JSON format of the question pools used for Amateur Radio licensing exams administered by the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators. Data was parsed from documents posted on http://www.ncvec.org/.
An Element, in FCC terms, essentially refers to an exam required for licensing.
Each question pool is divided into 10 Sub-Elements.
Each Sub-Element is divided into 1-8 Sub-Topics.
Each Sub-Topic consists of 10-19 questions.
Exams are generated by randomly selecting one question from each Sub-Topic in a question pool (resulting in 35 questions for Technician Class and General Class exams, and 50 questions for Amateur Extra Class exams).
T1: FCC Rules, descriptions, and definitions for the Amateur Radio Service, operator and station license responsibilities
- T1A: Amateur Radio Service: purpose and permissible use of the Amateur Radio Service, operator/primary station license grant; Meanings of basic terms used in FCC rules; Interference; RACES rules; Phonetics; Frequency Coordinator
- T1B: Authorized frequencies: frequency allocations; ITU; emission modes; restricted sub-bands; spectrum sharing; transmissions near band edges; contacting the International Space Station; power output
- T1C: Operator licensing: operator classes; sequential and vanity call sign systems; international communications; reciprocal operation; places where the Amateur Radio Service is regulated by the FCC; name and address on FCC license database; license term; renewal; grace period
- T1D: Authorized and prohibited transmission: communications with other countries; music; exchange of information with other services; indecent language; compensation for use of station; retransmission of other amateur signals; codes and ciphers; sale of equipment; unidentified transmissions; one-way transmission
- T1E: Control operator and control types: control operator required; eligibility; designation of control operator; privileges and duties; control point; local, automatic and remote control; location of control operator
- T1F: Station identification; repeaters; third-party communications; club stations; FCC inspection
- T2A: Station operation: choosing an operating frequency; calling another station; test transmissions; procedural signs; use of minimum power; choosing an operating frequency; band plans; calling frequencies; repeater offsets
- T2B: VHF/UHF operating practices: SSB phone; FM repeater; simplex; splits and shifts; CTCSS; DTMF; tone squelch; carrier squelch; phonetics; operational problem resolution; Q signals
- T2C: Public service: emergency and non-emergency operations; applicability of FCC rules; RACES and ARES; net and traffic procedures; operating restrictions during emergencies
- T3A: Radio wave characteristics: how a radio signal travels; fading; multipath; polarization; wavelength vs absorption; antenna orientation
- T3B: Radio and electromagnetic wave properties: the electromagnetic spectrum; wavelength vs frequency; nature and velocity of electromagnetic waves; definition of UHF, VHF, HF bands; calculating wavelength
- T3C: Propagation modes: line of sight; sporadic E; meteor and auroral scatter and reflections; tropospheric ducting; F layer skip; radio horizon
- T4A: Station setup: connecting microphones; reducing unwanted emissions; power source; connecting a computer; RF grounding; connecting digital equipment; connecting an SWR meter
- T4B: Operating controls: tuning; use of filters; squelch function; AGC; transceiver operation; memory channels
- T5A: Electrical principles, units, and terms: current and voltage; conductors and insulators; alternating and direct current; series and parallel circuits
- T5B: Math for electronics: conversion of electrical units; decibels; the metric system
- T5C: Electronic principles: capacitance; inductance; current flow in circuits; alternating current; definition of RF; definition of polarity; DC power calculations; impedance
- T5D: Ohm's Law: formulas and usage; components in series and parallel
- T6A: Electrical components: fixed and variable resistors; capacitors and inductors; fuses; switches; batteries
- T6B: Semiconductors: basic principles and applications of solid state devices; diodes and transistors
- T6C: Circuit diagrams; schematic symbols
- T6D: Component functions: rectification; switches; indicators; power supply components; resonant circuit; shielding; power transformers; integrated circuits
T7: Station equipment: common transmitter and receiver problems; antenna measurements; troubleshooting; basic repair and testing
- T7A: Station equipment: receivers; transmitters; transceivers; modulation; transverters; transmit and receive amplifiers
