Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   In an RST signal report, what does the R stand for?

   • AReadability
   • BRange
   • CResistance
   • DRepeat
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Readability

   RST means Readability, Strength and Tone. Readability is given on a scale of 1 to 5.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does the Q signal QTH mean?

   • AMy location
   • BI am changing frequency
   • CPlease stop sending
   • DInterference from other stations
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   Answer: A. My location

   QTH means location. Q signals are three-letter codes that save time, especially in Morse code.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does the Q signal QRM mean?

   • AYour signal is fading
   • BNatural static from storms
   • CI confirm receipt
   • DInterference from other stations
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Interference from other stations

   QRM means man-made interference, often from other stations. QRN is the code for natural noise such as static.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What should you do before calling on a simplex frequency?

   • ASwitch to a repeater input first
   • BCall at full power right away
   • CSend a long carrier to clear the channel
   • DListen first to make sure the frequency is not in use
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Listen first to make sure the frequency is not in use

   Courteous operation means listening first and asking if the frequency is in use, so you do not interfere with a contact in progress.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What is the best way to test or tune a transmitter without sending a signal over the air?

   • AUse full power for a short time
   • BPoint the antenna straight up
   • CUse a longer antenna
   • DUse a dummy load
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Use a dummy load

   A dummy load is a resistor that absorbs the transmitter power. It lets you test and adjust without radiating and causing interference.

6. Question 6 of 25

   In a regulated power supply, what is the usual order of the main stages?

   • AFilter, transformer, regulator, rectifier
   • BRectifier, regulator, transformer, filter
   • CTransformer, rectifier, filter, regulator
   • DRegulator, filter, rectifier, transformer
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Transformer, rectifier, filter, regulator

   The transformer changes the AC voltage, the rectifier turns it into pulsing DC, the filter smooths it and the regulator holds the voltage steady.

7. Question 7 of 25

   In an FM receiver, which stage removes amplitude changes before the signal reaches the detector?

   • AProduct detector
   • BBalanced modulator
   • CLimiter
   • DBeat frequency oscillator
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Limiter

   An FM receiver uses a limiter to remove amplitude variations, because FM carries information in frequency changes, not amplitude.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Compared with an AM signal, what is removed in a single sideband (SSB) signal?

   • AThe carrier and one sideband
   • BBoth sidebands
   • CNothing is removed
   • DOnly the audio
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The carrier and one sideband

   SSB suppresses the carrier and one sideband. This makes it narrower and more efficient than AM.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What does frequency modulation (FM) change in the carrier?

   • AIts frequency
   • BIts amplitude
   • CThe power supply voltage
   • DThe length of the antenna
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Its frequency

   FM varies the carrier frequency in step with the audio signal, while the amplitude stays the same.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What is a hazard when charging a lead-acid battery?

    • AIt makes strong radio waves
    • BIt can give off hydrogen gas, so charge it where there is good airflow
    • CThere are no hazards
    • DIt gives off only oxygen, which is harmless
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It can give off hydrogen gas, so charge it where there is good airflow

    Charging lead-acid batteries can release hydrogen, which is explosive. Charge them in a ventilated area away from sparks.

11. Question 11 of 25

    A fuse in your power supply has blown. What should you use to replace it?

    • AAluminium foil around the old fuse
    • BA fuse of the same rating
    • CA fuse with a higher rating so it will not blow again
    • DA piece of wire
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A fuse of the same rating

    Always replace a fuse with one of the same rating. A larger fuse or a wire removes the protection and can cause a fire.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Before working inside a power supply, what should you do?

    • AWear gloves while it is still running
    • BTouch the chassis to check for voltage
    • CUnplug it and safely discharge the filter capacitors
    • DTurn off the front switch only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Unplug it and safely discharge the filter capacitors

    Capacitors can hold a dangerous charge after power is removed. Unplug the equipment and discharge the capacitors before you touch anything.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What is a good way to protect your station from lightning?

