Ham Radio Technician Test Repeaters & Linking Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is DCS (Digital Coded Squelch) used for in repeater systems?
- Encrypting voice transmissions on digital repeaters
- Linking repeaters via a digital internet protocol
- Controlling repeater access using a continuous digital data stream, similar to CTCSS (Correct answer)
- Automatically identifying the repeater with a digital callsign
Correct answer: Controlling repeater access using a continuous digital data stream, similar to CTCSS
DCS uses a continuous sub-audible digital data stream to control squelch and selectively activate repeaters, functioning similarly to CTCSS but in digital form.
Question 2: What does a repeater's 'time-out timer' do when it activates?
- Triggers an automatic identification transmission
- Switches the repeater to a backup power source
- Stops the repeater from retransmitting after a set transmission length is exceeded (Correct answer)
- Increases the repeater's output power to extend range
Correct answer: Stops the repeater from retransmitting after a set transmission length is exceeded
A time-out timer cuts off the repeater's retransmission after a set duration to prevent any single transmission from monopolizing the repeater.
Question 3: What is a 'linked repeater network'?
- A group of repeaters all operated by the same club
- Two or more repeaters connected by radio or internet to relay signals over a wider geographic area (Correct answer)
- Repeaters that all use the same CTCSS access tone
- A set of repeaters operating on the same output frequency
Correct answer: Two or more repeaters connected by radio or internet to relay signals over a wider geographic area
A linked repeater network connects two or more repeaters via RF links or the internet so that a signal into one repeater is heard on all of them.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of requiring a CTCSS tone to access a repeater?
- To set the repeater's output power level automatically
- To time-share channel access among multiple users
- To transmit the operator's callsign digitally
- To prevent the repeater from being triggered by noise or unintended signals (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To prevent the repeater from being triggered by noise or unintended signals
Requiring a CTCSS tone prevents interference, noise bursts, or signals from other repeaters from accidentally triggering the repeater.
Question 5: What does the informal term 'machine' refer to in amateur radio?
- A high-power linear amplifier
- A repeater (Correct answer)
- A computer-controlled transceiver
- An automatic frequency synthesizer
Correct answer: A repeater
'Machine' is common amateur radio slang for a repeater, often used in phrases like 'nice machine' or 'what machine are you on?'
Question 6: How often must an amateur station transmit its callsign when communicating through a repeater?
- Every 5 minutes and at the start of communication
- Only at the beginning and end of each contact
- At least every 10 minutes during communication and at the end of communication (Correct answer)
- Every 15 minutes throughout the contact
Correct answer: At least every 10 minutes during communication and at the end of communication
FCC Part 97 rules require amateur stations to transmit their callsign at least every 10 minutes and at the conclusion of communications.
Question 7: In repeater terminology, what is a 'kerchunker'?
- A device used to measure a repeater's signal strength
- A repeater controller malfunction causing false activations
- A method of linking repeaters using DTMF tones
- An operator who keys up a repeater without identifying themselves or speaking (Correct answer)
Correct answer: An operator who keys up a repeater without identifying themselves or speaking
A 'kerchunker' is an operator who transmits briefly just to activate the repeater (causing a 'kerchunk' sound) without identifying or making a proper call, which is poor operating practice.
