Login or Register for FREE!
Subelement T1
FCC Rules, descriptions, and definitions for the Amateur Radio Service, operator and station license responsibilities
Section T1A
Amateur Radio Service: purpose and permissible use of the Amateur Radio Service, operator/primary station license grant; Meanings of basic terms used in FCC rules; Interference; RACES rules; Phonetics; Frequency Coordinator
Which of the following is a purpose of the Amateur Radio Service as stated in the FCC rules and regulations?
  • Providing personal radio communications for as many citizens as possible
  • Providing communications for international non-profit organizations
  • Correct Answer
    Advancing skills in the technical and communication phases of the radio art
  • All of these choices are correct

The purpose of providing personal communications and those for international non-profits are not in Part 97, but advancing skills are.

If it were for as many citizens as possible, why bother with a test? Family Radio Service is available without a test - it doesn't even radio does.

If it were just for US Citizens, then a non-US Citizen couldn't get a license, but they can - they just need a US mailing address.

So, you can eliminate those two choices, which leaves you with the final one. If you don't get a license and transmit you could be hit with a heavy fine.

Last edited by kaen shikigami. Register to edit

Tags: arrl chapter 7 arrl module 17

Which agency regulates and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?
  • FEMA
  • Homeland Security
  • Correct Answer
    The FCC
  • All of these choices are correct

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates and enforces rules for Amateur Radio. All you can really do on this is memorize that, but this is a pretty fundamental thing to know =]

Last edited by kd7bbc. Register to edit

Tags: fcc rules and regulations arrl module 1 arrl chapter 1 arrl chapter 7 arrl module 17

What are the FCC rules regarding the use of a phonetic alphabet for station identification in the Amateur Radio Service?
  • It is required when transmitting emergency messages
  • It is prohibited
  • It is required when in contact with foreign stations
  • Correct Answer
    It is encouraged

Using a phonetic alphabet (also called a "spelling alphabet") such as the NATO Phonetic Alphabet is encouraged by the FCC rules but not absolutely required. This method is designed to keep people from mistaking similar sounding letters like B and D especially in poor quality audio or when hearing unfamiliar spoken accents.

Because it's not absolutely required, you will encounter some people using phonetic alphabet spelling in some situations and not using it in others.

It is a good idea to use this method especially when you are unsure of how clearly your audio is being received.

Last edited by william@b. Register to edit

Tags: arrl chapter 8 arrl module 19

How many operator/primary station license grants may be held by any one person?
  • Correct Answer
    One
  • No more than two
  • One for each band on which the person plans to operate
  • One for each permanent station location from which the person plans to operate

How many operator/primary station license grants may be held by any one person?

One

See the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47 Chapter I Subchapter D Part 97 - AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE

§ 97.5 Station license required.

47 CFR 97.5(b) An operator/primary station license grant.
One, but only one, operator/primary station license grant may be held by any one person. The primary station license is granted together with the amateur operator license.

Last edited by markadlerdallas. Register to edit

Tags: arrl chapter 7 arrl module 17

What is proof of possession of an FCC-issued operator/primary license grant?
  • A printed operator/primary station license issued by the FCC must be displayed at the transmitter site
  • The control operator must have an operator/primary station license in his or her possession when in control of a transmitter
  • Correct Answer
    The control operator's operator/primary station license must appear in the FCC ULS consolidated licensee database
  • All of these choices are correct

The ultimate proof of licensing is the FCC ULS consolidated licensee database available to and searchable by the public at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/

While there is an official paper license document, this is not the final word on whether you have a license or not because only the database shows if a license is active, cancelled, or revoked.

Tip: If you're planning to take the amateur license exam, it is recommended that you Register to receive a FRN (FCC Registration Number) before you go to the exam. The FCC will assign you an FRN anyway when you submit an application, but by obtaining one beforehand you can avoid using your Social Security Number on the license application.

Remember your FRN and password because this is what you will need to login to the FCC database to check the status of your applications or file new ones.

The FRN takes the place of your SSN in identifying you to the FCC, but it does not prove that you have any licenses.

Last edited by rjstone. Register to edit

Tags: arrl chapter 7 arrl module 17

What is the FCC Part 97 definition of a "beacon"?
  • A government transmitter marking the amateur radio band edges
  • A bulletin sent by the FCC to announce a national emergency
  • Correct Answer
    An amateur station transmitting communications for the purposes of observing propagation or related experimental activities
  • A continuous transmission of weather information authorized in the amateur bands by the National Weather Service

Part 97 is the part of the FCC regulations covering the amateur radio service.

