The Basic lessons

One lesson for each of the 100 subsections the Basic exam draws from, the real questions to practise on after each, and a readiness score that tells you when to book. They are part of SignalPrep Pro, and the first lesson of every section is free to read. See Pro →

$29 CAD once, until December 31, 2026. $39 from January 1, 2027. Lessons are written with AI from ISED's published material, checked against the official answer key, and read by a person before they go live.

Syllabus

Regulations and policies

The Legal Foundation of Canadian Amateur Radio (free to read) — This lesson explains which Canadian laws give you the right to operate a radio station and which government department manages those rules. You will learn the difference between the Act that creates authority and the Regulations that define the amateur service.
Keeping Your Licence Current and Safe — Learn how to keep your Amateur Radio Operator Certificate valid for life and what to do when you move. Understand the rules for storing your licence, reporting address changes, and the fees for updates.
Rules, Penalties, and Inspector Powers — This lesson explains the strict rules against false distress calls and transmissions outside amateur bands, detailing the legal penalties for violations. It also clarifies the limits of a radio inspector's power to enter homes and the conditions under which a licence can be suspended.
Who Can Get an Amateur Radio Licence and What It Covers — This lesson explains that anyone in Canada, regardless of age or citizenship, can become a licensed radio operator. It details the specific exams required, the order in which you can take them, and the exact speed needed for Morse code.
Installing and Repairing Radios for Others — Learn the strict rules for working on another person's radio equipment. Understand why both the installer and the owner must hold valid certificates before any work begins.
Rules for Power, Bands, and Equipment Limits — Learn why low-power stations still require supervision and why you can never transmit outside amateur bands. Understand the strict rules against amplifying licence-exempt devices and communicating with non-amateur stations.
Keeping Amateur Radio Open and Clear — This lesson explains why business, secret codes, and public broadcasting are forbidden on amateur bands. You will learn how to keep your transmissions open, understandable, and strictly for personal and technical use.
Where You Can Operate and What You Can Build — This lesson explains where your amateur radio certificate is valid in Canada and clarifies which qualifications allow you to build, install, or operate specific types of stations. You will learn the difference between basic operation and the advanced skills needed for complex installations like repeaters and custom transmitters.
Who is Responsible: Owners and Control Operators — This lesson explains that both the station owner and the person actually transmitting share legal responsibility for every radio transmission. It clarifies the rules for letting others use your equipment and where the person in charge must be located.
Managing Interference and Frequency Rights — Learn why causing interference is never acceptable and how to share frequencies fairly. Understand the difference between primary and secondary users, and which bands require extra caution.
Rules for Emergencies and Interference — This lesson explains when you can break normal rules to save lives and why you must never use amateur frequencies for non-amateur business. You will learn exactly what to do when a distress call is heard and how to behave when others are working a disaster net.
Money, Secrets, and the Amateur Radio Code — This lesson explains why amateur radio operators cannot be paid for sending messages and when it is legal to share private communications. You will learn the strict rules that keep the service non-commercial and the specific exceptions where sharing information is allowed.
Calling Your Station: Canadian Call Signs and ID Rules — Learn how Canadian call signs are formed and the strict rules for identifying your station on the air. This lesson explains when you must speak your call sign and why these rules keep the radio spectrum organized.
Third-Party and Foreign Operations — This lesson explains how Canadian amateurs can legally share their radios with friends and visitors from other countries. You will learn the specific rules for emergency communications and the identification requirements for foreign operators.
Your Operating Limits and HF Band Access — Learn why your personal license level sets the rules for every transmission you make, even when using another operator's equipment. Discover the specific score needed to unlock long-distance HF bands and memorize the exact frequency ranges for the major amateur bands in Canada.
Mastering Bandwidth Limits and Emission Rules — Learn how much radio spectrum your signal can occupy on different bands and why some modes are banned on specific frequencies. This lesson explains the rules to keep your transmissions legal and prevent interference.
Mastering Power Limits and Measurements — Learn how to choose the right power level for every situation and understand exactly where to measure it. This lesson explains the different power limits based on your certificate level and the specific rules for various radio bands.
Repeaters, Unmodulated Carriers, and Basic Privileges — Learn how repeaters extend your range and why unmodulated signals are mostly forbidden. Understand the specific frequency limits for operators with only a Basic Qualification.
Keeping Signals Stable and Clear: Frequency and Modulation Rules — Learn why your radio must stay on frequency and how to avoid distorting your voice. This lesson explains the rules for signal stability and the limits of voice modulation.
International Amateur Radio Communications Rules — Learn what messages you can send to other countries and who sets the rules for cross-border radio. This lesson explains the limits on third-party traffic and how international agreements protect your ability to communicate.
Operating Rules: ITU Regions and Cross-Border Licences — Learn how the world is divided into radio regions and why your Canadian licence follows local rules when you travel. Discover the minimum qualifications needed to operate in the US or Europe and how to correctly identify your station while abroad.
Exam Fees, Accessibility, and Interpreter Rules — Learn the exact costs for taking your amateur radio exam at government offices versus private examiners. Understand how the rules protect candidates with disabilities or language barriers during testing.
Antenna Rules: Federal Authority and Public Consultation — Learn who has the final say on your antenna tower and when you must talk to your neighbours. This lesson explains the federal rules that override local objections and the specific steps required for public consultation.
Staying Safe with Radio Frequency Energy — Learn why Health Canada's Safety Code 6 sets exposure limits to protect you from radio waves. Understand which frequencies are most intense, how distance and power matter, and why no transmitter is exempt from these safety rules.
Resolving Interference: Who is Responsible? — Learn how Canadian rules decide if your radio signal or a neighbour's faulty equipment causes interference. Understand the difference between radio-sensitive and associated devices to know when you must fix the problem.

