Many aspiring amateur radio operators find themselves puzzled by certain questions while preparing for the FCC Technician license exam. While some questions appear straightforward, others contain subtle complexities that can make or break a test score.
Ham Radio Prep has analyzed thousands of practice test results to identify the ten most frequently missed questions by Technician license candidates. Through comprehensive tracking of student performance across practice tests, we've compiled this definitive list of challenging exam items.
The Top 10 Most Difficult Questions
Mastering these ten questions could significantly improve your chances of passing. The performance gap between those who answered correctly versus incorrectly averages 10 percentage points across these items. On question #9 specifically, the difference between correct (87% average score) and incorrect responses (73%) could determine whether you surpass the 74% passing threshold.
10. What is a suitable receiver filter bandwidth for minimizing noise and interference in SSB reception?
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A. 500 Hz
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B. 1000 Hz
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C. 2400 Hz
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D. 5000 Hz
Correct answer: C. 2400 Hz. SSB signals require wider bandwidth than CW transmissions. Remember these key values: SSB = 2400 Hz, CW = 500 Hz.
9. What is the standard repeater frequency offset in the 2-meter band?
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A. ±5 MHz
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B. ±600 kHz
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C. ±500 kHz
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D. ±1 MHz
Correct answer: B. ±600 kHz. Many mistakenly select ±5 MHz, which applies to the 70 cm band. The 2-meter band's smaller frequency range requires a smaller offset.
8. Which property describes a radio wave's polarization?
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A. Electric field's direction
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B. Magnetic field's direction
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C. Ratio of magnetic to electric energy
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D. Velocity to wavelength ratio
Correct answer: A. Electric field's direction. Polarization relates exclusively to the electric field component, determined by your antenna configuration.
7. What advantage does multiple receive bandwidth selections offer on a multimode transceiver?
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A. Simultaneous mode monitoring
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B. Noise reduction through mode-matched bandwidth
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C. Increased frequency memory capacity
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D. Greater transmit/receive offset
Correct answer: B. Proper bandwidth selection reduces interference by matching the transmission mode, similar to question #10's principle.
6. How else might 1,500,000 Hertz be expressed?
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A. 1500 kHz
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B. 1500 MHz
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C. 15 GHz
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D. 150 kHz
Correct answer: A. 1500 kHz. Convert by moving the decimal three places left (dividing by 1000) from Hz to kHz.
5. What is the approximate bandwidth of an SSB voice signal?
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A. 1 kHz
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B. 3 kHz
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C. 6 kHz
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D. 15 kHz
Correct answer: B. 3 kHz. The standard 2400 Hz SSB bandwidth converts to 2.4 kHz, making 3 kHz the closest approximation.
4. What is the function of an SSB/CW-FM switch on a VHF power amplifier?
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A. Change transmission mode
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B. Configure amplifier for selected mode
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C. Adjust frequency range
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D. Reduce received noise
Correct answer: B. The amplifier needs mode information to operate properly, while the transmitter handles actual mode changes.
3. What's the approximate bandwidth of a VHF repeater FM phone signal?
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A. Less than 500 Hz
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B. About 150 kHz
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C. Between 10-15 kHz
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D. Between 50-125 kHz
Correct answer: C. Between 10-15 kHz. FM signals are wider than SSB but narrower than many assume - 150 kHz would be ten times too large.
2. What happens to current at the junction between two components in series?
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A. Divides equally
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B. Remains constant
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C. Divides by component values
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D. Becomes zero in second component
Correct answer: B. Remains constant. Current stays uniform in series circuits, while parallel circuits divide current.
1. Which option defines remote control under Part 97 rules?
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A. Repeater operation
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B. Internet-based station control
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C. Radio-controlled models
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D. All choices
Correct answer: B. While "remote control" might suggest model operation (choice C), Part 97 specifically addresses controlling stations from distant locations.
Conclusion
Understanding these challenging questions provides valuable insight into key concepts tested on the FCC Technician exam. Proper preparation focusing on these areas can significantly improve examination performance.
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