Technician Practice Test T3 – Radio Waves and Propagation
Electromagnetic waves, wavelength = 300 ÷ MHz, VHF/UHF paths, the ionosphere and band openings. Tap an answer to check it.
Score: 0 / 0 (15)
Question 1
Why do VHF signal strengths sometimes vary greatly when the antenna is moved only a few feet?
Signals arriving over several paths (multipath) add or cancel, so moving the antenna a few feet can change the signal strength a lot.
Question 2
How does vegetation affect UHF and microwave signals?
Leaves and trees absorb UHF and microwave energy, which weakens signals.
Question 3
What antenna polarization is normally used for long-distance CW and SSB contacts on the VHF and UHF bands?
Long-distance CW and SSB on VHF/UHF normally use horizontal polarization.
Question 4
What is the effect of antenna cross-polarization over a line-of-sight VHF or UHF path?
If one station's antenna is vertical and the other's is horizontal (cross-polarized), the received signal is much weaker.
Question 5
When using a directional antenna, how might your station be able to communicate with a distant repeater if buildings or obstructions are blocking the direct line of sight path?
With a directional antenna you can aim at a building or hill that reflects your signal toward the repeater.
Question 6
What is the meaning of the term “picket fencing”?
Picket fencing is the rapid flutter on mobile signals caused by multipath as the vehicle moves.
Question 7
What weather condition might decrease range at microwave frequencies?
Rain and other precipitation absorb and scatter microwave signals, reducing range.
Question 8
What is a likely cause of irregular fading of signals propagated by the ionosphere?
Ionospheric signals arrive over several paths that combine randomly, causing irregular fading.
Question 9
Which of the following results from the fact that signals propagated by the ionosphere are elliptically polarized?
Ionospheric signals come back elliptically polarized, so either vertical or horizontal antennas work.
Question 10
What effect does multi-path propagation have on data transmissions?
Multipath distorts data signals, so the error rate goes up.
Question 11
Which region of the atmosphere can reflect HF radio waves?
The ionosphere can bend (reflect) HF radio waves back to Earth.
Question 12
What effect does fog or rain have on 10-meter and 6-meter band signals?
At 10 and 6 meters, fog and rain have little effect. They matter mostly at microwave frequencies.
Question 13
What is the relationship between the electric and magnetic fields of an electromagnetic wave?
In an electromagnetic wave the electric and magnetic fields are at right angles to each other.
Question 14
What property of a radio wave defines its polarization?
Polarization is the orientation of the electric field.
Question 15
What are the two components of a radio wave?
A radio wave consists of an electric field and a magnetic field.
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The questions are the official public Technician pool. The rules come from FCC Part 97. Always check these sources for the current rules.