Amateur Extra E2C: Contesting, DXing and remote operation
These are the 12 official questions in group E2C 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.
- E2C01Question 1
What indicator is required to be used by US-licensed operators when operating a station via remote control and the remote transmitter is located in the US?
- A/ followed by the USPS two-letter abbreviation for the state in which the remote station is located
- B/R# where # is the district of the remote station
- C/ followed by the ARRL Section of the remote station
- DNo additional indicator is required Correct
Why: Controlling a US station from within the US needs no extra indicator.
- E2C02Question 2
Which of the following file formats is used for exchanging amateur radio log data?
- ANEC
- BARLD
- CADIF Correct
- DOCF
Why: ADIF is the standard format for exchanging log data.
- E2C03Question 3
From which of the following bands is amateur radio contesting generally excluded?
- A30 meters Correct
- B6 meters
- C70 centimeters
- D33 centimeters
Why: Contesting generally stays off 30 meters.
- E2C04Question 4
Which of the following frequencies can be used for amateur radio mesh networks?
- AHF frequencies where digital communications are permitted
- BFrequencies shared with various unlicensed wireless data services Correct
- CCable TV channels 41-43
- DThe 60-meter band channel centered on 5373 kHz
Why: Mesh networks use frequencies shared with unlicensed wireless data services.
- E2C05Question 5
What is the function of a DX QSL Manager?
- AAllocate frequencies for DXpeditions
- BHandle the receiving and sending of confirmations for a DX station Correct
- CRun a net to allow many stations to contact a rare DX station
- DCommunicate to a DXpedition about propagation, band openings, pileup conditions, etc.
Why: A DX QSL manager handles the station's confirmations.
- E2C06Question 6
During a VHF/UHF contest, in which band segment would you expect to find the highest level of SSB or CW activity?
- AAt the top of each band, usually in a segment reserved for contests
- BIn the middle of each band, usually on the national calling frequency
- CIn the weak signal segment of the band, with most of the activity near the calling frequency Correct
- DIn the middle of the band, usually 25 kHz above the national calling frequency
Why: VHF/UHF contest SSB and CW cluster in the weak-signal segment near the calling frequency.
- E2C07Question 7
What is the Cabrillo format?
- AA standard for submission of electronic contest logs Correct
- BA method of exchanging information during a contest QSO
- CThe most common set of contest rules
- DA digital protocol specifically designed for rapid contest exchanges
Why: Cabrillo is the standard format for submitting contest logs.
- E2C08Question 8
Which of the following contacts may be confirmed through the Logbook of The World (LoTW)?
- ASpecial event contacts between stations in the US
- BContacts between a US station and a non-US station
- CContacts for Worked All States credit
- DAll these choices are correct Correct
Why: LoTW confirms contacts for many award types. All the choices are correct.
- E2C09Question 9
What type of equipment is commonly used to implement an amateur radio mesh network?
- AA 2-meter VHF transceiver with a 1,200-baud modem
- BA computer running EchoLink to provide interface from the radio to the internet
- CA wireless router running custom firmware Correct
- DA 440 MHz transceiver with a 9,600-baud modem
Why: Mesh networks use wireless routers with custom firmware.
- E2C10Question 10
Why do DX stations often transmit and receive on different frequencies?
- ABecause the DX station may be transmitting on a frequency that is prohibited to some responding stations
- BTo separate the calling stations from the DX station
- CTo improve operating efficiency by reducing interference
- DAll these choices are correct Correct
Why: Split operation spreads callers out and keeps the DX station's own frequency clear. All the choices are correct.
- E2C11Question 11
How should you generally identify your station when attempting to contact a DX station during a contest or in a pileup?
- ASend your full call sign once or twice Correct
- BSend only the last two letters of your call sign until you make contact
- CSend your full call sign and grid square
- DSend the call sign of the DX station three times, the words “this is,” then your call sign three times
Why: Send your full call sign once or twice.
- E2C12Question 12
What indicates the delay between a control operator action and the corresponding change in the transmitted signal?
- AJitter
- BHang time
- CLatency Correct
- DAnti-VOX
Why: Latency is the delay between a control action and the change in the signal.