Free RADAR Electronics Technician Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the RADAR Electronics Technician practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1In a conventional radar receiver block diagram, which sequence correctly carries an echo toward the display?

   1. A.Video conversion → local oscillator → RF amplification
   2. B.RF amplification → frequency conversion → video conversionCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Local oscillator → video conversion → antenna feed
   4. D.Video conversion → RF amplification → frequency conversion

   Explanation: The NWS describes the echo as "amplified, mixed with a local oscillator signal, amplified more, and then converted to a" video voltage. Thus RF amplification precedes frequency conversion and subsequent video conversion.

   Reference: RADAR Basics — Reflected Waves, receiver signal sequence

2. 2Which radar subsystem generates and amplifies the RF carrier delivered to the antenna for radiation?

   1. A.The video display
   2. B.The echo detector
   3. C.The transmitterCorrect answer: C
   4. D.The bearing encoder

   Explanation: The NWS defines the transmitter as equipment for "generating and amplifying a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal". The display, detector, and bearing encoder do not generate the transmitted RF power.

   Reference: National Weather Service Glossary: Transmitter — Transmitter definition

3. 3A rivet is being removed from thin sheet metal around an aircraft electronics installation. How should the rivet head be drilled under AC 43.13-1B?

   1. A.Off-center with a bit larger than the rivet to loosen the entire hole
   2. B.Exactly centered, using a rivet-diameter bit, only to the head's baseCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Through the entire shank and both sheets with an oversized bit
   4. D.At the head's edge until the surrounding sheet begins to separate

   Explanation: The FAA requires, "Drilling must be exactly centered and to the base of the head only." It specifies a drill the same size as the rivet diameter. This removes the head without unnecessarily enlarging the sheet-metal hole.

   Reference: Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices—Aircraft Inspection and Repair — Aluminum Alloy Structures — Disassembly Prior to Repairing — rivet-head drilling paragraph

4. 4A DC test circuit carries 20 mA through a resistor with 12 V across it. What is the resistor's resistance?

   1. A.0.6 Ω
   2. B.60 Ω
   3. C.240 Ω
   4. D.600 ΩCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: DOE states, "Applied voltage equals circuit current times the circuit resistance." Rearranging gives R = V/I = 12/0.020 = 600 Ω. Using milliamperes as amperes or multiplying instead of dividing produces incorrect results.

   Reference: DOE Fundamentals Handbook: Electrical Science, Volume 1 — Module 1, Units of Electrical Measurement, Ohm's Law, p.14

5. 5In a conventional radar transmitter, what is the main role of the HPA following waveform generation and frequency conversion?

   1. A.Detect the envelope of the received echo.
   2. B.Increase the transmitted waveform's RF power.Correct answer: B
   3. C.Generate the antenna bearing reference pulses.
   4. D.Convert received analog samples into digital codes.

   Explanation: MIT identifies "HPA = High Power Amplifier" in the transmitter path to the antenna. It raises transmit RF power; echo detection, bearing encoding, and digitization are separate functions.

   Reference: Introduction to Radar Systems: Radar Transmitter/Receiver — Slides 20 and 24, Duplexer Function and Simplified System Block Diagram

6. 6An HPx-256 radar splitter is configured for single-ended trigger input. What is its specified trigger threshold?

   1. A.1 V
   2. B.3 VCorrect answer: B
   3. C.5 V
   4. D.12 V

   Explanation: The datasheet specifies "single-ended (0 to 15V, 3V threshold)" for trigger/sync and bearing signals. The input range and output limits are different quantities and do not replace the 3 V switching threshold.

   Reference: HPx-256 VME Radar & TV Video Signal Splitter Card Datasheet — Radar Signal Splitter, p.1

7. 7In NASA's spacecraft communications terminology, which path is an uplink?

   1. A.Telemetry transmitted from a spacecraft to an Earth station.
   2. B.Data transmitted directly between two spacecraft.
   3. C.Commands transmitted from an Earth station to a spacecraft.Correct answer: C
   4. D.Commands transferred between two terrestrial ground stations.

   Explanation: NASA identifies "receiving commands from Earth (uplink)". The uplink travels from Earth to the spacecraft. Spacecraft-to-Earth traffic is downlink, spacecraft-to-spacecraft traffic is crosslink, and a terrestrial ground-station connection is not a spacecraft uplink.

   Reference: State-of-the-Art Small Spacecraft Technology: Communications — 9.1 Introduction

8. 8Which computer component fetches program instructions from memory and executes the required operations?

   1. A.The CPU.Correct answer: A
   2. B.The SSD.
   3. C.The keyboard.
   4. D.The display panel.

   Explanation: AWS states of the CPU, "It fetches instructions from memory, performs the required tasks, and sends output back to memory." Storage, input, and display hardware have different roles.

   Reference: What Is a CPU (Central Processing Unit)? — What is a CPU?

9. 9How is a voltmeter connected to measure the voltage across a component in an energized circuit?

   1. A.In voltage mode, in series after opening the current path.
   2. B.In voltage mode, in parallel across the component.Correct answer: B
   3. C.In current mode, in parallel across the component.
   4. D.In resistance mode, in parallel across the energized component.

   Explanation: FAA directs placing probes "across or in parallel with a component to measure the voltage". Series insertion applies to an ammeter, and touching the same node does not measure the component's voltage drop.

   Reference: Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—General — Voltage Measurement — connecting probes across a component

10. 10What does ETA's Customer Service Specialist certification primarily validate?

    1. A.Policies and procedures specific to one service employer.
    2. B.Interpersonal and business skills used in customer service.Correct answer: B
    3. C.Operation of one manufacturer's diagnostic software.
    4. D.Sales techniques without customer-support communication.

    Explanation: ETA states, "The Customer Service Specialist (CSS) is a certification that validates one’s interpersonal and business skills." Its scope is broader than one employer's policies, one diagnostic application, or sales activity without customer-support communication.

    Reference: Customer Service Specialist—Employability Skills and Workforce Readiness — Validate Your Employability Skills