UK Amateur Radio Foundation Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   How can you improve the range of your VHF station?

   • APut the antenna in a metal box
   • BRaise the antenna higher and use an outdoor antenna
   • CMove the antenna indoors, lower down, away from the weather
   • DUse a longer, thinner feeder
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Raise the antenna higher and use an outdoor antenna

   VHF and UHF range depends on antenna height, gain, a clear path and power. Outdoor antennas work far better than indoor ones.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) mean?

   • AUsing only one brand of radio
   • BEquipment working together without interfering with each other
   • CMaking radios as loud as possible
   • DConnecting radios together over the internet for remote control
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Equipment working together without interfering with each other

   EMC is about avoiding interference between pieces of electronic equipment. All electronic equipment can give off and pick up RF.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What is meant by the immunity of a piece of equipment?

   • AIts ability to transmit further
   • BIts resistance to water
   • CIts warranty period
   • DIts ability to work properly in a strong RF field
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Its ability to work properly in a strong RF field

   Immunity is how well equipment works near strong radio signals. Screening and filtering can improve it.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How does raising your transmitter power affect the chance of interference to nearby equipment?

   • AIt has no effect
   • BIt reduces the chance
   • CIt removes all interference
   • DIt increases the chance
   Show answer

   Answer: D. It increases the chance

   More power means stronger fields near your station, so neighbouring equipment is more likely to be affected.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Which modes are most likely to cause interference to nearby audio equipment?

   • AFM only
   • BNo mode can cause interference
   • CReceiving only
   • DAM and SSB
   Show answer

   Answer: D. AM and SSB

   Signals that vary in amplitude, such as AM and SSB, are most likely to cause problems. FM and some data modes are less likely.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Which of these can cause interference to your receiver?

   • AA wooden table
   • BA glass of water
   • CLED lighting and solar panel inverters
   • DA paper notebook
   Show answer

   Answer: C. LED lighting and solar panel inverters

   Non-radio sources such as switch-mode power supplies, LED lights, solar PV inverters, motors and thermostats can cause interference.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Which is a common route for your signal to get into a neighbour's TV?

   • AThe TV remote control batteries
   • BThe TV screen glass
   • CThe TV antenna downlead or mains wiring
   • DThe TV stand
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The TV antenna downlead or mains wiring

   RF can enter equipment along mains wiring, TV downleads, telephone wiring and long speaker leads.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Where should you fit a ferrite ring choke to cure interference to a neighbour's equipment?

   • AOn the leads, close to the affected equipment
   • BOn your microphone cable only
   • COn the transmitter's power switch
   • DOn the antenna mast
   Show answer

   Answer: A. On the leads, close to the affected equipment

   Ferrite chokes and filters work best fitted on the mains or antenna leads, close to the equipment that is affected.

9. Question 9 of 25

   How can you check whether interference is caused by RF radiated from your antenna?

   • AUse a longer antenna
   • BTurn up the power and check whether the interference gets weaker
   • CSwitch to a different call sign
   • DTransmit into a dummy load and see if the interference stops
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Transmit into a dummy load and see if the interference stops

   A dummy load stops radiation from the antenna. If the problem stays, the RF may be getting out through power or other leads.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What should you do before making a call on a frequency?

    • AListen first to check the frequency is clear
    • BSwitch off your receiver
    • CCall at full power right away
    • DTransmit a test tone
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Listen first to check the frequency is clear

    Always listen first, and ask if the frequency is in use, so you do not interrupt a contact that is already going on.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What is a calling channel for?

    • ARepeater outputs only
    • BSending data files
    • CA frequency kept for long conversations between regular friends
    • DA frequency for making first contact before moving elsewhere
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A frequency for making first contact before moving elsewhere

    A calling channel gives everyone a common frequency for making contact. Once in contact, move to another frequency to keep it free.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What is the main purpose of a band plan?

    • ATo set the price of radios
    • BTo decide who may hold a licence
    • CTo list the call signs of all amateurs
    • DTo help different modes and types of transmission share a band
    Show answer

    Answer: D. To help different modes and types of transmission share a band

    Band plans divide each band into sections for modes such as CW, data and voice, so different users can share it without clashing.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You give a signal report of 59 on SSB. What does the 9 describe?

    • ASignal strength
    • BTone
    • CDistance
    • DReadability
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Signal strength

    A voice report uses readability (1 to 5) followed by strength (1 to 9). So 59 means perfectly readable and very strong.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Why do some repeaters send a tone or cut off if you talk for too long?

    • AThe repeater is faulty
    • BTo tell you to raise power
    • CA time-out timer stops very long transmissions
    • DYour licence has expired
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A time-out timer stops very long transmissions

    Many repeaters have a time-out timer. It limits the length of each transmission so others get a chance to use the repeater.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Which part of the 2 metre band is set aside in the band plan for satellites?

    • AAround 145.8 to 146.0 MHz
    • BAround 144.3 to 144.4 MHz
    • CAround 145.5 MHz only
    • DThe whole band
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Around 145.8 to 146.0 MHz

    The 2 metre band plan reserves the top section, around 145.8 to 146.0 MHz, for satellite use, so it should not be used for local contacts.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Which method is recommended for accessing FM repeaters?

    • ACTCSS sub-audio tones
    • BTapping the microphone
    • CA 5 second carrier
    • DCalling CQ three times
    Show answer

    Answer: A. CTCSS sub-audio tones

    The Foundation reference data says toneburst access is being withdrawn, in line with IARU Region 1, and CTCSS is recommended.

17. Question 17 of 25

    By convention, which sideband is used for SSB voice below 10 MHz?

    • AUpper sideband (USB)
    • BBoth sidebands
    • CNo sideband
    • DLower sideband (LSB)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Lower sideband (LSB)

    The band plan convention is lower sideband below 10 MHz and upper sideband above 10 MHz, so stations can find each other easily.

18. Question 18 of 25

    How is a UK mains plug wired?

    • ABrown to live, blue to neutral, green and yellow to earth
    • BBlue to live, brown to neutral, green and yellow to earth
    • CBrown to earth, blue to live, green and yellow to neutral
    • DGreen and yellow to live, blue to earth, brown to neutral
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Brown to live, blue to neutral, green and yellow to earth

    In a UK plug the brown wire goes to live, blue to neutral and green and yellow to earth. Wrong wiring can make equipment cases live.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What is the main danger from the high voltages found in some radio equipment?

    • ARadio interference only
    • BElectrocution
    • CMild static only
    • DFaster battery charging
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Electrocution

    High voltages can drive a dangerous current through the body. Switch off and unplug before working on equipment.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What extra protection does an RCD or RCBO give compared with a simple fuse?

    • AIt stops radio interference
    • BIt makes equipment more powerful
    • CIt also trips on small leakage currents to earth
    • DIt only protects against overheating
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It also trips on small leakage currents to earth

    A fuse responds to too much current. An RCD or RCBO also detects small currents leaking to earth, which could pass through a person.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Where should a hot soldering iron be kept when it is not in your hand?

    • AOn a sheet of paper
    • BOn the bench next to the cables
    • CIn your pocket
    • DIn a suitable stand
    Show answer

    Answer: D. In a suitable stand

    A stand keeps the hot tip away from cables, skin and anything that could burn. Never leave a hot iron lying on the bench.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What protection should you wear when drilling metal?

    • AEar plugs only
    • BNothing at all
    • CEye protection
    • DRubber boots only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Eye protection

    Drilling metal throws out sharp swarf that can fly into your eyes, so safety glasses or goggles are needed.

23. Question 23 of 25

    You need to climb a ladder to fix an antenna. What is good practice?

    • AHave a helper steady the ladder
    • BWork alone so nobody gets in the way
    • CCarry the antenna up in one hand
    • DLean out as far as you can
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Have a helper steady the ladder

    A second person holding the ladder makes it more stable. Working at height is a common cause of serious accidents.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Why must you not touch an antenna while it is transmitting?

    • AYou could get an electric shock or an RF burn
    • BIt is harmless and there is no reason
    • CIt will change the frequency
    • DIt will stop the receiver
    Show answer

    Answer: A. You could get an electric shock or an RF burn

    A transmitting antenna can carry high RF voltages. Touching it can cause a shock or a painful RF burn.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What is the main health effect of being too close to a powerful transmitting antenna?

    • AHeating of body tissue
    • BBroken bones
    • CSunburn
    • DLoss of hearing
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Heating of body tissue

    Strong RF fields heat body tissue. This is why exposure limits exist and why you must keep people away from antennas.

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

The real test: 19 of 26 (73%)