10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,030-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.
The CRO exam has 50 questions and runs 1 hours.
These 10 free CRO questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Certified Radio Operator blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
At 11:57:20, a music track has 2 minutes 30 seconds remaining. A 30-second commercial and a 10-second station identification must then play in full before a 12:00:00 network join. The music may be faded early, but overlap, added filler, and dead air are not permitted. Which transition makes the join exactly?
Correct answer: A - End the music at 11:59:20, then play the commercial and identification.
A listener calls the station's office to complain about reception. A producer decides to record the conversation for a later program. The listener is not associated with the station and has no reason to expect the call to be broadcast. Under the FCC's telephone-broadcast rule, when must the producer give notice of the intended broadcast?
Correct answer: A - Before starting the recording intended for the later broadcast.
A guest's voice sounds natural about 20 cm from a cardioid microphone but becomes bass-heavy when the guest leans within 3 cm. The change persists on sustained vowels, not just consonants. The input stage is not clipping, and no processing settings have changed. What accounts for the change in tone?
Correct answer: A - Microphone proximity effect.
During a voice break, the microphone preamplifier's clip indicator flashes on loud syllables. Lowering the channel fader makes the broadcast quieter, but the harsh distortion remains audible in pre-fader listen. Which adjustment addresses the overload where it is occurring?
Correct answer: B - Reduce input preamplifier gain, then rebalance the channel fader.
An announcer's overall level is steady, but brief 's' and 'sh' sounds are piercing. A fixed treble cut makes the rest of the voice dull. The production engineer wants attenuation only when excessive sibilance occurs, concentrated in the affected frequency band. Which treatment meets that objective?
Correct answer: B - Use a de-esser to control the sibilant band dynamically.
A telephone panel uses separate interfaces for guests Lena and Marco. Both guests need to hear the host and each other. Marco hears a delayed copy of his own voice because his interface is being fed the full program mix. Lena's return feed works correctly. Which mix should be sent to Marco's interface?
Correct answer: C - The host and Lena, with Marco excluded from the return.
At shift handoff, an operator finds that the last chief-operator review of the station log was 16 days ago. The daily entries are signed, but no review has been delegated to anyone else. The station manager believes the shift signatures satisfy the review requirement. What correction is needed?
Correct answer: B - Have the chief operator review, date, and sign the log now; resume weekly reviews.
A full-power commercial FM station has accepted a valid Required Monthly Test. The operator schedules relay of the complete test 35 minutes after receipt and plans no separate Required Weekly Test that week. No special test schedule applies. How does this plan compare with the FCC's ordinary testing requirements?
Correct answer: D - It is acceptable because relay is within 60 minutes and the monthly test replaces that week's weekly test.
Before a transmitter's high-voltage cabinet is opened for maintenance, the operator issues a remote OFF command. The RF power meter falls to zero, but the electrical supply disconnects remain closed. What is still necessary before exposed parts may be treated as deenergized?
Correct answer: C - Have qualified personnel isolate and lock out the supplies, release stored energy, and verify that exposed parts are deenergized.
A station is licensed as WQRT-FM to Fairview on 101.7 MHz. Its studios and most advertisers are in nearby Lakeport. Which announcement meets the FCC's required station-identification content?
Correct answer: D - WQRT-FM, 101.7, Fairview and Lakeport.
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