Operating and procedures

Mastering Repeater Etiquette and Operations (free to read) — Learn how to use repeaters to extend your radio range while respecting shared airwaves. This lesson explains the technical rules, proper calling procedures, and safety protocols for VHF and UHF operations.
Clear Call Signs: The Phonetic Alphabet — Learn how to spell your call sign clearly over the radio using the standard International Telecommunication Union words. This lesson explains why clarity matters and provides the specific code words you must memorize for letters A, B, D, E, G, I, L, P, and R.
Making Contact: Voice Procedures and Simplex — Learn the standard phrases for calling and answering on voice, and understand when to use direct simplex links versus repeaters. This lesson explains the logic behind frequency choices and sideband rules so you can operate clearly and politely.
Operating with Courtesy and Clarity — Learn how to share the radio spectrum fairly by listening first and adjusting your power. Discover practical methods to test equipment and join nets without causing interference.
Morse Code Etiquette and QSK Operations — Learn the proper rhythm for sending Morse code calls and how to use QSK full break-in to listen between your own dots and dashes. This lesson explains the meaning of common codes like CQ, DE, and 73 so you can communicate clearly and politely.
Understanding Signal Reports and the RST System — Learn how to give clear signal reports using the RST system, describing readability, strength, and tone. Understand how signal strength relates to transmitter power and how to report signals heard through repeaters.
Mastering Q Codes for Clear Communication — Learn the essential three-letter Q codes that help operators manage signal speed, frequency changes, and interference. This lesson explains how to ask if a frequency is busy, request slower sending, and identify callers using standard shorthand.
Emergency Signals and Distress Procedures — Learn when and how to use distress signals like MAYDAY and SOS to save lives. Understand the correct priorities for emergency communications and how to respond when others are in trouble.
Logging, Maps, and Time for Radio Operators — Learn how to prove your contacts, use maps to find directions, and convert time zones for global communication. This lesson explains the tools and records that keep amateur radio organized and reliable.

