Most ham operators (especially Technician class) use the 2‑meter band a lot, and repeaters on that band follow a common offset convention. There are three basic modes related to repeater offsets: positive offset, negative offset, and simplex.

• Positive offset: you transmit on a frequency higher than the one you listen to (the repeater listens on your transmit frequency and retransmits on the frequency you hear).
• Negative offset: you transmit on a frequency lower than the one you listen to.
• Simplex: transmit and receive on the same frequency (no offset).

On the 2‑meter band the standard repeater offset is plus or minus 600 kHz. For example, if you listen to 147.340 MHz with a positive offset, your transmit frequency will be 147.940 MHz (147.340 + 0.600). If you listen to 146.620 MHz with a negative offset, your transmit frequency will be 146.020 MHz (146.620 − 0.600).

Memory aids / mnemonics:

• "Bigger is smaller and/or smaller is bigger": the 2‑meter band (a longer wavelength) uses the smaller offset (600 kHz), while the 70‑cm band (shorter wavelength) uses the larger offset (5 MHz).

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The ARRL 2‑meter band plan designates 146.520 MHz as the National Simplex Calling Frequency. "Simplex" means transmitting and receiving on the same frequency, so calling on this frequency indicates you expect a reply on that same frequency.

The band plan is a voluntary coordination guideline published by organizations like the ARRL and is not part of the FCC Part 97 regulations, but it is widely followed so operators know where to listen for others calling on simplex.

Because the question asks specifically for the national calling frequency for FM simplex operations in the 2‑meter band, the correct frequency is the one designated as the National Simplex Calling Frequency: 146.520 MHz.

Memory aids:

• Remember "146.520 MHz" as the national simplex calling frequency for 2 meters.
• If you only remember part of it, recalling "146" is usually enough to pick the right answer on the exam.
• Rough check: half of 300 MHz is about 150 MHz, and 146.520 MHz is close to that, which fits the 2‑meter band.

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When using a repeater, duplex mode is used. Duplex uses two frequencies: one to listen (the repeater output, which you dial into your radio) and a different one to transmit (the repeater input). The offset is the frequency separation between those two frequencies — it tells your radio how far from the dialed frequency it must transmit.

In the 70-centimeter band the common repeater offset is 5 MHz. By contrast, the 2-meter band commonly uses a 600 kHz offset. So for 70 cm repeaters you typically transmit either 5 MHz above or 5 MHz below the frequency you are listening to, depending on the repeater convention.

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It's considered good practice to identify yourself when initiating a contact on a repeater. The simplest, most direct way is to say who you want to contact and then give your own call sign. For example: "NV7V, this is KD7BBC."

If you choose not to identify yourself in the initial call, the regulations require that you identify before you end the communication, change frequency, or within 10 minutes, so it's usually easier to just give both call signs up front. "CQ" is generally unnecessary on a repeater because repeaters are already a known meeting place and you can directly call the station you want. The word "break" is commonly reserved for requesting immediate or emergency attention and is not appropriate for an ordinary call.

Memory aids:

• Example phrasing: "[Their call sign], this is [your call sign]."
• If you don't ID immediately, you must identify before ending the contact, changing frequency, or within 10 minutes.
• Don't use "CQ" on a repeater — call the station directly.
• Use "break" only for emergency or priority traffic.

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When replying to a station that has called CQ, you should first show which station you are addressing and then identify yourself. That means send the other station's call sign followed by your own call sign.

You should not transmit "CQ" because that is used when you want to call anyone; in this case you are answering a specific call. You should also not send a signal report before identifying who you are and who you are sending the report to.

• Think of saying "Hey you, it's me."

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When you’re not on a repeater, you want to give people time to notice you tuning around the band.

That’s why the correct choice is the one where you:

Call “CQ” a few times, then say “this is” and your call sign, pause and listen, and repeat as needed.

On simplex, a short “this is W1ABC listening” might be over before anyone even lands on the frequency. That's fine on a repeater when it's a "well known" place for someone to be listening. A slightly longer call like:

“CQ, CQ, CQ, this is W1ABC, Whiskey One Alpha Bravo Charlie, calling CQ and standing by.”

