Which of the following is a way to determine whether your satellite uplink power is neither too low nor too high?
The correct answer is C: Your signal strength on the downlink should be about the same as the beacon. A way to determine if your satellite uplink power is neither too low nor too high is to compare your signal strength on the downlink to the beacon strength - they should be about the same. If your signal is much weaker than the beacon, you're using too little power. If it's much stronger, you're using too much power and may be blocking others. For amateur radio operators, this is a practical method for power adjustment that doesn't require special equipment - just listen to the relative signal strengths.
Exam Tip
Uplink power check = compare downlink to beacon. Think 'P'ower 'C'heck = 'P'roper 'C'omparison. Your signal strength on downlink should match beacon strength. Too weak = increase power, too strong = decrease power.
Memory Aid
"Uplink power check = compare downlink to beacon. Think 'P'ower 'C'heck = 'P'roper 'C'omparison. Your signal should match beacon strength - too weak or too strong indicates incorrect power level."
Real-World Application
You transmit to a satellite and listen to the downlink. The beacon comes through at S5, and your signal also comes through at S5. This indicates your uplink power is appropriate - not too weak (which would make your signal weaker than the beacon) and not too strong (which would make it stronger and potentially block others). Adjust power until your signal matches the beacon strength.
Key Concepts
Why Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Incorrect. Checking signal strength reports in telemetry requires decoding telemetry, which may not be available or easy to interpret. Comparing to the beacon is simpler.
Option B: Incorrect. Listening for distortion doesn't directly indicate power level - distortion can have other causes. Comparing to beacon strength is more reliable.
Option D: Incorrect. Since A and B are not the best methods, 'all of the above' cannot be correct. Comparing to beacon strength is the standard method.
题目解析
The correct answer is C: Your signal strength on the downlink should be about the same as the beacon. A way to determine if your satellite uplink power is neither too low nor too high is to compare your signal strength on the downlink to the beacon strength - they should be about the same. If your signal is much weaker than the beacon, you're using too little power. If it's much stronger, you're using too much power and may be blocking others. For amateur radio operators, this is a practical method for power adjustment that doesn't require special equipment - just listen to the relative signal strengths.
考试技巧
Uplink power check = compare downlink to beacon. Think 'P'ower 'C'heck = 'P'roper 'C'omparison. Your signal strength on downlink should match beacon strength. Too weak = increase power, too strong = decrease power.
记忆口诀
Uplink power check = compare downlink to beacon. Think 'P'ower 'C'heck = 'P'roper 'C'omparison. Your signal should match beacon strength - too weak or too strong indicates incorrect power level.
实际应用示例
You transmit to a satellite and listen to the downlink. The beacon comes through at S5, and your signal also comes through at S5. This indicates your uplink power is appropriate - not too weak (which would make your signal weaker than the beacon) and not too strong (which would make it stronger and potentially block others). Adjust power until your signal matches the beacon strength.
错误选项分析
Option A: Incorrect. Checking signal strength reports in telemetry requires decoding telemetry, which may not be available or easy to interpret. Comparing to the beacon is simpler. Option B: Incorrect. Listening for distortion doesn't directly indicate power level - distortion can have other causes. Comparing to beacon strength is more reliable. Option D: Incorrect. Since A and B are not the best methods, 'all of the above' cannot be correct. Comparing to beacon strength is the standard method.
知识点
Satellite uplink power, Power adjustment, Signal strength comparison, Satellite operation
Verified Content
Question from official FCC Technician Class question pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators.