CA_BASIC
Basic - Licensing, station identification, and operation
Licensing, station identification, and operation follows the B-002 section of the Canadian question bank.
99
Questions
7
Sibling Topics
- Pool
- Basic
- Questions
- 99
- Topic
- Licensing, station identification, and operation
- Region
- CA
Review by section order to build the topic framework first.
For regulatory and safety questions, prefer compliant and conservative actions.
For calculations, check units, multipliers, and approximations.
Topic Study Guide
This topic covers amateur radio licensing regulations, station identification, repeater and simplex operation etiquette, the ITU phonetic alphabet, Q codes, and emergency communication basics.
High-Yield Checks
- Repeater & Simplex Operations: Master standard calling formats (Target call sign + "this is" + Your call sign), joining conversations (saying your call sign during breaks), and testing simplex (listening on repeater input).
- ITU Phonetics & RST System: Memorize the standard ITU phonetic alphabet (e.g., Echo, Papa) and the RST reporting system (Readability 1-5, Strength 1-9, Tone 1-9).
- Q Codes & CW Basics: Know essential Q codes (QRL, QRM, QRX) and Morse code procedures (3x3 CQ format, "DE" meaning "From", QSK meaning full break-in).
- Interference & Testing Rules: Always use a dummy load for transmitter testing. If propagation causes interference, move to another frequency—no one owns a frequency.
Trap Patterns
- Confusing QRM (man-made interference) with QRN (natural static), a very common mistake for beginners.
- Misunderstanding repeater signal reports: An S-meter reading on a repeater only shows the repeater's strength, not the distant station's actual strength.
- Not reading carefully: choosing the voice distress word "MAYDAY" when the question specifically asks for the Morse code distress signal "SOS".
- Thinking "Break" is a casual way to join a conversation; in amateur radio, it is strictly reserved for emergency traffic.
Review Steps
- Completely memorize the ITU phonetic alphabet (A-Z) to avoid being misled by non-standard words common in movies (e.g., Easy, Peter).
- Outline the standard calling procedures for both voice and CW (Morse code), comparing their similarities and differences.
- Create flashcards for Q codes, focusing on high-frequency exam items like QRL, QRM, QRN, QRX, and QRT.
- Understand the technical differences between simplex and duplex/repeater operations, and master the practical logic of switching between them.
Quick Checks
- What does the "T" in an RST signal report stand for, and what is its maximum value?
- In CW operation, which Q code should be used to ask if a frequency is in use before transmitting?
- What equipment should be used during lengthy transmitter testing to avoid on-the-air interference?
- What does "DE" mean in a Morse code transmission?
Questions in This Topic
Choose Practice ModeB-002-001-001What is an appropriate way to make contact on a repeater?B-002-001-002What is the main purpose of a repeater?B-002-001-003What is frequency coordination on VHF and UHF bands?B-002-001-004What is the purpose of a repeater time-out timer?B-002-001-005What is a CTCSS tone?B-002-001-006How do you call another station on a repeater if you know the station's call sign?B-002-001-007Why should you pause before and between transmissions when using a repeater?B-002-001-008Why should you keep transmissions short when using a repeater?B-002-001-009What is the proper way to join a conversation on a repeater?B-002-001-010What is the accepted way to ask someone about their location when using a repeater?B-002-001-011FM repeater operation on the 2-metre band uses one frequency for transmission and one for reception. What is the standard difference between the transmit and receive frequencies (known as "offset")?B-002-002-001To make your call sign better understood when using voice transmissions, what should you do?B-002-002-002What can you use as an aid for correct station identification when using voice?B-002-002-003In the International Telecommunication Union phonetic alphabet, what is the code word for the letter A?B-002-002-004In the International Telecommunication Union phonetic alphabet, what is the code word for the letter B?B-002-002-005In the International Telecommunication Union phonetic alphabet, what is the code word for the letter D?B-002-002-006In the International Telecommunication Union phonetic alphabet, what is the code word for the letter E?B-002-002-007In the International Telecommunication Union phonetic alphabet, what is the code word for the letter G?B-002-002-008In the International Telecommunication Union phonetic alphabet, what is the code word for the letter I?B-002-002-009In the International Telecommunication Union phonetic alphabet, what is the code word for the letter L?B-002-002-010In the International Telecommunication Union phonetic alphabet, what is the code word for the letter P?B-002-002-011In the International Telecommunication Union phonetic alphabet, what is the code word for the letter R?B-002-003-001What is the correct way to call "CQ" when using voice?B-002-003-002How should you answer a voice CQ call?B-002-003-003What is simplex operation?B-002-003-004When should you consider using simplex operation instead of a repeater?B-002-003-005Why should local communications use VHF and UHF frequencies instead of HF frequencies?B-002-003-006Why should you be careful in choosing a simplex frequency when operating VHF or UHF?B-002-003-007If you are talking to a station using a repeater, how would you find out if you could communicate using simplex instead?B-002-003-008If you are operating simplex on a repeater frequency, why would it be good practice to change to another frequency?B-002-003-009Which sideband is commonly used for 20-metre voice operation?B-002-003-010Which sideband is commonly used on 3755 kHz for voice operation?B-002-003-011When calling a specific station on voice, what is the preferred format for your transmission?B-002-004-001What should you do before you transmit on any frequency?B-002-004-002If you contact another station and your signal is extremely strong and perfectly readable, what adjustment should you make to your transmitter?B-002-004-003You need to transmit to adjust your antenna tuner