- T7B: Common transmitter and receiver problems: symptoms of overload and overdrive; distortion; causes of interference; interference and consumer electronics; part 15 devices; over-modulation; RF feedback; off frequency signals
- T7C: Antenna measurements and troubleshooting: measuring SWR; dummy loads; coaxial cables; causes of feed line failures
- T7D: Basic repair and testing: soldering; using basic test instruments; connecting a voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
T8: Modulation modes: amateur satellite operation; operating activities; non-voice and digital communications
- T8A: Modulation modes: bandwidth of various signals; choice of emission type
- T8B: Amateur satellite operation; Doppler shift; basic orbits; operating protocols; transmitter power considerations; telemetry and telecommand; satellite tracking
- T8C: Operating activities: radio direction finding; radio control; contests; linking over the internet; grid locators
- T8D: Non-voice and digital communications: image signals; digital modes; CW; packet radio; PSK31; APRS; error detection and correction; NTSC; amateur radio networking; Digital Mobile/Migration Radio
- T9A: Antennas: vertical and horizontal polarization; concept of gain; common portable and mobile antennas; relationships between resonant length and frequency; concept of dipole antennas
- T9B: Feed lines: types, attenuation vs frequency, selecting; SWR concepts; Antenna tuners (couplers); RF Connectors: selecting, weather protection
- T0A: Power circuits and hazards: hazardous voltages; fuses and circuit breakers; grounding; lightning protection; battery safety; electrical code compliance
- T0B: Antenna safety: tower safety and grounding; erecting an antenna support; safely installing an antenna
- T0C: RF hazards: radiation exposure; proximity to antennas; recognized safe power levels; exposure to others; radiation types; duty cycle
- G1A: General class control operator frequency privileges; primary and secondary allocations
- G1B: Antenna structure limitations; good engineering and good amateur practice; beacon operation; prohibited
- G1C: Transmitter power regulations; data emission standards; 60-meter operation requirements
- G1D: Volunteer Examiners and Volunteer Examiner Coordinators; temporary identification; element credit
- G1E: Control categories; repeater regulations; third-party rules; ITU regions; automatically controlled digital
- G2A: Phone operating procedures; USB/LSB conventions; breaking into a contact; VOX operation
- G2B: Operating courtesy; band plans; emergencies, including drills and emergency communications
- G2C: CW operating procedures and procedural signals; Q signals and common abbreviations: full break-in
- G2D: Volunteer Monitoring Program; HF operations
- G2E: Digital operating procedures
- G3A: Sunspots and solar radiation; ionospheric disturbances; propagation forecasting and indices
- G3B: Maximum Usable Frequency; Lowest Usable Frequency; propagation
- G3C: Ionospheric layers; critical angle and frequency; HF scatter; Near Vertical Incidence Skywave
- G4A: Station operation and setup
- G4B: Test and monitoring equipment; two-tone test
- G4C: Interference to consumer electronics; grounding; DSP
- G4D: Speech processors; S meters; sideband operation near band edges
- G4E: HF mobile radio installations; alternative energy source operation
- G5A: Reactance; inductance; capacitance; impedance; impedance matching
- G5B: The decibel; current and voltage dividers; electrical power calculations; sine wave root-mean-square
- G5C: Resistors, capacitors, and inductors in series and parallel; transformers
- G6A: Resistors; capacitors; inductors; rectifiers; solid-state diodes and transistors; vacuum tubes; batteries
- G6B: Analog and digital integrated circuits (ICs); memory; I/O devices; microwave ICs (MMICs); display
- G7A: Power supplies; schematic symbols
- G7B: Digital circuits; amplifiers and oscillators
- G7C: Receivers and transmitters; filters; oscillators
- G8A: Carriers and modulation: AM; FM; single sideband; modulation envelope; digital modulation;
- G8B: Frequency mixing; multiplication; bandwidths of various modes; deviation; duty cycle; intermodulation
- G8C: Digital emission modes
- G9A: Antenna feed lines: characteristic impedance and attenuation; SWR calculation, measurement, and
- G9B: Basic antennas
- G9C: Directional antennas
- G9D: Specialized antennas
- G0A: RF safety principles, rules and guidelines; routine station evaluation
- G0B: Station safety: electrical shock, safety grounding, fusing, interlocks, wiring, antenna and tower safety
- E1A: Operating Standards: frequency privileges; emission standards; automatic message forwarding; frequency sharing; stations aboard ships or aircraft