Station assembly, practice and safety

Building a Safe and Effective HF Station (free to read) — This lesson explains how to arrange your radio equipment to prevent interference and protect your gear. You will learn the specific roles of filters, tuners, and meters to ensure your signal stays clean and your antenna system is safe.
How FM Transmitters Work: From Voice to Radio Wave — This lesson explains how a microphone turns your voice into an electrical signal and how an FM transmitter changes frequency to carry that sound. You will learn which parts of the radio handle the most power and why frequency, not volume, is key to FM transmission.
Inside the Superheterodyne Receiver — This lesson explains how a superheterodyne receiver processes radio signals, detailing the specific job of each stage from the antenna to the speaker. You will learn why certain parts must be quiet, how frequency conversion works, and where volume and noise control happen.
How a Basic CW Transmitter Works — This lesson explains the simple building blocks of a Morse code transmitter and why each part is necessary for a stable signal. You will learn how electricity flows through the system and how the operator controls the transmission.
How an SSB/CW Receiver Works — This lesson explains the step-by-step journey of a radio signal through a receiver, from the antenna to the speaker. You will learn why each stage exists and how it transforms the signal to make voices and Morse code audible.
How Single-Sideband Transmitters Work — This lesson explains how a single-sideband (SSB) radio turns your voice into a radio signal, step by step. You will learn the specific job of each component, from the microphone to the final amplifier.
Connecting Computers to Radios for Digital Modes — Learn how sound card interfaces bridge the gap between your computer and radio to enable digital communication. Understand why these devices convert signals and protect your equipment from electrical noise.
Inside a Linear Power Supply — Learn how a linear power supply converts wall power into stable DC for your radio, step by step. Understand why each part exists, where safety happens, and which component gets hot.
Inside the 3-Element Yagi Antenna — Learn how the three parts of a Yagi antenna work together to focus your signal in one direction. Discover which piece holds everything up, which one is connected to your radio, and how length determines function.
Receiver Performance: Bandwidth, Filters, and Sensitivity — Learn how to match your receiver's bandwidth to your signal type for clear audio. Understand how sensitivity, dynamic range, and filters keep your station working effectively.
CW Stability, AM Basics, and Transmitter Efficiency — Learn why steady power prevents frequency chirp in Morse code and how amplitude modulation creates sidebands. Understand where lost power goes in a transmitter and how to calculate bandwidth.
Mastering SSB: Gain, Linearity, and Bandwidth — Learn how to set your microphone gain and speech processing correctly to avoid distorting your voice or interfering with other stations. Understand why Single Sideband (SSB) requires linear amplifiers and how to calculate the exact frequency your signal occupies.
Understanding FM: Deviation, Noise, and the Capture Effect — This lesson explains how Frequency Modulation (FM) works, why it sounds clear on VHF bands, and how to set your equipment correctly to avoid distortion. You will learn the specific terms for frequency changes and the rules that keep your transmissions legal and effective.
Making Your Station Sound and Work Right — Learn how to adjust your microphone, use electronic tools for Morse code, and manage noise for clear communications. This lesson explains the circuits that make your voice intelligible and your signals clean.
Digital Modes: From Sound to Signal — Learn how analog voice and images become digital data, and why narrow bandwidths let dozens of signals share the air. Discover the rules for setting audio levels and choosing frequencies to keep your digital transmissions clear and interference-free.
Powering Your Station: Batteries and Safety — Learn how batteries provide power for your radio, why voltage drops under load, and the critical differences between battery types. Discover the rules for connecting batteries in series and parallel to get the right voltage and capacity for your needs.
Power Supplies and Safe DC Connections — Learn how to choose and connect power supplies to avoid signal noise and equipment damage. Understand why wire size, fuse placement, and supply type matter for clear transmissions.
Securing Your Station and Avoiding Electrical Hazards — Learn how to physically lock out unauthorized users from your home and mobile radio stations. Understand the specific electrical dangers of high voltage, vehicle batteries, and the tiny currents that can stop a human heart.
Station Safety: Grounding, Fuses, and Capacitors — Learn how to ground your station to prevent shock and lightning damage, and understand why correct fusing and capacitor discharge are vital for safety. This lesson explains the physics behind grounding bonds, wire impedance, and proper maintenance procedures.
Station Safety: Lightning, Towers, and RF Burns — This lesson explains how to protect your home and equipment from lightning strikes and how to stay safe while climbing towers or working with antennas. You will learn the correct procedures to prevent severe electrical burns and falls.
Staying Safe with UHF and Microwave Antennas — Learn why radio frequency energy can heat body tissue and how to position antennas to keep yourself and others safe. This lesson explains the specific risks to your eyes and the simple rules for mounting equipment indoors and outdoors.

