Foundation Licence

WIA Amateur Radio
Foundation Level Online Assessment

Check your knowledge - Instant results

This online assessment has been made available for prospective amateurs studying for their Foundation level licence.

For the best outcome we strongly recommend you purchase a copy of "Your Entry Into Amateur Radio" the foundation licence study manual Rev 3, accessible in the Left Hand menu or by clicking this Link.

Each question in this assessment carries equal marks.
Questions must be answered by clicking the button associated with the correct answer for each question.
You have 30 minutes to complete this Amateur Radio Foundation Level online assessment.
The questions are selected at random from a pool of questions.
The order of the answers for each question have been randomised.
Exam questions are © Wireless Institute of Australia (September 2020)
Copyright in this material is owned by the Wireless Institute of Australia (‘WIA’). All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Copyrights Act 1968 you must not reproduce, adapt, publish, distribute or commercialise this material without the express written permission of the WIA. This material must not be transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or translated to any human or computer language without written permission. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be directed to the WIA.

1. One reason why the transmission line impedance is matched to the antenna impedance is to:-

a) reverse standing waves on the transmission line

b) reduce standing waves on the transmission line

c) capture standing waves on the transmission line

d) increase standing waves on the transmission line

2. The diagram below that closely represents output of a sinewave oscillator is:-

a) diagram C

b) diagram D

c) diagram B

d) diagram A

3. A Foundation Licence will permit you to communicate by radio with other radio amateurs:-

a) and transmit entertainment materials provided it is not copyright

b) and send them amateur slow scan television pictures

c) operating in any amateur band and mode provided you announce that that is your intention

d) using all modes including Telephony or Morse code

4. After an electric shock, and the power has been isolated, a person is found to have stopped breathing and to have no pulse, you should apply CPR and call emergency services, but first:-

a) check the mains voltage

b) ring the power company

c) look for the cause of the shock

d) clear the patients airway

5. Interference to a neighbours television equipment by amateur transmissions has been identified; mains conducted interference has been dismissed as the problem. The most likely cause is:-

a) ionospheric refraction

b) a high level of sun spots

c) damp atmospheric conditions

d) pick up by the television set through its antenna

6. What does ARPANSA the abbreviation for?

a) Australian Radio Products and National Space Antennas

b) Australian Rescue Personnel and National Safety Association

c) Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

d) Australian Radio Producers and Noise Screening Abatement

7. An amateur transceiver that is being over modulated by an excessive audio signal may result in:-

a) an increase in the distance the signal may travel

b) the house lights dimming

c) a hum in the receiver speaker

d) interference to broadcast radio and television reception

8. The primary intent of Amateur radio is to facilitate:-

a) large network of skilled radio listeners

b) a recreational hobby in radiocommunications

c) weather warnings to ships at sea

d) prevent the need for using the public telephone system

9. The primary purpose of a good RF Earth at an amateur station is:-

a) reduce mains shock hazard

b) to act as a safety backup should the mains earth become open circuit

c) to bypass any reflected transmitter RF power to earth

d) to bypass RF currents to ground and minimise interference

10. From the following chart, what is considered to be the audio frequency range:-

a) 3 Hz to 300 Hz

b) 1.5 Hz to 20 Hz

c) 15 Hz to 20 kHz

d) 300 Hz to 3 kHz

11. Amateur radio operators must operate:-

a) within the television bands

b) within the AM broadcast band

c) within the FM broadcast band

d) within the allocated amateur bands

12. The reason why mains operated transmitters are earthed is to:-

a) discharge static build up

b) reduce the likelihood of electric shock

c) allow for a fuse to be inserted in the yellow/green lead

d) to provide a ground plane for the transmitter

13. It is a condition of the Foundation Licence that, if you change your postal address, you must:-

a) broadcast your new address on the bands before you move

b) advise the local council that you are removing your antennas

c) notify the ACMA

d) notify the WIA

14. The transmitter power allowed by a foundation station using AM is:-

a) half the power of that permitted for single sideband

b) zero watts as a foundation station is not permitted to use AM

c) the same as for FM, that is, 10 watts pX

d) an average power of 12 watts

15. Antennas and antenna fittings most importantly must be kept clear of:-

a) trees and shrubs

b) the roof of the house

c) neighbours fences

d) power poles and lines

16. Comparing a directional antenna and a non-directional type, the directional antenna is said to have:-

a) loss

b) high feed point impedance

c) gain

d) more use

17. When making Amateur band transmissions on SSB:-

a) the carrier frequency should remain inside the amateur bands

b) the centre of the transmission should be no more then 1.5 kHz from the band edge

c) they must be wholly within the amateur bands

d) the lowest part of the upper sideband must be wholly within the amateur band

18. Radio amateurs can only communicate with other radio amateurs except

a) to answer an urgent radio call

b) to transmit a weather warning to shipping

c) relay messages at a sporting event

d) when instructed to do so by a full call licenced radio amateur.

19. To resolve neighbourhood EMC problems caused by an amateur station requires:-

a) the police to be called

b) diplomacy

c) larger fences to keep neighbours out

d) a new transmitter

20. If interference to other radio services is being generated by a Foundation station, the Foundation station licensee must:-

a) surrender the station licence to the Australian Communications and Media Authority

b) cease all transmissions

c) deny responsibility and keep operating

d) advise a full-call operator

21. Interference to a neighbours television is occurring when you are transmitting. Interference via the TV antenna and power leads have been eliminated. The most likely cause is:-

a) direct pickup by the electronics inside the TV

b) the neighbours electrical mains acting as an antenna

c) ghosting

d) harmonic interference

22. Long distance HF communication relies on propagation by:-

a) line of sight

b) ionospheric refraction

c) knife edge diffraction

d) tropospheric ducting

23. To carry out any 230/240V AC mains related activity, it is necessary to:-

a) use insulated tools and keep unlicensed persons out of the room

b) wear rubber gloves

c) comply with relevant regulations regarding who is authorised to wire and test mains equipment

d) stand on an insulated mat

24. The strength of ionospheric ionisation and its ability to refract radio signals is dependent on:-

a) the gain of the antenna, weather, and transmitter power

b) temperature inversion

c) electrical storm activity

d) the time of day, solar activity, and frequency of operation

25. A transmitter that is improperly adjusted may:-

a) cause interference only on other amateur radio bands

b) allow cross band operation

c) cause interference only during daylight hours

d) cause interference inside and/or outside amateur radio bands