Second Release - January 29,2010
Element 2 Technician Class Question Pool
To be Effective July 1,2010 for Examinations
(With Errata to first release version dated January 4,2010)


After the initial release of this question pool January 4,2010, minor changes were made in the wording of questions and answers to correct typos and/or clarify meaning.   The changes incorporated in the text of the pool are reflected in the errata list below.

Edits and Corrections made to the version released January 4,2010 of the Technician Class Pool:
T1A05: Capitalized the word “Part” in the question: What is the FCC Part 97….
T1A05: Corrected typo in distractor A: Any multi-stage multi stage satellite
T1A06: Capitalized the word “Part” in the question: What is the FCC Part 97….

T1A07: Capitalized the word “Part” in the question: What is the FCC Part 97….

T1A08: Changed distractor C: FCC Rregional Field Office

T1A09: Changed distractor C: Amateur operators in a local or regional area that whose stations are eligible to be auxiliary or repeater stations.

T1A09: Changed distractor D: FCC Regional Field Office

T1A10: Capitalized the word “Part” in the question: What is the FCC Part 97….

T1B01: Corrected typo in rules reference:  [97.2(a)(28)]

T1C03: Struck a word in distractor A: Communications incidental to the purposes of the amateur service and to remarks of a personal character

T1C06: Changed distractor D: From any vessel or craft located in international waters and that is documented or registered in the United States

T1C10: Changed wording of the question :  How soon may you transmit operate a transmitter on an amateur service frequency after you pass the examination elements required for your first amateur radio license?

T1C10: Changed distractor D:  You must wait until you receive your license in the mail from the FCC

T1C11: Changed the question: If your license has expired and is still within the allowable grace period, may you continue to transmit operate a transmitter on amateur service frequencies?

T1D04: Changed distractor D: When the music is transmitted above 1280 MHz

T1D08: Changed the question: When may the control operator of an amateur station accept receive compensation for operating the station?

T1E01: Changed distractor A: Only when the station is transmitting

T1E05: Modified distractor B: The location of the station transmitting apparatus and antenna structure



T1F04: Changed the question and all distractors: Which of the following is an acceptable language for use for station identification when operating in a phone sub-band?
A. By a phone emission in Any language recognized by the United Nations
B. By a phone emission in Any language recognized by the ITU
C. By a phone emission in The English language
D. By a phone emission in English, French, or Spanish

T1F06: Changed the question: Which of the following uses formats of a self-assigned indicator is acceptable…

T2B04: Changed the question: What common problem Which of the following common problems might cause you to be able to hear but not access a repeater even when transmitting with the proper offset?

T2C11: Changed distractor A: The check is a count of the number of words or word equivalents in the text portion of the message

T3A01: Corrected typo in question: What should you do if another operator reports that your stations’ station’s…

T3A09: Corrected typo in question: Which of the following is a common effect….

T3C02: Corrected typo in distractor C: Signals are being reflected by lightning storms in your our area

T5B03: Capitalized the first letter of each distractor:  Oone etc

T5B04: Capitalized the first letter of each distractor:  Oone etc

T5C07: Corrected typo in question:  What is a the usual name…..

T6A01: Changed distractor D:  Transistor Transformer

T6A07: Changed distractor A: Switch

T6A08: Changed Distractor A: Zener diode

T6D08: Changed first word of question: What Which of the following is used….

T6D11: Changed first word of question: What Which of the following is used….

T7B04: Inserted a word in the question: What is the most likely cause of interference to a non-cordless telephone from a nearby transmitter?

T7B06: Inserted a word in the question: What should you do first if someone tells you that your station’s transmissions are interfering with their radio or TV reception?

T7B06: Changed distractor A: Make sure that your station is operating functioning properly and that it does not cause interference to your own television

T7B10: Inserted a word in the question: What might be the problem if you receive a report that your audio signal through the repeater is distorted or unintelligible?

T8B04: Added words to end of question for clarification:  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?

T8B07: Inserted words in the question: With regard to satellite communications, what is Doppler shift?

T8B07: Changed wording of distractor C: An observed change in signal frequency caused by relative motion between the satellite and the earth station

T8C08: Inserted a word in distractor C: A label indicating the licensee’s name, call sign and address must be affixed to the transmitter

T8D08: Changed question for clarity: Which of the following may be What is included in packet transmissions

T8D09: Deleted a word from the question: What digital code is used when sending CW in the amateur bands?

T8D09: Inserted a word in distractor C: International Morse

T9B06: Changed distractor D: A DB-23 Connector

T0B01: Changed distractor D: Only At all times when the tower exceeds 30 feet in height

T0C03: Inserted a word in the question and deleted three words: What is the maximum power level that an amateur radio station may use at VHF frequencies above 30 MHz before an RF exposure evaluation is required?

T0C11: Changed distractor C: The ratio of "on" on-air time to "off" total operating time of a transmitted signal


~ End of Errata






The syllabus, question pool, and associated graphics begin on the next page.
The QPC wishes to acknowledge and thank the many individuals that contributed their suggestions for new questions or changes for this pool.

