Radio Exam Tips?

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:20 am

Any tips for studying the radio exam?

fingersmac · Post by **fingersmac** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:54 am

just read over this guide several times:

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet ... /ric21.pdf

the exam itself is pretty easy but watch out for the trick questions..

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:01 am

fingersmac wrote:just read over this guide several times:

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet ... /ric21.pdf

the exam itself is pretty easy but watch out for the trick questions..

Got the guide, thanks. And read the applicable section in From The Ground Up, too. Just wondered if there were particular items to drill into my head.

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:22 am

Apparently "Roger dodger, 10-4, over and out, good buddy." Is unacceptable. Did that with an instructor once, and got a REAL dirty look.

(It was worth it though!

)

That's probably the easiest written test you'll ever do. Good luck!

-istp

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:55 am

istp wrote:Apparently "Roger dodger, 10-4, over and out, good buddy." Is unacceptable. Did that with an instructor once, and got a REAL dirty look.

(It was worth it though! )

That's probably the easiest written test you'll ever do. Good luck!

-istp

Yeah, I laughed out loud when reading "Abolutely no CB talk allowed!"

Breaker, breaker, good buddies. Looks like we got ourselves a mayday here. Put the hammer down and get smokey out here willya?

ScudRunner · Post by **ScudRunner** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:14 pm

You have to work on your Captains voice with the long drawn out speech

aaaaaaah roger check that

dangerous · Post by **dangerous** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:32 pm

Some schools don't even give a formal radio exam. They just make sure that you demonstrate proper use of the radio before going solo. I think this is a pretty good way of doing it. Of course, you won't cover all the radio lingo before solo. For example, not everyone gets the chance to do a MAYDAY call, but this kind of thing can be simulated without pressing the PTT button. Bottom line is it's an easy exam and is usally just 'corrected to 100%' anyways.

Wasn't Me · Post by **Wasn't Me** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:04 pm

Roger, over , wilco , over and out and I forgot - ten four -

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:53 pm

dangerous wrote:Some schools don't even give a formal radio exam. They just make sure that you demonstrate proper use of the radio before going solo. I think this is a pretty good way of doing it. Of course, you won't cover all the radio lingo before solo. For example, not everyone gets the chance to do a MAYDAY call, but this kind of thing can be simulated without pressing the PTT button. Bottom line is it's an easy exam and is usally just 'corrected to 100%' anyways.

Umm, then how exactly do you get your radio licence if you haven't done and passed the government exam?

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:00 pm

Toronto Guy:

My ATPL has the radio operator license printed on the back, it was part of the licence. And my instrument rating required the ability to read morse code.

Cat

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:20 pm

Cat Driver wrote:Toronto Guy:

My ATPL has the radio operator license printed on the back, it was part of the licence. And my instrument rating required the ability to read morse code.

Cat

Hmmm. Well, I'm doing just the PPL and doing the written exam's part of the requirements.

cessnafloatflyer · Post by **cessnafloatflyer** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:21 pm

Morse Code??? Yikes!! You have been around for a long time!!!

ski_bum · Post by **ski_bum** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:26 pm

We as pilot should ban togeather and use trucker talk on the radio. It would make communications so much more fun.

http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/1608/page2.htm

dangerous · Post by **dangerous** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:00 pm

Hey Toronto Guy, Any radio exam I've seen (and I've seen a few) is not a government exam. It is an exam that's made up by the flight school and administered locally. Then it's corrected to 100% with the instructor. It's even more informal than the PSTAR because the exam doesn't even have to get sent to TC. So like I say, some schools just have the mindset that if you can operate the radio, you can get a radio license with no written exam. I don't know if it's perfectly legal, but I do know that it works and that some schools do it. Hope this helps. Good luck!

sakism · Post by **sakism** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:08 pm

TorontoGuy wrote:Umm, then how exactly do you get your radio licence if you haven't done and passed the government exam?

There is no government issued exam. The flight school is free to make the exam whatever they want - it can be oral, it can be written, it can be a combination, it can be after an informal discussion.

As such there is also no pass mark - so you probably won't fail it. Whatever you get wrong should be corrected by your instructor and then you should be issued the licence.

Unfortunately, for the same reasons, we can't give good advice on what to study. The Study Guide for sure - and probably the Radio Communication section of "From the Ground Up" - but other than that it really could be anything. In our school we ask questions realated to our aerodrome and our specific avionics along with the general stuff.

It isn't even issued by Transport Canada - it's issued by Industry Canada.

l_reason · Post by **l_reason** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 6:43 am

When I was instructor a few years ago (2001) at a new school I wanted to be able to hand out the radio licences. I called up the industry Canada Gov office in Bellville and they sent me a stack of carbon copy type of temporary permits. They told me to fill them out just like the example, then mail them in. It was left up to me and he school to decide what I wanted to make them do to show they were competent on the radio.
P

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 6:48 am

TorontoGuy, just promise you won't start EVERY radio transmission with the word "And..."

