Technician T1D: What you can and can't transmit
These are the 12 official questions in group T1D of the 2026–2030 Technician 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.
- T1D01Question 1FCC 97.111(a)(1)
With which countries are FCC-licensed amateur radio stations prohibited from exchanging communications?
- AAny country whose administration has notified the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that it objects to such communications Correct
- BAny country whose administration has notified the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) that it objects to such communications
- CAny country banned from such communications by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)
- DAny country banned from making such communications by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
Why: You can't communicate with any country whose government has told the ITU it objects to contacts with US amateurs.
- T1D02Question 2FCC 97.113(b), 97.111(b)
Under which of the following circumstances are one-way transmissions by an amateur station prohibited?
- AAnnouncements of upcoming ham radio operating events
- BBroadcasting Correct
- CInternational Morse Code Practice
- DTelecommand or transmissions of telemetry
Why: Broadcasting, meaning one-way transmissions meant for the general public, is prohibited.
- T1D03Question 3FCC 97.211(b), 97.215(b), 97.113(a)(4)
When is it permissible to transmit messages encoded to obscure their meaning?
- AOnly when using a remote station during a contest
- BOnly when transmitting certain approved digital codes
- COnly when transmitting control commands to space stations or model craft Correct
- DNever
Why: Hiding your meaning is only allowed for control commands to space stations or model craft.
- T1D04Question 4FCC 97.113(a)(4), 97.113(c)
Under what conditions is an amateur station authorized to transmit music using a phone emission?
- AWhen incidental to an authorized retransmission of manned spacecraft communications Correct
- BWhen the music produces no spurious emissions
- CWhen transmissions are limited to less than three minutes per hour
- DWhen the music is transmitted above 1280 MHz
Why: Music is only allowed when it's part of an authorized retransmission of manned spacecraft audio.
- T1D05Question 5FCC 97.113(a)(3)(ii)
When may amateur radio operators use their stations to notify other amateurs of the availability of equipment for sale or trade?
- ANever
- BWhen the equipment is not the personal property of either the station licensee, or the control operator, or their close relatives
- CWhen no profit is made on the sale
- DWhen selling amateur radio equipment and not on a regular basis Correct
Why: You may advertise amateur gear for sale or trade, as long as it isn't done on a regular basis as a business.
- T1D06Question 6FCC 97.113(a)(4)
What, if any, are the restrictions concerning transmission of language that may be considered indecent or obscene?
- AThe FCC maintains a list of words that are not permitted to be used on amateur frequencies
- BAny such language is prohibited Correct
- CThe International Telecommunications Union (ITU) maintains a list of words that are not permitted to be used on amateur frequencies
- DThere is no such prohibition
Why: Obscene or indecent language is always prohibited on amateur radio.
- T1D07Question 7FCC 97.113(d), 97.201(e)
Which of the following is an example of an auxiliary station?
- AA station sending one-way transmissions between a remote repeater receiver and the main repeater transmitter Correct
- BA backup radio for emergency use in case the main station radio fails
- CA station used in the Military Auxiliary Radio System for linking government and amateur stations in a digital network
- DA second station utilized in multi-operator contest stations
Why: An auxiliary station sends one-way signals within a system, like a remote receiver sending to the main repeater transmitter.
- T1D08Question 8FCC 97.113(a)(3)(iii)
In which of the following circumstances may the control operator of an amateur station receive compensation for operating that station?
- AWhen the communication is related to the sale of amateur equipment by the control operator's employer
- BWhen the communication is a part of classroom instruction at an educational institution Correct
- CWhen the communication is made to obtain emergency information for a local broadcast station
- DAll these choices are correct
Why: A teacher may be paid when operating is part of classroom instruction at a school.
- T1D09Question 9FCC 97.113(5)(b)
When may amateur stations transmit information in support of broadcasting, program production, or news gathering, assuming no other means is available?
- AWhen such communications are directly related to the immediate safety of human life or protection of property Correct
- BWhen broadcasting communications to or from the space shuttle
- CWhere non-commercial programming is gathered and supplied exclusively to the National Public Radio network
- DNever
Why: Supporting news gathering is only allowed when it's about the immediate safety of human life or property and no other means is available.
- T1D10Question 10FCC 97.3(a)(10)
How does the FCC define broadcasting for the Amateur Radio Service?
- ATwo-way transmissions by amateur stations
- BAny transmission made by the licensed station
- CTransmission of messages directed only to amateur operators
- DTransmissions intended for reception by the general public Correct
Why: Part 97 defines broadcasting as transmissions intended for reception by the general public.
- T1D11Question 11FCC 97.215
When may an amateur station transmit without identifying on the air?
- AWhen the transmissions are of a brief nature to make station adjustments
- BWhen the transmissions are unmodulated
- CWhen the transmitted power level is below 0.1 watt
- DWhen transmitting signals to control model craft Correct
Why: Signals that control a model craft don't need station identification.
- T1D12Question 12FCC 97.119(a)
Which of the following is required when making on-the-air test transmissions?
- AIdentify the transmitting station Correct
- BConduct tests only between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time
- CNotify the FCC of the transmissions
- DAll these choices are correct
Why: Test transmissions still need station identification.