Amateur Radio — Amateur Extra Class

FCC Element 4. Full US amateur privileges. The pool is the deepest technical material in the amateur service: transmission lines, Smith charts, digital signal processing, complex impedance, and test equipment.

Modules

10

Study time

551 min

Exam

37/50

Pool covered

100%

2024-2028 Amateur Extra (Element 4) · 4th errata issued 2026-02-04 · valid 2024-07-01 to 2028-06-30 · practice exam · official release

Modules

1. 01 Electrical Principles

   DraftE5A · E5B · E5C · E5D

   Q and resonance quantified, time constants, phasors and complex impedance, and the RF effects that make a component stop being the thing its symbol says.

   1. 01Resonance and QCompute resonant frequency, Q, and half-power bandwidth, and predict what raising Q does to a matching network and to the voltages inside it.
      9:17
      12 min
   2. 02Time Constants and Phase AnglesCompute RC and RL time constants, get the sign of a phase angle right, and convert between impedance and admittance.
      7:30
      12 min
   3. 03Phasors, Rectangular and Polar CoordinatesRead and write an impedance in both coordinate systems, plot it, and pick the form that makes a given calculation easy.
      7:19
      11 min
   4. 04RF Effects in Real ComponentsExplain skin effect, self-resonance, and electrical length, and distinguish real power from reactive power.
      7:56
      11 min

2. 02 Circuit Components

   DraftE6A · E6B · E6C · E6D · E6E · E6F

   Semiconductor physics as far as it affects choices, the diode zoo, digital logic families, magnetics, RF packaging, and optoelectronics.

   1. 01Semiconductor Materials and TransistorsExplain doping and why a reverse-biased junction blocks, define beta and alpha cutoff, and identify FET symbols on figure E6-1.
      7:33
      11 min
   2. 02The Diode ZooMatch each specialised diode to the property that makes it useful, and say what actually destroys a diode.
      7:39
      10 min
   3. 03Digital Integrated CircuitsCompare the logic families, say what hysteresis and tri-state outputs are for, and identify the gate symbols on figure E6-3.
      6:28
      9 min
   4. 04Cores, Inductors, and PiezoelectricityChoose a core material by what it must do, explain eddy-current loss and saturation, and describe a crystal's equivalent circuit.
      7:19
      10 min
   5. 05RF Semiconductors and PackagingChoose a semiconductor material by frequency, say what makes an MMIC convenient, and explain why package style limits frequency.
      6:31
      9 min
   6. 06OptoelectronicsDistinguish photovoltaic from photoconductive behaviour, say what an optoisolator buys, and describe a shaft encoder and a solid-state relay.
      6:11
      8 min

3. 03 Practical Circuits

   DraftE7A · E7B · E7C · E7D · E7E · E7F · E7G · E7H

   The largest subelement: logic, amplifiers, filters and matching networks, supplies and regulators, modulators and mixers, SDR internals, op-amps, and oscillators with phase-locked loops.

   1. 01Digital Circuits and LogicName each logic gate by its truth table, tell the three multivibrators apart, and compute how many flip-flops a given division ratio needs.
      5:16
      10 min
   2. 02Amplifier Configurations and ClassesIdentify a common-emitter stage and its biasing from a schematic, place Class AB and Class D on the efficiency-linearity scale, and stop an amplifier oscillating.
      8:40
      11 min
   3. 03Filters and Matching NetworksTell a Pi from a T from a Pi-L by their component arrangement, choose a filter response by what you need, and pick the right physical filter technology.
      8:23
      11 min
   4. 04Power Supplies and Voltage RegulatorsTell series from shunt and linear from switching regulators, compute a pass transistor's dissipation, and say what equalising resistors and step-start do.
      9:08
      11 min
   5. 05Modulators, Mixers, and DetectorsMatch each modulator and detector to its mode, say what actually comes out of a mixer, and explain why FM uses pre-emphasis and de-emphasis.
      6:42
      10 min
   6. 06Software-Defined Radio InternalsApply the sampling theorem and bit-depth arithmetic, explain decimation and its anti-aliasing filter, and say what taps buy in a DSP filter.
      8:47
      12 min
   7. 07Operational AmplifiersCompute an inverting stage's gain and output, name the non-ideal parameters that matter, and predict what adding a feedback capacitor does.
      6:18
      10 min
   8. 08Oscillators, PLLs, and SynthesisersName the three classic oscillators by where their feedback comes from, describe a phase-locked loop and a DDS, and control drift and microphonics.
      8:27
      11 min

4. 04 Signals and Emissions

   DraftE8A · E8B · E8C · E8D

   Fourier analysis, modulation index and deviation ratio, the information-rate versus bandwidth trade, error correction, and keying defects.

