Radio Systems and Technology Practice Questions

39 multiple-choice questions on Radio systems and technology for paramedic and EMT students, from Chapter 5 (Communications). Read each question, pick your answer, then tap Show answer to check it and read the explanation.

39 practice questions

1. A base station is:

   1. A. A handheld radio assigned to the crew
   2. B. A radio mounted in the ambulance
   3. C. A stationary radio at a fixed site
   4. D. A tower that rebroadcasts portables
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A stationary radio at a fixed site

   A base station is a stationary two-way radio at a fixed site, usually with the most power and range. Dispatch centers and hospitals typically use base stations.

2. A mobile radio is:

   1. A. A cell phone used for medical control
   2. B. A radio mounted in a vehicle
   3. C. A handheld radio carried on the belt
   4. D. A fixed radio at the dispatch center
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A radio mounted in a vehicle

   Mobile radios are vehicle-mounted, with more power and range than a portable. Typical mobile output is considerably higher than a portable's.

3. A repeater:

   1. A. Filters interference from adjacent channels
   2. B. Links the radio system to the internet
   3. C. Rebroadcasts a weak signal at higher power
   4. D. Records transmissions for later review
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Rebroadcasts a weak signal at higher power

   A repeater receives a low-power signal and rebroadcasts it at higher power to extend range. Repeaters let portables reach dispatch from a distance.

4. Simplex systems:

   1. A. Use one frequency, so only one party talks at a time
   2. B. Send voice and data together on one channel
   3. C. Require a repeater to transmit any message
   4. D. Use two frequencies so both parties talk at once
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Use one frequency, so only one party talks at a time

   Simplex transmits and receives on the same frequency. You must release the button before the other party can respond.

5. Duplex systems:

   1. A. Send voice and ECG data at the same time
   2. B. Use one frequency, so only one party talks at a time
   3. C. Use two frequencies so both parties can talk at once
   4. D. Work only in systems without repeaters
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Use two frequencies so both parties can talk at once

   Duplex works like a telephone. Duplex makes conversation with medical control more natural.

6. Multiplex systems allow:

   1. A. Voice and data at the same time
   2. B. Data only, such as text dispatches
   3. C. Voice only, on several channels at once
   4. D. Longer battery life on portable radios
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Voice and data at the same time

   An example is transmitting an ECG while talking. Transmitting a 12-lead while giving a report is multiplex in action.

7. Compared with VHF, UHF signals generally:

   1. A. Travel farther across open rural terrain than VHF
   2. B. Penetrate buildings better, cover less distance
   3. C. Are largely unaffected by hills and buildings
   4. D. Are restricted from use by EMS agencies
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Penetrate buildings better, cover less distance

   UHF penetrates buildings better but covers less open distance. System designers pick bands based on terrain and building density.

8. A trunked radio system:

   1. A. Operates on unlicensed frequencies without FCC oversight
   2. B. Pools frequencies and assigns them automatically
   3. C. Gives each user a permanent dedicated frequency
   4. D. Is reserved for fire department operations
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Pools frequencies and assigns them automatically

   A pool of frequencies is assigned automatically as users transmit. Trunking makes efficient use of limited spectrum for large systems.

9. The federal agency that licenses and regulates radio communications is the:

   1. A. NHTSA
   2. B. FCC
   3. C. DOT
   4. D. FDA
   Show answer

   Answer: B. FCC

   The Federal Communications Commission assigns frequencies and enforces rules.

10. A dead spot is:

    1. A. A portable radio whose battery has died
    2. B. An area where terrain or buildings block signals
    3. C. A frequency the agency is not licensed for
    4. D. A channel blocked by another transmission
    Show answer

    Answer: B. An area where terrain or buildings block signals

    Terrain or structures prevent reliable transmission. Moving outdoors or to higher ground often restores contact.

11. Mobile data terminals in an ambulance are used to:

    1. A. Transmit 12-lead ECGs directly to the hospital
    2. B. Record patient interviews for the care report
    3. C. Receive dispatch data, mapping, and status updates
    4. D. Replace voice radio as the only link to dispatchers
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Receive dispatch data, mapping, and status updates

    MDTs deliver dispatch information, mapping, and status updates in text form. They reduce voice traffic and errors in addresses.

12. Computer-aided dispatch systems help by:

    1. A. Set treatment protocols for responding crews
    2. B. Replace human dispatchers in call prioritization
    3. C. Track units, recommend resources, and time-stamp calls
    4. D. Generate the patient care report automatically
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Track units, recommend resources, and time-stamp calls

    CAD tracks units, recommends the closest available resource, and time-stamps each phase of the call. The time stamps become part of the record.

13. Cellular telephones in EMS:

    1. A. Aid privacy and clarity but may fail in disasters
    2. B. Are prohibited for contacting medical control
    3. C. Have fully replaced radios in most systems
    4. D. Provide guaranteed service during disasters
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Aid privacy and clarity but may fail in disasters

    Cell phones may also fail in poor coverage areas. Networks can be overloaded exactly when you need them most.

