Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

What is a proper way to identify when transmitting using phone on General Class frequencies if your upgrade from Technician has not appeared in the FCC database?

1. Give your call sign followed by the words "General Class"

2. No special identification is needed

3. Give your call sign followed by "slant AG"

4. Give your call sign followed by the abbreviation "CSCE"

The correct answer is: Give your call sign followed by "slant AG"

When transmitting on General Class frequencies, if your upgrade from Technician has not yet appeared in the FCC database, it is important to indicate your current operating privileges to ensure adherence to FCC regulations. By using your call sign followed by "slant AG," you are effectively communicating that you are operating as an Advanced General Class operator despite your official records not being updated yet. This addition clarifies your intent to other operators and complies with the identification rules. Using a slant (/) followed by "AG" signals that you are authorized to operate as a General Class operator while acknowledging that the FCC database hasn't been updated to reflect this change. This practice helps maintain transparency and adherence to licensing protocols, which is crucial in maintaining an orderly and regulated radio environment. The other options do not provide a proper means of identification in this context. Simply giving your call sign without additional clarification does not convey your qualifications and could lead to misunderstandings about your operating privileges. Similarly, using terms like "CSCE" (which stands for Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) might imply a certain status or documentation that is not officially registered, and indicating "General Class" explicitly is not an accepted form of identification in this situation.