- E1B: Station restrictions and special operations: restrictions on station location; general operating restrictions, spurious emissions, control operator reimbursement; antenna structure restrictions; RACES operations; national quiet zone
- E1C: Definitions and restrictions pertaining to local, automatic and remote control operation; control operator responsibilities for remote and automatically controlled stations; IARP and CEPT licenses; third party communications over automatically controlled stations
- E1D: Amateur satellites: definitions and purpose; license requirements for space stations; available frequencies and bands; telecommand and telemetry operations; restrictions, and special provisions; notification requirements
- E1E: Volunteer examiner program: definitions; qualifications; preparation and administration of exams; accreditation; question pools; documentation requirements
- E1F: Miscellaneous rules: external RF power amplifiers; business communications; compensated communications; spread spectrum; auxiliary stations; reciprocal operating privileges; special temporary authority
- E2A: Amateur radio in space: amateur satellites; orbital mechanics; frequencies and modes; satellite hardware; satellite operations; experimental telemetry applications
- E2B: Television practices: fast scan television standards and techniques; slow scan television standards and techniques
- E2C: Operating methods: contest and DX operating; remote operation techniques; Cabrillo format; QSLing; RF network connected systems
- E2D: Operating methods: VHF and UHF digital modes and procedures; APRS; EME procedures, meteor scatter procedures
- E2E: Operating methods: operating HF digital modes
- E3A: Electromagnetic waves; Earth-Moon-Earth communications; meteor scatter; microwave tropospheric and scatter propagation; aurora propagation
- E3B: Transequatorial propagation; long path; gray-line; multi-path; ordinary and extraordinary waves; chordal hop, sporadic E mechanisms
- E3C: Radio-path horizon; less common propagation modes; propagation prediction techniques and modeling; space weather parameters and amateur radio
- E4A: Test equipment: analog and digital instruments; spectrum and network analyzers, antenna analyzers; oscilloscopes; RF measurements; computer aided measurements
- E4B: Measurement technique and limitations: instrument accuracy and performance limitations; probes; techniques to minimize errors; measurement of "Q"; instrument calibration; S parameters; vector network analyzers
- E4C: Receiver performance characteristics, phase noise, noise floor, image rejection, MDS, signal-to-noise-ratio; selectivity; effects of SDR receiver non-linearity
- E4D: Receiver performance characteristics: blocking dynamic range; intermodulation and cross-modulation interference; 3rd order intercept; desensitization; preselector
- E4E: Noise suppression: system noise; electrical appliance noise; line noise; locating noise sources; DSP noise reduction; noise blankers; grounding for signals
- E5A: Resonance and Q: characteristics of resonant circuits: series and parallel resonance; definitions and effects of Q; half-power bandwidth; phase relationships in reactive circuits
- E5B: Time constants and phase relationships: RLC time constants; definition; time constants in RL and RC circuits; phase angle between voltage and current; phase angles of series RLC; phase angle of inductance vs susceptance; admittance and susceptance
- E5C: Coordinate systems and phasors in electronics: Rectangular Coordinates; Polar Coordinates; Phasors
- E5D: AC and RF energy in real circuits: skin effect; electrostatic and electromagnetic fields; reactive power; power factor; electrical length of conductors at UHF and microwave frequencies
- E6A: Semiconductor materials and devices: semiconductor materials; germanium, silicon, P-type, N-type; transistor types: NPN, PNP, junction, field-effect transistors: enhancement mode; depletion mode; MOS; CMOS; N-channel; P-channel
- E6B: Diodes
- E6C: Digital ICs: Families of digital ICs; gates; Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)
- E6D: Toroidal and Solenoidal Inductors: permeability, core material, selecting, winding; transformers; Piezoelectric devices
- E6E: Analog ICs: MMICs, CCDs, Device packages
- E6F: Optical components: photoconductive principles and effects, photovoltaic systems, optical couplers, optical sensors, and optoisolators; LCDs
- E7A: Digital circuits: digital circuit principles and logic circuits: classes of logic elements; positive and negative logic; frequency dividers; truth tables
- E7B: Amplifiers: Class of operation; vacuum tube and solid-state circuits; distortion and intermodulation; spurious and parasitic suppression; microwave amplifiers; switching-type amplifiers