14. Transmitting a 12-lead ECG to the receiving hospital allows:

    1. A. Longer scene times to obtain better tracings
    2. B. Omission of the verbal radio report
    3. C. Treatment without contacting medical control
    4. D. Earlier activation of the cath lab team
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Earlier activation of the cath lab team

    Door-to-balloon time improves when the cardiac catheterization team is activated before arrival.

15. A portable radio typically has an output of:

    1. A. 20 to 50 watts
    2. B. 100 watts
    3. C. 500 watts
    4. D. 1 to 5 watts
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 1 to 5 watts

    Low power limits range.

16. A mobile radio typically has an output of:

    1. A. 1,000 watts
    2. B. 1 to 5 watts
    3. C. 100 to 200 watts
    4. D. 20 to 50 watts
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 20 to 50 watts

    Vehicle power supplies allow more.

17. A base station may output:

    1. A. Up to 100 watts or more
    2. B. About 1 to 5 watts
    3. C. No more than 20 watts
    4. D. Around 10 to 15 watts total
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Up to 100 watts or more

    It also uses an elevated antenna.

18. Radio frequency bands used in EMS include:

    1. A. Cellular carrier frequencies only
    2. B. Citizens band and FRS channels
    3. C. HF shortwave amateur bands
    4. D. VHF, UHF, and 700 or 800 MHz
    Show answer

    Answer: D. VHF, UHF, and 700 or 800 MHz

    Each has tradeoffs. Citizens band, FRS, and amateur shortwave are not licensed public safety channels for EMS operations.

19. VHF low band is characterized by:

    1. A. Long range in open terrain, poor building penetration
    2. B. Digital-only operation with built-in encryption
    3. C. Best penetration of steel and concrete buildings
    4. D. Short range but excellent building penetration
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Long range in open terrain, poor building penetration

    It is less common today.

20. 800 MHz systems are typically:

    1. A. Simplex-only systems that cannot use repeaters
    2. B. Reserved for police and closed to EMS
    3. C. Analog-only systems that cannot carry data
    4. D. Trunked systems with good penetration and capacity
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Trunked systems with good penetration and capacity

    Many public safety agencies use them; they offer good building penetration.

21. Your crew is assigned the 'EMS Ops 2' talkgroup on a trunked radio system. When you press the transmit key, what happens?

    1. A. Your radio transmits on a fixed frequency assigned to your unit
    2. B. The dispatcher manually chooses a channel for you
    3. C. The system assigns a free frequency to your talkgroup for that transmission
    4. D. Every radio on the system hears your transmission
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The system assigns a free frequency to your talkgroup for that transmission

    In a trunked system, a controller assigns an available frequency from a shared pool each time a member of a talkgroup transmits. Only radios on that talkgroup hear the transmission. Fixed frequencies and manual channel selection describe conventional systems. Not every radio on the system hears it, because talkgroups keep traffic separate.

22. A talkgroup is:

    1. A. A radio model built for multi-agency use
    2. B. A frequency band reserved for public safety
    3. C. A regional dispatch center serving several agencies at once
    4. D. A virtual channel grouping users on a trunked system
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A virtual channel grouping users on a trunked system

    Users hear only their talkgroup.

23. Digital radio systems compared with analog:

    1. A. Clearer audio, but they cannot be encrypted
    2. B. Better than analog in every respect and condition
    3. C. Worse audio quality but longer range than analog
    4. D. Clearer audio, but abrupt loss at range limits
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Clearer audio, but abrupt loss at range limits

    Digital also offers encryption and data. Analog fades gradually; digital drops suddenly.

24. Encryption on EMS radios:

    1. A. Protects privacy but complicates interoperability
    2. B. Is not available on current public safety radios
    3. C. Is federally required on all EMS radio traffic
    4. D. Is prohibited by the FCC on public safety channels
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Protects privacy but complicates interoperability

    Encryption protects patient information but can block other agencies. Policy decides when to use it.

25. Interoperability is improved by:

    1. A. Reducing the number of radios at the scene
    2. B. Separate systems for each agency to avoid overlap
    3. C. Shared channels, gateways, and common talkgroups
    4. D. Encrypting every agency's traffic separately
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Shared channels, gateways, and common talkgroups

    Large incidents require it.

26. A radio dead spot can be addressed by:

    1. A. Turning the radio off and back on again
    2. B. Moving, using a repeater, or switching systems
    3. C. Waiting in place until the signal returns
    4. D. Speaking louder and holding the microphone closer
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Moving, using a repeater, or switching systems

    Move to a different location, use a repeater, or switch to another system. Know your coverage areas.

27. Mobile data terminals reduce:

    1. A. The need for any written patient care report
    2. B. Voice traffic and errors in addresses and times
    3. C. Response time by overriding traffic signals
    4. D. Communication between crews and dispatch
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Voice traffic and errors in addresses and times

    Status buttons replace voice updates.

