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Free RSGB Amateur Radio Full Licence Examination Practice Questions

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Sample Practice Questions

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

  1. 1During an ordinary amateur contact, with no emergency or User Service operation involved, to whom may a Full licensee address a transmission?

    1. A.An amateur radio station or several amateur stationsCorrect answer: A
    2. B.Any radio station operating on a nearby frequency
    3. C.Any listener who has obtained the station's call sign
    4. D.Any organisation using compatible radio equipment

    Explanation: EX309 states: "Transmissions are only addressed to one or more amateur radio station(s);". The ordinary-contact conditions do not invoke the separate assistance provision. Compatible equipment, proximity in frequency or knowledge of a call sign does not make the recipient an amateur station.

    Reference: RSGB EX309 Full Examination Reference Data — Licence Condition 6, paragraph 19(a)

  2. 2A 100 Ω resistor with a ±10% resistance tolerance is connected to an ideal 12.0 V DC supply. Ignoring temperature effects, what is the highest possible current allowed by that resistance tolerance?

    1. A.0.109 A
    2. B.0.120 A
    3. C.0.133 ACorrect answer: C
    4. D.0.144 A

    Explanation: The specification requires understanding "component tolerances and the effects they may have in circuit operation" and the use of Ohm's law. The minimum resistance is 100×0.90=90 Ω, so the maximum current is I=12.0/90=0.1333 A, rounded to 0.133 A. Using 110 Ω gives 0.109 A; ignoring tolerance gives 0.120 A; increasing current by 20% incorrectly gives 0.144 A.

    Reference: RSGB Radio Amateur Examinations Specification — Part 2, 2A1 — Full column

  3. 3A sinusoidal 1.0 kHz tone produces a peak FM deviation of 2.5 kHz. What is the FM modulation index?

    1. A.0.4
    2. B.2.5Correct answer: B
    3. C.1.25
    4. D.5.0

    Explanation: Keysight gives "β = Δf p ⁄ f m = Δφ p" and defines the terms as peak frequency deviation and modulating frequency. Thus β=2.5 kHz/1.0 kHz=2.5, with no units. 0.4 reverses the ratio; 1.25 incorrectly halves the peak deviation; 5.0 uses peak-to-peak rather than peak deviation.

    Reference: Keysight Analog Demod Measurement Application Measurement Guide — FM waveform, Equation 2-3, p. 28

  4. 4A quarter-wave coaxial section is needed at 10.0 MHz. Its velocity factor is 0.67. Taking free-space wavelength as c/f and c = 300 million m/s, what physical length is required, to two decimal places?

    1. A.5.03 mCorrect answer: A
    2. B.7.50 m
    3. C.11.19 m
    4. D.20.10 m

    Explanation: The specification defines velocity factor as "the ratio of the velocity of radio waves in the feeder to that in free space". Free-space wavelength = 300/10 = 30 m; wavelength in the cable = 0.67 × 30 = 20.10 m; one quarter is 20.10/4 = 5.025 m, rounded to 5.03 m. 7.50 m ignores velocity factor, 11.19 m divides by it, and 20.10 m uses a full cable wavelength.

    Reference: RSGB Radio Amateur Examinations Specification — Part 2, 4A3, p. 2.39

  5. 5Which relationship describes power flux density from a fixed radiator as distance increases under far-field free-space conditions?

    1. A.It is inversely proportional to distance
    2. B.It is independent of distance once in the far field
    3. C.It increases in proportion to the square of distance
    4. D.It is inversely proportional to the square of distanceCorrect answer: D

    Explanation: The specification states that waves spread according to "an inverse square law of power flux density". The same radiated power is distributed over an area growing with distance squared. An inverse-distance rule confuses power density with field amplitude; constant or increasing density does not describe free-space spreading.

    Reference: RSGB Radio Amateur Examinations Specification — Part 2, 5A1, p. 2.45

  6. 6A device meets its EMC specification when correctly installed. Can poor installation still make it susceptible to RF interference?

