Amateur Extra E1A: Band edges, LF bands and operating at sea
These are the 11 official questions in group E1A of the 2024–2028 Amateur Extra question pool, with the correct answer marked and a plain-English explanation of why it's right. The real exam asks one question from this group.
Learn E1A step by step, freeRead a short lesson on band edges, lf bands and operating at sea, answer these questions as you go, and see why each answer is right.
- E1A01Question 1FCC 97.305, 97.307(b)
Why is it not legal to transmit a 3 kHz bandwidth USB signal with a carrier frequency of 14.348 MHz?
- AUSB is not used on 20-meter phone
- BThe lower 1 kHz of the signal is outside the 20-meter band
- C14.348 MHz is outside the 20-meter band
- DThe upper 1 kHz of the signal is outside the 20-meter band Correct
Why: USB extends 3 kHz above 14.348, to 14.351 MHz, 1 kHz past the band edge.
- E1A02Question 2FCC 97.301, 97.305
When using a transceiver that displays the carrier frequency of phone signals, which of the following displayed frequencies represents the lowest frequency at which a properly adjusted LSB emission will be totally within the band?
- AThe exact lower band edge
- B300 Hz above the lower band edge
- C1 kHz above the lower band edge
- D3 kHz above the lower band edge Correct
Why: LSB extends 3 kHz below the carrier, so the carrier must be at least 3 kHz above the lower edge.
- E1A03Question 3FCC 97.305, 97.307(b)
What is the highest legal carrier frequency on the 20-meter band for transmitting a 2.8 kHz wide USB data signal?
- A14.0708 MHz
- B14.1002 MHz
- C14.1472 MHz Correct
- D14.3490 MHz
Why: 14.150 MHz minus 2.8 kHz = 14.1472 MHz.
- E1A04Question 4FCC 97.301, 97.305
May an Extra class operator answer the CQ of a station on 3.601 MHz LSB phone?
- AYes, the entire signal will be inside the SSB allocation for Extra class operators
- BYes, the displayed frequency is within the 75-meter phone band segment
- CNo, the sideband components will extend beyond the edge of the phone band segment Correct
- DNo, US stations are not permitted to use phone emissions below 3.610 MHz
Why: LSB at 3.601 MHz extends below 3.600 MHz, outside the phone segment.
- E1A05Question 5FCC 97.5
Who must be in physical control of the station apparatus of an amateur station aboard any vessel or craft that is documented or registered in the United States?
- AOnly a person with an FCC Marine Radio license grant
- BOnly a person named in an amateur station license grant
- CAny person holding an FCC issued amateur license or who is authorized for alien reciprocal operation Correct
- DAny person named in an amateur station license grant or a person holding an unrestricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
Why: Anyone with an FCC amateur license or reciprocal authorization may be in physical control.
- E1A06Question 6FCC 97.303(h)(1)
What is the required transmit frequency of a CW signal for channelized 60 meter operation?
- AAt the lowest frequency of the channel
- BAt the center frequency of the channel Correct
- CAt the highest frequency of the channel
- DOn any frequency where the signal’s sidebands are within the channel
Why: Channelized 60-meter CW goes at the channel's center frequency.
- E1A07Question 7FCC 97.313(k)
What is the maximum power permitted on the 2200-meter band?
- A50 watts PEP (peak envelope power)
- B100 watts PEP (peak envelope power)
- C1 watt EIRP (equivalent isotropic radiated power) Correct
- D5 watts EIRP (equivalent isotropic radiated power)
Why: 2200 meters is limited to 1 W EIRP.
- E1A08Question 8FCC 97.219
If a station in a message forwarding system inadvertently forwards a message that is in violation of FCC rules, who is primarily accountable for the rules violation?
- AThe control operator of the packet bulletin board station
- BThe control operator of the originating station Correct
- CThe control operators of all the stations in the system
- DThe control operators of all the stations in the system not authenticating the source from which they accept communications
Why: The originating station's control operator is primarily accountable.
- E1A09Question 9FCC 97.313(l)
Except in some parts of Alaska, what is the maximum power permitted on the 630-meter band?
- A50 watts PEP (peak envelope power)
- B100 watts PEP (peak envelope power)
- C1 watt EIRP (equivalent isotropic radiated power)
- D5 watts EIRP (equivalent isotropic radiated power) Correct
Why: 630 meters is limited to 5 W EIRP (except parts of Alaska).
- E1A10Question 10FCC 97.11
If an amateur station is installed aboard a ship or aircraft, what condition must be met before the station is operated?
- AIts operation must be approved by the master of the ship or the pilot in command of the aircraft Correct
- BThe amateur station operator must agree not to transmit when the main radio of the ship or aircraft is in use
- CThe amateur station must have a power supply that is completely independent of the main ship or aircraft power supply
- DThe amateur station must operate only in specific segments of the amateur service HF and VHF bands
Why: The ship's master or aircraft's pilot in command must approve operation.
- E1A11Question 11FCC 97.5
What licensing is required when operating an amateur station aboard a US-registered vessel in international waters?
- AAny amateur license with an FCC Marine or Aircraft endorsement
- BAny FCC-issued amateur license Correct
- COnly General class or higher amateur licenses
- DAn unrestricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
Why: Any FCC-issued amateur license is enough aboard a US-registered vessel in international waters.
Learn E1A step by step, freeRead a short lesson on band edges, lf bands and operating at sea, answer these questions as you go, and see why each answer is right.