   1. 01Fourier Analysis, RMS, and Analogue-to-Digital ConversionMove between time and frequency domains, say what true-RMS measurement buys, and choose an ADC architecture by what it must do.
      8:01
      11 min
   2. 02Modulation Index, Deviation Ratio, and MultiplexingCompute modulation index and deviation ratio and know which inputs each takes, and tell FDM, TDM, and OFDM apart.
      6:35
      10 min
   3. 03Digital Signals: Rate, Bandwidth, and CodesRelate symbol rate to bandwidth, read a constellation diagram, and say how data rate can rise without bandwidth rising with it.
      8:30
      12 min
   4. 04Keying Defects, IMD, and Spread SpectrumDiagnose key clicks and AFSK overmodulation by their measurements, know the acceptable IMD figure, and describe the two spread-spectrum techniques.
      7:02
      10 min

5. 05 Antennas and Transmission Lines

   DraftE9A · E9B · E9C · E9D · E9E · E9F · E9G · E9H

   Antenna parameters computed rather than described, patterns and ground effects, matching networks, transmission-line behaviour, the Smith chart, and receiving antennas.

   1. 01Antenna Parameters, ComputedCompute ERP and EIRP from a station budget, convert between dBi and dBd, and say what antenna efficiency and ground gain actually measure.
      11:09
      14 min
   2. 02Reading Antenna Patterns, and Modelling AntennasRead beamwidth and the three ratios off a polar pattern, tell an azimuth plot from an elevation plot, and know what Method of Moments does and where it fails.
      6:15
      11 min
   3. 03Wire Antennas, Arrays, and Ground EffectsPredict the pattern of a two-element phased array from its feed phasing, name the classic wire antennas, and say what height and terrain do to takeoff angle.
      7:44
      12 min
   4. 04Yagis, Parabolics, and Electrically Short AntennasSay what a Yagi's parasitic elements actually do, compute a parabolic's gain change with diameter, and place a loading coil where it costs least.
      8:16
      11 min
   5. 05Matching Networks, Phasing, and Power DividersChoose between beta, gamma, and stub matching, size a quarter-wave transformer, and say what a Wilkinson divider does that a T-connector does not.
      6:45
      10 min
   6. 06Transmission Lines as Circuit ElementsPredict what a shorted or open stub looks like at any of four lengths, compute physical length from velocity factor, and compare line types honestly.
      7:09
      12 min
   7. 07The Smith ChartIdentify every feature of a Smith chart, say what normalisation means, and know which problems it solves that arithmetic solves badly.
      9:51
      13 min
   8. 08Receiving Antennas and Direction FindingSay why a receiving antenna is judged by directivity rather than gain, build and terminate a Beverage, and resolve a loop's ambiguous null.
      7:24
      11 min

6. 06 Propagation

   DraftE3A · E3B · E3C

   EME and meteor scatter, transequatorial and chordal-hop paths, ordinary and extraordinary waves, and reading space weather properly.

   1. 01EME, Meteor Scatter, and Wave PropertiesPlan an EME contact around the Moon's orbit, choose a band and mode for meteor scatter and aurora, and state the wave properties Extra tests precisely.
      7:28
      11 min
   2. 02Transequatorial, Long Path, and Chordal HopRecognise the specialised HF paths by their geometry and timing, explain why lower elevation angles reach further, and distinguish ordinary from extraordinary waves.
      8:27
      11 min
   3. 03Space Weather and Propagation PredictionRead the space-weather indices Extra adds — Bz, 304A, flare class, G-scale — and use the prediction and reporting tools properly.
      8:42
      10 min

7. 07 Measurement and Receiver Performance

   DraftE4A · E4B · E4C · E4D · E4E

   What instruments can and cannot tell you, and the receiver specifications that actually predict how a radio behaves on a crowded band.

