ZS6TJ Johannesburg Amateur Radio Club
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RAE practice questions

Chapter 2: Operating Procedures

Free practice questions on Operating Procedures, chapter 2 of the SARL's Class A manual, for South Africa's Radio Amateur Examination (RAE). Every question has the right answer and an explanation. Sections covered:

  • 2.1 International regulations
  • 2.2 HF phone procedures
  • 2.3 Telegraphy procedures
  • 2.4 Repeater procedures
  • 2.5 Emergency communications and social responsibility
  • 2.6 General points
  • 2.7 Keeping a log
  • 2.8 Exchanging QSL cards
  • 2.9 Electronic confirmations

83 questions

  1. 1. According to the ITU's definition of the amateur service, why do amateurs take part in radio?
    Show answer

    Out of personal interest, with no financial gain

    The ITU definition says amateurs are interested in radio for its own sake, with no money involved; self-training is among the service's main aims.

    Try it: ITU Radio Regulations Explained
  2. 2. Which band plans do South African amateurs follow?
    Show answer

    The IARU Region 1 plans, shared with Europe

    Africa lies in ITU Region 1 together with Europe, and IARU band plans normally cover a whole region, so South Africa keeps to the Region 1 plans.

    Try it: Band Plans
  3. 3. You take your radio on holiday to France and operate under CEPT T/R 61-01. Which documents must you carry?
    Show answer

    Your South African licence, passport and HAREC

    Under T/R 61-01 no foreign licence is needed, but the operator must always have a passport, the South African licence and the HAREC on hand.

  4. 4. ZS6KJ visits Austria, whose callsign prefix is OE, and operates under CEPT T/R 61-01. Which callsign should be used there?
    Show answer

    OE/ZS6KJ

    Under T/R 61-01 the visitor puts the prefix set for that place, and a stroke, in front of the home callsign, as in OE/ZS1AN.

    Try it: Callsign Lookup
  5. 5. Every amateur callsign has a prefix and a suffix. What does the suffix normally identify?
    Show answer

    The individual station

    The suffix, such as AN in ZS1AN, picks out the individual station; the area it operates from is shown by the prefix.

    Try it: Callsign Lookup
  6. 6. What does the appendage /MM after a callsign tell you?
    Show answer

    The station is maritime mobile, on a vessel at sea

    /MM stands for maritime mobile, a station on a vessel somewhere on the world's oceans; a plain /M means mobile on land.

    Try it: Callsign Lookup
  7. 7. What is the main reason for keeping to the IARU band plans?
    Show answer

    They make operating easier and reduce congestion

    Band plans are mostly voluntary agreements, drawn up with every amateur's interests in mind, that make operating smoother and cut congestion.

    Try it: Band Plans
  8. 8. You need to adjust your transmitter before going on the air. What should it be connected to so that it can be adjusted safely without radiating a signal?
    Show answer

    A dummy load on the antenna socket

    A dummy load is a shielded resistor that soaks up the power as heat; an antenna radiates even at low power, and an open output can damage the transmitter.

    Try it: DIY Components
  9. 9. You have found an HF frequency that seems clear and want to call CQ on it. What should you do first?
    Show answer

    Listen for at least 30 seconds, then ask whether it is in use

    Listen for at least 30 seconds, since a few seconds can fall in a gap between overs, and then ask 'Is this frequency in use?' before calling.

  10. 10. When you call CQ on phone, how should you say your callsign so that other stations copy it easily?
    Show answer

    Slowly and clearly, without rushing

    A callsign said slowly and clearly is easiest to copy; turning the speech processor right up distorts the voice and makes it harder, not easier, to understand.

  11. 11. You are ZS6XYZ. When you call ZS1AB, and again when you sign off with that station, in what order do you give the two callsigns?
    Show answer

    ZS1AB first, then your own callsign

    The station being called always comes first and the calling station last, at the start of a contact and at the end; reversing them marks a novice.

  12. 12. You reply to a station calling CQ. How many times should you normally say that station's callsign?
    Show answer

    Once, as operators know their own callsigns

    Operators know their own callsigns, so one mention is enough; saying it twice only wastes time, and if you are unsure of the callsign you should ask.

  13. 13. A new licensee has used CB radio for years. What should they do before going on the air?
    Show answer

    Learn amateur operating practice and terms first

    Amateur radio has its own procedures and terms, so learn those before going on the air instead of carrying over CB habits that amateurs do not use.

  14. 14. You have called CQ a few times without any reply. What is the most sensible thing to do?
    Show answer

    Listen around the band for activity, then try a few more calls

    No reply often means poor propagation, so first listen for other activity; hopping across the band and calling without listening only spreads your calls about.

  15. 15. You are ZS4SZ and would like a contact with any station in South Africa that hears you. Which phone call is best?
    Show answer

    CQ CQ CQ, this is Zulu Sierra Four Sierra Zulu, Zulu Sierra Four Sierra Zulu, over

    The manual's model call is CQ three times, then 'this is' and your callsign twice in phonetics, ending with 'over' rather than a phrase such as 'standing by'.

    Try it: Abbreviations
  16. 16. You hear a station in Germany calling 'CQ Japan'. What should you do as a South African?
    Show answer

    Wait until it calls for an area that includes you

    A call such as 'CQ Japan' asks only stations in that country to reply, so answering anyway is poor practice; wait for a call that includes your area.

  17. 17. A rare DX station ends its call with 'up five'. What does that mean?
    Show answer

    It is listening 5 kHz above its own transmit frequency

    Working split, the DX station listens 5 kHz above where it transmits, so you transmit there while you keep listening on its frequency.

  18. 18. You have just made contact with a station on HF. What should you do before starting a long conversation?
    Show answer

    Exchange signal reports to check that you can copy each other well

    Early signal reports show whether both stations can copy each other; if not, a long conversation will only frustrate you both.

  19. 19. Your radio was last used by someone else. What should you do before you transmit?
    Show answer

    Check the antenna, the reflected power and the frequency

    Never assume the old settings are right; check that the antenna is in order, the reflected power is low and the frequency is correct.

  20. 20. According to the manual, a skilled DX operator can log more than 300 contacts in an hour. At exactly 300 an hour, which of these is nearest to the average time per contact?
    Show answer

    10 seconds

    An hour is 3 600 seconds and 3 600 ÷ 300 = 12 seconds per contact, so 10 seconds is the nearest option.

  21. 21. A station reports your CW signal as 599. What does the final 9 tell you?
    Show answer

    Your note is a perfect tone, with no ripple

    In a three-figure CW report the last figure is the tone, and 9 means a pure note with no trace of ripple; fading is not part of the report.

    Try it: Abbreviations
  22. 22. On SSB another station tells you 'You're five and nine'. What is it giving you?
    Show answer

    An RST report: perfectly readable and extremely strong

    'Five and nine' is a phone report in the RST code: readability 5 is perfectly readable and strength 9 extremely strong, both the top of their scales.

    Try it: Abbreviations
  23. 23. The other operator gives your signal a readability of 2. What does that mean?
    Show answer

    Barely readable, with only the odd word copied

    Readability 2 means barely readable, with an occasional word picked out; readable with considerable difficulty is the next step up, readability 3.

    Try it: Abbreviations
  24. 24. How should you decide the strength figure in a signal report?
    Show answer

    By your own judgement of how strong the signal sounds

    The strength figure is a subjective judgement of how strong the signal sounds; an S-meter reading can guide you but does not set the report.

    Try it: Abbreviations
  25. 25. On an HF phone frequency you hear only a station's callsign, then silence. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Keep listening until you know what is going on

    A lone callsign tells you almost nothing, so keep listening until you understand what is happening; QRZ? asks who is calling you, and nobody has.

    Try it: Q Codes
  26. 26. How is the word 'CLUB' spelt in the phonetic alphabet?
    Show answer

    Charlie Lima Uniform Bravo

    C is Charlie, L is Lima, U is Uniform and B is Bravo; Uncle, Baker and the place names are not in today's alphabet.

    Try it: Phonetic Alphabet
  27. 27. Which of these words is NOT part of the international phonetic alphabet?
    Show answer

    Mexico

    M is Mike, so Mexico is not in the alphabet, although some place names, such as Quebec, are; Tango and Kilo are the standard words for T and K.

    Try it: Phonetic Alphabet
  28. 28. With the stressed syllable in capitals, which pair is right for the phonetic words for P and J?
    Show answer

    pa-PA and ju-li-ETT

    The manual's table gives Papa and Juliett, stressing the second syllable of Papa and the last of Juliett: pa-PA and ju-li-ETT.

    Try it: Phonetic Alphabet
  29. 29. How is the word 'HORN' spelt in the phonetic alphabet?
    Show answer

    Hotel Oscar Romeo November

    H is Hotel, O is Oscar, R is Romeo and N is November; Ocean and the other words are not in today's alphabet.

    Try it: Phonetic Alphabet
  30. 30. When is it most important to give your callsign in phonetics?
    Show answer

    At the start of a contact, until the other station has it right

    Spell your callsign phonetically when a contact begins; once the other station has it right you may say it normally, though an easily confused suffix should still be spelt.

