The Volunteer Monitoring Program is a program in which amateur volunteers are formally enlisted to monitor the airwaves for rules violations.

The Volunteer Monitoring Program was formerly the Amateur Auxiliary to the FCC and the Volunteer Monitors were referred to as the Amateur Auxiliary and also as Official Observers.

We are all responsible for monitoring our station and operations for compliance with FCC regulations. The Volunteer Monitors look out for any violations of safety, station frequency or power issues, interference conflicts, license privilege misuse and general conduct.

This is a way for the Amateur Service to act in a self-policing capacity.

For more info see Wikipedia: Amateur Auxiliary

Hint: Only one answer has the word "monitor" in it.

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(B). The objective of the Amateur Auxiliary is to work with amateur radio operators to encourage self regulation and compliance with the FCC rules. They monitor the amateur airways making sure that there are no issues/violations of license privilege, power or frequency use, safety practices and general station conduct. We are all responsible to monitor ourselves and make sure that we follow good engineering and courtesy practices and operate our stations according to FCC rules.

For more info see Wikipedia: Amateur Auxiliary

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(B). The Amateur Auxiliary will train by having competitions or practice sessions to perform hidden transmitter hunts, sometimes called "Fox Hunts." The purpose of these sessions is to learn direction finding skills, such as signal triangulation, to locate stations violating FCC Rules. The Amateur Auxiliary is a voluntary group sanctioned by the FCC as a "self-policing" organization for the Amateur Radio Service.

For more info see Wikipedia: Amateur Auxiliary

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An azimuthal projection map is a world map projection centered on a particular location. An example would be where the North pole is at the focus or center of the circular map, and lines project in a radial scale from this central point, such as degrees longitude out to the equivalent of the equator. The image would look as if you were looking straight down on the north pole from a point out in space. Any point on the globe may be used as the focus, with radial degrees of direction issuing from that central point. This type of map is useful for figuring out the shortest straight line path for a signal far across the globe.

A video that gives a great intuitive understanding of the problems of maps and projections is Why All Maps are Wrong.

Hint: "Azimuth" uses "bearings".

For more info see Wikipedia: Azimuthal (projections onto a plane)

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"CQ" is a term originally used with morse code by telegraph operators both in and outside of the amateur radio service to indicate that you are calling any station. The specific origin is unclear, but many theorize that it is a short-hand for "seek you", as it was (and is) common with morse code to have codes like that to convey common ideas succinctly. The term carried over to voice operations as well.

Calling CQ lets other stations know that you’re looking for other stations to respond/contact. By convention, you repeat it several times to make sure you are heard and then follow with your call sign so that stations who hear you know who to respond to.

Some think of it as "Contact Query". It may also have come from the french "c'est qui?" which means "Who's there?". At one time there was a standard for "CQD" to mean "CQ Distress" as a call for help, but that was later replaced with the simpler "SOS" call.

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Tags: arrl chapter 2 arrl module 4

(C). The most direct path or shortest straight path points directly from one station or point to a second station or point. This is usually the best way to point a directional antenna. The long-path is considered to be the direction directly opposite the short path, or 180 degrees from its short-path heading. Depending on atmospheric conditions and nearby interferences, this can sometimes provide a clearer signal transmission and reception.

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Tags: antenna directional antenna propagation arrl chapter 8 arrl module 34

While in theory any phonetic alphabet could be used to improve clarity, if everyone uses the same one it reduces confusion (people are less likely to misunderstand what is going on, for example). The NATO phonetic alphabet is the most widely used option.

Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog are part of the Allied Military phonetic alphabet from World War II

Adam, Boy, Charles, David are part of the legacy APCO radiotelephone alphabet

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta are part of the NATO phonetic alphabet

America, Boston, Canada, Denmark are part of the "DX' Alphabet

Hint. BRAVO you got it right!

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(D). It is always a good idea to keep station logs recording your contacts and operations. You are responsible for the good operations of your station. It is fun to keep a record of all the contact you have made (call signs, frequencies, and locations). You should also keep records of any safety or RF field strength studies, records of antenna gain, etc. These records will help with a reply if the FCC requests information about your station operations.

Refer to FCC Part: [97.103(b)]

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The only legal requirement is to identify per normal regulation. One can participate in a contest and submit no log, and QSL cards are not required.

Hint: You might be in a contest, but it’s best to act normal!

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Tags: arrl chapter 2 arrl module 4

CW uses Q codes as abbreviations for common statements or questions relating to signal transmission. The meaning of "QRP" is to "decrease your Power." So low power transmit operations are often referred to as QRP operation. It is always good practice to use the lowest power output level that will still allow successful transmission of the signal.

Note: Remember that the "P" in "QRP" refers to Power. You might also consider "QRP" as in "Reduced Power".

For more info see Wikipedia: QRP operation

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Thunderstorms in tropical areas cause high levels of static in summer. The noise from lightning strikes causes "static crashes" that can be heard on HF frequencies.

A simple memory device: Summer Storms result in Static

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