…gives scanning operators a better chance to hear you and answer.

The other options either don’t use the standard “CQ” call, misuse Q-signals, or involve bad practice like sending an unmodulated carrier.

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A repeater is a ham radio station with Automatic Control that listens on one frequency (the receive frequency) and retransmits anything it receives on another frequency (the transmit frequency). The difference (distance) between those two frequencies is commonly referred to as the repeater offset. Commonly used bands have conventions for what this offset should be, and most commonly the offset is specified as simply positive (+) or negative (−) to indicate whether the repeater's input frequency is above or below its output frequency.

For example, if a repeater's output frequency is 147.34 MHz and it has a positive offset, you would listen to the repeater on 147.34 MHz (the repeater transmit/output frequency) and you would transmit to the repeater on the repeater's input frequency, which is higher by the offset amount.

Memory aids / common facts:

• On 2 meters the normal offset is 600 kHz (0.600 MHz).
• On 70 centimeters the normal offset is 5 MHz.
• Offset is often written as + or − to show whether the input frequency is above (+) or below (−) the repeater output frequency.

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Saying the letters "CQ" on the air is an indication that you're trying to call any station who might be listening. If you're doing this on the lower HF bands, you would say "CQ, CQ, CQ" followed by your callsign, and repeat this a few times to give other stations a chance to find and tune into your signal. If you're talking on VHF, UHF, or on a repeater, you can simply say "CQ" followed by your callsign once (for example, "CQ, this is KA1AAA"). Someone who hears your call may respond and begin a conversation.

History note: The term "CQ" comes from the early days of telegraphy and is derived from the French word "sécu," short for "sécurité" (security or safety). In radio use it has become a conventional signal meaning "calling any station," rather than carrying that literal meaning.

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Often you may want to indicate that you are listening on a repeater and available to talk without explicitly calling for a contact. On repeaters it is common and appropriate to simply say your station call sign, sometimes followed by the word "listening" (or similar words such as "monitoring" or "mobile"). This lets other stations know you are present on the frequency and available if someone wants to call you.

Repeater operation is generally less formal than HF operation. On HF, operators often use "CQ" to request a contact (and make longer calls so distant stations have a better chance to hear them). On repeaters, saying your call sign and "listening" is a more customary and polite way to indicate availability. "QSY" is a Q-code meaning a change of frequency, not a request for contact, so it would not be used to indicate you are simply listening on a repeater.

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A band plan is a voluntary guideline, developed by amateurs in a region, that recommends how different parts of an amateur band be used for specific modes or activities (voice, data, satellite, repeaters, etc.). The FCC rules establish what portions of the spectrum an operator is allowed to use and some specific restrictions, but band plans go beyond those legal privileges by organizing band activity to reduce interference and promote efficient use.

Some frequency uses are mandated by the FCC nationwide (for example, certain allocations for satellite communications or repeater inputs/outputs), while other allocations are determined locally by amateur organizations or by informal agreement among operators. Because these plans are voluntary they are sometimes called “gentleman agreements”; following them helps avoid conflicts with others using the band for the intended purposes.

For example, packet radio channel recommendations in some areas are set by ARRL or local groups rather than by FCC rule, and many clubs and regional organizations publish band plans showing the community-recommended frequency usage for each mode.

Memory aids:

• Band plans = voluntary guidelines for how to use parts of an amateur band
• Sometimes called “gentleman agreements”
• FCC sets legal privileges; band plans organize mode/activity usage within those privileges

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Simplex communication refers to a configuration in which transmitting and receiving occur on the same frequency. Because both directions share one frequency, the operator can either send or receive at any one time but cannot do both simultaneously. In amateur radio, simplex means a single frequency is used for both transmitting and receiving, making it the simplest form of two-way communication.

Memory aids:

• "Simplex = Simple" (same frequency, one at a time)
• Think "single" frequency for both transmit and receive

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