NCVEC Question Pool Committee

Roland Anders, K3RA - Laurel VEC (QPC Chairman)
Tom Fuszard, KF9PU – MRAC VEC, Inc.
Perry Green, WY1O - ARRL VEC
Larry Pollock, NB5X - W5YI VEC
Jim Wiley, KL7CC - Anchorage VEC





2010 Technician Class Question Pool Syllabus


396 questions in 35 sections


SUBELEMENT T1 – FCC Rules, descriptions and definitions for the amateur radio service, operator and station license responsibilities - [6 Exam Questions - 6 Groups]

T1A - Amateur Radio services; purpose of the amateur service, amateur-satellite service, operator/primary station license grant, where FCC rules are codified, basis and purpose of FCC rules, meanings of basic terms used in FCC rules

T1B - Authorized frequencies; frequency allocations, ITU regions, emission type, restricted sub-bands, spectrum sharing, transmissions near band edges

T1C - Operator classes and station call signs; operator classes, sequential, special event, and vanity call sign systems, international communications, reciprocal operation, station license licensee, places where the amateur service is regulated by the FCC, name and address on ULS, license term, renewal, grace period

T1D - Authorized and prohibited transmissions

T1E - Control operator and control types; control operator required, eligibility, designation of control operator, privileges and duties, control point, local, automatic and remote control, location of control operator

T1F - Station identification and operation standards; special operations for repeaters and auxiliary stations, third party communications, club stations, station security, FCC inspection


SUBELEMENT T2 - Operating Procedures - [3 Exam Questions - 3 Groups]

T2A - Station operation; choosing an operating frequency, calling another station, test transmissions, use of minimum power, frequency use, band plans

T2B – VHF/UHF operating practices; SSB phone, FM repeater, simplex, frequency offsets, splits and shifts, CTCSS, DTMF, tone squelch, carrier squelch, phonetics

T2C –Public service; emergency and non-emergency operations, message traffic handling


SUBELEMENT T3 – Radio wave characteristics, radio and electromagnetic properties, propagation modes – [3 Exam Questions - 3 Groups]

T3A - Radio wave characteristics; how a radio signal travels; distinctions of HF, VHF and UHF; fading, multipath; wavelength vs. penetration; antenna orientation

T3B - Radio and electromagnetic wave properties; the electromagnetic spectrum, wavelength vs. frequency, velocity of electromagnetic waves

T3C - Propagation modes; line of sight, sporadic E, meteor, aurora scatter, tropospheric ducting, F layer skip, radio horizon


SUBELEMENT T4 - Amateur radio practices and station setup – [2 Exam Questions - 2 Groups]

T4A – Station setup; microphone, speaker, headphones, filters, power source, connecting a computer, RF grounding

T4B - Operating controls; tuning, use of filters, squelch, AGC, repeater offset, memory channels


SUBELEMENT T5 – Electrical principles, math for electronics, electronic principles, Ohm’s Law – [4 Exam Questions - 4 Groups]

T5A - Electrical principles; current and voltage, conductors and insulators, alternating and direct current

T5B - Math for electronics; decibels, electronic units and the metric system

T5C - Electronic principles; capacitance, inductance, current flow in circuits, alternating current, definition of RF, power calculations

T5D – Ohm’s Law


SUBELEMENT T6 – Electrical components, semiconductors, circuit diagrams, component functions – [4 Exam Groups - 4 Questions]

T6A - Electrical components; fixed and variable resistors, capacitors, and inductors; fuses, switches, batteries

T6B – Semiconductors; basic principles of diodes and transistors

T6C - Circuit diagrams; schematic symbols

T6D - Component functions


SUBELEMENT T7 – Station equipment, common transmitter and receiver problems, antenna measurements and troubleshooting, basic repair and testing – [4 Exam Questions - 4 Groups]

T7A - Station radios; receivers, transmitters, transceivers

T7B – Common transmitter and receiver problems; symptoms of overload and overdrive, distortion, interference, over and under modulation, RF feedback, off frequency signals; fading and noise; problems with digital communications interfaces

T7C – Antenna measurements and troubleshooting; measuring SWR, dummy loads, feedline failure modes

T7D – Basic repair and testing; soldering, use of a voltmeter, ammeter, and ohmmeter



SUBELEMENT T8 – Modulation modes, amateur satellite operation, operating activities, non-voice communications – [4 Exam Questions - 4 Groups]

T8A – Modulation modes; bandwidth of various signals

T8B - Amateur satellite operation; Doppler shift, basic orbits, operating protocols

T8C – Operating activities; radio direction finding, radio control, contests, special event stations, basic linking over Internet

T8D – Non-voice communications; image data, digital modes, CW, packet, PSK31


SUBELEMENT T9 – Antennas, feedlines [2 Exam Groups - 2 Questions]

T9A – Antennas; vertical and horizontal, concept of gain, common portable and mobile antennas, relationships between antenna length and frequency

T9B - Feedlines; types, losses vs. frequency, SWR concepts, matching, weather protection, connectors


SUBELEMENT T0 – AC power circuits, antenna installation, RF hazards – [3 Exam Questions - 3 Groups]

T0A – AC power circuits; hazardous voltages, fuses and circuit breakers, grounding, lightning protection, battery safety, electrical code compliance

T0B – Antenna installation; tower safety, overhead power lines

T0C - RF hazards; radiation exposure, proximity to antennas, recognized safe power levels, exposure to others


~ End of Syllabus
SUBELEMENT T1 – FCC Rules, descriptions and definitions for the amateur radio service, operator and station license responsibilities - [6 Exam Questions - 6 Groups]

T1A - Amateur Radio services; purpose of the amateur service, amateur-satellite service, operator/primary station license grant, where FCC rules are codified, basis and purpose of FCC rules, meanings of basic terms used in FCC rules

T1A01 (D) [97.3(a)(4)]
For whom is the Amateur Radio Service intended?
A. Persons who have messages to broadcast to the public
B. Persons who need communications for the activities of their immediate family members, relatives and friends
C. Persons who need two-way communications for personal reasons
D. Persons who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest
~~