SPECIAL TOPICS – WAVE PROPAGATION:

1. Ground waves are most effective:

a. below about 2 MHz c. at microwave frequencies
b. above about 20 MHz d. when using horizontally polarized waves
ANS: A
2. Radio waves sometimes "bend" around a corner because of:
a. reflection c. refraction
b. diffusion d. diffraction
ANS: D
3. Space waves are:
a. line-of-sight
b. reflected off the ionosphere
c. same as sky waves
d. radio waves used for satellite communications
ANS: A
4. Sky waves:
a. are line-of-sight
b. "bounce" off the ionosphere
c. are same as space waves
d. are radio waves used for satellite communications
ANS: B
5. Sky waves cannot be "heard":
a. close to the transmitter c. in the "silent" zone
b. far from the transmitter d. in the "skip" zone
ANS: D
6. A 20-dB reduction in the strength of a radio wave due to reflection is called:
a. fading c. frequency diversity
b. diffraction d. spatial diversity
ANS: A
7. The troposphere is the:
a. highest layer of the atmosphere c. lowest layer of the atmosphere
b. middle layer of the atmosphere d. the most ionized layer of the atmosphere
ANS: C
8. Radio waves are ____________________ electromagnetic waves.
ANS: transverse
9. The propagation speed of radio waves in free space is ____________________ m/sec.
ANS: 300 106
10. Unlike sound or water waves, radio waves do not need a ____________________ to travel through.
ANS: medium
11. Waves from an ____________________ source radiate equally in all directions.
ANS: isotropic
12. The wavefront of a point source would have the shape of a ____________________.
ANS: sphere
13. The polarization of a radio wave is the direction of its ____________________ field.
ANS: electric
14. The electric field of a radio wave is ____________________ to its magnetic field.
ANS: perpendicular
15. Both the electric and magnetic fields of a radio wave are ____________________ to its propagation
direction.
ANS: perpendicular
16. With ____________________ polarization, the direction of a radio wave's electric field rotates as it
travels through space.
ANS: circular
17. The watts per square meter of a radio wave ____________________ as the wave-front moves through
space.
ANS: decrease
18. ____________________ is the "bending" of radio waves as they travel across the boundary between
two different dielectrics.
ANS: Refraction
19. The process of ____________________ makes radio waves appear to "bend around a corner".
ANS: diffraction
20. ____________________ waves travel from transmitter to receiver in a "line-of-sight" fashion.
ANS: Space
21. ____________________ waves are vertically polarized radio waves that travel along the earth's
surface.
ANS: Ground
22. ____________________ waves are radio waves that "bounce off" the ionosphere due to refraction.
ANS: Sky
23. The ____________________ zone is a region where sky waves cannot be received.
ANS: skip
24. The "fast fading" seen in mobile communications is caused by ____________________ waves
interfering with direct waves.
ANS: reflected
25. A certain dielectric has permittivity of 6.3 10–10 F/m and the same permeability as free space. What
is the characteristic impedance of that dielectric?
ANS:
45 ohms
26. If a point source of radio waves transmits 1 watt, what is the power density 10,000 meters from the
source?
ANS:
796 pW/m2
27. What power must a point-source of radio waves transmit so that the power density at 3000 meters
from
the source is 1 W/m2?
ANS:
113 watts
28. If a radio receiver needs 1 nW/m2 of power density to function, how far away from a 1-watt point
source
will it continue to work?
ANS:
8.9 km
29. A line-of-sight radio link over flat terrain needs to use antenna towers 50 km apart. What,
approximately, is the minimum height for the towers assuming all the towers are the same?
ANS:
37 eters

