ACMA Advanced Amateur Radio Theory study plan

Convert between watts, dBm and field-strength units without a calculator for ten practice values, then verify each with the formula

Compute series/parallel reactance and impedance of R, L and C combinations in five worked circuits

Determine resonant frequency and Q for three LC networks and state the resulting bandwidth

Summarize the licence classes, permitted power levels and station-identification rules from your national regulator in your own notes

List the ten ITU radio regions and service allocations you must know, with one example band for each

Sketch and calculate the response of low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch filters at their cutoff frequencies

Explain the difference between real and reactive power and compute power factor for two AC loads

Calculate characteristic impedance, velocity factor and electrical length for five coaxial and ladder-line examples

Compute SWR, reflection coefficient and mismatch loss from given load and line impedances

Identify the impedance-transformation role of baluns and matching stubs in three described feedline systems

Calculate half-wave dipole and quarter-wave vertical dimensions for four bands and compare with a 5/8-wave vertical

Explain gain, front-to-back ratio and takeoff angle for Yagi, dipole and loop antennas

Describe how ground-plane and radial systems affect vertical antenna efficiency

Explain the operating principle and bias requirements of BJT, FET and PIN diode circuits

Calculate the gain, input and output impedance of inverting and non-inverting op-amp stages

Compare Class A, AB, B and C amplifier efficiency and typical applications

Design and calculate the turns ratio and core requirements of a transformer for a 13.8 V, 20 A linear supply

Explain the operation of a switching power supply and identify its main filtering and protection elements

Describe oscillator start-up conditions and calculate crystal and LC oscillator frequencies

Trace the signal path through a superheterodyne receiver and calculate image frequency for two IF choices

Compare direct-conversion, superheterodyne and SDR architectures for dynamic range and selectivity

Explain the function of AGC, ALC, noise blankers and DSP filters in a transceiver

Explain the generation and detection of AM, FM, SSB and CW and state the occupied bandwidth of each

Compare constant-envelope versus linear modulation and the amplifier classes each requires

Describe the structure of a PSK31 or FT8 signal and the role of error correction and synchronization

Set up a dummy load and calculate expected power readings from peak envelope voltage

Explain how an oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer and directional wattmeter are used to diagnose splatter and harmonic output

Identify the source and cure of common interference such as rectified audio, broadband hash and TVI

Explain the mechanisms of conducted and radiated interference and the role of chokes, bypass capacitors and shielding

Describe how to locate and suppress a nearby interference source without causing new problems

Calculate RF exposure limits for controlled and uncontrolled environments at given frequency and power

Explain the safe distance concept and how antenna height, gain and duty cycle change it

Describe the purpose and typical content of an EMC compliance regime and why equipment filtering matters

List the safety precautions for working near antennas, high voltage and RF fields

Summarize the permitted frequencies, power limits and emission types for your licence class

Explain third-party traffic rules, emergency operation and the role of the regulator and IARU

Describe correct operating procedures for calling CQ, split operation, band plans and contest etiquette

Explain how transceiver specifications such as sensitivity, dynamic range and phase noise affect weak-signal operation

Interpret a receiver specification sheet and identify which numbers matter for contesting versus digital modes

Review the highest-weight domains using a timed mixed-topic question set and record every error by domain

Re-derive the five formulas you missed most often and explain each aloud without notes

Resolve every remaining flagged item in your notes and confirm each fact against a primary reference

Simulate a full-length exam under time pressure and analyze the result by domain

Write a short list of the three topics to revisit on the morning of the exam