurs use the 219 to 220 MHz segment of 1.25 meter band?
A. Spread spectrum only
B. Fast-scan television only
C. Emergency traffic only
D. Fixed digital message forwarding systems only
T1B09 [97.101(a), 97.301(a-e)]
Why should you not set your transmit frequency to be exactly at the edge of an amateur band or sub-band?
A. To allow for calibration error in the transmitter frequency display
B. So that modulation sidebands do not extend beyond the band edge
C. To allow for transmitter frequency drift
D. All these choices are correct
Amateur radio operators share some bands with users from other services. Sometimes, amateurs are the primary users, such as in the 2m band, but sometimes amateur radio operators are secondary users. When amateurs are secondary users, they must defer to the primary users.
T1B08 [97.303]
How are US amateurs restricted in segments of bands where the Amateur Radio Service is secondary?
A. U.S. amateurs may find non-amateur stations in those segments, and must avoid interfering with them
B. U.S. amateurs must give foreign amateur stations priority in those segments
C. International communications are not permitted in those segments
D. Digital transmissions are not permitted in those segments
Since Technician Class operators have full amateur privileges above 50 MHz, they can operate transmitters with an output power of up to 1,500 watts at frequencies in the VHF region and above. On the HF bands, however, transmitters operated by Technicians are restricted to an output power of 200 watts or less.
T1B12 [97.313(b)]
Except for some specific restrictions, what is the maximum peak envelope power output for Technician class operators using frequencies above 30 MHz?
A. 50 watts
B. 100 watts
C. 500 watts
D. 1500 watts
T1B11 [97.313]
What is the maximum peak envelope power output for Technician class operators in their HF band segments?
A. 200 watts
B. 100 watts
C. 50 watts
D. 10 watts
License classes
As you might expect, licensing is a big deal in the Amateur Radio Service. Your class of license determines where you can operate, and in some cases, what modes you can operate and how much power you can use.
T1C01 [97.9(a), 97.17(a)]
For which license classes are new licenses currently available from the FCC?
A. Novice, Technician, General, Amateur Extra
B. Technician, Technician Plus, General, Amateur Extra
C. Novice, Technician Plus, General, Advanced
D. Technician, General, Amateur Extra
T1C08 [97.25]
What is the normal term for an FCC-issued amateur radio license?
A. Five years
B. Life
C. Ten years
D. Eight years
T1C10 [97.5a]
How soon after passing the examination for your first amateur radio license may you transmit on the amateur radio bands?
A. Immediately on receiving your Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE)
B. As soon as your operator/station license grant appears on the ARRL website
C. As soon as your operator/station license grant appears in the FCC’s license database
D. As soon as you receive your license in the mail from the FCC
T1A04 [97.5(b)(1)]
How many operator/primary station license grants may be held by any one person?
A. One
B. No more than two
C. One for each band on which the person plans to operate
D. One for each permanent station location from which the person plans to operate
For some time now, the official amateur radio license authorization has been the electronic record that exists in the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS). Paper licenses are no longer issued as a matter of course, although you can log into the FCC website and print out a paper copy if you so choose.
T1A05 [97.7]
What proves that the FCC has issued an operator/primary license grant?
A. A printed copy of the certificate of successful completion of examination
B. An email notification from the NCVEC granting the license
C. The license appears in the FCC ULS database
D. All these choices are correct
After you pass the test, the FCC will assign you a call sign sequentially from the pool of available call signs. If you do not like this call sign, you can apply for a vanity call sign.
T1C02 [97.19]
Who may select a desired call sign under the vanity call sign rules?
A. Only a licensed amateur with a General or Amateur Extra Class license
B. Only a licensed amateur with an Amateur Extra Class license
C. Only a licensed amateur who has been licensed continuously for more than 10 years
D. Any licensed amateur
The call sign you select must not only be available, it must have an appropriate format for the class of license you hold. For example, only Amateur Extra class licensees may hold 1×2 or 2×1 call signs. This means that a Technician class amateur radio operator may not choose the call signs KA1X, which is a 2×1 call sign, or W1XX, which is a 1×2 call sign.
T1C05
Which of the following is a valid Technician class call sign format?
A. KF1XXX
B. KA1X
C. W1XX
D. All these choices are correct
If you don’t renew your license before it expires, or within the two-year grace period, you will have to take the test again to get a new amateur radio license.
T1C09 [97.21(a)(b)]
What is the grace period for renewal if an amateur license expires?
A. Two years
B. Three years
C. Five years
D. Ten years
T1C11 [97.21(b)]
If your license has expired and is still within the allowable grace period, may you continue to transmit on the amateur radio bands?
A. Yes, for up to two years
B. Yes, as soon as you apply for renewal
C. Yes, for up to one year
D. No, you must wait until the license has been renewed
Clubs may apply for a station license for their club station, if the club has at least four members. The club may even apply for a vanity call sign.
T1F11 [97.5(b)(2)]
Which of the following is a requirement for the issuance of a club station license grant?
A. The trustee must have an Amateur Extra Class operator license grant
B. The club must have at least four members
C. The club must be registered with the American Radio Relay League
D. All these choices are correct
As of December 2020, applicants for an amateur radio license must provide a valid email address. Should you change that email address, you must inform the FCC of your new address. If the FCC is unable to contact you at the email address on file, they may revoke your license.
T1C07 [97.23]
Which of the following can result in revocation of the station license or suspension of the operator license?
A. Failure to inform the FCC of any changes in the amateur station following performance of an RF safety environmental evaluation
B. Failure to provide and maintain a correct email address with the FCC
C. Failure to obtain FCC type acceptance prior to using a home-built transmitter
D. Failure to have a copy of your license available at your station
A question that sometimes arises is what regulations apply in international waters. The answer is that you can operate your station while aboard a ship in international waters if that ship is documented or registered in the United States.
T1C06 [97.5(a)(2)]
From which of the following locations may an FCC-licensed amateur station transmit?
A. From within any country that belongs to the International Telecommunication Union
B. From within any country that is a member of the United Nations
C. From anywhere within International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regions 2 and 3
D. From any vessel or craft located in international waters and documented or registered in the United States
Authorized and prohibited transmissions
As a licensed radio amateur, it’s important to know what you can and can’t do on the air. Indecent language is prohibited, and oddly enough, so is music, except for one specific situation.
T1D06 [97.113(a)(4)]
What, if any, are the restrictions concerning transmission of language that may be considered indecent or obscene?
A. The FCC maintains a list of words that are not permitted to be used on amateur frequencies
B. Any such language is prohibited
C. The ITU maintains a list of words that are not permitted to be used on amateur frequencies
D. There is no such prohibition
T1D04 [97.113(a)(4), 97.113(c)]
Under what conditions is an amateur station authorized to transmit music using a phone emission?
A. When incidental to an authorized retransmission of manned spacecraft communications
B. When the music produces no spurious emissions
C. When transmissions are limited to less than three minutes per hour
D. When the music is transmitted above 1280 MHz
Transmitting any codes whose specifications are not published or well-known is prohibited, except in one specific circumstance.
T1D03 [97.211(b), 97.215(b), 97.113(a)(4)]
When is it permissible to transmit messages encoded to obscure their meaning?
A. Only during contests
B. Only when transmitting certain approved digital codes
C. Only when transmitting control commands to space stations or radio control craft
D. Never
Amateur radio stations may only communicate with amateur stations in other countries when that country allows it.
T1D01 [97.111(a)(1)]
With which countries are FCC-licensed amateur radio stations prohibited from exchanging communications?
A. Any country whose administration has notified the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that it objects to such communications
B. Any country whose administration has notified the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) that it objects to such communications
C. Any country banned from such communications by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)
D. Any country banned from making such communications by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
Currently, there are no countries that U.S. amateurs are prohibited from contacting, but I’m going to guess that there are no licensed radio amateurs in North Korea.
Another big deal in amateur radio is the prohibition of being paid to operate an amateur radio station, except in some very special circumstances. That doesn’t mean that you can’t make money from amateur radio. I’m obviously making a few bucks by selling study guides, but I can’t be paid for operating my station or someone else’s station.
T1D08 [97.113(a)(3)(iii)]
In which of the following circumstances may the control operator of an amateur station receive compensation for operating that station?
A. When the communication is related to the sale of amateur equipment by the control operator’s employer
B. When the communication is incidental to classroom instruction at an educational institution
C. When the communication is made to obtain emergency information for a local broadcast station
D. All these choices are correct
T1D05 [97.113(a)(3)(ii)]
When may amateur radio operators use their stations to notify other amateurs of the availability of equipment for sale or trade?
A. Never
B. When the equipment is not the personal property of either the station licensee, or the control operator, or their close relatives
C. When no profit is made on the sale
D. When selling amateur radio equipment and not on a regular basis
Amateur radio stations may not broadcast. The FCC defines broadcasting as one-way transmissions intended for the general public.