28. Automatic vehicle location allows:

    1. A. Dispatch to track units and assign the closest one
    2. B. Hospitals to track patients after hand-off
    3. C. Supervisors to monitor crew conversations
    4. D. Crews to bypass traffic signals automatically
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Dispatch to track units and assign the closest one

    GPS makes it possible.

29. Months after a call, an attorney asks exactly when your unit arrived on scene. Which record gives an independent time stamp?

    1. A. Your own memory of the call
    2. B. The patient's recollection of events
    3. C. The hospital's discharge summary
    4. D. The computer-aided dispatch record
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The computer-aided dispatch record

    CAD automatically time-stamps each phase of the call, including on-scene arrival from status buttons or AVL. That makes it an objective record independent of the crew. Memory and the patient's recollection are unreliable months later. The hospital record starts at arrival and does not show field times.

30. Telemetry refers to:

    1. A. Computer-aided dispatch of the nearest unit
    2. B. Transmission of physiologic data such as ECGs
    3. C. Voice radio reports to the receiving hospital
    4. D. Telephone consultation with medical control
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Transmission of physiologic data such as ECGs

    It enables early hospital activation.

31. Your patient's 12-lead shows ST elevation in II, III, and aVF. A PCI-capable hospital is 20 minutes away. Which action most shortens time to reperfusion?

    1. A. Repeat 12-leads on scene until three in a row match
    2. B. Wait to report the ECG until you arrive
    3. C. Go to a closer non-PCI hospital for a confirmatory ECG
    4. D. Transmit the 12-lead and notify the PCI center early
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Transmit the 12-lead and notify the PCI center early

    Prehospital 12-lead acquisition with early notification or transmission lets the hospital activate the cath lab before arrival. This consistently shortens first-medical-contact-to-device time. Repeating ECGs on scene and delaying notification waste minutes. Going to a non-PCI hospital adds a transfer delay when a PCI center can be reached directly.

32. During a regional disaster, cell networks are overloaded and calls keep failing. What is the best way to reach medical control?

    1. A. Use agency radio and the backup channels in your plan
    2. B. Keep redialing the hospital on your own cell phone
    3. C. Text the physician directly and wait for a reply
    4. D. Borrow a bystander's phone that runs on another carrier
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Use agency radio and the backup channels in your plan

    Cell networks are often overwhelmed during disasters, which is why communications plans keep radio as the primary link, with alternate channels, relays, and systems such as FirstNet as backups. Redialing or texting on a failed network wastes time. Patient care continues under standing orders while you work on communications. A phone on another carrier rides the same overloaded networks and is not part of the plan.

33. Push-to-talk over cellular:

    1. A. Is a newly allocated public safety radio band
    2. B. Is banned by the FCC for EMS operations
    3. C. Replaces the need for a dispatch center
    4. D. Uses cell networks for radio-like group talk
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Uses cell networks for radio-like group talk

    Some agencies use it as backup.

34. FirstNet is:

    1. A. A dedicated VHF frequency for EMS agencies
    2. B. A national computer-aided dispatch software
    3. C. A federal paging system for volunteer crews
    4. D. A nationwide broadband network for public safety
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A nationwide broadband network for public safety

    It provides priority during congestion.

35. Satellite phones are useful when:

    1. A. Terrestrial networks are down or unavailable
    2. B. Hospital radio channels are busy with other units
    3. C. Dispatch must page the whole fleet at once
    4. D. Operating deep inside large urban buildings
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Terrestrial networks are down or unavailable

    Examples include remote areas and disasters. They are part of disaster planning. Busy hospital channels are handled with alternate channels or phone patches, and fleet-wide alerts go out by radio or paging, not by satellite phone.

36. Pagers in EMS:

    1. A. Are no longer permitted under FCC rules
    2. B. Remain useful for alerting volunteers reliably
    3. C. Are obsolete and no longer used anywhere
    4. D. Have replaced radios for on-scene talk
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Remain useful for alerting volunteers reliably

    Pagers are reliable and have good coverage. Simple technology has advantages.

37. The FCC requires that radio operators:

    1. A. Use ten-codes rather than plain language
    2. B. Each hold a personal FCC operator license
    3. C. Pay a usage fee for each transmission
    4. D. Use licensed frequencies and identify properly
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Use licensed frequencies and identify properly

    Operators must also avoid prohibited transmissions. The agency holds the license.

38. Radio equipment should be checked:

    1. A. Once a month during vehicle checks
    2. B. Once a year by a radio technician
    3. C. At the start of every shift
    4. D. Only when a problem is noticed
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At the start of every shift

    Include batteries and spare batteries. A dead radio is a safety hazard.

39. Backup communication plans should include:

    1. A. Cell phones alone, since cell networks rarely fail
    2. B. Waiting until the primary system is restored
    3. C. Alternate channels, cellular, relay, and runners
    4. D. Additional radios on the same primary channel
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Alternate channels, cellular, relay, and runners

    Relay through other units; runners are a last resort. Plan before failure.