Practical Antenna Basics (PAB) — Requirements & Free Practice
US · License preparation
200 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required
Loading selected examination banks…
Choose what to practice
Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements
Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements
Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.
Practical Antenna Basics (PAB)
ETA stand-alone Practical Antenna Basics certification in basic antenna theory and RF propagation.
Licensing authority: ETA International
Initial by examination
- Award Type
- Stand-Alone
- Proctoring
- ETA certification administrator in person, or ETA-arranged remote proctoring for this non-hands-on examination
- Remote Scheduling
- Remote examinees register through ETA's remote proctoring form; ETA sets up the examination and scheduling is not guaranteed for the same or next day.
Practical Antenna Basics (PAB)
- Provider
- ETA International
- Format
- Proctored online or paper-and-pencil knowledge examination; ETA-arranged remote proctoring is available for non-hands-on examinations.
- Exam questions
- Total questions: 75.
- Time limit
- 2 hours
- Passing score
- 75%
- Exam fee
- $105
Examination outline
Radio Frequency (RF) Safety and Agency Roles
- Basic safety protocols
- RF exposure limits
- RF hazard warning signage
- Agency roles and responsibilities
- RF radiation and exposure hazards
- Power system safety
- Tools and equipment safety
- Personal protection equipment
Basic Antenna Terms and Concepts in RF
- Radio antennas and transduction
- Antenna reciprocity
- Antenna gain
- Radiation patterns
- RF propagation
- Antenna performance parameters
- Decibels and references
- Antenna elements
Radio Frequency Waves and Analysis
- RF spectrum use and regulation
- RF spectrum bands
- RF wave amplitude measures
- Wavelength and frequency
- RF modulation
- Atmospheric effects on propagation
- Propagated wave behaviors
- Electrical principles of propagation
Principles of Electromagnetic Wave Energy
- Maxwell's electromagnetic theory
- Electromagnetic fields and polarization
- Free-space propagation
- Terrestrial propagated waves
Antenna Feedlines (Transmission) Concepts
- Feedline types and purpose
- Waveguide parameters
- Transmission-line electrical and propagation characteristics
- Feedline impedance and matching
- Antenna Coupling Unit
Dipole Antenna Model Characteristics
- Dipole characteristics
- Dipole impedance
- Dipole radiation pattern
- Half-wave dipole propagation
- Antenna gain principles
Common Antenna Model Configurations and Characteristics
- Ideal isotropic antenna
- Half-wave dipole antenna
- Quarter-wave vertical dipole
- Reflectors and directors
- Yagi-Uda antenna
- Log-periodic antenna
- Loop antenna
- Two-wire transmission line radiator arrays
- Special-purpose microwave antennas
Common Antenna Test Equipment
- Oscilloscope
- Spectrum analyzer
- Equipment assembly, calibration and safety
- Data documentation
Examination sources
- ETA communications certifications
Prepare For An Exam, competency adoption
- PAB competency requirements
p. 1, title and sections 1-2
- PAB competency requirements
p. 2, sections 2-3
- PAB competency requirements
p. 3, sections 3-6
- PAB competency requirements
p. 4, sections 6-8 and end marker
- ETA communications certifications
PAB Exam Info table, hands-on, questions, score and duration
- ETA examination sites
Taking an ETA Examination, steps 3 and 6
- ETA examination sites
Taking an ETA Examination, steps 2-4
- ETA examination sites
Remote Proctoring, registration condition