Free Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A qualified operator uses a fixed amateur station in accordance with the applicable technical requirements. What does the Canadian radio-licence exemption mean for that station?

   1. A.A separate radio licence for the station is not required.Correct answer: A
   2. B.A separate radio licence is required for every fixed station.
   3. C.A separate radio licence is required whenever the station transmits.
   4. D.A separate radio licence replaces the operator's qualification.

   Explanation: Section 15.3 states that a mobile or fixed amateur station is "exempt from subsection 4(1) of the Act, in respect of a radio licence" when its operator holds a listed qualification and the operation meets the applicable technical requirements. Both conditions are given here; the exemption concerns the radio licence, not the operator's qualification.

   Reference: Radiocommunication Regulations — s. 15.3

2. 2When starting a voice transmission through a repeater, why should an operator pause briefly after pressing push-to-talk before speaking?

   1. A.To give the repeater and linked transmitters time to activateCorrect answer: A
   2. B.To reset the receiver's frequency calibration
   3. C.To make the repeater switch to simplex operation
   4. D.To convert speech into a Morse code signal

   Explanation: The IARU guide explains that "A variety of delays can occur within a system", including CTCSS decoding and transmitter rise time. A brief pause after keying allows the repeater path to become ready so the beginning of the message is not lost.

   Reference: IARU Emergency Telecommunications Guide — Chapter 5, Microphone Techniques, repeater operation

3. 3In an HF transmitting station, which component ultimately radiates the RF energy supplied by the power amplifier?

   1. A.The transmitting antennaCorrect answer: A
   2. B.The antenna feed line
   3. C.The antenna matching network
   4. D.The transmitter low-pass filter

   Explanation: NASA states "The power amplifier then increases the output RF power of the transmitted signal to be sent through free space to the receiver using the transmit antenna." The antenna radiates that RF energy; the line, matching network and filter convey or condition it.

   Reference: NASA State of the Art of Small Spacecraft Technology: Communications — s. 9.2, Radio Frequency Communications

4. 4An amplifier delivers a larger voltage variation across its load than the signal voltage applied to its input. What property does this illustrate?

   1. A.Voltage gainCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Frequency conversion
   3. C.Carrier suppression
   4. D.Current rectification

   Explanation: The handbook says the load voltage "can be as much as 100 times greater than the input potential difference applied to the grid." A larger output voltage relative to input demonstrates voltage gain; it does not establish conversion, suppression or rectification.

   Reference: Understanding Basic Electricity and Electronics — Chapter 10, paragraph 10-32

5. 5A current of 0.24 amperes is expressed in milliamperes. What is the equivalent value?

   1. A.2,400 mA
   2. B.24 mA
   3. C.240 mACorrect answer: C
   4. D.0.24 mA

   Explanation: NIST lists "deci, centi, and milli, meaning, respectively, one-tenth, one-hundredth, and one-thousandth." Therefore one ampere equals 1,000 milliamperes and 0.24 A × 1,000 = 240 mA. The alternatives misplace the decimal or leave the number unchanged.

   Reference: Metric (SI) Prefixes — SI Prefixes introduction

6. 6What does a transmission line's characteristic impedance describe for a traveling wave?

   1. A.The ratio of output power to input power
   2. B.The ratio of reflected to forward voltage
   3. C.The ratio of antenna length to wavelength
   4. D.The ratio of wave voltage to wave currentCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: The PNNL report describes characteristic impedance as "the instantaneous ratio between traveling voltage and current wave magnitudes". Reflection, antenna dimensions, and power gain describe other ratios.

   Reference: Relaying for Distribution and Microgrids — Section 6.1, Principle of Operation

7. 7Which propagation mode sends an HF signal upward and returns it to Earth through ionospheric refraction?

   1. A.Sky-wave propagationCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Ground-wave propagation
   3. C.Line-of-sight propagation
   4. D.Direct-wave propagation

   Explanation: The CISA guide states that a sky wave "is radiated in an upward direction and returned to Earth at some distant location because of refraction from the ionosphere." Ground and direct waves describe different paths.

   Reference: All-Hazards Communications Technician Pre-Course Study Guide — Study 1, Sky Wave, workbook p. 2-18

8. 8A nearby strong transmitter causes a receiver to stop hearing a much weaker wanted station. What receiver problem can cause this?

   1. A.Front-end overload or desensitizationCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Harmonic emission from the wanted transmitter
   3. C.Frequency drift at the wanted transmitter
   4. D.Low battery voltage at the receiver

   Explanation: The USFA guide says receiver overload is caused by "nearby high-level transmitter signals that overload the initial parts of the radio’s receiver" and that it prevents detection of weaker signals. Harmonic emissions, transmitter drift and a low receiver battery are different faults.

   Reference: Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service — Chapter 2, Interference, p. 10

9. 9After an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate holder changes their mailing address, what is the latest time allowed to notify the Amateur Radio Service Centre?

   1. A.Within 14 days
   2. B.Within 30 daysCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Within 60 days
   4. D.Within 90 days

   Explanation: RBR-4 requires the holder to notify the centre "of a change of mailing address within 30 days." The question asks for the latest permitted interval: 14 days is earlier, while 60 and 90 days exceed the stated limit.

   Reference: RBR-4 — Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service — s. 13

10. 10An operator spells the final letters QZ of a call sign using the ITU phonetic alphabet. Which pair of words should they transmit?

    1. A.Quebec ZuluCorrect answer: A
    2. B.Quebec Sierra
    3. C.Kilo Zulu
    4. D.Kilo Sierra

    Explanation: In RIC-22's table, "Q" is paired with "Quebec" and "Z" with "Zulu". Kilo represents K, while Sierra represents S, so neither substitutes for the specified letters.

    Reference: RIC-22 — General Radio Operating Procedures — s. 4.3, letters Q and Z