- E7C: Filters and matching networks: types of networks; types of filters; filter applications; filter characteristics; impedance matching; DSP filtering
- E7D: Power supplies and voltage regulators; Solar array charge controllers
- E7E: Modulation and demodulation: reactance, phase and balanced modulators; detectors; mixer stages
- E7F: DSP filtering and other operations; Software Defined Radio Fundamentals; DSP modulation and demodulation
- E7G: Active filters and op-amp circuits: active audio filters; characteristics; basic circuit design; operational amplifiers
- E7H: Oscillators and signal sources: types of oscillators; synthesizers and phase-locked loops; direct digital synthesizers; stabilizing thermal drift; microphonics; high accuracy oscillators
- E8A: AC waveforms: sine, square, sawtooth and irregular waveforms; AC measurements; average and PEP of RF signals; Fourier analysis; Analog to digital conversion: Digital to Analog conversion
- E8B: Modulation and demodulation: modulation methods; modulation index and deviation ratio; frequency and time division multiplexing; Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
- E8C: Digital signals: digital communication modes; information rate vs bandwidth; error correction
- E8D: Keying defects and overmodulation of digital signals; digital codes; spread spectrum
- E9A: Basic Antenna parameters: radiation resistance, gain, beamwidth, efficiency, beamwidth; effective radiated power, polarization
- E9B: Antenna patterns: E and H plane patterns; gain as a function of pattern; antenna design
- E9C: Wire and phased array antennas: rhombic antennas; effects of ground reflections; e-off angles; Practical wire antennas: Zepps, OCFD, loops
- E9D: Directional antennas: gain; Yagi Antennas; losses; SWR bandwidth; antenna efficiency; shortened and mobile antennas; RF Grounding
- E9E: Matching: matching antennas to feed lines; phasing lines; power dividers
- E9F: Transmission lines: characteristics of open and shorted feed lines; 1/8 wavelength; 1/4 wavelength; 1/2 wavelength; feed lines: coax versus open-wire; velocity factor; electrical length; coaxial cable dielectrics; velocity factor
- E9G: The Smith chart
- E9H: Receiving Antennas: radio direction finding antennas; Beverage Antennas; specialized receiving antennas; longwire receiving antennas
- E0A: Safety: amateur radio safety practices; RF radiation hazards; hazardous materials; grounding
- E1A: Operating Standards: frequency privileges; automatic message forwarding; stations aboard ships or aircraft; power restriction on 630 and 2200 meter bands
- E1B: Station restrictions and special operations: restrictions on station location; general operating restrictions; spurious emissions; antenna structure restrictions; RACES operations
- E1C: Rules pertaining to automatic and remote control; band-specific regulations; operating in, and communicating with foreign countries; spurious emission standards; HF modulation index limit; bandwidth definition
- E1D: Amateur space and Earth stations; telemetry and telecommand rules; identification of balloon transmissions; one-way communications
- E1E: Volunteer examiner program: definitions; qualifications; preparation and administration of exams; accreditation; question pools; documentation requirements
- E1F: Miscellaneous rules: external RF power amplifiers; prohibited communications; spread spectrum; auxiliary stations; Canadian amateurs operating in the U.S.; special temporary authority; control operator of an auxiliary station
- E2A: Amateur radio in space: amateur satellites; orbital mechanics; frequencies and modes; satellite hardware; satellite operations
- E2B: Television practices: fast scan television standards and techniques; slow scan television standards and techniques
- E2C: Operating methods: contest and DX operating; remote operation techniques; Cabrillo format; QSLing; RF network connected systems
- E2D: Operating methods: VHF and UHF digital modes and procedures; APRS; EME procedures; meteor scatter procedures
- E2E: Operating methods: operating HF digital modes
- E3A: Electromagnetic waves; Earth-Moon-Earth communications; meteor scatter; microwave tropospheric and scatter propagation; aurora propagation; ionospheric propagation changes over the day; circular polarization
- E3B: Transequatorial propagation; long-path; grayline; ordinary and extraordinary waves; chordal hop; sporadic E mechanisms
- E3C: Radio horizon; ground wave; propagation prediction techniques and modeling; effects of space weather parameters on propagation
- E4A: Test equipment: analog and digital instruments; spectrum analyzers; antenna analyzers; oscilloscopes; RF measurements; computer-aided measurements
