Ham Radio Technician License Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   What does a transverter do?

   • AIt measures standing wave ratio
   • BIt converts a transceiver's signals to and from another band
   • CIt records audio from the receiver
   • DIt changes AC to DC
   Show answer

   Answer: B. It converts a transceiver's signals to and from another band

   A transverter shifts the transmit and receive signals of a radio to a different band, often a higher VHF, UHF or microwave band.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Why use a dummy load when testing a transmitter?

   • AIt increases the range of the radio
   • BIt lets you test without sending a signal over the air
   • CIt makes the antenna longer
   • DIt replaces the power supply
   Show answer

   Answer: B. It lets you test without sending a signal over the air

   A dummy load is a non-inductive resistor, usually 50 ohms, that absorbs the power so you do not cause interference while testing.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does an SWR reading of 1 to 1 mean?

   • AThe antenna system is perfectly matched to the feed line
   • BHalf the power is being reflected back toward the transmitter
   • CThe antenna is open circuit
   • DThe feed line is shorted
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The antenna system is perfectly matched to the feed line

   An SWR of 1:1 means no power is reflected back toward the transmitter. Higher numbers mean a worse match.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How is an ammeter connected to measure current?

   • AIn series with the circuit
   • BIn parallel across the power supply
   • CBetween the circuit and ground only
   • DAcross the antenna terminals
   Show answer

   Answer: A. In series with the circuit

   Current must pass through the ammeter, so it goes in series. A voltmeter is connected in parallel.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Other stations say your FM signal is over-deviating. What can you do?

   • ATurn up the squelch
   • BRaise the transmit power
   • CSpeak farther from the microphone or lower the microphone gain
   • DSwitch to a higher-gain antenna so the other station hears you better
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Speak farther from the microphone or lower the microphone gain

   Over-deviation means the audio is too strong. Talking farther from the microphone, or more softly, reduces the deviation.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What is a common cause of coaxial cable failure?

   • AStoring it coiled loosely
   • BRunning it near a window
   • CUsing it on more than one band
   • DWater getting into the cable
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Water getting into the cable

   Moisture inside coax raises its loss and can ruin it. Use cable with a jacket that resists sunlight and seal the connectors.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Single sideband is a form of which type of modulation?

   • APulse modulation
   • BPhase modulation
   • CFrequency modulation
   • DAmplitude modulation
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Amplitude modulation

   SSB is amplitude modulation with the carrier and one sideband removed, which saves bandwidth and power.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Which modulation is most used for voice on VHF and UHF repeaters?

   • AFM or PM
   • BCW
   • CAM
   • DSingle sideband
   Show answer

   Answer: A. FM or PM

   Voice repeaters on VHF and UHF almost always use FM or phase modulation.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which of these signals takes up the least bandwidth?

   • ASSB voice
   • BFast-scan television
   • CFM voice
   • DCW
   Show answer

   Answer: D. CW

   A CW signal needs only about 150 Hz, far less than SSB at about 3 kHz or FM voice at 10 to 15 kHz.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Which sideband is normally used for voice on the 10-meter band?

    • ALower sideband
    • BUpper sideband
    • CBoth sidebands at once
    • DDouble sideband with full carrier
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Upper sideband

    By common practice, upper sideband is used for SSB voice on 10 meters and on VHF and UHF.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Why does the frequency of a satellite signal seem to change during a pass?

    • AYour antenna gets warmer
    • BDoppler shift caused by the satellite's motion
    • CThe ionosphere slows the signal
    • DThe satellite changes channels by itself
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Doppler shift caused by the satellite's motion

    As a satellite moves toward and then away from you, the received frequency shifts. Tracking software can correct for this.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What does satellite mode U/V mean?

    • AUplink on 2 meters and downlink on 70 centimeters
    • BUplink on 70 centimeters and downlink on 2 meters
    • CVoice only, with no data
    • DBoth links on 6 meters
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Uplink on 70 centimeters and downlink on 2 meters

    The first letter is the uplink band and the second is the downlink. U is UHF (70 cm) and V is VHF (2 m).

13. Question 13 of 25

    What kind of information does APRS commonly send?

    • AEncrypted business data
    • BGPS position data, short text messages and weather reports
    • CTelevision pictures
    • DMusic for broadcast
    Show answer

    Answer: B. GPS position data, short text messages and weather reports

    APRS sends position, messages and weather data in packets. Many websites and apps plot APRS stations on a map.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What is FT8 known for?