T1D10 [97.3(a)(10)]
How does the FCC define broadcasting for the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Two-way transmissions by amateur stations
B. Any transmission made by the licensed station
C. Transmission of messages directed only to amateur operators
D. Transmissions intended for reception by the general public
T1D02 [97.113(b), 97.111(b)]
Under which of the following circumstances are one-way transmissions by an amateur station prohibited?
A. In all circumstances
B. Broadcasting
C. International Morse Code Practice
D. Telecommand or transmissions of telemetry
Amateurs may, however, transmit information for broadcast by broadcast stations in an emergency situation.
T1D09 (A) [97.113(5)(b)]
When may amateur stations transmit information in support of broadcasting, program production, or news gathering, assuming no other means is available?
A. When such communications are directly related to the immediate safety of human life or protection of property
B. When broadcasting communications to or from the space shuttle
C. Where noncommercial programming is gathered and supplied exclusively to the National Public Radio network
D. Never
So, what is allowed? Well, for one thing, you can talk about amateur radio and other personal topics when making an international contact.
T1C03 [97.117]
What types of international communications are an FCC-licensed amateur radio station permitted to make?
A. Communications incidental to the purposes of the Amateur Radio Service and remarks of a personal character
B. Communications incidental to conducting business or remarks of a personal nature
C. Only communications incidental to contest exchanges; all other communications are prohibited
D. Any communications that would be permitted by an international broadcast station
Control operator and control types
An important concept in amateur radio is the control operator. The basic concept is that an amateur radio station must always have a control operator, and that control operator is responsible for the proper operation of that station. And, the default control operator is the station licensee.
T1E01 [97.7(a)]
When may an amateur station transmit without a control operator?
A. When using automatic control, such as in the case of a repeater
B. When the station licensee is away and another licensed amateur is using the station
C. When the transmitting station is an auxiliary station
D. Never
T1E11 [97.103(a)]
Who does the FCC presume to be the control operator of an amateur station, unless documentation to the contrary is in the station records?
A. The station custodian
B. The third party participant
C. The person operating the station equipment
D. The station licensee
T1E03 [97.103(b)]
Who must designate the station control operator?
A. The station licensee
B. The FCC
C. The frequency coordinator
D. Any licensed operator
T1E07 (D) [97.103(a)]
When the control operator is not the station licensee, who is responsible for the proper operation of the station?
A. All licensed amateurs who are present at the operation
B. Only the station licensee
C. Only the control operator
D. The control operator and the station licensee
T1F10 [97.205(g)]
Who is accountable if a repeater inadvertently retransmits communications that violate the FCC rules?
A. The control operator of the originating station
B. The control operator of the repeater
C. The owner of the repeater
D. Both the originating station and the repeater owner
T1E06 [97.301]
When, under normal circumstances, may a Technician class licensee be the control operator of a station operating in an Amateur Extra Class band segment?
A. At no time
B. When designated as the control operator by an Amateur Extra Class licensee
C. As part of a multi-operator contest team
D. When using a club station whose trustee holds an Amateur Extra Class license
T1E02 [97.301, 97.207(c)]
Who may be the control operator of a station communicating through an amateur satellite or space station?
A. Only an Amateur Extra Class operator
B. A General class or higher licensee with a satellite operator certification
C. Only an Amateur Extra Class operator who is also an AMSAT member
D. Any amateur allowed to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency
Two related concepts are the control point and control type. Part 97 defines three control types:
Local control. A station is said to be locally controlled when the control operator can directly manipulate the operating of an amateur radio station.
Remote control. A station is said to be remotely controlled when the control operator indirectly manipulates the operating controls of an amateur radio station through a control link, such as a radio link, a telephone link, or an internet link.
Automatic control. A station is said to be automatically controlled if it uses devices and procedures for control without the control operator being present at the control point.
The control point is where the control function is being performed. For example, the control point of a station that is being locally controlled is wherever the station and operator are locate. The control point of a remotely-controlled station is wherever the control operator is located, which could be anywhere in the world, if the operator is controlling the station over the internet.
T1E05 [97.3(a)(14)]
What is an amateur station’s control point?
A. The location of the station’s transmitting antenna
B. The location of the station’s transmitting apparatus
C. The location at which the control operator function is performed
D. The mailing address of the station licensee
T1E10 [97.3(a)(39)]
Which of the following is an example of remote control as defined in Part 97?