- E4B: Measurement technique and limitations: instrument accuracy and performance limitations; probes; techniques to minimize errors; measurement of Q; instrument calibration; S parameters; vector network analyzers
- E4C: Receiver performance characteristics: phase noise, noise floor, image rejection, MDS, signal-to-noise ratio, noise figure, reciprocal mixing; selectivity; effects of SDR receiver non-linearity; use of attenuators at low frequencies
- E4D: Receiver performance characteristics: blocking dynamic range; intermodulation and cross-modulation interference; third-order intercept; desensitization; preselector
- E4E: Noise suppression and interference: system noise; electrical appliance noise; line noise; locating noise sources; DSP noise reduction; noise blankers; grounding for signals; common mode currents
- E5A: Resonance and Q: characteristics of resonant circuits: series and parallel resonance; definitions and effects of Q; half-power bandwidth; phase relationships in reactive circuits
- E5B: Time constants and phase relationships: RL and RC time constants; phase angle in reactive circuits and components; admittance and susceptance
- E5C: Coordinate systems and phasors in electronics: Rectangular Coordinates; Polar Coordinates; Phasors
- E5D: AC and RF energy in real circuits: skin effect; electromagnetic fields; reactive power; power factor; electrical length of conductors at UHF and microwave frequencies; microstrip
- E6A: Semiconductor materials and devices: semiconductor materials; germanium, silicon, P-type, N-type; transistor types: NPN, PNP, junction, field-effect transistors: enhancement mode; depletion mode; MOS; CMOS; N-channel; P-channel
- E6B: Diodes
- E6C: Digital ICs: Families of digital ICs; gates; Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)
- E6D: Toroidal and Solenoidal Inductors: permeability, core material, selecting, winding; transformers; piezoelectric devices
- E6E: Analog ICs: MMICs, IC packaging characteristics
- E6F: Electro-optical technology: photoconductivity; photovoltaic devices; optical sensors and encoders; optical isolation
- E7A: Digital circuits: digital circuit principles and logic circuits; classes of logic elements; positive and negative logic; frequency dividers; truth tables
- E7B: Amplifiers: Class of operation; vacuum tube and solid-state circuits; distortion and intermodulation; spurious and parasitic suppression; microwave amplifiers; switching-type amplifiers
- E7C: Filters and matching networks: types of networks; types of filters; filter applications; filter characteristics; impedance matching; DSP filtering
- E7D: Power supplies and voltage regulators; Solar array charge controllers
- E7E: Modulation and demodulation: reactance, phase and balanced modulators; detectors; mixer stages
- E7F: DSP filtering and other operations; software defined radio fundamentals; DSP modulation and demodulation
- E7G: Active filters and op-amp circuits: active audio filters; characteristics; basic circuit design; operational amplifiers
- E7H: Oscillators and signal sources: types of oscillators; synthesizers and phase-locked loops; direct digital synthesizers; stabilizing thermal drift; microphonics; high-accuracy oscillators
- E8A: AC waveforms: sine, square, and irregular waveforms; AC measurements; average power and PEP of RF signals; Fourier analysis; analog to digital conversion: digital to analog conversion; advantages of digital communications
- E8B: Modulation and demodulation: modulation methods; modulation index and deviation ratio; frequency and time division multiplexing; Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
- E8C: Digital signals: digital communication modes; information rate vs. bandwidth; error correction
- E8D: Keying defects and overmodulation of digital signals; digital codes; spread spectrum
- E9A: Basic Antenna parameters: radiation resistance, gain, beamwidth, efficiency; effective radiated power
- E9B: Antenna patterns and designs: E and H plane patterns; gain as a function of pattern; antenna modeling
- E9C: Practical wire antennas; folded dipoles; phased arrays; effects of ground near antennas
- E9D: Yagi antennas; parabolic reflectors; circular polarization; loading coils; top loading; feedpoint impedance of electrically short antennas; antenna Q; RF grounding
- E9E: Matching: matching antennas to feed lines; phasing lines; power dividers
- E9F: Transmission lines: characteristics of open and shorted feed lines; coax versus open-wire; velocity factor; electrical length; coaxial cable dielectrics
- E9G: The Smith chart
- E9H: Receiving Antennas: radio direction finding antennas; Beverage antennas; specialized receiving antennas; long-wire receiving antennas
- E0A: Safety: RF radiation hazards; hazardous materials; grounding