The NA HSMS Test (Just for <grins>)

Answers at the end ...

General Operations:_________________________________________________________________ __________________

1)      The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are located on the Internet at:
       a)    Ping Jockey Central (PJ)
       b)    W8WN’s HSMS Bulletin Board
       c)     WSJTGROUP web page
       d)    All of the above       

2)      The calling frequencies for HSMS in North America are:

a)      There are no recognized calling frequencies for HSMS in North America (NA).

b)      144.140 MHz & 50.260 MHz.

c)      144.135 MHz & 50.255 MHz.

d)      Operators should use the “offset” method of calling CQ.

e)      Any frequency, provided the operator announces it on the PJ page.

3)      Which statement(s) can be found in the heading of the PJ Central page?

a)      DO NOT USE THIS PAGE TO WORK JT65 or for General chit-chat.

b)      If it's not HIGH-SPEED METEOR SCATTER, it doesn't belong here

c)      Any non-meteor scatter use is strictly prohibited

d)      Remember, in North America, 50.260MHz and 144.140MHz are calling not operating frequencies

e)      All of the above

4)      Which of the statements below is true?

a)      Like 50.125 or 144.200 MHz, the MS calling frequencies are calling frequencies, not operating frequencies.

b)      JT6M works best for 144 MHz meteor scatter communications.

c)      FSK441 users must call CQ using the 1st sequence only.

d)      None of the above

5)      The WSJTGroup encourages the use of FSK441 during sporadic-E openings. Is this statement true?

a)      Yes, but only if other stations are using it during the opening.

b)      No, JT6M is a better mode if using WSJT for sporadic-E contacts. FSK441 should be avoided during openings.

c)      Yes, because FSK441 works equally well regardless of the propagation mode.

6)      To ensure validity, the contact should be started over if the following happens:

a)      Information about what is being sent or received  is shared on PJ by the QSO stations.

b)      An observer on PJ posts what is being sent by either of the QSO stations.

c)      Station “A” receives an  out-of-sequence message from Station “B”.

d)      QRM or a birdie requires the stations to communicate on PJ in order to change frequency.

e)      All of the above.

7)      Which of the following is a good policy to ensure valid contacts?

a)      After the schedule is set, leave the PJ page and return at a preset time or when the contact is completed.

b)      Include in the schedule a stopping time and leave the PJ page until the time has expired.

c)      This is of no concern, since other stations cannot bring doubt to one's contacts with “unwise” statements.

d)      None of the above is bullet-proof.

e)      Both a & b above.

Definitions:________________________________________________________________ ____________

8)      Which statement best describes a “Random Contact”?

a)      Posting on PJ: “Calling CQ looking NE, second period on 50.260 JT6M.”

b)      Responding to a comment on PJ: “Tom, point my way, I will listen for you.”

c)      Sending an email to Joe: “I am calling CQ on .260 second looking west.”

d)      None of the above.

9)      What is a “Random Contact”?

a)      A contact made on a recognized calling frequency.

b)      A contact made after announcing your location on PJ.

c)       A contact made during a Saturday or Sunday Random Hour session.

d)      A contact completely unassisted by PJ or any other aid prior to or during the contact.

e)      A contact where a station is “tail-ended” after observing his location on PJ.

f)       All of the above

g)      None of the above

10)   Valid contacts are ONLY those...

a)      ...that end with the “RRR” message.

b)      ...where both stations use meteor-scatter propagation.

c)      ...that are completed in compliance with the SOP.

d)      ...where no QSO information was shared on PJ.

e)      All of the above

Messages:___________________________________________________________________ _______

11)   What is the meaning of this decoded text received on 50.260 MHz:  “CQ D5 W5ABC”

a.)    W5ABC is calling CQ and looking for contacts on the calling frequency.

b.)    W5ABC is calling CQ and listening on 50.255 MHz. He will move his transmit frequency to 50.255 when he answers a caller.

c.)     W5ABC is operating “split,” and callers should operate split as well.

d.)    W5ABC is operating using the “offset” method of calling CQ, listening down 5 kHz, and will call stations heard on 50.255.

e.)    Both b & d above are correct.

f.)     This procedure should never be used by stations on the calling frequency.
 

12)   WA5UFH, attempting a contact with N5SIX on 50.278 MHz, decodes after 5 minutes of running the text “N5SIX WA5UFH”.
Several minutes later, he decodes “WA  XFH  626 N SIX”. The correct message for WA5UFH to send now is:

a)      Tx1 (both calls)

b)      Tx2 (both calls + report)

c)      Tx3 (roger + report)

d)      None of the above

13)   Why would an operator use short-hand messages (single tones) instead of FSK441-encoded text?

a)      They can shorten the QSO time.

b)      They have a 3 dB advantage over FSK441-encoded messages

c)      The frequency is not being shared with others.

d)      All of the above

Techniques:_________________________________________________________________ __________

14)   Of what value is a “partial decode” as the first heard ping in a schedule?

a)      There is no useful information obtainable from a partially-decoded ping, regardless of when it is heard.

b)      The DF value is a useful piece of information. One could adjust the RIT and reduce Tol to 100 Hz.

c)      Partial decodes should be pieced together using the NA procedure in case nothing else is copied.

d)      The ping strength can be used to set the “S” level.
 