    • AUse a thinner feed line
    • BPut the radio closer to a window
    • CGround the antenna system and disconnect the feed line when storms are near
    • DKeep transmitting so the antenna stays warm
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Ground the antenna system and disconnect the feed line when storms are near

    A proper ground for the antenna and tower, and disconnecting feed lines during storms, gives lightning a path that avoids your equipment and home.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What should people on the ground wear while someone works on an antenna tower?

    • ANothing special
    • BSunglasses only
    • CRubber boots only
    • DA hard hat
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A hard hat

    Tools and parts can fall from a tower. People working near the base should wear hard hats and stay clear of the drop zone.

15. Question 15 of 25

    How can you reduce RF exposure to people near your antenna?

    • ARaise your power
    • BUse a shorter feed line inside the house
    • CStand next to the antenna while you transmit
    • DPlace the antenna high and away from where people spend time
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Place the antenna high and away from where people spend time

    RF exposure drops quickly with distance. Mounting the antenna high and away from people, and using no more power than needed, keeps exposure low.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Which digital mode sends data in blocks with addresses and error checking?

    • ACW (Morse code)
    • BFM voice
    • CPacket radio
    • DAM voice
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Packet radio

    Packet radio sends data in short blocks called packets. Each packet is checked for errors and resent if it arrives damaged.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Why should the metal case of your radio equipment be connected to a safety ground?

    • ATo lower the SWR on the antenna
    • BTo increase the transmitter output
    • CTo give fault current a safe path so the case does not become live
    • DTo improve the audio quality
    Show answer

    Answer: C. To give fault current a safe path so the case does not become live

    A safety ground carries fault current away and helps blow the fuse, so a person touching the case is not shocked.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does a diode do?

    • AIt lets current flow in one direction only
    • BIt stores a large electric charge
    • CIt changes its resistance as temperature changes
    • DIt raises voltage like a small transformer
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It lets current flow in one direction only

    A diode conducts in one direction and blocks current in the other. This is why diodes are used as rectifiers in power supplies.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What are the three leads of a bipolar transistor?

    • AEmitter, base and collector
    • BGate, source and drain
    • CAnode, cathode and gate
    • DCathode, grid and plate
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Emitter, base and collector

    A bipolar transistor has an emitter, a base and a collector. A small base current controls a larger collector current.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What are the three leads of a field-effect transistor (FET)?

    • AEmitter, base and collector
    • BGate, source and drain
    • CPrimary, secondary and core
    • DCathode, grid and plate
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Gate, source and drain

    A field-effect transistor has a gate, a source and a drain. The voltage on the gate controls the current from source to drain.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What are the three main electrodes of a triode vacuum tube?

    • AAnode, base and drain
    • BEmitter, base and collector
    • CCathode, grid and plate
    • DGate, source and drain
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Cathode, grid and plate

    A triode has a cathode that gives off electrons, a control grid and a plate (anode) that collects them.

22. Question 22 of 25

    A resistor has colour bands brown, black and red. What is its value?

    • A10 000 ohms
    • B10 ohms
    • C1000 ohms
    • D100 ohms
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 1000 ohms

    Brown is 1, black is 0 and red means multiply by 100. So the value is 10 times 100, which is 1000 ohms.

23. Question 23 of 25

    A frequency of 3.5 MHz is the same as which frequency in kilohertz?

    • A3500 kHz
    • B35 kHz
    • C35 000 kHz
    • D350 kHz
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 3500 kHz

    Mega means one million and kilo means one thousand, so 1 MHz equals 1000 kHz and 3.5 MHz equals 3500 kHz.

24. Question 24 of 25

    A 12 volt supply is connected across a 6 ohm resistor. How much current flows?

    • A72 amperes
    • B6 amperes
    • C0.5 amperes
    • D2 amperes
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 2 amperes

    By Ohm's law, current equals voltage divided by resistance. 12 volts divided by 6 ohms is 2 amperes.

25. Question 25 of 25

    A current of 2 amperes flows through a 50 ohm resistor. What is the voltage across it?

    • A48 volts
    • B25 volts
    • C100 volts
    • D52 volts
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 100 volts

    By Ohm's law, voltage equals current times resistance. 2 amperes times 50 ohms gives 100 volts.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 70% to pass. 80% or more earns Basic with Honours.