FCC Technician Class Exam Study Guide - 2014-2018/Subelement T8 Group B
Amateur satellite operation; Doppler shift, basic orbits, operating protocols; control operator, transmitter power considerations; satellite tracking; digital modes
The Question Pool
editQuestion 1
edit- 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 licensee or higher licensee who has a satellite operator certification
- C. Only an Amateur Extra Class operator who is also an AMSAT member
- D. Any amateur whose license privileges allow them to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency
Reference to 97.301 and 97.207(c). The correct answer is D.
Question 2
edit- How much transmitter power should be used on the uplink frequency of an amateur satellite or space station?
- A. The maximum power of your transmitter
- B. The minimum amount of power needed to complete the contact
- C. No more than half the rating of your linear amplifier
- D. Never more than 1 watt
Reference to 97.313. The correct answer is B.
Question 3
edit- Which of the following are provided by satellite tracking programs?
- A. Maps showing the real-time position of the satellite track over the earth
- B. The time, azimuth, and elevation of the start, maximum altitude, and end of a pass
- C. The apparent frequency of the satellite transmission, including effects of Doppler shift
- D. All of these answers are correct
The correct answer is D.
Question 4
edit- Which amateur stations may make contact with an amateur station on the International Space Station using 2 meter and 70 cm band amateur radio frequencies?
- A. Only members of amateur radio clubs at NASA facilities
- B. Any amateur holding a Technician or higher class license
- C. Only the astronaut's family members who are hams
- D. You cannot talk to the ISS on amateur radio frequencies
Reference to 97.301 and 97.207(c). The correct answer is B.
Question 5
edit- What is a satellite beacon?
- A. The primary transmit antenna on the satellite
- B. An indicator light that that shows where to point your antenna
- C. A reflective surface on the satellite
- D. A transmission from a space station that contains information about a satellite
The correct answer is D.
Question 6
edit- Which of the following are inputs to a satellite tracking program?
- A. The weight of the satellite
- B. The Keplerian elements
- C. The last observed time of zero Doppler shift
- D. All of these answers are correct
The correct answer is B.
Question 7
edit- With regard to satellite communications, what is Doppler shift?
- A. A change in the satellite orbit
- B. A mode where the satellite receives signals on one band and transmits on another
- C. An observed change in signal frequency caused by relative motion between the satellite and the earth station
- D. A special digital communications mode for some satellites
The correct answer is C.
Question 8
edit- What is meant by the statement that a satellite is operating in mode U/V?
- A. The satellite uplink is in the 15 meter band and the downlink is in the 10 meter band
- B. The satellite uplink is in the 70 cm band and the downlink is in the 2 meter band
- C. The satellite operates using ultraviolet frequencies
- D. The satellite frequencies are usually variable
The correct answer is B.
Question 9
edit- What causes spin fading when referring to satellite signals?
- A. Circular polarized noise interference radiated from the sun
- B. Rotation of the satellite and its antennas
- C. Doppler shift of the received signal
- D. Interfering signals within the satellite uplink band
The correct answer is B.
Question 10
edit- What do the initials LEO tell you about an amateur satellite?
- A. The satellite battery is in Low Energy Operation mode
- B. The satellite is performing a Lunar Ejection Orbit maneuver
- C. The satellite is in a Low Earth Orbit
- D. The satellite uses Light Emitting Optics
The correct answer is C.
Question 11
edit- What is a commonly used method of sending signals to and from a digital satellite?
- A. USB AFSK
- B. PSK31
- C. FM Packet
- D. WSJT
The correct answer is C.