A. Repeater operation
B. Operating the station over the internet
C. Controlling a model aircraft, boat, or car by amateur radio
D. All these choices are correct
T1E09 [97.109(c)]
Which of the following are required for remote control operation?
A. The control operator must be at the control point
B. A control operator is required at all times
C. The control operator must indirectly manipulate the controls
D. All these choices are correct
T1E08 [97.3(a)(6), 97.205(d)]
Which of the following is an example of automatic control?
A. Repeater operation
B. Controlling a station over the internet
C. Using a computer or other device to send CW automatically
D. Using a computer or other device to identify automatically
Station identification, repeaters, third-party communications, FCC inspection
Proper station identification is also very important. In fact, failure to identify properly is perhaps the most common rule violation.
T1F03 [97.119(a)]
When are you required to transmit your assigned call sign?
A. At the beginning of each contact, and every 10 minutes thereafter
B. At least once during each transmission
C. At least every 15 minutes during and at the end of a communication
D. At least every 10 minutes during and at the end of a communication
T1D11 [97.119(a)]
When may an amateur station transmit without identifying on the air?
A. When the transmissions are of a brief nature to make station adjustments
B. When the transmissions are unmodulated
C. When the transmitted power level is below 1 watt
D. When transmitting signals to control model craft
T1F04 [97.119(b)(2)]
What language may you use for identification when operating in a phone sub-band?
A. Any language recognized by the United Nations
B. Any language recognized by the ITU
C. English
D. English, French, or Spanish
T1F05 [97.119(b)(2)]
What method of call sign identification is required for a station transmitting phone signals?
A. Send the call sign followed by the indicator RPT
B. Send the call sign using a CW or phone emission
C. Send the call sign followed by the indicator R
D. Send the call sign using only a phone emission
T1A03 [97.119(b)(2)]
What do the FCC rules state regarding the use of a phonetic alphabet for station identification in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. It is required when transmitting emergency messages
B. It is encouraged
C. It is required when in contact with foreign stations
D. All these choices are correct
For some types of operations, using a tactical call is allowed. A tactical call describes the function of the station or the location of a station, such as “Race Headquarters.” You do, however, still have to identify using your FCC-assigned call sign every ten minutes or at the end of a communication.
T1F02 [97.119 (a)]
How often must you identify with your FCC-assigned call sign when using tactical call signs such as “Race Headquarters”?
A. Never, the tactical call is sufficient
B. Once during every hour
C. At the end of each communication and every ten minutes during a communication
D. At the end of every transmission
When operating mobile or portable, or when you wish to note something about your station, you may use a self-assigned call sign indicator, such as “/3,” “mobile,” or “QRP.”
T1F06 [97.119(c)]
Which of the following self-assigned indicators are acceptable when using a phone transmission?
A. KL7CC stroke W3
B. KL7CC slant W3
C. KL7CC slash W3
D. All these choices are correct
Third-party communications are communications on behalf of someone who is not the station licensee. For example, if you have a friend over to your house and let him or her talk on your radio, that is a third-party communication. These are entirely legal within the United States, but there are some restrictions when you are in contact with an amateur station in a foreign country.
T1F08 [97.3(a)(47)]
What is the definition of third party communications?
A. A message from a control operator to another amateur station control operator on behalf of another person
B. Amateur radio communications where three stations are in communications with one another
C. Operation when the transmitting equipment is licensed to a person other than the control operator
D. Temporary authorization for an unlicensed person to transmit on the amateur bands for technical experiments
T1F07 (B) [97.115(a)(2)]
Which of the following restrictions apply when a non-licensed person is allowed to speak to a foreign station using a station under the control of a licensed amateur operator?
A. The person must be a U.S. citizen
B. The foreign station must be in a country with which the U.S. has a third party agreement
C. The licensed control operator must do the station identification
D. All these choices are correct
Finally—and I do mean finally.
T1F01 [97.103(c)]
When must the station and its records be available for FCC inspection?
A. At any time ten days after notification by the FCC of such an inspection
B. At any time upon request by an FCC representative
C. At any time after written notification by the FCC of such inspection
D. Only when presented with a valid warrant by an FCC official or government agent
They’re not going to knock on your door at 3 a.m. some morning to take a look at your shack, but one of your obligations as a licensee is to make your station and your records available when requested to do so.
Dave New, N8SBE says
Typo: “point of a station that is being locally controlled is wherever the station and operator are locate.” –> “point of a station that is being locally controlled is wherever the station and operator are located.”
Dan KB6NU says
@#!$%$#Q% typos. :)
Thanks, Dave.