FCC Technician Class Exam Study Guide - 2014-2018/Subelement T8 Group B

Amateur satellite operation; Doppler shift, basic orbits, operating protocols; control operator, transmitter power considerations; satellite tracking; digital modes

The Question Pool

Question 1

Who may be the control operator of a station communicating through an amateur satellite or space station?

A. Only an Amateur Extra Class operator

B. A General Class licensee or higher licensee who has a satellite operator certification

C. Only an Amateur Extra Class operator who is also an AMSAT member

D. Any amateur whose license privileges allow them to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency

Reference to 97.301 and 97.207(c). The correct answer is D.

Question 2

How much transmitter power should be used on the uplink frequency of an amateur satellite or space station?

A. The maximum power of your transmitter

B. The minimum amount of power needed to complete the contact

C. No more than half the rating of your linear amplifier

D. Never more than 1 watt

Reference to 97.313. The correct answer is B.

Question 3

Which of the following are provided by satellite tracking programs?

A. Maps showing the real-time position of the satellite track over the earth

B. The time, azimuth, and elevation of the start, maximum altitude, and end of a pass

C. The apparent frequency of the satellite transmission, including effects of Doppler shift

D. All of these answers are correct

The correct answer is D.

Question 4

Which amateur stations may make contact with an amateur station on the International Space Station using 2 meter and 70 cm band amateur radio frequencies?

A. Only members of amateur radio clubs at NASA facilities

B. Any amateur holding a Technician or higher class license

C. Only the astronaut's family members who are hams

D. You cannot talk to the ISS on amateur radio frequencies

Reference to 97.301 and 97.207(c). The correct answer is B.

Question 5

What is a satellite beacon?

A. The primary transmit antenna on the satellite

B. An indicator light that that shows where to point your antenna

C. A reflective surface on the satellite

D. A transmission from a space station that contains information about a satellite

The correct answer is D.

Question 6

Which of the following are inputs to a satellite tracking program?

A. The weight of the satellite

B. The Keplerian elements

C. The last observed time of zero Doppler shift

D. All of these answers are correct

The correct answer is B.

Question 7

With regard to satellite communications, what is Doppler shift?

A. A change in the satellite orbit

B. A mode where the satellite receives signals on one band and transmits on another

C. An observed change in signal frequency caused by relative motion between the satellite and the earth station

D. A special digital communications mode for some satellites

The correct answer is C.

Question 8

What is meant by the statement that a satellite is operating in mode U/V?

A. The satellite uplink is in the 15 meter band and the downlink is in the 10 meter band

B. The satellite uplink is in the 70 cm band and the downlink is in the 2 meter band

C. The satellite operates using ultraviolet frequencies

D. The satellite frequencies are usually variable

The correct answer is B.

Question 9

What causes spin fading when referring to satellite signals?

A. Circular polarized noise interference radiated from the sun

B. Rotation of the satellite and its antennas

C. Doppler shift of the received signal

D. Interfering signals within the satellite uplink band

The correct answer is B.

Question 10

What do the initials LEO tell you about an amateur satellite?

A. The satellite battery is in Low Energy Operation mode

B. The satellite is performing a Lunar Ejection Orbit maneuver

C. The satellite is in a Low Earth Orbit

D. The satellite uses Light Emitting Optics

The correct answer is C.

Question 11

What is a commonly used method of sending signals to and from a digital satellite?

A. USB AFSK

B. PSK31

C. FM Packet

D. WSJT

The correct answer is C.