All 60 Ham Radio General Class questions for G2 Operating Procedures with the correct answers marked, from the official 2023-2027 question pool. Test yourself with the free practice exam.
G2A01
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on frequencies of 14 MHz or higher?
A. Upper sideband ✓
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Double sideband
G2A02
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands?
A. Upper sideband
B. Lower sideband ✓
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Double sideband
G2A03
Which mode is most commonly used for SSB voice communications in the VHF and UHF bands?
A. Upper sideband ✓
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Double sideband
G2A04
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 17- and 12-meter bands?
A. Upper sideband ✓
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Double sideband
G2A05
Which mode of voice communication is most commonly used on the HF amateur bands?
A. Frequency modulation
B. Double sideband
C. Single sideband ✓
D. Single phase modulation
G2A06
Which of the following is an advantage of using single sideband, as compared to other analog voice modes on the HF amateur bands?
A. Very high-fidelity voice modulation
B. Less subject to interference from atmospheric static crashes
C. Ease of tuning on receive and immunity to impulse noise
D. Less bandwidth used and greater power efficiency ✓
G2A07
Which of the following statements is true of single sideband (SSB)?
A. Only one sideband and the carrier are transmitted; the other sideband is suppressed
B. Only one sideband is transmitted; the other sideband and carrier are suppressed ✓
C. SSB is the only voice mode authorized on the 20-, 15-, and 10-meter amateur bands
D. SSB is the only voice mode authorized on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter amateur bands
G2A08
What is the recommended way to break into a phone contact?
A. Say “QRZ” several times, followed by your call sign
B. Say your call sign once ✓
C. Say “Breaker Breaker”
D. Say “CQ” followed by the call sign of either station
G2A09
Why do most amateur stations use lower sideband on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands?
A. Lower sideband is more efficient than upper sideband at these frequencies
B. Lower sideband is the only sideband legal on these frequency bands
C. Because it is fully compatible with an AM detector
D. It is commonly accepted amateur practice ✓
G2A10
Which of the following statements is true of VOX operation versus PTT operation?
A. The received signal is more natural sounding
B. It allows “hands free” operation ✓
C. It occupies less bandwidth
D. It provides more power output
G2A11
Generally, who should respond to a station in the contiguous 48 states calling “CQ DX”?
A. Any caller is welcome to respond
B. Only stations in Germany
C. Any stations outside the lower 48 states ✓
D. Only contest stations
G2A12
What control is typically adjusted for proper ALC setting on a single sideband transceiver?
A. RF clipping level
B. Transmit audio or microphone gain ✓
C. Antenna inductance or capacitance
D. Attenuator level
G2B01 · [97.101(b), (c)]
Which of the following is true concerning access to frequencies?
A. Nets have priority
B. QSOs in progress have priority
C. Except during emergencies, no amateur station has priority access to any frequency ✓
D. Contest operations should yield to non-contest use of frequencies
G2B02
What is the first thing you should do if you are communicating with another amateur station and hear a station in distress break in?
A. Inform your local emergency coordinator
B. Acknowledge the station in distress and determine what assistance may be needed ✓
C. Immediately decrease power to avoid interfering with the station in distress
D. Immediately cease all transmissions
G2B03
What is good amateur practice if propagation changes during a contact creating interference from other stations using the frequency?
A. Advise the interfering stations that you are on the frequency and that you have priority
B. Decrease power and continue to transmit
C. Attempt to resolve the interference problem with the other stations in a mutually acceptable manner ✓
D. Switch to the opposite sideband
G2B04
When selecting a CW transmitting frequency, what minimum separation from other stations should be used to minimize interference to stations on adjacent frequencies?
A. 5 Hz to 50 Hz
B. 150 Hz to 500 Hz ✓
C. 1 kHz to 3 kHz
D. 3 kHz to 6 kHz
G2B05
When selecting an SSB transmitting frequency, what minimum separation should be used to minimize interference to stations on adjacent frequencies?
A. 5 Hz to 50 Hz
B. 150 Hz to 500 Hz
C. 2 kHz to 3 kHz ✓
D. Approximately 6 kHz
G2B06
How can you avoid harmful interference on an apparently clear frequency before calling CQ on CW or phone?
A. Send “QRL?” on CW, followed by your call sign; or, if using phone, ask if the frequency is in use, followed by your call sign ✓
B. Listen for 2 minutes before calling CQ
C. Send the letter “V” in Morse code several times and listen for a response, or say “test” several times and listen for a response
D. Send “QSY” on CW or if using phone, announce “the frequency is in use,” then give your call sign and listen for a response
G2B07
Which of the following complies with commonly accepted amateur practice when choosing a frequency on which to initiate a call?
A. Listen on the frequency for at least two minutes to be sure it is clear
B. Identify your station by transmitting your call sign at least 3 times
C. Follow the voluntary band plan ✓
D. All these choices are correct
G2B08
What is the voluntary band plan restriction for US stations transmitting within the 48 contiguous states in the 50.1 MHz to 50.125 MHz band segment?