For amateur radio purposes, a Beacon is an amateur station transmitting communications for the purposes of observing propagation or related experimental activities.

Beacon stations are useful for determining the presence of phenomenon like Sporadic E and Tropospheric Radio Propagation without having to coordinate with a distant operator to transmit a signal for you. They usually transmit constantly using CW on frequencies set aside for beacons.

Last edited by rjstone. Register to edit

Tags: arrl chapter 7 arrl module 17

What is the FCC Part 97 definition of a "space station"?
  • Any satellite orbiting the earth
  • A manned satellite orbiting the earth
  • Correct Answer
    An amateur station located more than 50 km above the Earth's surface
  • An amateur station using amateur radio satellites for relay of signals

What is the FCC Part 97 definition of a space station?

An amateur station located more than 50 km above Earth's surface

See the Code of Federal Regulation, Title 47 Chapter I, Subchapter D: Part 97 Subpart A - General Provisions

§ 97.3 Definitions.

47 CFR 97.3(a)(41) Space station. An amateur station located more than 50 km above the Earth's surface.

47 CFR 97.3(a)(16) Earth station. An amateur station located on, or within 50 km of, the Earth's surface intended for communications with space stations or with other Earth stations by means of one or more other objects in space.

Above 50 km, space station; below, 50 km, earth station.

Last edited by markadlerdallas. Register to edit

Tags: part97 space station definitions station types arrl chapter 6 arrl module 16

Which of the following entities recommends transmit/receive channels and other parameters for auxiliary and repeater stations?
  • Frequency Spectrum Manager appointed by the FCC
  • Correct Answer
    Volunteer Frequency Coordinator recognized by local amateurs
  • FCC Regional Field Office
  • International Telecommunications Union

Frequency Coordinators are regular amateur radio operators who are selected by repeater operators to coordinate the use of the radio frequencies for a given geographical area. This is important to keep repeaters from interfering with each other and to ensure that enough frequencies remain usable for simplex operation.

Some people may think that any frequencies can be used for simplex operation, but if you are uninformed as to the band plan selected by the Frequency Coordinator in your area, you may find yourself operating on or close to the input frequency of a repeater, thus causing harmful interference to others in the area. Click here for more information.

Last edited by kd7bbc. Register to edit

Tags: band plan arrl chapter 7 arrl module 17

Who selects a Frequency Coordinator?
  • The FCC Office of Spectrum Management and Coordination Policy
  • The local chapter of the Office of National Council of Independent Frequency Coordinators
  • Correct Answer
    Amateur operators in a local or regional area whose stations are eligible to be repeater or auxiliary stations
  • FCC Regional Field Office

Frequency Coordinators are regular amateur radio operators who are selected by repeater operators to coordinate the use of the radio frequencies for a given geographical area. This is important to keep repeaters from interfering with each other and to ensure that enough frequencies remain usable for simplex operation.

Some people may think that any frequencies can be used for simplex operation, but if you are uninformed as to the band plan selected by the Frequency Coordinator in your area, you may find yourself operating on or close to the input frequency of a repeater, thus causing harmful interference to others in the area. Click here for more information.

Last edited by ineedateam1. Register to edit

Tags: arrl chapter 7 arrl module 17

Which of the following describes the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)?
  • A radio service using amateur frequencies for emergency management or civil defense communications
  • A radio service using amateur stations for emergency management or civil defense communications
  • An emergency service using amateur operators certified by a civil defense organization as being enrolled in that organization
  • Correct Answer
    All of these choices are correct

The three key things here are that RACES uses amateur radio frequencies, stations, and operators. They don't have their own frequencies (like MARS does), and all the stations and operators are amateurs (unlike MARS, which does have separately licensed stations and operators). So all of these answers are correct.

Last edited by k6yxh. Register to edit

Tags: arrl chapter 6 arrl module 15

When is willful interference to other amateur radio stations permitted?
  • To stop another amateur station which is breaking the FCC rules
  • Correct Answer
    At no time
  • When making short test transmissions
  • At any time, stations in the Amateur Radio Service are not protected from willful interference

To quote FCC rules Part 97 section 101,

(d) No amateur operator shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communication or signal.

This FCC statement applies to radio communications, regardless of content, frequency, event, or time boundaries; therefore, the answer is At no time.

It is NEVER allowed to intentionally interfere with another amateur radio frequency.

Last edited by baconboy672. Register to edit

Tags: arrl chapter 8 arrl module 20

Go to T1B