Technician T2A: Repeaters, calling and band plans
These are the 11 official questions in group T2A 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.
- T2A01Question 1
What is a common repeater frequency offset in the 2-meter band?
- APlus or minus 5 MHz
- BPlus or minus 600 kHz Correct
- CPlus or minus 500 kHz
- DPlus or minus 1 MHz
Why: 2-meter repeaters typically use a 600 kHz offset, either up or down.
- T2A02Question 2
What is the national calling frequency for FM simplex operations in the 2-meter band?
- A146.520 MHz Correct
- B145.000 MHz
- C432.100 MHz
- D446.000 MHz
Why: 146.520 MHz is the national 2-meter FM simplex calling frequency.
- T2A03Question 3
What is a common repeater frequency offset in the 70-centimeter band?
- APlus or minus 5 MHz Correct
- BPlus or minus 600 kHz
- CPlus or minus 500 kHz
- DPlus or minus 1 MHz
Why: 70-centimeter repeaters typically use a 5 MHz offset.
- T2A04Question 4
What is an appropriate way to call another station on a repeater if you know the other station's call sign?
- ASay "break, break," then the other station’s call sign, followed by your call sign
- BSay the station's call sign, then identify with your call sign Correct
- CSay "CQ" three times, then the other station's call sign, followed by your call sign
- DWait for the station to call CQ, then answer with your call sign
Why: Say the other station's call sign first, then identify with yours.
- T2A05Question 5
How should you respond to a station calling CQ?
- ATransmit "CQ" followed by the other station’s call sign
- BTransmit your call sign followed by the other station’s call sign
- CTransmit the other station’s call sign followed by your call sign Correct
- DTransmit a signal report followed by your call sign
Why: Answer a CQ with their call sign followed by your own.
- T2A06Question 6
What is an effective way to seek a call from any phone station when not using a repeater?
- ASign your call sign once, followed by the words “listening for a call;” if there is no answer, change the frequency and repeat
- BSay “QTC,” followed by “this is” and your call sign; if there is no answer, change the frequency and repeat
- CTransmit an unmodulated carrier for approximately 10 seconds, followed by “this is” and your call sign, and pause to listen; repeat as necessary
- DRepeat “CQ” a few times, followed by “this is,” and your call sign, then pause to listen; repeat as necessary Correct
Why: Call "CQ" a few times, say "this is" and your call, then listen. Repeat as needed.
- T2A07Question 7
What does the term "repeater offset" mean?
- AThe difference between a repeater’s transmit and receive frequencies Correct
- BThe repeater has a time delay to prevent interference
- CThe approximately half-second delay to allow for the “squelch tail” to be removed
- DThe fee charged by the repeater owner or club to provide for maintenance
Why: The offset is the difference between a repeater's transmit and receive frequencies.
- T2A08Question 8
What is the meaning of the procedural signal “CQ”?
- AA shortened form of the term “Contest QSO”
- B“Communication Quality,” used to indicate transmitted audio clarity
- COnly the called station should transmit
- DCalling any station Correct
Why: CQ means "calling any station."
- T2A09Question 9
Which of the following is a customary way to indicate a station is listening on a repeater and looking for a contact?
- A“CQ CQ” followed by the repeater’s call sign
- BThe station’s call sign followed by the word “listening” Correct
- CThe repeater’s call sign followed by the station’s call sign
- D“QSY” followed by your call sign
Why: On a repeater, give your call sign followed by "listening" to show you're available.
- T2A10Question 10
What is a band plan, beyond the privileges established by the FCC?
- AA voluntary guideline for using different modes or activities within an amateur band Correct
- BA list of operating schedules
- CA list of available net frequencies
- DA plan devised by a club to indicate frequency band usage
Why: A band plan is a voluntary guideline for where modes and activities go within a band, beyond what the FCC requires.
- T2A11Question 11
What term describes an amateur station that is transmitting and receiving on the same frequency?
- AFull duplex
- BDiplex
- CSimplex Correct
- DMultiplex
Why: Simplex means transmitting and receiving on the same frequency.