GMDSS Maintainer Practice Test: FCC Element 9

Every question in the FCC Element 9 pool, word for word: VHF-DSC, MF-HF and SITOR, Inmarsat, EPIRBs, SARTs, NAVTEX, batteries and power, installations and test gear. The real test is 50 of these, one from each key topic, and you need 38 right. With Elements 1 and 3 it gets you the GMDSS Radio Maintainer License.

The real test: 50 questions. 38 right (76%) passes.

Here: 300 questions. FCC Commercial Element 9 Question Pool (GMDSS Radio Maintenance Practices and Procedures), September 2012, US government work. Free.

What's on the test

The exam takes one question from each group of the pool, so the count per topic is fixed.

10 sample questions

1. What are the correct VHF Channels and Frequencies for Calling/Distress, DSC and bridge-to-bridge operations?

   • A.Ch-16, 156.800 MHz, Ch-70, 156.525 MHz and Ch-13, 156.650 MHz.
   • B.Ch-06, 156.300 MHz, Ch-16, 156.800 MHz and Ch-13, 156.650 MHz.
   • C.Ch-08, 156.400 MHz, Ch-70, 156.525 MHz and Ch-16, 156.800 MHz.
   • D.Ch-06, 156.300 MHz, Ch-12, 156.600 MHz and Ch-13, 156.650 MHz.
   Show answer

   A. Ch-16, 156.800 MHz, Ch-70, 156.525 MHz and Ch-13, 156.650 MHz.

   9-1A1 · VHF-DSC Equipment & Operation

2. What is the assigned bandwidth and channel spacing for J3E voice transmissions?

   • A.170 Hz and 300 Hz
   • B.300 Hz and 500 Hz
   • C.2.8 kHz and 3.0 kHz
   • D.3.1 kHz and 4.0 kHz
   Show answer

   C. 2.8 kHz and 3.0 kHz

   9-11B1 · MF-HF-DSC-SITOR (NBDP) Equip. & Operations

3. What are the frequencies for Inmarsat-C shipboard satellite operation?

   • A.Reception: 1526.5 - 1560.5 MHz and Transmission: 1625.0 - 1659.0 MHz
   • B.Reception: 1625.0 - 1659.0 MHz and Transmission: 1526.5 - 1560.5 MHz
   • C.Reception: 1530.0 - 1545.0 MHZ and Transmission: 1626.5 - 1645.5 MHz
   • D.Reception: 1625.0 - 1659.0 MHz and Transmission: 1526.5 - 1560.5 MHz
   Show answer

   C. Reception: 1530.0 - 1545.0 MHZ and Transmission: 1626.5 - 1645.5 MHz

   9-23C1 · Satellite Systems

4. Which is not a function of a satellite under COSPAS-SARSAT using satellite EPIRBs?

   • A.After the EPIRB's position is calculated using the Doppler shift COSPAS-SARSAT satellites provide follow-on SAR communications.
   • B.Relayed satellite message includes the EPIRB ID number which provides a reference for retrieval of vessel information from the shore database.
   • C.Doppler shift of EPIRB signal is measured and the EPIRB's position is calculated.
   • D.Information received from EPIRBs is time-tagged and transmitted to any Local User Terminal in the satellite's view.
   Show answer

   A. After the EPIRB's position is calculated using the Doppler shift COSPAS-SARSAT satellites provide follow-on SAR communications.

   9-33D1 · Other GMDSS Equipment

5. What is the normal voltage of a single NICAD battery cell?

   • A.1.2 volts
   • B.1.5 volts
   • C.2.1 volts
   • D.2.5 volts
   Show answer

   A. 1.2 volts

   9-37E1 · Power Sources

6. The printer will not print a document. Which of the following is NOT a likely reason?

   • A.The graphics card is defective.
   • B.The printer queue is frozen.
   • C.The printer may be out of toner or ink.
   • D.There may be a paper jam in the printer.
   Show answer

   A. The graphics card is defective.

   9-41F1 · Other Equipment and Networks

7. What is the best method for grounding an Inmarsat-C terminal?

   • A.Number 10 copper wire between terminal and the ship/s steel hull.
   • B.A good ground at the antenna is sufficient.
   • C.Copper strap brazed to the steel terminal and ship's steel hull.
   • D.An aluminum strap bolted to both the steel terminal and ship's steel hull.
   Show answer

   C. Copper strap brazed to the steel terminal and ship's steel hull.

   9-47G1 · Inspections, Installations and Instruments

8. What is the frequency separation between Transmit and Receive frequencies on a duplex channel?

   • A.2.8 MHz
   • B.4.6 MHz
   • C.6.4 MHz
   • D.10.7 MHz
   Show answer

   B. 4.6 MHz

   9-1A2 · VHF-DSC Equipment & Operation

9. What is the assigned bandwidth and channel spacing for J2B SITOR (NBDP) transmissions?

   • A.3.1 kHz and 4.0 kHz
   • B.2.8 kHz and 3.0 kHz
   • C.170 Hz and 300 Hz
   • D.300 Hz and 500 Hz
   Show answer

   D. 300 Hz and 500 Hz

   9-11B2 · MF-HF-DSC-SITOR (NBDP) Equip. & Operations

10. What is an LNA?

    • A.Line noise amplifier
    • B.Low number algorithm
    • C.Low noise antenna
    • D.Low noise amplifier
    Show answer

    D. Low noise amplifier

    9-23C2 · Satellite Systems

What the study guide does

• Short study rounds and flip cards.
• A practice test built like the real one: 50 questions, 38 to pass.
• Pass Meter: your chance of passing if you sat the test today, worked out from your own answers.