General G2E: Digital modes on HF
These are the 15 official questions in group G2E 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.
- G2E01Question 1
Which mode is normally used when sending RTTY signals via AFSK with an SSB transmitter?
- AUSB
- BDSB
- CCW
- DLSB Correct
Why: RTTY sent as AFSK through an SSB transmitter normally uses LSB.
- G2E02Question 2
What is VARA?
- AA low signal-to-noise digital mode used for EME (moonbounce)
- BA digital protocol used with Winlink Correct
- CA radio direction finding system used on VHF and UHF
- DDX spotting system using a network of software defined radios
Why: VARA is a digital protocol used with Winlink.
- G2E03Question 3
What symptoms may result from other signals interfering with a PACTOR or VARA transmission?
- AFrequent retries or timeouts
- BLong pauses in message transmission
- CFailure to establish a connection between stations
- DAll these choices are correct Correct
Why: Interference can cause slow transfers, failed connections and retries. All the choices are correct.
- G2E04Question 4
Which of the following is good practice when choosing a transmitting frequency to answer a station calling CQ using FT8?
- AAlways call on the station’s frequency
- BCall on any frequency in the waterfall except the station’s frequency
- CFind a clear frequency during the same time slot as the calling station
- DFind a clear frequency during the alternate time slot to the calling station Correct
Why: Answer in the opposite time slot from the caller, on a clear frequency.
- G2E05Question 5
What is the standard sideband for JT65, JT9, FT4, or FT8 digital signal when using AFSK?
- ALSB
- BUSB Correct
- CDSB
- DSSB
Why: JT65, JT9, FT4 and FT8 use upper sideband.
- G2E06Question 6
What is the most common frequency shift for RTTY emissions in the amateur HF bands?
- A85 Hz
- B170 Hz Correct
- C425 Hz
- D850 Hz
Why: Amateur RTTY usually uses a 170 Hz shift.
- G2E07Question 7
Which of the following is required when using FT8?
- AA special hardware modem
- BComputer time accurate to within approximately 1 second Correct
- CReceiver attenuator set to -12 dB
- DA vertically polarized antenna
Why: FT8 needs your computer clock accurate to about 1 second.
- G2E08Question 8
In what segment of the 20-meter band are most digital mode operations commonly found?
- AAt the bottom of the slow-scan TV segment, near 14.230 MHz
- BAt the top of the SSB phone segment, near 14.325 MHz
- CIn the middle of the CW segment, near 14.100 MHz
- DBetween 14.070 MHz and 14.100 MHz Correct
Why: Most 20-meter digital activity is between 14.070 and 14.100 MHz.
- G2E09Question 9
How do you join a contact between two stations using the PACTOR protocol?
- ASend broadcast packets containing your call sign while in MONITOR mode
- BTransmit a steady carrier until the PACTOR protocol times out and disconnects
- CJoining an existing contact is not possible, PACTOR connections are limited to two stations Correct
- DSend a NAK code
Why: PACTOR connects only two stations, so you can't join a contact.
- G2E10Question 10
Which of the following is a way to establish contact with a digital messaging system gateway station?
- ASend an email to the system control operator
- BSend QRL in Morse code
- CRespond when the station broadcasts its SSID
- DTransmit a connect message on the station’s published frequency Correct
Why: Send a connect message on the gateway's published frequency.
- G2E11Question 11
What is the primary purpose of an Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) mesh network?
- ATo provide FM repeater coverage in remote areas
- BTo provide real time propagation data by monitoring amateur radio transmissions worldwide
- CTo provide high-speed data services during an emergency or community event Correct
- DTo provide DX spotting reports to aid contesters and DXers
Why: AREDN mesh networks provide high-speed data during emergencies and community events.
- G2E12Question 12
Which of the following describes Winlink?
- AAn amateur radio wireless network to send and receive email on the internet
- BA form of Packet Radio
- CA wireless network capable of both VHF and HF band operation
- DAll these choices are correct Correct
Why: Winlink does email over radio, attachments and position reports. All the choices are correct.
- G2E13Question 13
What is another name for a Winlink Remote Message Server?
- ATerminal Node Controller
- BGateway Correct
- CRJ-45
- DPrinter/Server
Why: A Winlink Remote Message Server is also called a gateway.
- G2E14Question 14
What could be wrong if you cannot decode an RTTY or other FSK signal even though it is apparently tuned in properly?
- AThe mark and space frequencies may be reversed
- BYou may have selected the wrong baud rate
- CYou may be listening on the wrong sideband
- DAll these choices are correct Correct
Why: Wrong shift, baud rate or mark/space setting can each stop decoding. All the choices are correct.
- G2E15Question 15
Which of the following is a common location for FT8?
- AAnywhere in the voice portion of the band
- BAnywhere in the CW portion of the band
- CApproximately 14.074 MHz to 14.077 MHz Correct
- DApproximately 14.110 MHz to 14.113 MHz
Why: FT8 on 20 meters is around 14.074 to 14.077 MHz.