    1. A.A product compliance test guarantees immunity for any later installation
    2. B.Poor installation can reduce immunity even for a compliant productCorrect answer: B
    3. C.Installation can affect emissions but cannot affect susceptibility
    4. D.Installation can improve immunity only after a product fails its standalone test

    Explanation: The specification states that "poor installation of an otherwise good item of equipment can compromise its safe and compliant operation." Standalone product compliance therefore does not guarantee installed immunity. Installation affects susceptibility as well as emissions, and improving an installation is not conditional on the device first failing a standalone test.

    Reference: RSGB Radio Amateur Examinations Specification — Part 2, 6A2, p. 2.50

  7. 7Which combination follows the examination 5 MHz band plan's SSB recommendation and its occupied-bandwidth condition?

    1. A.Use LSB; keep the whole transmitted bandwidth inside the allocated channel
    2. B.Use USB; keep only the carrier reference inside, allowing sidebands outside
    3. C.Use USB; keep the whole transmitted bandwidth inside the allocated channelCorrect answer: C
    4. D.Use LSB; keep only the carrier reference inside, allowing sidebands outside

    Explanation: The plan states "Upper Sideband is recommended for SSB activity" and requires "necessary bandwidth to be within channel limits". USB with the whole emission inside the channel meets both. LSB misses the stated recommendation; placing only the carrier reference inside does not keep the occupied sideband bandwidth inside.

    Reference: RSGB EX309 Full Examination Reference Data — p. 2, 5 MHz band plan, Note 1

  8. 8What electrical hazard can arise immediately when the case of powered radio equipment is removed?

    1. A.Only circuits connected to the RF output can be at hazardous voltages
    2. B.Exposed internal circuits can be at lethal voltages even without transmissionCorrect answer: B
    3. C.Receive mode ensures that all exposed internal circuitry is touch-safe
    4. D.Only internal voltages high enough to cause visible arcing can be hazardous

    Explanation: The specification warns that "live circuits may be exposed as soon as the equipment case is removed." Lethal internal voltages are not confined to the RF output, do not require transmission, and need not produce a visible arc to be dangerous. Removing a case or selecting receive is not proof that accessible circuitry is safe.

    Reference: RSGB Radio Amateur Examinations Specification — Part 2, 8A1, p. 2.65

  9. 9A 1 kΩ analogue meter movement reaches full scale at 100 µA. What series multiplier resistance extends it to a 10 V full-scale voltmeter?

    1. A.99 kΩCorrect answer: A
    2. B.100 kΩ
    3. C.9 kΩ
    4. D.1 kΩ

    Explanation: The specification includes "series multiplier resistors in analogue voltmeters", and the formula sheet gives "𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅". Total resistance must be 10/(100 × 10⁻⁶) = 100,000 Ω. Subtracting the movement's 1,000 Ω gives a 99,000 Ω = 99 kΩ series resistor. 100 kΩ fails to subtract the movement, 9 kΩ would give 1 V full scale, and 1 kΩ added in series gives only 0.2 V full scale.

    Reference: RSGB Radio Amateur Examinations Specification — Part 2, 9A1, p. 2.74

  10. 10Which transmission falls within the express amateur-satellite exception to the rule against encryption intended to obscure meaning?

    1. A.An encrypted voice contact relayed through a satellite
    2. B.An encrypted equipment-status report between two terrestrial amateurs
    3. C.An encrypted control signal between an earth command station and a space stationCorrect answer: C
    4. D.An encrypted personal message forwarded by an earth receiving station

    Explanation: EX309 permits an exception "for control signals exchanged between earth command stations and space stations in the amateur-satellite service." This concerns satellite control, not ordinary voice, personal traffic or terrestrial status messages merely associated with space operation.

    Reference: RSGB EX309 Full Examination Reference Data — Licence Condition 6, paragraph 19(b)

Exam Review

About RSGB Amateur Radio Full Licence Examination

RSGB Amateur Radio Full Licence Examination · GB

Key exam facts

Provider
Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) administers the amateur radio examinations; Ofcom is the licensing regulator.
Format
58 multiple-choice questions, each with four possible responses. Normally online, at home under remote invigilation or in a club; paper with an Optical Mark Sheet is an exceptional arrangement where online assessment is not possible.
Exam questions
Total questions: 58.
Time limit
120 minutes of examination answering time; special arrangements may be agreed with RSGB for candidates with disabilities.
Passing score
35 correct answers out of 58; RSGB labels this pass standard 60%.
Exam fee
GBP £45.00 per Full Licence examination booking, as listed by RSGB; the distinct Direct to Full examination costs £95.00 and is excluded.