30. The electric field intensity is measured in:

a. V/m b. V-m c. C/m d. V/C

31. The maximum horizontal distance between the transmitter and the receiver for line of sight
propagation is known as:

a. radio horizon b. range c. single hop distance d. service region

32. The electric field is perpendicular to the earth’s surface, the polarization is:

a. vertical b. normal c. horizontal d. circular

33. In what major RF band is ground wave basically applied?

a. MF b. HF c. VHF d. UHF

34. The highest frequency that can be set back to earth by the ionosphere, if wave is sent vertically
upward.

a. maximum usable frequency (muf) b.propagating frequency

c. critical frequency d. cut-off frequency

35. Travel in a straight line from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

a. ground wave b. scatter c. space wave d. sky wave

36. It is the distance between two wave fronts having the same phase at any given instant.

a. wavefront b. wavelength c. wave distance d. field intensity

37 A wave that is characterized by having its direction of propagation perpendicular to its oscillation is known as

a. Isotropic

b. Transverse

c. Polarized

d. Refractive

38 Which is not an effect of our environment on wave propagation?

a. Radiation

b. Reflection

c. Refraction

d. Diffraction

39 A point in space that radiates electromagnetic energy equally in all directions is called
 a. Transverse

b. Isotropic point source

c. Omnisphere

d. Shadow zone

40 The process of waves, which traveling in straight paths, bending around an obstacle is

a. Radiation

b. Reflection

c. Refraction

d. Diffraction

41 Which is not one of the basic modes of getting a radio wave from the transmitting to receiving antenna?

a. Ground wave

b. Shadow wave

c. Space wave

d. Satellite link

42 The type of wave that is most affected by the D, E, and F layers of the ionosphere is:

a. Ground wave

b. Space wave

c. Sky wave

d. Satellite

43 The largest frequency that will be returned to earth when transmitted vertically under given ionospheric conditions is called the
 a. Critical frequency

b. Maximum usable frequency (MUF)

c. Optimum working frequency (OWF)

d. Skip zone

44 The characteristic impedance of free space is

a. Not known

b. Infinite

c. 50

d. 377

45. The maximum horizontal distance between the transmitter and the receiver for line of sight
propagation is known as:
a. radio horizon b. range c. single hop distance d. service region

46. The electric field is perpendicular to the earth’s surface, the polarization is:
a. vertical b. normal c. horizontal d. circular

47. In what major RF band is ground wave basically applied?

a. MF b. HF c. VHF d. UHF

48. The highest frequency that can be set back to earth by the ionosphere, if wave is sent vertically
upward.
a. maximum usable frequency (muf)b.propagating frequency
c. critical frequency d. cut-off frequency

49. Travel in a straight line from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

a. ground waveb. scatter c. space wave d. sky wave

50. It is the distance between two wave fronts having the same phase at any given instant.
a. wavefront b. wavelength c. wave distance d. field intensity
51. Determine the wavelength of a 4 GHz signal.
SOL’N:
c
=λ
f
ANS: 0.075m
 52. PROBLEM: A radio station operates at 11 meter wavelength. What is the
designated band of station’s frequency?
SOL’N:
c = 3 x 108 m/sec
λ = 11 m = c / f
f = 3 x 108 / 11 = 27 MHz approx., which is within 3 – 30 MHz range designated
as HF band

ANS: HF

53. PROBLEM: What is the total radio horizon distance between an 80 ft

transmitting station and a 20 ft receiving station?
SOL’N:
dRH (TOT) = sqrt (2 x hT) + sqrt (2 x hR)
dRH (TOT) = sqrt (2 x 80) + sqrt (2 x 20)
dRH (TOT) = 18.97 mi

ANS: 18.97 mi

54. PROBLEM: A power density of 1.57 x 10-4 W/m2 is measured 50 meters from a
test antenna whose directive gain is 2.15 dB. How much power was fed into the
test antenna?
SOL’N:
From Inverse Square Law, PD = PR/4πd2
PR = PD x 4πd2 = 1.57 x 10-4 x 4π(50)2 = 4.93 W approx. is the radiated power
GANT = log-1 [2.15 dB/10] = 1.64
PR = PFED x GANT
PFED = PR / GANT = 4.93 / 1.64 = 3.007 W or 3 W approx.