A. Only contacts with stations not within the 48 contiguous states ✓
B. Only contacts with other stations within the 48 contiguous states
C. Only digital contacts
D. Only SSTV contacts
G2B09 · [97.407(a)]
Who may be the control operator of an amateur station transmitting in RACES to assist relief operations during a disaster?
A. Only a person holding an FCC-issued amateur operator license ✓
B. Only a RACES net control operator
C. A person holding an FCC-issued amateur operator license or an appropriate government official
D. Any control operator when normal communication systems are operational
G2B10
Which of the following is good amateur practice for net management?
A. Always use multiple sets of phonetics during check-in
B. Have a backup frequency in case of interference or poor conditions ✓
C. Transmit the full net roster at the beginning of every session
D. All these choices are correct
G2B11 · [97.407(d)(4)]
How often may RACES training drills and tests be routinely conducted without special authorization?
A. No more than 1 hour per month
B. No more than 2 hours per month
C. No more than 1 hour per week ✓
D. No more than 2 hours per week
G2C01
Which of the following describes full break-in CW operation (QSK)?
A. Breaking stations send the Morse code prosign “BK”
B. Automatic keyers, instead of hand keys, are used to send Morse code
C. An operator must activate a manual send/receive switch before and after every transmission
D. Transmitting stations can receive between code characters and elements ✓
G2C02
What should you do if a CW station sends “QRS?”
A. Send slower ✓
B. Change frequency
C. Increase your power
D. Repeat everything twice
G2C03
What does it mean when a CW operator sends “KN” at the end of a transmission?
A. No US stations should call
B. Operating full break-in
C. Listening only for a specific station or stations ✓
D. Closing station now
G2C04
What does the Q signal “QRL?” mean?
A. “Will you keep the frequency clear?”
B. “Are you operating full break-in?” or “Can you operate full break-in?”
C. “Are you listening only for a specific station?”
D. “Are you busy?” or “Is this frequency in use?” ✓
G2C05
What is the best speed to use when answering a CQ in Morse code?
A. The fastest speed at which you are comfortable copying, but no slower than the CQ
B. The fastest speed at which you are comfortable copying, but no faster than the CQ ✓
C. At the standard calling speed of 10 wpm
D. At the standard calling speed of 5 wpm
G2C06
What does the term “zero beat” mean in CW operation?
A. Matching the speed of the transmitting station
B. Operating split to avoid interference on frequency
C. Sending without error
D. Matching the transmit frequency to the frequency of a received signal ✓
G2C07
When sending CW, what does a “C” mean when added to the RST report?
A. Chirpy or unstable signal ✓
B. Report was read from an S meter rather than estimated
C. 100 percent copy
D. Key clicks
G2C08
What prosign is sent to indicate the end of a formal message when using CW?
A. SK
B. BK
C. AR ✓
D. KN
G2C09
What does the Q signal “QSL” mean?
A. Send slower
B. We have already confirmed the contact
C. I have received and understood ✓
D. We have worked before
G2C10
What does the Q signal “QRN” mean?
A. Send more slowly
B. Stop sending
C. Zero beat my signal
D. I am troubled by static ✓
G2C11
What does the Q signal “QRV” mean?
A. You are sending too fast
B. There is interference on the frequency
C. I am quitting for the day
D. I am ready to receive ✓
G2D01
What is the Volunteer Monitor Program?
A. Amateur volunteers who are formally enlisted to monitor the airwaves for rules violations ✓
B. Amateur volunteers who conduct amateur licensing examinations
C. Amateur volunteers who conduct frequency coordination for amateur VHF repeaters
D. Amateur volunteers who use their station equipment to help civil defense organizations in times of emergency
G2D02
Which of the following are objectives of the Volunteer Monitor Program?
A. To conduct efficient and orderly amateur licensing examinations
B. To provide emergency and public safety communications
C. To coordinate repeaters for efficient and orderly spectrum usage
D. To encourage amateur radio operators to self-regulate and comply with the rules ✓
G2D03
What procedure may be used by Volunteer Monitors to localize a station whose continuous carrier is holding a repeater on in their area?
A. Compare vertical and horizontal signal strengths on the input frequency
B. Compare beam headings on the repeater input from their home locations with that of other Volunteer Monitors ✓
C. Compare signal strengths between the input and output of the repeater
D. All these choices are correct
G2D04
Which of the following describes an azimuthal projection map?
A. A map that shows accurate land masses
B. A map that shows true bearings and distances from a specific location ✓
C. A map that shows the angle at which an amateur satellite crosses the equator
D. A map that shows the number of degrees longitude that an amateur satellite appears to move westward at the equator with each orbit
G2D05
Which of the following indicates that you are looking for an HF contact with any station?
A. Sign your call sign once, followed by the words “listening for a call” -- if no answer, change frequency and repeat
B. Say “QTC” followed by “this is” and your call sign -- if no answer, change frequency and repeat
C. Repeat “CQ” a few times, followed by “this is,” then your call sign a few times, then pause to listen, repeat as necessary ✓
D. Transmit an unmodulated carried for approximately 10 seconds, followed by “this is” and your call sign, and pause to listen -- repeat as necessary
G2D06
How is a directional antenna pointed when making a “long-path” contact with another station?
