Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

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Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 17 and 12 meter bands?

Upper sideband
Lower sideband
Vestigial sideband
Double sideband

The correct answer is: Upper sideband

The most commonly used mode for voice communications on the 17 and 12 meter bands is upper sideband (USB). This mode is favored primarily because of its efficient use of bandwidth and its ability to reduce interference between adjacent channels. Upper sideband allows for clearer signals, particularly in crowded frequency environments, which is typical on HF bands where multiple operators may be transmitting at the same time. Upper sideband is preferred in amateur radio voice communications, especially on higher frequency bands like 12 and 17 meters, as it offers better performance for long-distance communication—often referred to as DXing. The human voice contains more information in the upper frequencies, which USB effectively captures, making it a suitable choice for voice transmission. Other modes, such as lower sideband (LSB), are predominantly used on the 40 meter band and lower frequencies, while vestigial sideband and double sideband are less commonly utilized in amateur voice communications. This makes USB the standard for voice operations specifically on the 17 and 12 meter bands.