Technician T1E: Control operators and control types
These are the 11 official questions in group T1E 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.
- T1E01Question 1FCC 97.7(a)
When may an amateur station transmit without a control operator?
- AWhen using automatic control, such as in the case of a repeater
- BWhen the station licensee is away and another licensed amateur is using the station
- CWhen the transmitting station is an auxiliary station
- DNever Correct
Why: Every amateur station needs a control operator whenever it transmits. There are no exceptions.
- T1E02Question 2FCC 97.301, 97.207(c)
Who may be the control operator of a station communicating through an amateur satellite or space station?
- AOnly an Amateur Extra Class operator
- BA General class or higher licensee with a satellite operator certification
- COnly an Amateur Extra Class operator who is also an AMSAT member
- DAny amateur allowed to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency Correct
Why: Anyone whose license allows transmitting on the satellite's uplink frequency can be the control operator.
- T1E03Question 3FCC 97.103(b)
Who must designate the station control operator?
- AThe station licensee Correct
- BThe FCC
- CThe frequency coordinator
- DAny licensed operator
Why: The station licensee designates the control operator.
- T1E04Question 4FCC 97.103(b)
What determines the transmitting frequency privileges of an amateur station?
- AThe frequency authorized by the frequency coordinator
- BThe frequencies printed on the license grant
- CThe highest class of operator license held by anyone on the premises
- DThe class of operator license held by the control operator Correct
Why: The control operator's license class decides which frequencies the station may use.
- T1E05Question 5FCC 97.3(a)(14)
What is an amateur station’s control point?
- AThe location of the station’s transmitting antenna
- BThe location of the station’s transmitting apparatus
- CThe location at which the control operator function is performed Correct
- DThe mailing address of the station licensee
Why: The control point is where the control operator performs the control function.
- T1E06Question 6FCC 97.301
When, other than during an emergency, may a Technician class licensee be the control operator of a station operating in an Amateur Extra Class band segment?
- AAt no time Correct
- BWhen designated as the control operator by an Amateur Extra Class licensee
- CAs part of a multi-operator contest team
- DWhen using a club station whose trustee holds an Amateur Extra Class license
Why: Outside an emergency, a Technician may never be the control operator on Extra-only frequencies.
- T1E07Question 7FCC 97.103(a)
When the control operator is not the station licensee, who is responsible for the proper operation of the station?
- AAll licensed amateurs who are present at the operation
- BOnly the station licensee
- COnly the control operator
- DThe control operator and the station licensee Correct
Why: When someone else is the control operator, both that person and the station licensee are responsible.
- T1E08Question 8FCC 97.3(a)(6), 97.205(d)
Which of the following is an example of automatic control?
- ARepeater operation Correct
- BControlling a station over the internet
- CUsing a computer or other device to send CW automatically
- DUsing a computer or other device to identify automatically
Why: A repeater runs under automatic control, with no operator at the controls.
- T1E09Question 9FCC 97.109(c)
Which amateur stations may be remotely controlled?
- AOnly repeater stations
- BOnly automatically controlled stations
- COnly digital stations
- DAny station Correct
Why: Part 97 allows any amateur station to be remotely controlled.
- T1E10Question 10FCC 97.3(a)(39)
Which of the following is an example of remote control as defined in Part 97?
- AA software defined radio (SDR)
- BOperating the station over the internet Correct
- CControlling a model aircraft, boat, or car by amateur radio
- DEarth-Moon-Earth (EME) communication
Why: Running your station over the internet from another location is remote control.
- T1E11Question 11FCC 97.3(a)(13)
What is a control operator as defined in Part 97?
- AThe person speaking or otherwise communicating messages over an amateur station
- BThe person who is the licensee of an amateur station
- CAn amateur operator identified in the FCC database as responsible for transmissions and FCC rules compliance at a station license location
- DAn amateur operator designated by the licensee of a station to be responsible for transmissions and FCC rules compliance at that station Correct
Why: A control operator is the amateur designated by the station licensee to be responsible for the station's transmissions and rule compliance.