ANS: 3 W

55. PROBLEM: Determine the radio horizon for a transmit antenna that is 200 m
high and a receiving antenna that is 100 m high
SOL’N:
D = √ 17ht + √ 17hr
D = √ 17(200) + √ 17(100)
D = 99.5 km

ANS: 99.5km
 56. Variation in signal loss caused by natural weather disturbances.

a. attenuation b. fading c. spreading loss d. weather loss

57. The height above the earth’s surface from which a refracted wave appears to have been reflected…

a. actual height b. virtual height c. average height d. mean height

58. Electromagnetic waves that are directed above the horizon level.

a. ground waves b. surface waves c. sky waves d. space waves

59. A radio communication link is to be established via the ionosphere. The maximum virtual height of the
layer is 110 km. at the midpoint of the path and the critical frequency is 4 MHz. If the distance between
the radio stations is 500 km, what is the suitable value for the optimum working frequency? Use flat
terrain analysis.

.
a. 8.2 MHz b. 8.3 MHz c. 8.4 MHz d. 8.5 MHz

For flat terrain analysis, tan i = d/2hv

i = tan-1 [d/2hv] = tan-1 [500/2(110)] = tan-1 [2.273] = 66.25° angle of incidence
MUF = fc x sec i = fc / cos i = 4 / cos 66.25° = 4 / 0.40275 = 9.932 MHz via Secant Law
OWF = 0.85 x MUF = 0.85 (9.932) = 8.4422 MHz or 8.4 MHz approx.

60. The lowest portion of the ionosphere that is useful for long-distance communication by amateurs;
about 100 to 115 km above the earth is known as the… layer. This is often termed as the Kennely-
Heavyside layer.

.
a. D b. E c. F1 d. F2

61. A graph which shows the radiation in actual field strength of electromagnetic fields at all points which
are at equal distance from the antenna is known as…

.
a. Frequency Response a. Smith Chart

a. Radiation Pattern a. FCC F(50,50) Graph

62. What should be done to increase the transmission distance at frequencies higher than HF bands?

.
 a. increase antenna gain a. increase transmitter power

b. increase antenna height b. increase receiver sensitivity

63. A radio station operates at 11 meter wavelength. What is the designated band of station’s frequency?

.
a. MF b. HF c. VHF d. UHF

c = 3 x 108 m/sec
λ = 11 m = c / f
f = 3 x 108 / 11 = 27 MHz approx., which is within 3 – 30 MHz range designated as HF band

64. What is the total radio horizon distance between an 80 ft transmitting station and a 20 ft receiving
station?

.
b. 53.66 mi c. 18.97 km d. 18.97 mi
a. 53.66 km

dRH (TOT) = sqrt (2 x hT) + sqrt (2 x hR)

dRH (TOT) = sqrt (2 x 80) + sqrt (2 x 20)
dRH (TOT) = 18.97 mi

65. A power density of 1.57 x 10-4 W/m2 is measured 50 meters from a test antenna whose directive gain
is 2.15 dB. How much power was fed into the test antenna?

.
a. 1 W b. 2 W c. 3 W d. 4 W

From Inverse Square Law, PD = PR/4πd2

PR = PD x 4πd2 = 1.57 x 10-4 x 4π(50)2 = 4.93 W approx. is the radiated power
GANT = log-1 [2.15 dB/10] = 1.64
PR = PFED x GANT
PFED = PR / GANT = 4.93 / 1.64 = 3.007 W or 3 W approx.

66. ________________ means that the characteristics and performance of an antenna are the same
whether the antenna is radiating or intercepting an electromagnetic signal.

a. antenna reciprocity b. antenna polarization

c. antenna grounding d. tower sway

67. The electric and magnetic fields of a radio wave are:

a. perpendicular to each other c. both a and b
b. perpendicular to the direction of travel d. none of the above
ANS: C
68. TEM stands for:
a. Transverse Electromagnetic c. True Electromagnetic
b. Transmitted Electromagnetic d. none of the above
ANS: A
69. In free space, radio waves travel at a speed of:
a. 3 106 meters per second c. 3 106 miles per second
b. 300 106 meters per second d. 300 106 miles per second
ANS: B
70. Which is a possible polarization for an electromagnetic wave:
a. vertical c. circular
b. horizontal d. all of the above
ANS: D