    • ASending high-speed video
    • BVoice contacts through repeaters
    • CMaking contacts with very weak signals
    • DSending pictures by fax
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Making contacts with very weak signals

    FT8 is a digital mode designed to work when signals are far too weak to hear. Stations take turns in short timed periods.

15. Question 15 of 25

    About how long is a quarter-wave vertical antenna for the 2-meter band?

    • AAbout 6 inches
    • BAbout 112 inches
    • CAbout 39 inches
    • DAbout 19 inches
    Show answer

    Answer: D. About 19 inches

    A wavelength at 146 MHz is about 2 meters. A quarter of that, shortened slightly for the real antenna, is about 19 inches.

16. Question 16 of 25

    In which direction does a horizontal half-wave dipole radiate most strongly?

    • AStraight down
    • BOff the ends of the wire
    • CBroadside, at right angles to the wire
    • DEqually in every direction
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Broadside, at right angles to the wire

    A half-wave dipole sends most of its signal broadside to the antenna and very little off its ends.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What is the main advantage of a beam antenna such as a Yagi?

    • AIt is always smaller than a dipole
    • BIt works on every band with no tuning
    • CIt needs no feed line
    • DIt focuses the signal in one direction
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It focuses the signal in one direction

    A beam concentrates energy in one direction. This gives more signal toward the station you want and less interference from other directions.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What is the most common impedance for coaxial cable in amateur stations?

    • A600 ohms
    • B300 ohms
    • C8 ohms
    • D50 ohms
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 50 ohms

    Most amateur radios, coax and antennas are designed for 50 ohms. Matching them keeps SWR low.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What happens to coaxial cable loss as frequency goes up?

    • AIt increases
    • BIt decreases
    • CIt stays the same
    • DIt drops to zero above 50 MHz
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It increases

    Coax loses more power at higher frequencies. That is why low-loss cable matters most on VHF and UHF.

20. Question 20 of 25

    How should the ground rods of a station's lightning protection be connected?

    • ABonded together with short, direct heavy conductors
    • BKept apart so they do not touch
    • CJoined with thin wire painted to stop rust
    • DConnected only through the house water heater
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Bonded together with short, direct heavy conductors

    Bonding all grounds together keeps them at the same voltage during a strike. Short, direct connections work best.

21. Question 21 of 25

    A fuse keeps blowing in your power supply. What should you do?

    • ATape over the fuse holder
    • BReplace the fuse with a piece of wire
    • CPut in a fuse with a higher rating so it stops blowing during transmit
    • DFind the fault and replace the fuse with one of the same rating
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Find the fault and replace the fuse with one of the same rating

    A larger fuse may let the wiring overheat and start a fire. Fix the cause and use the correct rating.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Why must lead-acid batteries be charged in a ventilated place?

    • AThe battery needs fresh air to hold its charge
    • BIt keeps the battery from freezing
    • CCharging can release hydrogen gas, which can explode
    • DThe charger needs outdoor air to work
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Charging can release hydrogen gas, which can explode

    Charging or discharging a lead-acid battery quickly can release explosive hydrogen gas. Good ventilation prevents a build-up.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What should you wear when climbing a tower?

    • ANothing special if the tower is short
    • BLoose clothing and gloves only
    • CA grounding strap on your wrist and rubber-soled shoes, with no harness
    • DAn approved climbing harness, plus a hard hat and safety glasses
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An approved climbing harness, plus a hard hat and safety glasses

    A climbing harness protects you from a fall. Never climb alone, and make sure people on the ground wear hard hats too.

24. Question 24 of 25

    How does radio frequency energy harm the body at high levels?

    • AIt causes immediate radioactivity
    • BIt heats body tissue
    • CIt makes the body magnetic
    • DIt ionizes cells like X-rays do
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It heats body tissue

    RF energy is non-ionizing. At high enough levels the main danger is heating of body tissue.

25. Question 25 of 25

    How does a lower transmit duty cycle affect RF exposure?

    • AIt lowers the average exposure
    • BIt doubles the exposure at the antenna
    • CIt raises the average exposure
    • DIt has no effect on exposure
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It lowers the average exposure

    Duty cycle is the share of time a transmitter is on. Less time on the air means less average RF exposure for people nearby.

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

The real test: 26 of 35 correct