    Try it: Phonetic Alphabet
  31. 31. How is the word 'AXIS' spelt in the phonetic alphabet?
    Show answer

    Alpha X-ray India Sierra

    A is Alpha, X is X-ray, I is India and S is Sierra; Italy, Italia, Able, Item and Sugar are not in today's alphabet.

    Try it: Phonetic Alphabet
  32. 32. Which group is made up only of words from the international phonetic alphabet?
    Show answer

    Delta, Echo, Foxtrot

    Delta, Echo and Foxtrot are the standard words for D, E and F; Easy, the names and the countries are not in today's alphabet.

    Try it: Phonetic Alphabet
  33. 33. According to the manual, how often does the law require you to give your own callsign during an HF phone contact?
    Show answer

    On every transmission, that is, every over

    The law requires you to identify on each separate over, so giving your callsign only at the start and end of a contact is not enough.

  34. 34. Which of your HF transmissions must you record in your log, by law?
    Show answer

    Every one, including CQ calls that nobody answered

    By law every HF transmission must be logged, CQ calls that got no answer included, so logging only completed contacts falls short.

    Try it: Logbook & ADIF
  35. 35. An operator ends a contact with '73'. What does it mean?
    Show answer

    Best wishes

    73 is an old telegraphy code for 'best wishes' and is already plural, so '73s' is wrong; 88, 'love and kisses', is a different code.

    Try it: Number Codes & 92 Code
  36. 36. Two stations are chatting on CW about antennas and you would like to join them. What is the best approach?
    Show answer

    Follow the talk for a while, and call in only if you have something to add

    Listen to learn what is being discussed and join only if you can add something useful to that topic; steering the talk elsewhere hijacks their conversation.

  37. 37. A station sends you 'QRX 5'. What does it mean?
    Show answer

    Wait; I will call you again in five minutes

    QRX means 'wait' or 'stand by', and QRX 5 tells you the station will call you again in five minutes, not seconds.

    Try it: Q Codes
  38. 38. What does the Q code QRP mean, as in 'a QRP station'?
    Show answer

    Decrease power, so a QRP station runs low power

    QRP means 'decrease power', so a QRP station is a low-power one, normally running no more than 5 W PEP, rather than a high-power one.

    Try it: Q Codes
  39. 39. What does the Q code QRT mean?
    Show answer

    Stop sending, often meaning the station is closing down

    QRT means 'stop sending', and an operator who sends QRT at the end of a session is shutting the station down, not merely out of messages.

    Try it: Q Codes
  40. 40. You want the other station to tell you exactly what frequency you are on. Which code do you send?
    Show answer

    QRG?

    QRG? asks 'What is my exact frequency?', and the other station replies with the frequency it measures for you, in kHz.

    Try it: Q Codes
  41. 41. On 40 m CW the other station sends 'QSY 7090'. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Move with them to 7090 kHz

    QSY means 'change frequency to', and the figure that follows is the new frequency in kHz, not an offset in Hz.

    Try it: Q Codes
  42. 42. On CW you receive 'QTH JOHANNESBURG'. What is the other operator telling you?
    Show answer

    Their location is Johannesburg

    Sent as a statement, QTH means 'my location is', so the operator is in Johannesburg; it says nothing about clubs or where a licence was issued.

    Try it: Q Codes
  43. 43. What is the difference between QRM and QRN?
    Show answer

    QRM is man-made interference; QRN is natural static

    QRM means interference from man-made sources such as other stations, while QRN means natural noise such as static.

    Try it: Q Codes
  44. 44. The other station reports that your signal keeps rising and falling. Which Q code describes this?
    Show answer

    QSB

    QSB means 'your signals are fading', the code for a signal that rises and falls in strength; steady static noise has a different code.

    Try it: Q Codes
  45. 45. Before sending a long message, you want to check that the other operator is ready to copy. What do you send?
    Show answer

    QRV?

    QRV? asks the other operator 'Are you ready?', a sensible check before you send a long message.

    Try it: Q Codes
  46. 46. After sending an important message on CW, which code asks whether the other station received it?
    Show answer

    QSL?

    QSL? asks 'Can you acknowledge receipt?', and the reply QSL means 'I acknowledge receipt'; QRK? asks how readable your signal is, not whether it was received.

    Try it: Q Codes
  47. 47. The other station is sending Morse faster than you can copy. Which Q code do you send?
    Show answer

    QRS

    QRS means 'send more slowly' and QRQ means 'send faster'.