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:03 am

It has been correctly pointed out here that your exam for your Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Permit can consist of ANYTHING the examiner wishes it to be.

I happen to be such an examiner. What I want a person to know before I will issue a permit:

1) recite ICAO alphabet (alpha, bravo ....)

2) every radio call consists of the "four W's":

Who you're talking to
Who you are
Where you are
What you're going to do

What do we say at this airport before we backtrack? Takeoff? On Downwind? Final?

3) how to declare emergency? How to cancel emergency? What's this "pan" thing? What's special about 121.5? What does an ELT sound like? When can you test it? What do you do with an ELT before you transport it to the shop for yearly re-cert?

4) call I dial in (eg) the freq 132.42 or 132.47 into all radios? Why not? On radios that I can dial in a 2 or 7, how do I do it?

5) call I dial in frequencies from 136 to 137 Mhz into all radios? Why not?

6) what causes that "squeal" I hear on the radio sometimes?

7) what's a squelch?

what's a "stuck mike"?

9) should you talk quickly or slowly when transmitting?

9) what should NOT be transmitted on the radio (trick question).

The above is what you NEED to know, to competently operate an aircraft radio. I am sure that many of your FTU's will not test you on the material above, and will test you on different material.

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:35 am

So I just phoned my flight school. The exam they use is issued by Industry Canada. Pass mark is 70%. Examining duty is delegated to the school. When a student has passed the exam, the school can issue a radio permit.

Purely out of curiosity, I then called Industry Canada. The guy wasn't sure who sets the radio exam. They're getting back to me on that.

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:38 am

Hedley wrote:It has been correctly pointed out here that your exam for your Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Permit can consist of ANYTHING the examiner wishes it to be.

I happen to be such an examiner. What I want a person to know before I will issue a permit:

1) recite ICAO alphabet (alpha, bravo ....)

2) every radio call consists of the "four W's":

Who you're talking to
Who you are
Where you are
What you're going to do

What do we say at this airport before we backtrack? Takeoff? On Downwind? Final?

3) how to declare emergency? How to cancel emergency? What's this "pan" thing? What's special about 121.5? What does an ELT sound like? When can you test it? What do you do with an ELT before you transport it to the shop for yearly re-cert?

4) call I dial in (eg) the freq 132.42 or 132.47 into all radios? Why not? On radios that I can dial in a 2 or 7, how do I do it?

5) call I dial in frequencies from 136 to 137 Mhz into all radios? Why not?

6) what causes that "squeal" I hear on the radio sometimes?

7) what's a squelch?

what's a "stuck mike"?

9) should you talk quickly or slowly when transmitting?

9) what should NOT be transmitted on the radio (trick question).

The above is what you NEED to know, to competently operate an aircraft radio. I am sure that many of your FTU's will not test you on the material above, and will test you on different material.

Thanks a bunch. Indeed some of that isn't covered in the study guide.

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:20 am

Bonus questions:

11) What is DRCO?

12) Is it possible to transmit on one frequency, and receive on another (hint: VOR).

13) What is the range of your VHF comm at 1,000 feet? Why?

14) Do you need a Restricted RadioTelephone operator's permit to transmit on a handheld? How about to receive?

15) Why do handhelds not transmit as far as panel-installed radios?

Super-secret Double Probation Macgyver Question:

16) How long a piece of welding rod do you need, to make a superb antenna for your handheld comm? Hint: Marconi antenna, and V = lambda x freq.

P.S. Don't feel bad about not knowing #16, virtually no ATPL holders know the answer to it, either.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:44 am

What frequency is used in Africa when are unable to contact ATC? ( because they went home for a piece of tail. )

Getting an answer is usually more astounding than not getting an answer..

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:15 am

So.....Industry Canada's Ontario Region office just called me back. There is a standardized exam. They set it. Thirty multiple choice and 10 short answer questions. I.C. says FTUs can add to that if they want, but that's the standard.

So, if you're not using it but issuing radio licences, go figure.

Brewguy · Post by **Brewguy** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:25 am

The difference is that Industry Canada (unlike TC or other agencies) doesn't seem to send inspectors around auditing the actions of their examiners ... just like they don't often "enforce" the proper use radio terminology. If they did, a lot of people would be getting into trouble on a regular basis.

I think a lot of the problem/confusion goes back to what "I_reason" said; if you ask to be an examiner, some IC offices hae been known to just send out a stack of temp permits. There was a time when Telecommunications Canada (pre-Industry Canada) made a person write an exam and do an interview in order to become an examiner. Things are much more lax these days - despite the fact that on paper, the requirements haven't changed ... but IC doesn't currently take much interest in radio operator certificates.

cyxe · Post by **cyxe** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:02 pm

Hedley wrote:16) How long a piece of welding rod do you need, to make a superb antenna for your handheld comm? Hint: Marconi antenna, and V = lambda x freq.

Quarter wavelength....so for typical 118'ish freq's about 60cm (ok...63...).

When just listening from the ground, mount it in the centre of the roof of your car or some such equivalent, since most handhelds I know don't have radials.