UK Amateur Radio Foundation Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   What happens to the wavelength of a radio signal when the frequency goes up?

   • AThe wavelength gets longer
   • BThe wavelength gets shorter
   • CThe wavelength stays the same
   • DThe wavelength becomes zero
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The wavelength gets shorter

   Wavelength and frequency are linked by the speed of radio waves. As frequency rises, wavelength falls, so 145 MHz has a wavelength of about 2 metres.

2. Question 2 of 25

   How is the capacity of a rechargeable battery usually stated?

   • AIn ohms
   • BIn ampere-hours (Ah)
   • CIn decibels
   • DIn hertz
   Show answer

   Answer: B. In ampere-hours (Ah)

   Battery capacity is given in ampere-hours. A larger Ah rating means the battery can supply current for longer.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What is the job of modulation in a transmitter?

   • ATo switch the antenna between the different bands automatically
   • BTo put the information, such as speech, onto the carrier
   • CTo measure the SWR
   • DTo cool the transmitter
   Show answer

   Answer: B. To put the information, such as speech, onto the carrier

   Modulation puts the information onto the RF carrier, for example by changing its amplitude (AM) or its frequency (FM).

4. Question 4 of 25

   Which block comes straight after the microphone in a simple voice transmitter?

   • AThe audio amplifier
   • BThe antenna
   • CThe RF power amplifier
   • DThe feeder
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The audio amplifier

   The order is microphone, audio amplifier, frequency generator, modulator, RF power amplifier, feeder and antenna.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Which block comes straight before the feeder and antenna in a simple transmitter?

   • AThe loudspeaker
   • BThe microphone
   • CThe audio amplifier
   • DThe RF power amplifier
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The RF power amplifier

   The RF power amplifier boosts the modulated signal, which then goes along the feeder to the antenna.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What is the right order of the main blocks in a simple receiver?

   • AAntenna, demodulator, RF stage, loudspeaker, audio amplifier
   • BDemodulator, antenna, loudspeaker, RF stage
   • CAntenna, RF stage, demodulator, audio amplifier, loudspeaker
   • DAudio amplifier, antenna, RF stage, demodulator
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Antenna, RF stage, demodulator, audio amplifier, loudspeaker

   A receiver picks up the signal at the antenna, selects and amplifies it, demodulates it, then amplifies the audio for the speaker.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Which mode uses the least bandwidth?

   • AFM
   • BSSB
   • CCW (Morse code)
   • DAM
   Show answer

   Answer: C. CW (Morse code)

   From narrowest to widest the order is CW, SSB, AM and FM. Some digital modes are even narrower than CW.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Why is single sideband (SSB) more efficient than AM?

   • AIt sends two carriers and no sidebands
   • BIt needs no power at all
   • CIt uses a wider channel
   • DIt sends one sideband and no carrier
   Show answer

   Answer: D. It sends one sideband and no carrier

   AM sends a carrier and two sidebands. SSB sends only one sideband with no carrier, so it saves power and uses about half the bandwidth.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What can happen if you overdrive your transmitter or speak too loudly into the microphone?

   • AThe signal can spread and interfere with nearby channels
   • BThe signal becomes narrower and easier for others to tune in
   • CThe battery charges faster
   • DThe range always doubles
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The signal can spread and interfere with nearby channels

   Too much modulation or drive causes distortion and a wider signal that spills into adjacent channels.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What are harmonics?

    • AEchoes from the ionosphere
    • BUnwanted signals at multiples of the transmit frequency
    • CSignals that improve audio quality
    • DUnwanted signals at exactly half of the transmit frequency
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Unwanted signals at multiples of the transmit frequency

    Harmonics appear at two, three or more times the wanted frequency. They can cause interference on other bands and are reduced with filters.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does a receiver's selectivity describe?

    • AIts ability to hear very weak signals above the background noise
    • BIts ability to reject signals outside the wanted bandwidth
    • CHow much power it uses
    • DHow loud its speaker is
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Its ability to reject signals outside the wanted bandwidth

    Selectivity is how well a receiver picks out the wanted signal and rejects nearby ones. Sensitivity is about hearing weak signals.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Why is coaxial cable the most widely used feeder?

    • AIt works only at HF
    • BIts outer screen keeps the signal inside the cable
    • CIt has almost no loss, even over very long runs at UHF
    • DIt is always the cheapest
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Its outer screen keeps the signal inside the cable

    Coaxial cable has an outer braid screen. This keeps the RF inside and reduces pick-up and radiation from the feeder.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What is the usual impedance of coaxial cable used by amateurs?