   1. 01Test Equipment and Its LimitsUse a spectrum analyser and a digital scope without being misled by them, compensate a probe, and know what sets each instrument's upper frequency limit.
      6:11
      11 min
   2. 02Measurement Technique and S ParametersRead S parameters correctly, calibrate a VNA, compute absorbed power from forward and reflected readings, and know what limits each measurement's accuracy.
      7:40
      11 min
   3. 03Receiver Performance: Noise Floor and SensitivityCompute how bandwidth changes the noise floor, define MDS and noise figure, and explain reciprocal mixing and what a roofing filter fixes.
      10:04
      12 min
   4. 04Dynamic Range and IntermodulationDefine blocking dynamic range and third-order intercept, diagnose repeater intermodulation, and compute a link budget and margin.
      7:57
      11 min
   5. 05Noise and Interference, DiagnosedIdentify a noise source from its signature, choose the right suppression for common-mode versus conducted noise, and design a single-point ground entry.
      8:24
      11 min

8. 08 Operating Procedures

   DraftE2A · E2B · E2C · E2D · E2E

   Satellites and orbital mechanics, television modes, contest and DX operating, and the VHF and HF digital procedures.

   1. 01Amateur Satellites and Orbital MechanicsRead a pass direction and mode designator, explain what an inverting transponder does to your signal, and set uplink power responsibly.
      7:58
      11 min
   2. 02Amateur Television, Fast and SlowDescribe NTSC scanning and vestigial sideband, decode an SSTV signal by ear, and say what a DVB-T coding rate means.
      7:17
      10 min
   3. 03Contesting, DX, Remote Operation, and LoggingWork a DX pile-up efficiently, submit a contest log in the right format, confirm contacts electronically, and understand what latency does to remote operating.
      9:08
      10 min
   4. 04VHF Digital Modes, EME, and APRSMatch each WSJT-X mode to the path it was designed for, and read an APRS path and frame type.
      6:36
      10 min
   5. 05HF Digital ModesChoose an HF digital mode by what it must carry, and understand the clock synchronisation, keying method, and throughput trade-offs behind each one.
      8:46
      12 min

9. 09 Commission Rules

   DraftE1A · E1B · E1C · E1D · E1E · E1F

   Full privileges, and the rules that only apply once you have them: space stations, automatic control, amplifier certification, spread spectrum, and the volunteer examiner programme from the inside.

   1. 01Band Edges, Sidebands, and Special AuthorisationsCompute where your emission actually sits relative to a band edge, and know the rules for 60 metres, the LF/MF bands, and stations aboard ships and aircraft.
      15:22
      12 min
   2. 02Station Restrictions, Quiet Zones, and ZoningKnow which locations and situations constrain your station — monitoring facilities, the Radio Quiet Zone, airports, radar, and local zoning — and what PRB-1 does about the last one.
      9:09
      11 min
   3. 03Automatic Control, International Operating, and Technical StandardsWhat an automatically controlled station may and may not do, how to operate legally abroad, and the three numeric technical standards Extra tests.
      9:10
      12 min
   4. 04Space Stations, Telecommand, and TelemetryThe four station types Part 97 defines for space and remote operation, which bands they may use, and the two places encryption is legal.
      8:03
      10 min
   5. 05The Volunteer Examiner System, From the InsideHow VECs, VEs, and question pools actually work — the system you have been studying inside, seen from the examiner's chair.
      7:00
      10 min
   6. 06Amplifiers, Line A, and Prohibited CommunicationsThe remaining Extra rules: amplifier certification, Line A, spread spectrum, Special Temporary Authority, and where the line falls on business communications.
      9:30
      11 min

10. 10 Safety

    DraftE0A

    RF radiation hazards at full legal power, hazardous materials, and grounding taken seriously.

    1. 01RF Exposure Evaluation at Full Legal PowerApply the FCC exposure rules the way they are actually written — controlled versus uncontrolled, where the limits bite hardest, and who is responsible at a shared site.
       7:45
       10 min
    2. 02Tower Climbing and GroundingThe two physical hazards that actually kill amateurs — falling and lightning — and the specific practices that prevent each.
       4:15
       8 min

Where the exam questions come from

Each subelement contributes a fixed number of questions to every exam, drawn from a pool of very different size. The right-hand column is the one that matters: how many pool questions you must learn per exam question earned.

50 of 50 syllabus groups reach at least one lesson.