Deep Dive: E8D10
The correct answer is B: Baudot uses 5 data bits per character, ASCII uses 7 or 8; Baudot uses 2 characters as letters/figures shift codes, ASCII has no letters/figures shift code. Key differences between Baudot and ASCII are: Baudot uses 5 data bits per character (allowing 32 possible characters), while ASCII uses 7 or 8 bits (allowing 128 or 256 characters). Baudot uses 2 characters as letters/figures shift codes to switch between letter and figure modes, while ASCII has no letters/figures shift code - it can represent both letters and figures simultaneously. Baudot is an older 5-bit code that requires shift codes to access the full character set (letters vs figures). ASCII is a more modern code that can represent all characters (letters, numbers, symbols) without shift codes. ASCII is more flexible but requires more bits per character. Baudot's 5-bit structure makes it more bandwidth-efficient but less capable than ASCII.
Why Other Answers Are Wrong
Option A: Incorrect. Baudot uses 5 bits, not 4 bits. And Baudot uses 2 shift codes (letters and figures), not 1. Option C: Incorrect. Baudot uses 5 bits, not 6 bits. And Baudot does use letters/figures shift codes - ASCII doesn't. Option D: Incorrect. Baudot uses 5 bits, not 7 bits. And Baudot does use shift codes, while ASCII doesn't.
Exam Tip
Baudot vs ASCII = 5 bits vs 7/8 bits, shift codes vs no shift codes. Remember: Baudot uses 5 bits with 2 shift codes; ASCII uses 7/8 bits with no shift codes.
Memory Aid
**B**audot = **5** bits + **2** shift codes; **A**SCII = **7**/**8** bits, **0** shift codes (think 'B = 5+2, A = 7/8+0')
Real-World Example
You're using Baudot code (5 bits per character) for RTTY. To send 'A1', you send a letters shift code, then 'A', then a figures shift code, then '1'. With ASCII (7 or 8 bits), you can send 'A' and '1' directly without shift codes because ASCII can represent both letters and numbers simultaneously.
Source & Coverage
Question Pool: 2024-2028 Question Pool
Subelement: E8D
Reference: FCC Part 97.3
Key Concepts
Verified Content
Question from the official FCC Extra Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the E8D topic.