Deep Dive: E2A01
The correct answer is C: From south to north. The direction of an ascending pass for an amateur satellite is from south to north. Ascending pass means the satellite is moving from south to north (crossing the equator going north). For amateur radio operators, this is important for satellite operation. Understanding this helps when tracking satellites.
Why Other Answers Are Wrong
Option A: Incorrect. From west to east is the orbital direction, not ascending pass - ascending pass is north-south direction. West-east is wrong. Option B: Incorrect. From east to west is opposite orbital direction, not ascending pass - ascending pass is from south to north. East-west is wrong. Option D: Incorrect. From north to south is descending pass, not ascending - ascending is from south to north. North-south is descending.
Exam Tip
Ascending pass = from south to north. Think 'A'scending = 'A'pproaching north (from south). Ascending pass means satellite is moving from south to north. Not west-east, not east-west, not north-south (descending) - just south to north.
Memory Aid
Ascending pass = from south to north. Think 'A'scending = 'A'pproaching north. Ascending pass means satellite is moving from south to north. Important for satellite tracking.
Real-World Example
An ascending pass for an amateur satellite: The satellite is moving from south to north (crossing the equator going north). This is the ascending pass - the satellite is ascending in latitude (going from lower to higher latitude in the northern hemisphere). Descending pass would be from north to south. This is the direction - from south to north.
Source & Coverage
Question Pool: 2024-2028 Question Pool
Subelement: E2A
Reference: 2024-2028 Question Pool · E2 - Operating Procedures
Key Concepts
Verified Content
Question from the official FCC Extra Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the E2A topic.