ARRL Technician Practice Exam 2025 - Free Technician License Practice Questions and Study Guide

The key maintenance practice for coaxial cables involves regular inspection for physical damage or wear. This practice is crucial because coaxial cables are often exposed to various environmental conditions that can lead to deterioration over time. Inspecting the cables allows you to identify any signs of wear, such as cuts, abrasions, kinks, or corrosion, which can significantly affect the cable's performance and reliability.

By regularly checking for damage, you can take proactive measures to replace or repair the cable before it fails, ensuring consistent signal quality and minimizing potential communication interruptions. Maintaining the integrity of the coaxial cable helps in preserving the effectiveness of the entire communication system it supports.

Other choices, such as frequent lengthening of the cable, using duct tape for repairs, or repainting the outer insulation, do not reflect effective maintenance strategies. Lengthening a cable unnecessarily can lead to increased signal loss and potential complications in installation. Duct tape might provide a temporary fix but does not offer a reliable or long-term solution to cable damage. Repainting the outer insulation is not a standard maintenance practice and does not address structural or functional issues with the cable itself.