    Try it: Q Codes
  48. 48. ZS6XYZ wants to call CQ DX in Morse. Which of these calls is correctly sent?
    Show answer

    CQ DX CQ DX de ZS6XYZ ZS6XYZ K

    In Morse, 'de' comes before your own callsign and K invites any station to reply, whereas KN invites only a station already called; phonetics are never sent.

    Try it: Abbreviations
  49. 49. At what speed should a beginner send a CW CQ call?
    Show answer

    Somewhat below the speed they can copy with ease

    Whoever answers will usually match or beat your speed, so send your call a bit below the speed you can copy with ease.

    Try it: Morse Practice Trainer (Koch)
  50. 50. On CW, which Q code do you send to ask whether a frequency is already in use?
    Show answer

    QRL?

    QRL? means 'Are you busy?', and on CW it is how you ask whether a frequency is already in use before you call.

    Try it: Q Codes
  51. 51. Which Morse procedure signal shows that the whole contact (QSO) is over?
    Show answer

    VA

    VA, also written SK, ends the whole contact, whereas AR only marks the end of one message within it.

    Try it: Abbreviations
  52. 52. You want to talk through your local 2 m repeater. Which mode must your radio use?
    Show answer

    FM

    Repeaters carry local FM voice traffic, so your radio must be set to FM to work through one.

  53. 53. Some repeaters ignore noise and stray signals and open only when your signal carries something extra. What is it?
    Show answer

    A continuous sub-audible tone (CTCSS)

    A CTCSS tone squelch keeps the repeater shut until it hears a continuous sub-audible tone, often 88,5 Hz; sending your callsign in Morse would not open it.

    Try it: CTCSS Tones
  54. 54. After making contact on a calling frequency or a busy repeater, you want a long chat with that one station. What is good practice?
    Show answer

    Move to another clear frequency and talk direct

    Calling frequencies and repeaters are shared, so a long one-to-one chat belongs on a clear simplex frequency; long group chats that anyone may join are a different matter.

  55. 55. Which stations gain most from a repeater on a high site?
    Show answer

    Mobiles and handhelds with low power and small antennas

    A high repeater mostly helps low-power mobiles and handhelds; a well-equipped fixed station can often cover more ground by itself.

  56. 56. On a busy repeater, how should a station join a net, and how should a station with urgent traffic get in?
    Show answer

    Join: callsign once in a pause, then wait to be brought in. Urgent: 'break break' and callsign

    A newcomer gives a callsign once in a gap and waits to be brought in; 'break break' is for urgent traffic, and the next station hands over at once.

  57. 57. To work through the '145,650 MHz repeater', which frequencies does your radio use?
    Show answer

    Transmit on 145,050 MHz and listen on 145,650 MHz

    A repeater is named by its output, and South African 2 m repeaters receive 600 kHz lower, so you transmit on 145,050 MHz and listen on 145,650 MHz.

  58. 58. Someone on the repeater asks how their signal is reaching you. What kind of report should you give?
    Show answer

    Describe it: 'loud and clear', 'some hiss' and so on

    You hear only the repeater's output, which tells you little about their signal into it, so describe what you hear in words, not numbers.

  59. 59. On a repeater, why should you leave a short gap before starting your over?
    Show answer

    So that anyone waiting gets a chance to call in

    The short gap between overs gives anyone else a chance to call in and join the conversation; it is courtesy, not a licence condition.

  60. 60. You are walking with a handheld and are told your signal into the repeater is too broken to copy. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Drop out for now and try again from a better place

    If you cannot reach the repeater properly, sign clear and try again from a better position instead of wasting everyone's airtime.

  61. 61. What is about the longest a single over on a repeater should last?
    Show answer

    Two to three minutes

    Keep each over short, two to three minutes at most, so that other users can get onto the repeater.

  62. 62. How do you normally start a contact on a repeater?
    Show answer

    Call a station by callsign, or ask if anyone is there

    Repeater contacts are informal: you call a particular station or simply ask whether anyone is around, and CQ calls are not used there.

  63. 63. When may an amateur transmit 'Mayday', or the SOS signal in Morse?
    Show answer

    Only to signal a real emergency, such as when lives are at stake

    Mayday and the SOS signal may be sent only to mark a genuine emergency, so even a practice exercise must not use them.

  64. 64. You hear stations handling an emergency on the air. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Stay off the air unless you can supply something they lack

    Keep quiet unless you can fill a real gap, such as a working telephone, and leave it to the station in charge to accept your help.

  65. 65. Besides handling real emergencies, what do Hamnet members do?
    Show answer

    Train regularly and support community events

    Hamnet coordinates amateur emergency communications under the SARL, and its members train together and provide radio links at events such as marathons and rallies.

