Amateur Extra E2A: Amateur satellites
These are the 12 official questions in group E2A 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.
- E2A01Question 1
What is the direction of an ascending pass for an amateur satellite?
- AFrom west to east
- BFrom east to west
- CFrom south to north Correct
- DFrom north to south
Why: An ascending pass moves from south to north.
- E2A02Question 2
Which of the following is characteristic of an inverting linear transponder?
- ADoppler shift is reduced because the uplink and downlink shifts are in opposite directions
- BSignal position in the band is reversed
- CUpper sideband on the uplink becomes lower sideband on the downlink, and vice versa
- DAll these choices are correct Correct
Why: All the listed traits of an inverting linear transponder are correct.
- E2A03Question 3
How is an upload signal processed by an inverting linear transponder?
- AThe signal is detected and remodulated on the reverse sideband
- BThe signal is passed through a nonlinear filter
- CThe signal is reduced to I and Q components, and the Q component is filtered out
- DThe signal is mixed with a local oscillator signal and the difference product is transmitted Correct
Why: The uplink is mixed with a local oscillator and the difference product is transmitted.
- E2A04Question 4
What is meant by the “mode” of an amateur radio satellite?
- AWhether the satellite is in a low earth or geostationary orbit
- BThe satellite’s uplink and downlink frequency bands Correct
- CThe satellite’s orientation with respect to the Earth
- DWhether the satellite is in a polar or equatorial orbit
Why: A satellite's mode is its uplink and downlink bands.
- E2A05Question 5
What do the letters in a satellite’s mode designator specify?
- APower limits for uplink and downlink transmissions
- BThe location of the ground control station
- CThe polarization of uplink and downlink signals
- DThe uplink and downlink frequency ranges Correct
Why: The mode letters give the uplink and downlink frequency ranges.
- E2A06Question 6
What are Keplerian elements?
- AParameters that define the orbit of a satellite Correct
- BPhase reversing elements in a Yagi antenna
- CHigh-emission heater filaments used in magnetron tubes
- DEncrypting codes used for spread spectrum modulation
Why: Keplerian elements are the parameters that define a satellite's orbit.
- E2A07Question 7
Which of the following types of signals can be relayed through a linear transponder?
- AFM and CW
- BSSB and SSTV
- CPSK and packet
- DAll these choices are correct Correct
Why: A linear transponder relays CW, SSB, data and more. All the choices are correct.
- E2A08Question 8
Why should effective radiated power (ERP) be limited to a satellite that uses a linear transponder?
- ATo prevent creating errors in the satellite telemetry
- BTo avoid reducing the downlink power to all other users Correct
- CTo prevent the satellite from emitting out-of-band signals
- DTo avoid interfering with terrestrial QSOs
Why: Too much uplink power reduces the downlink power for everyone else.
- E2A09Question 9
What do the terms “L band” and “S band” specify?
- AThe 23- and 13-centimeter bands Correct
- BThe 2-meter and 70-centimeter bands
- CFM and digital store-and-forward systems
- DWhich sideband to use
Why: L band is 23 cm and S band is 13 cm.
- E2A10Question 10
What type of satellite appears to stay in one position in the sky?
- AHEO
- BGeostationary Correct
- CGeomagnetic
- DLEO
Why: A geostationary satellite appears to stay in one spot.
- E2A11Question 11
What type of antenna can be used to minimize the effects of spin modulation and Faraday rotation?
- AA linearly polarized antenna
- BA circularly polarized antenna Correct
- CAn isotropic antenna
- DA log-periodic dipole array
Why: Circular polarization minimizes spin modulation and Faraday rotation.
- E2A12Question 12
What is the purpose of digital store-and-forward functions on an amateur radio satellite?
- ATo upload operational software for the transponder
- BTo delay download of telemetry between satellites
- CTo hold digital messages in the satellite for later download Correct
- DTo relay messages between satellites
Why: Store-and-forward holds digital messages for later download.