    • A75 ohms
    • B600 ohms
    • C300 ohms
    • D50 ohms
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 50 ohms

    Amateur equipment and coax are usually 50 ohms. Coax for TV and satellite receivers is usually 75 ohms.

14. Question 14 of 25

    How does feeder loss change as the cable gets longer or the frequency gets higher?

    • ALoss decreases
    • BLoss disappears
    • CLoss stays the same
    • DLoss increases
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Loss increases

    Feeder loss rises with length and with frequency. Use good low-loss coax at VHF and UHF.

15. Question 15 of 25

    When do you need a balun?

    • AWhen feeding a balanced dipole with unbalanced coax
    • BWhen connecting a microphone
    • CWhen using a dummy load
    • DWhen charging a battery
    Show answer

    Answer: A. When feeding a balanced dipole with unbalanced coax

    A balun connects a balanced antenna, such as a dipole, to an unbalanced coaxial feeder.

16. Question 16 of 25

    In a three-element Yagi antenna, which element is slightly longer than the driven element?

    • AThe feeder
    • BThe director
    • CThe reflector
    • DThe boom
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The reflector

    A three-element Yagi has a driven element, a slightly longer reflector behind it and a slightly shorter director in front.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Which antenna radiates equally well in all horizontal directions?

    • AA Yagi
    • BA vertical quarter-wave ground plane
    • CA horizontal dipole seen end-on
    • DA dish
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A vertical quarter-wave ground plane

    Vertical antennas such as the quarter-wave ground plane are omnidirectional in the horizontal plane. A Yagi is directional.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Your SWR meter shows a very high reading. What does this most likely mean?

    • AThe band is closed
    • BThe antenna and feeder are perfectly matched to your radio
    • CThere is a fault or bad mismatch in the antenna or feeder
    • DYour microphone is faulty
    Show answer

    Answer: C. There is a fault or bad mismatch in the antenna or feeder

    A high SWR shows that power is being reflected. It often means a fault in the antenna, feeder or connectors.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What does an antenna matching unit (ATU) do?

    • AIt removes the need for a feeder
    • BIt changes the impedance the transmitter sees
    • CIt tunes the antenna itself to resonance
    • DIt makes the antenna physically longer
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It changes the impedance the transmitter sees

    An ATU matches the impedance seen by the transmitter. It does not change the antenna or tune the feeder.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Why should antennas at both ends of a VHF or UHF contact have the same polarisation?

    • AA mismatch in polarisation greatly weakens the received signal
    • BMatching polarisation makes the signal bend back from the ionosphere
    • CIt reduces the battery drain
    • DIt is required only for HF
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A mismatch in polarisation greatly weakens the received signal

    At VHF and UHF, signals keep their polarisation, so using matching polarisation at both ends gives much stronger signals.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What is the normal range of VHF and UHF signals mostly limited by?

    • AThe sunspot cycle
    • BThe D layer
    • CLine of sight between the antennas
    • DThe time of day
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Line of sight between the antennas

    VHF and UHF signals usually pass through the ionosphere, so their range is close to line of sight. Hills and buildings block them.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which part of the atmosphere returns HF signals to Earth for long-distance contacts?

    • AThe ionosphere
    • BThe ozone layer
    • CThe ground wave
    • DThe troposphere only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The ionosphere

    HF signals are refracted by the ionosphere, which lies about 70 to 400 km above the Earth, allowing contacts far beyond the horizon.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What causes the ionosphere to form?

    • AThe Earth's magnetic north pole
    • BClouds and rain
    • CRadio waves from amateurs
    • DUltraviolet radiation from the sun
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun

    Ultraviolet radiation from the sun ionises gases in the upper atmosphere. Sunspots and solar flares change how well it works.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Which ionospheric layer absorbs lower HF signals during the day?

    • AThe troposphere
    • BThe E layer at night
    • CThe F2 layer
    • DThe D layer
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The D layer

    The D layer forms in daylight and absorbs lower frequencies. It disappears at night, so lower HF bands carry further after dark.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Which effect can suddenly give long-distance contacts on the 28 MHz band and on VHF?

    • AD layer absorption
    • BLine of sight
    • CGround wave
    • DSporadic E
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Sporadic E

    Sporadic E is a patch of strong ionisation in the E layer. It can carry 28 MHz and VHF signals much further than normal.

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

The real test: 19 of 26 (73%)