  66. 66. You want your station to be useful if disaster strikes your area. What does the manual advise doing beforehand?
    Show answer

    Let the authorities know your capabilities and frequencies

    Make sure the authorities know you exist, what you can do and which frequencies you can use, and now and then test the station with the mains switched off.

  67. 67. Which of these topics is suitable for a chat on the amateur bands?
    Show answer

    Details of the antenna you are building

    Technical and personal interests suit the bands, but politics is best avoided even with someone who agrees, because anyone at all may be listening.

  68. 68. As a new amateur you hear regulars using ham slang and pet phrases. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Say things in ordinary words that everyone understands

    The aim is clear communication, so speak plainly; slang meant to keep outsiders guessing only confuses other amateurs too.

  69. 69. You are about to work SSB on 40 m. Where in the band should you transmit?
    Show answer

    In the phone segment set out in the band plan

    Band plans divide each band into segments for CW, digital modes and phone, so SSB belongs in the phone segment even when the CW segment sounds empty.

    Try it: Band Plans
  70. 70. Conditions are excellent and your signal is very strong. How much power should you use?
    Show answer

    Only as much as a good contact needs

    Use the least power that keeps a good contact going; anything more adds nothing useful and only spreads interference to other users.

  71. 71. Why are Q codes so widely used in Morse contacts?
    Show answer

    They are short and understood whatever the language

    Q codes are short, standard groups that speed up Morse and are understood whatever an operator's home language; hiding meaning from listeners is not their purpose.

    Try it: Q Codes
  72. 72. A band plan reserves certain frequencies for beacons. What does that mean for other stations?
    Show answer

    They should never transmit on those frequencies

    Beacon frequencies are kept clear for the beacons, so no other station should transmit there, even when no beacon can be heard at the time.

    Try it: Band Plans
  73. 73. Which time should you use for the contacts in your log?
    Show answer

    UTC for every contact, local or DX

    UTC does not change from place to place, so logging every contact in UTC keeps your times in step with the other station's log and card.

    Try it: UTC Clock & Timers
  74. 74. A contact is made at 01:30B (SAST) on 5 March. What is the date and time in UTC?
    Show answer

    23:30Z on 4 March

    SAST is two hours ahead of UTC, so going back two hours from 01:30B crosses midnight and gives 23:30Z on the previous day, 4 March.

    Try it: UTC Clock & Timers
  75. 75. A logbook needs the owner's name and address at the front. What should each entry in it record?
    Show answer

    Date, times, callsign, reports, frequency, mode and power

    The manual's sample log records the date, times on and off, callsign, reports sent and received, frequency, mode and power, with room for remarks.

    Try it: Logbook & ADIF
  76. 76. Which of these is NOT recommended for a QSL card?
    Show answer

    QSO details split across both sides

    The QSO side must carry all the contact details so the card never needs turning over; the standard size, the card stock and a block layout are all recommended.

  77. 77. You have worked a rare DX station. Which methods are quickest for getting its paper QSL card and for getting the contact confirmed at all?
    Show answer

    Card: its OQRS. Confirmation: LoTW

    OQRS lets you request the card online, faster than posting a request, and LoTW confirms a contact almost as soon as both stations have uploaded it.

  78. 78. Which is the cheapest way to send and receive large numbers of paper QSL cards?
    Show answer

    Through the QSL bureau

    The bureau ships cards in bulk between national societies, so you save postage and addressing; LoTW is cheap too, but it gives no paper cards.

  79. 79. A rare DX station lists a QSL manager. Where should you send your card?
    Show answer

    To the QSL manager, not to the station

    A QSL manager handles a busy station's cards for it, so send yours to the manager; a card sent to the station itself will almost certainly go unanswered.

  80. 80. You post your card direct to a station abroad and want a reply. What should you enclose?
    Show answer

    A self-addressed envelope with return postage, such as IRCs

    Cover the return postage: the stamps must be the other country's, so without them you send International Reply Coupons or US dollars, known as green stamps.

  81. 81. What is SA-QSL?
    Show answer

    The SARL's free electronic confirmation service

    SA-QSL confirms contacts electronically and is free to SARL members, and its matched contacts count towards the Worked All ZS awards; no cards are printed.

  82. 82. Why do serious electronic confirmation systems rely on cryptography?
    Show answer

    So that confirmations are very hard to forge or alter

    A confirmation is worthless if it can be forged, so it is signed with a secret key; anyone can check it, so it is not about secrecy.

  83. 83. What does it cost to take part in LoTW?
    Show answer

    Nothing, except a small fee for awards

    Taking part in LoTW is free; only when you use a confirmation to apply for an award is there a small charge, still far cheaper than paper cards.