Retro Ham Radio

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Date:

Instructions: CQ CQ! How well do you remember the golden age of amateur (ham) radio from the 1940s through the 1980s?

1.
What does the common ham radio call 'CQ' mean?
A
Clear Quiet
B
Calling any station — seeking contact
C
Come Quick
D
Code Question
2.
What government agency issued amateur radio licenses in the United States?
A
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
B
The Department of Defense
C
The FAA
D
The Department of Commerce
3.
What type of code did ham radio operators traditionally need to learn to get their license?
A
Morse code
B
ASCII code
C
Semaphore code
D
Binary code
4.
What was a 'QSL card' in ham radio?
A
A frequency allocation chart
B
A written confirmation of a radio contact, often exchanged by mail
C
A license renewal notice
D
A repair service voucher
5.
What was the common name for the room or space where a ham radio operator kept their equipment?
A
The signal room
B
The broadcast booth
C
The shack
D
The radio den
6.
Which popular ham radio manufacturer, known for its 'S-line' series, was a favorite among operators in the 1960s?
A
Collins Radio
B
Yaesu
C
Heathkit
D
Kenwood
7.
What did many ham radio hobbyists build from kits sold by Heathkit?
A
Only power supplies
B
Only antennas
C
Complete radio transceivers and accessories
D
Only microphones
8.
What is 'DX' in ham radio terminology?
A
A type of antenna
B
An emergency frequency
C
A digital transmission mode
D
Long-distance communication, especially with foreign countries
9.
What atmospheric phenomenon allowed ham radio operators to communicate over much longer distances than normal?
A
Ionospheric skip (skywave propagation)
B
Wind patterns
C
Magnetic storms
D
Solar flares only
10.
What was the entry-level ham radio license class called in the United States for many years?
A
Beginner Class
B
Starter Class
C
Basic Class
D
Novice Class
11.
What does the term 'rag chewing' mean in ham radio?
A
Fixing a broken microphone
B
Having a long, casual conversation
C
Testing antenna equipment
D
Sending Morse code at high speed
12.
Which organization, founded in 1914, is the national association for amateur radio operators in the U.S.?
A
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
B
The Citizens Band Association
C
The National Radio Club
D
The Ham Radio Federation
13.
What publication, produced by the ARRL, was considered the 'bible' of ham radio?
A
The ARRL Handbook
B
Amateur Radio Weekly
C
Radio World
D
QST Magazine only
14.
What did ham radio operators call the annual event where they set up portable stations to practice emergency communications?
A
Signal Sprint
B
Radio Rally
C
Field Day
D
Ham Fest
15.
What common greeting did ham operators use, short for '73,' at the end of a contact?
A
Best regards
B
Good luck
C
Goodbye forever
D
Over and out

Answer Key

Question 1

B. Calling any station — seeking contact

Question 2

A. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission)

Question 3

A. Morse code

Question 4

B. A written confirmation of a radio contact, often exchanged by mail

Question 5

C. The shack

Question 6

A. Collins Radio

Question 7

C. Complete radio transceivers and accessories

Question 8

D. Long-distance communication, especially with foreign countries

Question 9

A. Ionospheric skip (skywave propagation)

Question 10

D. Novice Class

Question 11

B. Having a long, casual conversation

Question 12

A. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL)

Question 13

A. The ARRL Handbook

Question 14

C. Field Day

Question 15

A. Best regards

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