ARRL Technician Practice Exam

Which of the following is a permissible use of the Amateur Radio Service?

1. Conducting commercial business communications

2. Allowing a person to conduct radio experiments and to communicate with other licensed hams around the world

3. Broadcasting music to the public

4. Providing emergency services for a fee

The correct answer is: Allowing a person to conduct radio experiments and to communicate with other licensed hams around the world

The permissible use of the Amateur Radio Service includes allowing individuals to conduct radio experiments and communicate with other licensed operators, or "hams," around the world. This aspect of amateur radio is fundamental to its mission: fostering international goodwill and improving technical skills among operators. The Amateur Radio Service is intended primarily for non-commercial purposes and to encourage personal experimentation, innovation, and education in radio communications. In this context, option B embodies the core values of amateur radio—it's about personal enrichment and connecting with others who share similar interests in the field, rather than engaging in commercial activities or broadcasting content to the public. This aligns with the regulatory framework established by the FCC, which emphasizes that amateur radio operations must be exclusively for purposes of self-training, recreation, and voluntary public service, not for profit or commercial gain.