General G2A: Sideband and phone operating
These are the 12 official questions in group G2A of the 2023–2027 General 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.
- G2A01Question 1
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on frequencies of 14 MHz or higher?
- AUpper sideband Correct
- BLower sideband
- CSuppressed sideband
- DDouble sideband
Why: Upper sideband is the usual voice mode at 14 MHz and up.
- G2A02Question 2
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands?
- AUpper sideband
- BLower sideband Correct
- CSuppressed sideband
- DDouble sideband
Why: Lower sideband is customary on 160, 75 and 40 meters.
- G2A03Question 3
Which mode is most commonly used for SSB voice communications in the VHF and UHF bands?
- AUpper sideband Correct
- BLower sideband
- CSuppressed sideband
- DDouble sideband
Why: SSB on VHF and UHF uses upper sideband.
- G2A04Question 4
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 17- and 12-meter bands?
- AUpper sideband Correct
- BLower sideband
- CSuppressed sideband
- DDouble sideband
Why: 17 and 12 meters are above 14 MHz, so they use upper sideband.
- G2A05Question 5
Which mode of voice communication is most commonly used on the HF amateur bands?
- AFrequency modulation
- BDouble sideband
- CSingle sideband Correct
- DSingle phase modulation
Why: Single sideband is the most common voice mode on HF.
- G2A06Question 6
Which of the following is an advantage of using single sideband, as compared to other analog voice modes on the HF amateur bands?
- AVery high-fidelity voice modulation
- BLess subject to interference from atmospheric static crashes
- CEase of tuning on receive and immunity to impulse noise
- DLess bandwidth used and greater power efficiency Correct
Why: SSB uses less bandwidth and less power than other analog voice modes.
- G2A07Question 7
Which of the following statements is true of single sideband (SSB)?
- AOnly one sideband and the carrier are transmitted; the other sideband is suppressed
- BOnly one sideband is transmitted; the other sideband and carrier are suppressed Correct
- CSSB is the only voice mode authorized on the 20-, 15-, and 10-meter amateur bands
- DSSB is the only voice mode authorized on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter amateur bands
Why: SSB transmits one sideband; the other sideband and the carrier are suppressed.
- G2A08Question 8
What is the recommended way to break into a phone contact?
- ASay “QRZ” several times, followed by your call sign
- BSay your call sign once Correct
- CSay “Breaker Breaker”
- DSay “CQ” followed by the call sign of either station
Why: To break into a contact, say your call sign once.
- G2A09Question 9
Why do most amateur stations use lower sideband on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands?
- ALower sideband is more efficient than upper sideband at these frequencies
- BLower sideband is the only sideband legal on these frequency bands
- CBecause it is fully compatible with an AM detector
- DIt is commonly accepted amateur practice Correct
Why: LSB on the low bands is simply commonly accepted practice.
- G2A10Question 10
Which of the following statements is true of VOX operation versus PTT operation?
- AThe received signal is more natural sounding
- BIt allows “hands free” operation Correct
- CIt occupies less bandwidth
- DIt provides more power output
Why: VOX turns on the transmitter when you speak, so you can operate hands-free.
- G2A11Question 11
Generally, who should respond to a station in the contiguous 48 states calling “CQ DX”?
- AAny caller is welcome to respond
- BOnly stations in Germany
- CAny stations outside the lower 48 states Correct
- DOnly contest stations
Why: "CQ DX" from the lower 48 is asking for stations outside the lower 48.
- G2A12Question 12
What control is typically adjusted for proper ALC setting on a single sideband transceiver?
- ARF clipping level
- BTransmit audio or microphone gain Correct
- CAntenna inductance or capacitance
- DAttenuator level
Why: ALC is set by adjusting the mic gain or transmit audio.