Topics covered

  • Licensing conditions and station identification (12.07%)

    • Messages
    • Message content, recipients, encryption, codes and offensive transmissions
    • Apparatus, inspection and closedown
    • Clean and stable transmitters, undue interference and Ofcom
    • Electromagnetic Fields
    • Licence EMF restrictions, public protection, assessment and emergency situations
    • Licence Schedule
    • Schedule 1 below and above 30 MHz and Notice of Coordination

  • Technical aspects (18.97%)

    • Fundamental theory
    • Component tolerances and circuit operation
    • Power
    • Series-parallel resistor circuits, currents, voltages, resistance and power
    • Reactive components
    • Capacitance, dielectric permittivity and electric charge
    • Capacitor dielectrics and frequency-dependent losses
    • Capacitor breakdown voltage
    • Self-inductance and back EMF
    • LR and CR transients and time constants
    • AC theory
    • Inductive and capacitive phase relationships and reactance
    • Capacitor coupling and decoupling
    • Inductive DC decoupling
    • Impedance and current in series CR and LR circuits
    • Digital signals
    • Aliasing, sampling and anti-aliasing filters
    • Fourier transform and frequency-domain representation
    • Transformers
    • Mutual inductance, turns ratios, impedance transformation and core losses
    • Tuned Circuits and resonance
    • Resonant-frequency formula and calculation
    • Crystal equivalent circuit and series or parallel operation
    • Resonant magnification, Q, component ratings and half-power bandwidth
    • Dynamic resistance
    • Semiconductor devices
    • Zener diode reverse conduction and V/I characteristic
    • Reverse-biased variable capacitance diode
    • Bipolar and field-effect transistor biasing
    • Small-signal amplifier configurations and amplifier classes
    • Oscillator gain, phase and feedback requirements
    • Cells and power supplies
    • Zener-pass-transistor and integrated stabilising circuits
    • Rectifier diode peak inverse voltage
    • Switch-mode power supplies and comparison with linear supplies

  • Transmitters and receivers (20.69%)

    • Transmitter concepts
    • FM modulation index, sidebands, wide and narrow FM and deviation
    • SSB generation, efficiency and bandwidth
    • Transmitter architecture
    • SSB and FM transmitter block diagrams, mixers and multipliers
    • Oscillators
    • Oscillator drift
    • PLL and DDS synthesis, stages and signal purity
    • Frequency multipliers
    • Harmonic frequency multiplication
    • Microphone amplifiers and modulators
    • AM, SSB and FM modulators and bandwidth
    • Sideband filter circuits and frequencies
    • RF power amplifiers
    • Linearity, harmonic distortion and intermodulation
    • PA circuit components, bias and matching
    • Modulation, speech processing and PA ratings
    • Automatic level control and manual RF power control
    • Transmitter interference
    • Over-modulation and excessive transmitted bandwidth
    • PA overdrive, harmonics and spurious intermodulation
    • Avoidance and filtering of harmonics and mixer products
    • Parasitic and self-oscillation remedies
    • Synthesiser errors and preventing off-frequency transmission
    • Receiver concepts
    • Receiver overload, intermodulation and dynamic range
    • Superheterodyne concepts
    • Single and double superheterodyne block diagrams
    • Mixers, intermediate frequency and products
    • IF selection, multiple conversion, LO choice and image frequencies
    • Coupled tuned circuits, IF amplifier gain and distortion
    • Phase noise and dBc/Hz
    • RF amplifiers and external pre-amplifiers
    • Preamplifier noise, dynamic range and location
    • Demodulation
    • AM, CW, SSB and FM demodulators and FM limiter
    • Automatic gain control (AGC)
    • AGC voltage, attack and decay
    • SDR transmitters and receivers
    • Modulation phasors and orthogonal amplitude-phase representation
    • I/Q mixing, direct sampling and mathematical modulation
    • Transceivers
    • Shared circuits and receiver incremental tuning
    • Transverters, frequencies, drive and switching sequence

