Technician T8B: Amateur satellites
These are the 12 official questions in group T8B 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.
- T8B01Question 1
What telemetry information is typically transmitted by satellite beacons?
- AThe signal strength of received signals
- BTime of day accurate to plus or minus 1/10 second
- CHealth and status of the satellite Correct
- DAll these choices are correct
Why: Satellite beacons send telemetry about the satellite's health and status.
- T8B02Question 2
What is the impact of using excessive effective radiated power on a satellite uplink?
- APossibility of commanding the satellite to an improper mode
- BBlocking access by other users Correct
- COverloading the satellite batteries
- DPossibility of rebooting the satellite control computer
Why: Too much uplink power hogs the transponder and blocks other users.
- T8B03Question 3
Which of the following are provided by satellite tracking programs?
- AMaps showing the real-time position of the satellite track over Earth
- BThe time, azimuth, and elevation of the start, maximum altitude, and end of a pass
- CThe apparent frequency of the satellite transmission, including effects of Doppler shift
- DAll these choices are correct Correct
Why: Tracking programs show maps, pass times and Doppler shift. All the choices are correct.
- T8B04Question 4
What mode of transmission is commonly used by amateur radio satellites?
- ASSB
- BFM
- CCW/data
- DAll these choices are correct Correct
Why: Amateur satellites use SSB, FM, CW and data, so all the choices are correct.
- T8B05Question 5
What is a satellite beacon?
- AThe primary transmit antenna on the satellite
- BAn indicator light that shows where to point your antenna
- CA reflective surface on the satellite
- DA transmission from a satellite that contains status information Correct
Why: A satellite beacon is a transmission from the satellite with status information.
- T8B06Question 6
Which of the following are inputs to a satellite tracking program?
- AThe satellite transmitted power
- BThe Keplerian elements Correct
- CThe last observed time of zero Doppler shift
- DAll these choices are correct
Why: Keplerian elements describe the orbit and feed the tracking program.
- T8B07Question 7
What is Doppler shift in reference to satellite communications?
- AA change in the satellite orbit
- BA mode where the satellite receives signals on one band and transmits on another
- CAn observed change in signal frequency caused by relative motion between the satellite and Earth station Correct
- DA special digital communications mode for some satellites
Why: Doppler shift is the frequency change caused by the satellite moving relative to you.
- T8B08Question 8
What does it mean if a satellite is operating in U/V mode?
- AThe satellite uplink is in the 15-meter band and the downlink is in the 10-meter band
- BThe satellite uplink is in the 70-centimeter band and the downlink is in the 2-meter band Correct
- CThe satellite operates using ultraviolet frequencies
- DThe satellite frequencies are usually variable
Why: U/V mode: uplink on 70 cm (UHF), downlink on 2 m (VHF).
- T8B09Question 9
What causes spin fading of satellite signals?
- ACircular polarized noise interference radiated from the sun
- BRotation of the satellite and its antennas Correct
- CDoppler shift of the received signal
- DInterfering signals within the satellite uplink band
Why: Spin fading comes from the satellite and its antennas rotating.
- T8B10Question 10
What does the term LEO mean in reference to communication satellites?
- ALow Energy Orbit, which conserves battery power
- BLow Elevation Orbit, which appears close to the horizon from the earth station
- CLow Equilibrium Orbit, which has a slightly unstable period
- DLow Earth Orbit, which has a period of around 100 minutes Correct
Why: LEO means low Earth orbit, about a 100-minute trip around.
- T8B11Question 11
Who is permitted to receive telemetry from an amateur radio satellite?
- AAnyone Correct
- BOnly the satellite control operator
- COnly the control operator or a licensed radio amateur who has received the encryption key from the control operator
- DOnly a licensed radio amateur who has received the encryption key from AMSAT
Why: Anyone may receive telemetry from an amateur satellite.
- T8B12Question 12
Which of the following is a way to determine whether your satellite uplink power into a linear transponder satellite is neither too low nor too high?
- ACheck your signal strength report in the telemetry data
- BListen for distortion on your downlink signal
- CYour signal strength on the downlink should be about the same as the beacon Correct
- DCompare your signal to others on the downlink using an internet SDR receiver
Why: On a linear transponder, your downlink should be about as strong as the beacon.