A. Toward the rising sun
B. Along the gray line
C. 180 degrees from the station’s short-path heading ✓
D. Toward the north
G2D07
Which of the following are examples of the NATO Phonetic Alphabet?
A. Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog
B. Adam, Boy, Charles, David
C. America, Boston, Canada, Denmark
D. Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta ✓
G2D08
Why do many amateurs keep a station log?
A. The FCC requires a log of all international contacts
B. The FCC requires a log of all international third-party traffic
C. The log provides evidence of operation needed to renew a license without retest
D. To help with a reply if the FCC requests information about your station ✓
G2D09
Which of the following is required when participating in a contest on HF frequencies?
A. Submit a log to the contest sponsor
B. Send a QSL card to the stations worked, or QSL via Logbook of The World
C. Identify your station according to normal FCC regulations ✓
D. All these choices are correct
G2D10
What is QRP operation?
A. Remote piloted model control
B. Low-power transmit operation ✓
C. Transmission using Quick Response Protocol
D. Traffic relay procedure net operation
G2D11
Why are signal reports typically exchanged at the beginning of an HF contact?
A. To allow each station to operate according to conditions ✓
B. To be sure the contact will count for award programs
C. To follow standard radiogram structure
D. To allow each station to calibrate their frequency display
G2E01
Which mode is normally used when sending RTTY signals via AFSK with an SSB transmitter?
A. USB
B. DSB
C. CW
D. LSB ✓
G2E02
What is VARA?
A. A low signal-to-noise digital mode used for EME (moonbounce)
B. A digital protocol used with Winlink ✓
C. A radio direction finding system used on VHF and UHF
D. DX spotting system using a network of software defined radios
G2E03
What symptoms may result from other signals interfering with a PACTOR or VARA transmission?
A. Frequent retries or timeouts
B. Long pauses in message transmission
C. Failure to establish a connection between stations
D. All these choices are correct ✓
G2E04
Which of the following is good practice when choosing a transmitting frequency to answer a station calling CQ using FT8?
A. Always call on the station’s frequency
B. Call on any frequency in the waterfall except the station’s frequency
C. Find a clear frequency during the same time slot as the calling station
D. Find a clear frequency during the alternate time slot to the calling station ✓
G2E05
What is the standard sideband for JT65, JT9, FT4, or FT8 digital signal when using AFSK?
A. LSB
B. USB ✓
C. DSB
D. SSB
G2E06
What is the most common frequency shift for RTTY emissions in the amateur HF bands?
A. 85 Hz
B. 170 Hz ✓
C. 425 Hz
D. 850 Hz
G2E07
Which of the following is required when using FT8?
A. A special hardware modem
B. Computer time accurate to within approximately 1 second ✓
C. Receiver attenuator set to -12 dB
D. A vertically polarized antenna
G2E08
In what segment of the 20-meter band are most digital mode operations commonly found?
A. At the bottom of the slow-scan TV segment, near 14.230 MHz
B. At the top of the SSB phone segment, near 14.325 MHz
C. In the middle of the CW segment, near 14.100 MHz
D. Between 14.070 MHz and 14.100 MHz ✓
G2E09
How do you join a contact between two stations using the PACTOR protocol?
A. Send broadcast packets containing your call sign while in MONITOR mode
B. Transmit a steady carrier until the PACTOR protocol times out and disconnects
C. Joining an existing contact is not possible, PACTOR connections are limited to two stations ✓
D. Send a NAK code
G2E10
Which of the following is a way to establish contact with a digital messaging system gateway station?
A. Send an email to the system control operator
B. Send QRL in Morse code
C. Respond when the station broadcasts its SSID
D. Transmit a connect message on the station’s published frequency ✓
G2E11
What is the primary purpose of an Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) mesh network?
A. To provide FM repeater coverage in remote areas
B. To provide real time propagation data by monitoring amateur radio transmissions worldwide
C. To provide high-speed data services during an emergency or community event ✓
D. To provide DX spotting reports to aid contesters and DXers
G2E12
Which of the following describes Winlink?
A. An amateur radio wireless network to send and receive email on the internet
B. A form of Packet Radio
C. A wireless network capable of both VHF and HF band operation
D. All these choices are correct ✓
G2E13
What is another name for a Winlink Remote Message Server?
A. Terminal Node Controller
B. Gateway ✓
C. RJ-45
D. Printer/Server
G2E14
What could be wrong if you cannot decode an RTTY or other FSK signal even though it is apparently tuned in properly?
A. The mark and space frequencies may be reversed
B. You may have selected the wrong baud rate
C. You may be listening on the wrong sideband
D. All these choices are correct ✓
G2E15
Which of the following is a common location for FT8?
A. Anywhere in the voice portion of the band
B. Anywhere in the CW portion of the band
C. Approximately 14.074 MHz to 14.077 MHz ✓
D. Approximately 14.110 MHz to 14.113 MHz