Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is both a hobby and a service in which participants, called "hams," use various types of radio communications equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service, recreation and self-training.

In all countries, amateur radio operators are required to pass a licensing exam displaying knowledge and understanding of key concepts. In response, hams are granted operating privileges in larger segments of the radio frequency spectrum using a wide variety of communication techniques with higher power levels permitted. This practice is in contrast to unlicensed personal radio services such as CB radio, Multi-Use Radio Service, or Family Radio Service/PMR446 that require type-approved equipment restricted in frequency range and power.

In many countries, amateur licensing is a routine civil administrative matter. Amateurs are required to pass an examination to demonstrate technical knowledge, operating competence and awareness of legal and regulatory requirements in order to avoid interference with other amateurs and other radio services. There are often a series of exams available, each progressively more challenging and granting more privileges in terms of frequency availability, power output, permitted experimentation, and in some countries, distinctive call signs. Some countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia have begun requiring a practical training course in addition to the written exams in order to obtain a beginner's license, called a Foundation License.

Amateur radio seems to be a virtually unknown hobby unless you happen to know a radio amateur. The Radio Amateurs Exam seems to be a barrier to "outsiders" but if the truth was known to them as to how easy it really is, we could attract far more participants from all walks of life.

Over here, we present a quiz compiled by OM Rajesh (VU3PLP) for testing your CQ Skills!

CQ CQ CQ

Q1. How do you call another station on a repeater if you know the station's call sign?
A. Say "break, break" then say the station's call sign
B. Say the station's call sign then identify your own station
C. Say "CQ" three times then the other station's call sign
D. Wait for the station to call "CQ" then answer it

Q2. How do you indicate you are looking for any station with which to make contact?
A. CQ followed by your callsign
B. RST followed by your callsign
C. QST followed by your callsign
D. SK followed by your callsign

Q3.What should you transmit when responding to a call of CQ?
A. Your own CQ followed by the other station’s callsign
B. Your callsign followed by the other station’s callsign
C. The other station’s callsign followed by your callsign
D. A signal report followed by your callsign

Q4. What must an amateur do when making a transmission to test equipment or antennas?
A. Properly identify the station
B. Make test transmissions only after 10:00 PM local time
C. Notify the WPC of the test transmission
D. State the purpose of the test during the test procedure

Q5. What is the meaning of the procedural signal "CQ"?
A. Call on the quarter hour
B. New antenna is being tested (no station should answer)
C. Only the called station should transmit
D. Calling any station

Q6. What brief statement is often used in place of "CQ" to indicate that you are listening for calls on a repeater?
A. Say "Hello test" followed by your call sign
B. Say your call sign
C. Say the repeater call sign followed by your call sign
D. Say the letters "QSY" followed by your call sign

Q7. Why should you use the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) phonetic alphabet when identifying your station?
A. The words are internationally recognized substitutes for letters
B. There is no advantage
C. The words have been chosen to represent amateur radio terms
D. It preserves traditions begun in the early days of amateur radio

Q8. Who is in charge of the repeater frequency band plan in your local area?
A. The local WPC monitoring office
B. Only WPC HO New Delhi
C. The recognized frequency coordination body
D. Amateur Radio society of India

Q9. What is the main purpose of repeater coordination?
A. To reduce interference and promote proper use of spectrum
B. To coordinate as many repeaters as possible in a small area
C. To coordinate all possible frequencies available for repeater use
D. To promote and encourage use of simplex frequencies

Q10. Who is accountable if a repeater station inadvertently retransmits communications that violate WPC rules?
A. The repeater trustee
B. The repeater control operator
C. The transmitting station
D. All of these answers are correct

Q11. Which of these statements is true about legal power levels on the amateur bands?
A. Always use the maximum power allowed to ensure that you complete the contact
B. An amateur may use no more than 200 Watts PEP to make an amateur contact
C. An amateur may use up to 1500 Watts PEP on any amateur frequency
D. An amateur must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communication

Q12. What is the proper way to break into a conversation between two stations that are using the frequency?
A. Say your call sign between their transmissions
B. Wait for them to finish and then call CQ
C. Say "Break-break" between their transmissions
D. Call one of the operators on the telephone to interrupt the conversation

Q13. What is considered to be proper repeater operating practice?
A. Monitor before transmitting and keep transmissions short
B. Identify legally
C. Use the minimum amount of transmitter power necessary
D. All of these answers are correct

Q14. What rule applies if two amateur stations want to use the same frequency?
A. The station operator with a Grade-1 license must yield the frequency to an Advance grade licensee
B. The station operator with a lower power output must yield the frequency to the station with a higher power output
C. No frequency will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station and neither has priority
D. Station operators in ITU Regions 1 and 3 must yield the frequency to stations in ITU Region 2

Q15. What should you do if you hear a newly licensed operator that is having trouble with their station?
A. Tell them to get off the air until they learn how operate properly
B. Report them to the WPC HO.
C. Contact them and offer to help with the problem
D. Move to another frequency

OK, now that you have read the questions - test how many questions did you get right by visiting the answers page.

• Answers to CQ Call Quiz

For more quiz options visit following links:

1. Basic Electronics - 1
2. Basic Electronics - 2

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