15)   What stations using the same frequency may transmit at the same time?

a)      Stations should never transmit at the same time on purpose.

b)      Stations that can hear each other via propagation modes other than meteor scatter.

c)              c)    Only experienced operators should attempt this.
        d)    None of the above
 

d)      Messages:___________________________________________________________________ ________

16)   During a schedule, AEØG and W5ABC discover the frequency is being used by another pair of HSMS operators.
Which message should be used by AEØG for sending Tx3 (roger + report) now?

a)      The short-hand message (single tone) for either R26 or R27.

b)      FSK441-encoded message “ABC R26” or “ABC R27”.

c)      This never happens.

d)      This contact must be stopped. The operators must check back on PJ, find a clear frequency, and start over.
 

17)   During activity periods like North America Random Hour, it is considered acceptable for stations to:

a)      Use “tagged” or “appended” messages while everyone shares the calling frequency for the activity period.

b)      Use the “offset” method of calling CQ, or answer stations who are calling CQ using the “offset” method.

c)      None of the above

d)      Both a & b

18)   Which of the following messages contains the information “Roger”?

a)      R26

b)      RRR

c)      R27

d)      All of the above

19)   Given the physics of meteor-scatter propagation, which of the following is most likely to be the
current distance record for WSJT HSMS QSOs?

a)      K2DRH & N6RMJ on 144 MHz, 1,572 mi

b)      K2DRH & N6RMJ on 50 MHz, 1,958 mi

c)      K2DRH & N6RMJ on 222 MHz, 1,396 mi

d)      None of the above
 

20)   When the band is open to Europe on six meters, what is the best mode and frequency to listen on?

a)      Listen below 50.100 MHz using JT6M.

b)      Listen on 50.230 MHz using JT6M.

c)      Don't bother. EU does not listen for NA using JT6M.

d)      None of the above

21)    What piece of information isn't required for a valid completion?

a)      Both stations must accurately decode both calls.

b)      Both stations must send and copy a report.

c)      One or both stations must copy a 73.

d)   Both stations must copy Rogers.

22)   Until one learns the SOP, a good “help aid” for selecting what message to send next can be found by...
a)    ...asking your QSO partner on PJ.
b)    ...pressing the F5 key in the WSJT application window.
c)    ...guessing and looking it up later.
d)    ...clicking “Help” in the menu bar  and selecting from the pulldown list “What message to send?”
e)    Both b & d

Certificates:_______________________________________________________________ ___________

23)   Who sponsors HSMS awards in North America?
a)    The WSJTGroup
b)    The Super Sevens Meteor Scatter Group
c)    The ARRL
d)    Both a & b

24)   The Two Meter Century Grid Award requires 100 unique grids, all worked by...
a)    ...FSK441
b)    ...WSJT
c)    ...meteor scatter using HSMS modes
d)    ...NA stations only

25)   All contacts must be over 1,000 miles to quality for this award:
a)    Initial QSO Award (Sponsor: WSJTGroup)
b)    The 10,000 Mile Award (Sponsor: Super Sevens Meteor Scatter Group)
c)    Random QSO Award (Sponsor: WSJTGroup)
d)    NAHSMS Contest Awards (Sponsor: WSJTGroup)

Score each question at 4 points each. You volunteered to take the quiz, how did you do? Check back later
for new questions.

Answers given below:
1.  D (Actually, all stations should review the SOP and print it as a reference when needed)
2.  B (144.140 & 50.260 MHz are calling frequencies)
3.  E (All of these statements are found in the header of the Ping Jockey Central Page & should be practiced)
4.  A (The recognized calling frequencies are not QSO frequencies except during designated Random Hour activity periods)
5.  B (FSK441 was designed for MS signal bursts and performs poorly during band openings)
6.  E (Care needs to be taken so we make valid contacts)
7. E (This is a good policy and one used by many old timers to prevent outside interferences)
8. D
9. D
10. C (Valid contacts follow the SOP)
11. E
12. C (After receiving both calls and reports, the next message is Tx3, Roger+Report)
13. D
14. B ( This procedure will improve future decodes)
15. B
16. B (Appended / Tagged  / Random Hour messages should always be used on shared frequencies, including the calling frequency)
17.  D
18.  D
19.  A (Databases are online for such records, see the WSJTGroup web pages)
20. B
21. C
22. E
23. D
24. C
25.  B