Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

If a primary service interferes with your contact on the 30 or 60 meter bands, what should you do?

1. Notify the FCC's regional Engineer in Charge

2. Increase your transmitter's power

3. Attempt to contact the station

4. Move to a clear frequency

The correct answer is: Move to a clear frequency

When operating on the 30 or 60 meter bands, if you experience interference from a primary service, the best course of action is to move to a clear frequency. This is essential because primary services have precedence over secondary services, including amateur radio. By choosing to relocate your transmissions, you comply with regulations that prioritize the rights of primary service users and helps maintain effective communication without disrupting other users of the spectrum. The rationale behind this option is rooted in good amateur practice and respect for the primary services, ensuring that you don’t cause further interference. This approach is particularly important in segments where amateur access is more limited and shared with other services. By finding a clear frequency, you're also ensuring clearer communications for yourself and reducing the likelihood of ongoing interference. While other actions could be considered, such as notifying the FCC or attempting to contact the station causing interference, these would not be as effective or immediate as simply moving. Increasing power could exacerbate the issue and lead to further interference, contrary to the spirit of cooperative operation among users of the radio spectrum.