prior to joining an HF single-sideband net that is in progress. On what frequency should you make the adjustment?B-002-004-004How can on-the-air interference be minimized during lengthy transmitter testing?B-002-004-005Why would you use a dummy load?B-002-004-006If you are the net control station of a daily HF net, what should you do if the frequency on which you normally meet is in use just before the net begins?B-002-004-007If a net is about to begin on a frequency that you and another station are using, what should you do?B-002-004-008If propagation changes during your contact and you notice increasing interference from other stations on the same frequency, what should you do?B-002-004-009When selecting a single-sideband voice transmitting frequency, what minimum frequency separation from a contact in progress should you allow to minimize interference?B-002-004-010What is a band plan?B-002-004-011Before transmitting, the first thing you should do is:B-002-005-001What is the correct way to call "CQ" when using Morse code?B-002-005-002How should you answer a routine Morse code "CQ" call?B-002-005-003At what speed should a Morse code "CQ" call be transmitted?B-002-005-004What is the meaning of "CQ"?B-002-005-005What is the meaning of the word "DE" in Morse code?B-002-005-006What is the meaning of the Morse code signal "K"?B-002-005-007What is meant by the term "DX"?B-002-005-008What is the meaning of the term "73"?B-002-005-009Which of the following describes full break-in CW (QSK)?B-002-005-010When selecting a CW transmitting frequency, what minimum frequency separation from a contact in progress should you allow to minimize interference?B-002-005-011What is the meaning of the Morse code signal "R"?B-002-006-001What do "RST" signal reports describe?B-002-006-002What does "RST" stand for in a signal report?B-002-006-003What is the meaning of: "Your signal report is 5 7"?B-002-006-004What is the meaning of: "Your signal report is 3 3"?B-002-006-005What is the meaning of: "You are 5 9 plus 20 dB"?B-002-006-006A distant station asks for a signal report on a local repeater you monitor. What do you report?B-002-006-007Your receiver's S-meter is calibrated to a standard of 6 dB per S-unit per a recommendation by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). The S-meter shows S9 when receiving a station transmitting with 100 watts. Neglecting propagation changes, what transmitter power would cause your receiver's S-meter to read S8?B-002-006-008Assume your receiver's S-meter is calibrated to a standard of 6 dB per S-unit per a recommendation by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). The S-meter on your receiver shows S8 when listening to a nearby transmitter. Approximately how much must the transmitter power be raised to increase the reading to S9?B-002-006-009What does "RST 579" mean in a Morse code contact?B-002-006-010What does "RST 459" mean in a Morse code contact?B-002-006-011In voice contacts, what is the meaning of "Your signal report is 1 1"?B-002-007-001What does the code "QRS" mean in amateur radio?B-002-007-002What does the code "QTH" mean in amateur radio?B-002-007-003What is the proper Q code to use to see if a frequency is in use before transmitting on CW?B-002-007-004What does the code "QSY" mean in amateur radio?B-002-007-005What does the code "QSB" mean in amateur radio?B-002-007-006What is the correct Q code to ask who is calling you?B-002-007-007What does the code "QRM" mean in amateur radio?B-002-007-008What does the code "QRN" mean in amateur radio?B-002-007-009What is the Q code indicating that you want the other station to send slower?B-002-007-010What is the Q code that means "Who is calling me?" in amateur radio?B-002-007-011What is the Q code that means "I will call you again" in amateur radio?B-002-008-001When may you use your amateur radio station to transmit an "SOS" or "MAYDAY"?B-002-008-002You need to summon help while stranded in a remote location, but without immediate risk to life. What priority is your message?B-002-008-003What voice signal, transmitted three times, signifies distress?B-002-008-004What is the correct distress signal in Morse code?B-002-008-005What is the correct way to interrupt a repeater conversation to seek assistance in a distress situation?B-002-008-006What is the advantage of preparing to operate your station without commercial AC power?B-002-008-007In an emergency, what additional equipment is crucial to maintaining communications with a hand-held radio?B-002-008-008Which type of antenna would be a good choice as part of a portable HF station that could be set up in case of an emergency?B-002-008-009If you are communicating with another station and hear a station in distress break in, what should you do?B-002-008-010In order of priority, a distress message comes before:B-002-008-011If you hear distress traffic and are unable to render direct assistance you should:B-002-009-001What is a "QSL card"?B-002-009-002What is an azimuthal map?B-002-009-003While making a contact in a VHF contest, the other operator asks for your grid square. What information is requested?B-002-009-004A directional antenna pointed in the long-path direction to another station is generally oriented how many degrees from its short-path heading?B-002-009-005What method is used by amateur radio operators to provide proof of communication with another station?B-002-009-006Local stations are in contact with New Zealand, yet you cannot hear the New Zealand amateur radio operators with your antenna pointed in that direction. What other antenna direction could you try to hear them?B-002-009-007Which statement about recording all contacts and unanswered CQ calls in a paper or computer-based station logbook is NOT correct?B-002-009-008What is the most useful function of an azimuthal world map centred on your location?B-002-009-009Activity schedules, time entries in logbooks and contact confirmations usually refer to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). What is the location of the meridian from which this time is measured?B-002-009-010Your time zone is UTC minus 6 hours. You want to join a net scheduled for 19:00 UTC. What is the local scheduled time?B-002-009-011What is the usefulness of stations CHU, WWV and WWVH to amateur radio operators?