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Amateur (Ham) Radio Jargon Trivia Quiz

Like most endeavours, amateur (ham) radio has its jargon. Have fun matching the buzzwords and abbreviations with their true meanings.

A multiple-choice quiz by mike32768. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
mike32768

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
223,953

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
538

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. When radio amateurs are trying to solicit a new contact, what two-letter phrase do they use? Hint

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Question 2 of 10

2. In amateur radio parlance, what does the two-letter phrase "DX" stand for? Hint

disconnection

destination

distance

dial

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Question 3 of 10

3. When radio amateurs discuss a "Yagi", what are they talking about? Hint

antenna

tower

radio

cable

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Question 4 of 10

4. What do radio amateurs mean by a "silent key"? Hint

a deceased radio amateur

a small radio accessory

a non-functioning radio

an amplifier without a fan

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Question 5 of 10

5. Operating your radio "barefoot" means to operate it...? Hint

with the volume turned down

without an amplifier

in your pajamas

with a small antenna

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Question 6 of 10

6. What organization is the ultimate authority for radio amateurs in the United States? Hint

ARRL

FCC

DOT

FBI

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Question 7 of 10

7. What does "73" mean in radio lingo? Hint

Good luck

Hugs and kisses

Goodbye

Best regards

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is a "radio contest"? Hint

an operating event

a disagreement

a raffle

a party

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is a "lid" in ham radio lingo? Hint

a loud signal

a kind of book

an unlicensed operator

a poor operator

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which best matches what the term "QSL" means in ham radio talk? Hint

a two-way contact

your location

a card confirming a contact

to operate with an amplifier

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. When radio amateurs are trying to solicit a new contact, what two-letter phrase do they use?

Answer: CQ

CQ sounds like "Seek You" - get it?

WX means "weather"

DE means "from"

CX is the common callsign prefix for hams in Uruguay.

2. In amateur radio parlance, what does the two-letter phrase "DX" stand for?

Answer: distance

DX is often used to indicate a station in a country outside one's own, regardless of "distance".

3. When radio amateurs discuss a "Yagi", what are they talking about?

Answer: antenna

"Yagi" is the shortened name for a "Yagi-Uda Antenna". In 1926, Shintaro Uda of Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan, with the collaboration of Hidetsugu Yagi developed the antenna. Mr. Yagi published the first English-language article about it in 1928 so his name got associated with it, though he was always quick to credit Mr. Uda.

4. What do radio amateurs mean by a "silent key"?

Answer: a deceased radio amateur

A "telegraph key" (or simply "key") is a device used to send Morse code. A key goes silent when its owner has passed on.

5. Operating your radio "barefoot" means to operate it...?

Answer: without an amplifier

Generally, barefoot operating means using 10 watts to 100 watts. An amplifier would typically boost that to approximately 1000W.

6. What organization is the ultimate authority for radio amateurs in the United States?

Answer: FCC

The Federal Communications Commission, FCC regulates amateur radio in the USA. The ARRL is the American Radio Relay League - the national organization for radio amateurs in the US. http://www.arrl.org

The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have little to do with ham radio!

7. What does "73" mean in radio lingo?

Answer: Best regards

"73" means "best regards". So, technically, "73's" or "73s" means "best regardses" - some sticklers get worked up about that kind of grammar.

"88" means "love (or hugs) and kisses".

8. What is a "radio contest"?

Answer: an operating event

Radio contesting is a highly popular sub-hobby in which amateurs, during some predetermined time period (like a weekend) try to make as many contacts with a variety of places as quickly as possible. It can cause a bit of chaos on the bands.

9. What is a "lid" in ham radio lingo?

Answer: a poor operator

No one can really say from where the term originated but to be called a lid is generally the ultimate insult.

An unlicensed operator is called a variety of things - pirate, bootlegger, slim, but he may operate respectfully otherwise so not qualify as a true "lid".

10. Which best matches what the term "QSL" means in ham radio talk?

Answer: a card confirming a contact

There are many Q-signals employed by radio amateurs and the original meanings are often stretched in daily use. Technically, they should only be used during Morse code communications, but they have become part of the general vocabulary.

"QSL" means to confirm or acknowledge something (similar to "roger" in voice communications). Quite often it means specifically a card confirming a contact (these cards are often highly sought for awards).

A "QSO" is a contact; "QRO" means to turn up the power and can also mean operation with an amplifier; "QTH" means location.

Source: Author mike32768

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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