H. Ward Silver, N0AX
n0ax@arrl.net
Worse than the dreaded “word problem,” this April quiz is full of backward problems where I give the answer and you pick the problem. Or something like that. You’ll figure it out!
1) 9
a. The dB equivalent of a power ratio of 4.
b. The number of wavelengths traveled by a 7 MHz signal in 1.29 µs.
c. Value of SWR if a 337.5 Ω load is connected to 75 Ω coaxial cable….
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By H. Ward Silver, N0AX
n0ax@arrl.net
The great tradition of self-learning and mutual education is alive and well at the outset of Amateur Radio’s second century. The success of that tradition leans heavily on the books — and now websites — of amateurs willing to share their radio know-how with others. This month’s quiz touches on publications from yesterday and today, in honor of the many aut…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By H. Ward Silver, N0AX
n0ax@arrl.net
If there is a single unit of measurement beyond volts and amps that can be considered nearly ubiquitous in ham radio, it would have to be our friend, the dee-bee or dB. Key to computing values in dB is the logarithm, so this quiz also combines the two — are you ready? If dBs aren’t your cup of tea, the ARRL website contains a tutorial on decibels that may he…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By H. Ward Silver, N0AX
noax@arrl.net
Part 97.1 points out five bases and purposes of the Amateur Radio Service. The third principle — encouragement and improvement of the Amateur Service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art — has been a hallmark of the Amateur Radio Service from the beginning. This quiz lists a few of those …
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By H. Ward Silver, N0AX
n0ax@arrl.net
The fall and winter months are packed with contests for every taste: DX, domestic, single-band and specialty events of every stripe. Shake off a little rust with this quiz and get ready to put some QSOs in the log. Remember, too, if you’re not a contest aficionado, most major contests use only one mode and 12, 17 and 30 meters bands are entirely contest-free …
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By H. Ward Silver, N0AX
n0ax@arrl.net
Once the homebuilding bug bites, you’ll be using a whole new set of jargon: acronyms, color codes, numbering conventions, parameters, measurements and more. Here are some questions about the many interesting methods — and short-cuts — we use to describe our electronic components.
1) Which sequence represents the resistor color code?
a) OBAFGKM
b) BBROYGBVGW
c…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By H. Ward Silver, N0AX
n0ax@arrl.net
You’ll have to work extra hard on this quiz because it’s not a “multiple guess.” Some answers may require a little calculation, some may require exercising the memory banks — and all will require a little head scratching.
1. Where would you tune for a signal that has the same numeric value of frequency in MHz and wavelength in meters?
2. In Hawaii, KH6, to whi…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By H. Ward Silver, N0AX
n0ax@arrl.net
Spring marks the transition of the contest seasons, as the big DX contests give way to summer’s domestic and VHF+ activity. See if you’re ready to put some QSOs in your log with radiosport recreation in these April, May, and June on-the-air events! To help you complete the quiz, you can find contest calendars on the ARRL website and the WA7BNM Contest Calenda…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources