Amateur Extra E1F: Spread spectrum, Line A, amplifiers and business
These are the 11 official questions in group E1F 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 E1F step by stepThe Amateur Extra course teaches this group in a short guided lesson, then drills you on the questions you miss. Start with the free lessons to see how it works.
- E1F01Question 1FCC 97.305
On what frequencies are spread spectrum transmissions permitted?
- AOnly on amateur frequencies above 50 MHz
- BOnly on amateur frequencies above 222 MHz Correct
- COnly on amateur frequencies above 420 MHz
- DOnly on amateur frequencies above 144 MHz
Why: Spread spectrum is allowed only above 222 MHz.
- E1F02Question 2FCC 97.107
What privileges are authorized in the US to persons holding an amateur service license granted by the government of Canada?
- ANone, they must obtain a US license
- BFull privileges of the General class license on the 80-, 40-, 20-, 15-, and 10-meter bands
- CThe operating terms and conditions of the Canadian amateur service license, not to exceed US Amateur Extra class license privileges Correct
- DFull privileges, up to and including those of the Amateur Extra class license, on the 80-, 40-, 20-, 15-, and 10-meter bands
Why: Canadians in the US keep their Canadian privileges, up to US Extra.
- E1F03Question 3FCC 97.315
Under what circumstances may a dealer sell an external RF power amplifier capable of operation below 144 MHz if it has not been granted FCC certification?
- AGain is less than 23 dB when driven by power of 10 watts or less
- BThe equipment dealer assembled it from a kit
- CIt was manufactured and certificated in a country which has a reciprocal certification agreement with the FCC
- DThe amplifier is constructed or modified by an amateur radio operator for use at an amateur station Correct
Why: An uncertified amplifier that works below 144 MHz can be sold only if a ham built or modified it.
- E1F04Question 4FCC 97.3
Which of the following geographic descriptions approximately describes "Line A"?
- AA line roughly parallel to and south of the border between the US and Canada Correct
- BA line roughly parallel to and west of the US Atlantic coastline
- CA line roughly parallel to and north of the border between the US and Mexico
- DA line roughly parallel to and east of the US Pacific coastline
Why: Line A runs roughly parallel to and just south of the US–Canada border.
- E1F05Question 5FCC 97.303
Amateur stations may not transmit in which of the following frequency segments if they are located in the contiguous 48 states and north of Line A?
- A440 MHz - 450 MHz
- B53 MHz - 54 MHz
- C222 MHz - 223 MHz
- D420 MHz - 430 MHz Correct
Why: North of Line A, US amateurs may not use 420–430 MHz.
- E1F06Question 6FCC 1.931
Under what circumstances might the FCC issue a Special Temporary Authority (STA) to an amateur station?
- ATo provide for experimental amateur communications Correct
- BTo allow use of a special event call sign
- CTo allow a VE group with less than three VEs to administer examinations in a remote, sparsely populated area
- DTo allow a licensee who has passed an upgrade exam to operate with upgraded privileges while waiting for posting on the FCC database
Why: An STA may be issued for experimental amateur communications.
- E1F07Question 7FCC 97.113
When may an amateur station send a message to a business?
- AWhen the pecuniary interest of the amateur or his or her employer is less than $25
- BWhen the pecuniary interest of the amateur or his or her employer is less than $50
- CAt no time
- DWhen neither the amateur nor their employer has a pecuniary interest in the communications Correct
Why: You may message a business only if neither you nor your employer has a financial interest.
- E1F08Question 8FCC 97.113(c)
Which of the following types of amateur station communications are prohibited?
- ACommunications transmitted for hire or material compensation, except as otherwise provided in the rules Correct
- BCommunications that have political content, except as allowed by the Fairness Doctrine
- CCommunications that have religious content
- DCommunications in a language other than English
Why: Communications for hire or compensation are prohibited unless the rules allow them.
- E1F09Question 9FCC FCC Part 97.113(a)(4)
Which of the following cannot be transmitted over an amateur radio mesh network?
- AThird party traffic
- BEmail
- CMessages encoded to obscure their meaning Correct
- DAll these choices are correct
Why: Messages encoded to hide their meaning can't be sent over a mesh network.
- E1F10Question 10FCC 97.201
Who may be the control operator of an auxiliary station?
- AAny licensed amateur operator
- BOnly Technician, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra class operators Correct
- COnly General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra class operators
- DOnly Amateur Extra class operators
Why: Auxiliary stations need a Technician or higher control operator.
- E1F11Question 11FCC 97.317
Which of the following best describes one of the standards that must be met by an external RF power amplifier if it is to qualify for a grant of FCC certification?
- AIt must produce full legal output when driven by not more than 5 watts of mean RF input power
- BIt must have received an Underwriters Laboratory certification for electrical safety as well as having met IEEE standard 14.101(B)
- CIt must exhibit a gain of less than 23 dB when driven by 10 watts or less
- DIt must satisfy the FCC’s spurious emission standards when operated at the lesser of 1500 watts or its full output power Correct
Why: A certified amplifier must meet spurious standards at 1,500 W or its full output, whichever is less.
Learn E1F step by stepThe Amateur Extra course teaches this group in a short guided lesson, then drills you on the questions you miss. Start with the free lessons to see how it works.