FCC Exam Question: 1-19D2

What is the antenna requirement of a radiotelephone installation aboard a passenger vessel?

A. The antenna must be located a minimum of 15 meters from the radiotelegraph antenna.
B. The antenna must be vertically polarized and as non-directional and efficient as is practicable for the transmission and reception of ground waves over seawater.
C. An emergency reserve antenna system must be provided for communications on 156.800 MHz.
D. All antennas must be tested and the operational results logged at least once during each voyage.
Correct Answer: B

Explanation: For radiotelephone installations aboard passenger vessels, especially those operating in the marine VHF band, the antenna design is critical for reliable communication over water. **Option B is correct** because marine VHF communication (typically 156-162 MHz) primarily uses ground waves (or surface waves) that propagate efficiently over seawater when the signal is **vertically polarized**. A **non-directional** (omnidirectional) antenna is essential because contact needs to be made with stations in any direction relative to the vessel. The antenna must also be **efficient** to maximize radiated power and received signal strength for safety and operational communications. **Option A is incorrect** as a specific 15-meter separation from a radiotelegraph antenna (which is less common now) is not a universal antenna requirement but rather an installation guideline if applicable. **Option C is incorrect** because while an emergency reserve antenna system for VHF Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) is a crucial safety requirement for passenger vessels, it describes a system redundancy rather than the inherent characteristics of the primary antenna itself. **Option D is incorrect** because testing and logging are operational and maintenance procedures, not fundamental requirements defining the antenna's physical or electrical characteristics.

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Includes Elements 1, 3, 6, 7R, 8, and 9.