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Technician: Quick Frequency Access

What is a way to enable quick access to a favorite frequency on your transceiver?

A. Enable the CTCSS tones
B. Store the frequency in a memory channel
C. Disable the CTCSS tones
D. Use the scan mode to select the desired frequency

Well, here’s the thing.  I’m fairly certain since you’re a smart person (you are looking to get your ham license after all) that you’ve figured out the answer is B. Store the frequency in a memory channel.  Because that’s usually how that sort of thing works.  If you have a frequency you use often, programming a memory channel on your radio is the thing to do.  Just punch up that memory slot and you’re there!

But lets look at the other choices.  A & C have to do with CTCSS tones, most often called PL (“Private Line”) tones.  CTCSS or Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System uses a sub-audible audio tone transmitted within the signal itself.  You can set your radio to only listen for tones of a certain audio frequency, transmit a certain CTCSS tone, or a combination of both.  It doesn’t have anything to do with your favorite radio frequencies.

Using scan mode to select the desired frequency doesn’t make much sense at all.  If you’re in scan mode, you’re not selecting a particular frequency at all, rather skipping through a series of already programmed channels or scanning an entire band.

[T4B04]

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shortwave_Radio_Dial.jpg

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