  • Feeders and antennas (6.9%)

    • Feeders
    • Velocity factor and electrical and physical feeder lengths
    • Baluns
    • Transformer, sleeve and choke baluns
    • Types of antenna
    • Wavelength, end correction and antenna physical lengths
    • Antenna current, voltage and impedance distributions and passive elements
    • Standing waves
    • SWR and impedance presented by a mismatched feeder
    • Return loss and relationship to SWR
    • Feeder loss effects on measured return loss and SWR
    • Antenna matching units
    • Reactive cancellation, impedance transformation and T, Pi and L networks
    • Quarter-wave impedance transformer

  • Propagation (5.17%)

    • Radio propagation: key concepts
    • Free-space spreading and fields; numerical calculations at 6E1 only
    • Electric and magnetic fields and circular polarisation
    • Ionosphere
    • Solar flares and sunspots
    • Critical frequency, MUF and daily and seasonal variation
    • VHF and above
    • EME and auroral propagation and equipment requirements
    • Other features
    • Galactic noise
    • Link budget, feeder losses, gains and path loss

  • Electromagnetic compatibility (17.24%)

    • EMC concepts
    • Installation effects on immunity
    • Amateur EMC standards and licence interference obligations
    • Sources of interference and their effects
    • Imported, home-constructed and radio-equipped devices
    • Blocking and cross-modulation
    • Corroded metallic junctions and passive intermodulation
    • Routes of entry
    • Audio leads and RF rectification
    • Broadband TV amplifier overload
    • IF pickup and image interference in broadcast receivers
    • Filtering and remedial measures
    • High, low, band-pass and notch filtering, stubs and ferrites
    • Mains and braid-breaking filters
    • General-coverage receiver checks for unwanted emissions
    • Dummy loads in interference fault finding
    • Station design and antenna placement/general principles
    • Minimum necessary field strength and calculation from ERP
    • RF grounding and bonding
    • Balanced antennas and right-angle feeder departure
    • Station design and antenna placement/mobile installations
    • FCS mobile installation code
    • Preventing stray RF in vehicle electronics
    • Social aspects and testing
    • Complaints of electromagnetic disturbance

  • Operating practices and procedures (3.45%)

    • Band plans
    • Examination band plans for 5 MHz and 472 kHz only
    • CEPT and international
    • Individual UK overseas operation, CEPT and HAREC
    • ITU regions and Radio Regulations

  • Safety (6.9%)

    • Electricity
    • Lethal voltages and exposed circuits
    • Live working restrictions and precautions
    • Working with RF
    • ICNIRP guidance and public exposure
    • Microwave waveguide and high-gain antenna hazards
    • Lightning
    • Lightning, static discharge and feeder disconnection
    • Working mobile and portable
    • Temporary operation, risk assessment and foreign mains supplies
    • Mobile and maritime mobile hazards and precautions
    • Risk assessment, likelihood, severity, records and insurance
    • Generator, earthing and fuel hazards

  • Measurements and construction (8.62%)

    • Measurements
    • Meter multiplier resistors, shunts and circuit loading
    • Frequency measurement uncertainty, drift and bandwidth allowance
    • Source and load impedance and measurement interaction
    • RF power, PEP, dummy loads and measurement methods
    • Crystal calibrators, counters and frequency standards
    • SWR bridge sensing and displays
    • Oscilloscope operation and waveform measurement
    • Spectrum analyser operation, fundamentals and harmonics
    • Decibels
    • Power and voltage ratios, dB, dBW, dBm and dBV
    • Components
    • Temperature coefficients, tuned-circuit effects and remedies

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

58 multiple-choice questions, each with four possible responses. Normally online, at home under remote invigilation or in a club; paper with an Optical Mark Sheet is an exceptional arrangement where online assessment is not possible.

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 58.

How long is the exam?

120 minutes of examination answering time; special arrangements may be agreed with RSGB for candidates with disabilities.

What is the passing score?

35 correct answers out of 58; RSGB labels this pass standard 60%.

How much does the exam cost?

GBP £45.00 per Full Licence examination booking, as listed by RSGB; the distinct Direct to Full examination costs £95.00 and is excluded.

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.