WAVE PROPAGATION

1. What type of radio propagation where signals travel along the surface of the earth?
a. Knife Edge b. ground wave c. E-layer d. Line of Sight
2. What is the thickest layer of the ionosphere?
a. D b. E c. F2 d. F1
3. When the transmitting and receiving antennas are line of sight with each other, the mode of
propagation is ____ wave.
a. Space or direct b. sky c. surface d. ground
4. The lowest layer in the ionosphere.
a. D b. E c. F1 d. F2
5. Distance traveled by a wave in the time of one cycle.
a. Crest b. frequency c. wavelength d. hop
6. Circular polarization is used to counter
a. Faraday’s rotation b. wave propagation c. antenna radiation d. density of ionization
7. The velocity of the signal in air is 140 and becomes 100 as it passes through another medium.
What is the index of refraction of the second medium.
a. 1.4 b. 0.715 c. 1.33 d. 1.5
8. It is defined as the upper portion of the atmosphere which absorbs large quantities of radiant
energy from the sun, becoming heated and ionized.
a. Troposcatter b. stratosphere c. ionosphere d. LOS
9. Any small element of space in the path of a wave can be considered as a source of secondary
wavelets.
a. Faraday’s Law c. Fresnel’s Law of Optics
b. Huygen’s Principle d. De Morgan’s Principle
10. An antenna is to be installed to receive a LOS wave transmitted from an antenna located at a
distance of 40 miles from this installation and which is 500 ft. in height. Determine the necessary
height for the receiving antenna.
a. 35 ft b. 100 ft c. 220 ft d. 500 ft
11. Line of sight communications is not a factor in which frequency range?
a. UHF b. HF c. SHF d. Microwave
12. The intrinsic impedance of free space is
a. 1 ohm b. 4pi ohms c. 120 pi ohms d. 3 x 10 exp8 ohms
13. In the HF range, the received signals are mainly by
a. Ground waves b. Sky waves c. Space waves d. supperrefraction
14. A law of refraction in wave propagation
a. Huygen’s principle b. Snell’s Law c. Faraday’s Law d. Maxwell’s Equation
15. A law of diffraction in wave propagation
a. Huygen’s principle b. Snell’s Law c. Faraday’s Law d. Maxwell’s Equation

16. A zone of silence in wave propagation

a. Skip zone b. skip distance c. troposcatter d. superrefraction
17. A power density of 1.57 x 10exp -4 w/sq.m. is measured 50 m from a test antenna whose
directive gain is 2.15 dB. How much power was fed to the test antenna?
a. 1w b. 2w c. 3w d. 4w
18. The field strength of a free space signal is measured as 2 uV/m at a distance of 85,000 km. What
is the transmitter power?
a. 563 w b. 600 w c. 963 w d. 1000w
19. What is the change in the power density when the distance from the source increases by a
factor of 4?
a. ½ b. ¼ c. 1/8 d. 1/16
20. Line of sight is limited by the earth’s curvature with radio horizon equal to ____ of the optical
horizon.
a. 5/3 b. 3/5 c. 4/3 d. ¾
21. What is the field that encircles the antenna and perpendicular to it?
a. Magnetic B. Electric c. Inductive d. Field of Rotation
22. The electric field is always ____ to the antenna wire.
a. Parallel b. perpendicular c. not related d. 45 degrees pointed
23. It is the fluctuation in signal strength at a receiver and may be rapid or slow, general or
frequency selective.
a. Noise b. Fading c. Intermodulation d. Interference
24. Given MUF as 7050 kHz, critical angle is 35 degrees, what is the critical frequency of this sky
wave signal?
a. 7.43 MHz b. 5.775 MHz c. 6.5 MHz d. 7.05 MHz
25. What is the radio horizon distance between a 150 ft transmitting station and 70 ft receiving
station?
a. 29.15 km b. 29.15 mi c. 82.46 mi d. 82.46 km