Circuit components

Amplifiers: Boosting Signals Without Distortion (free to read) — Learn how amplifiers increase signal strength for radio and audio, and why keeping them linear prevents distortion. This lesson explains gain, efficiency, and the specific frequency ranges used in amateur radio.
Diodes: One-Way Valves and Signal Detectors — This lesson explains how diodes act as one-way valves for electricity, protecting equipment and converting signals. You will learn the names of diode parts, how they turn alternating current into direct current, and why special types like Zeners and LEDs are useful.
The Bipolar Transistor: Amplifier and Switch — Learn how the bipolar transistor uses a small electrical signal to control a larger one, acting as both an amplifier and a switch. Understand the roles of its three parts, the difference between NPN and PNP types, and why heat is its biggest enemy.
Understanding Field-Effect Transistors — This lesson explains how field-effect transistors (FETs) work, focusing on their three main parts and how they control electricity. You will learn the difference between N-channel and P-channel types and why FETs are unique compared to other transistors.
Vacuum Tubes and the Triode: History and Function — This lesson explains how vacuum tubes like the triode work, why they were once preferred for high power, and how they compare to modern transistors. You will learn the names and roles of the three internal electrodes that control electron flow.
Reading Resistor Colour Codes and Understanding Tolerance — Learn how to decode the coloured bands on resistors to find their resistance value and precision. Understand how temperature affects resistance and why tolerance matters in circuit design.

Basic electronics and theory

Mastering Metric Prefixes for Radio (free to read) — This lesson teaches you how to convert between common metric units like kilohertz, milliamperes, and megahertz. You will learn the simple logic of moving decimal points to handle the vast range of values in electronics.
Conductors, Insulators, and the Flow of Electricity — This lesson explains how different materials control the flow of electric charge and defines the key terms used to describe that movement. You will learn why some substances let electricity pass easily while others stop it, and how temperature affects this behaviour.
Understanding Power, Circuits, and Safety — Learn how to measure the rate of energy use in watts and understand the formula connecting voltage and current. Discover the critical differences between open and short circuits to keep your equipment safe.
Ohm's Law: Voltage, Current, and Resistance — Learn how voltage, current, and resistance relate in a simple circuit using Ohm's Law. Master the three formulas needed to calculate any one value when you know the other two.
Series and Parallel Circuits: Current and Resistance — Learn how adding resistors in a line versus side-by-side changes total resistance and current flow. Master the simple rules to calculate values for any combination of series or parallel components.
Power and Heat: Managing Resistors Safely — Learn why resistor size matters for heat and how to calculate power in watts using voltage and current. Discover how to combine resistors to handle more power safely.
Understanding Frequency, Wavelength, and Wave Basics — This lesson explains how alternating current cycles create frequency and wavelength, and why these concepts matter for radio. You will learn to identify audio ranges, harmonics, and the relationship between speed and distance in a signal.
Understanding Decibels and Power Ratios — Learn how to calculate power changes using the decibel scale, focusing on the critical 3 dB and 10 dB rules. This lesson explains why doubling power adds 3 dB and how to use these ratios to adjust signal strength.
Combining Inductors and Capacitors — Learn how to calculate total inductance and capacitance when connecting components in series or parallel. Understand the physical factors that determine a component's value and how to safely use polarized capacitors.
Reacting to Change: How Inductors and Capacitors Behave — Learn why inductors block high frequencies while capacitors block low ones, and how these properties shape radio circuits. Understand the difference between resistance, reactance, and impedance to predict circuit behaviour.
Transformers, Magnetic Fields, and Energy Transfer — Learn how transformers change voltage and current while keeping power balanced, and understand how magnetic fields behave around wires. This lesson explains why wires get warm and how to maximize energy transfer between circuits.
Resonance: Tuning Circuits to Select Frequencies — Learn how inductors and capacitors work together to create a circuit that strongly responds to one specific frequency while ignoring others. Understand why this effect is essential for selecting radio signals and how circuit arrangement changes the result.
Measuring Voltage, Current, and Power Safely — Learn how to connect voltmeters and ammeters correctly to avoid damaging your equipment or getting false readings. Understand which instrument measures what, and why accuracy matters in your radio station.

Feedlines and antenna systems

Connecting Your Radio to the Sky (free to read) — This lesson explains how transmission lines carry radio energy from your transceiver to your antenna and what determines their electrical properties. You will learn why cable length does not change impedance and how to match your equipment to avoid signal loss.
Understanding Feedlines and the Balun — This lesson explains the physical differences between coaxial, window, and open-wire transmission lines. It also clarifies why a balun is essential when connecting unbalanced cables to balanced antennas.
Choosing and Protecting Your Feedline — Learn why coaxial cable is the standard choice for most amateur stations and how to select the right connectors for your equipment. This lesson explains how to protect your feedline from weather, physical damage, and signal loss.
Keeping Your Signal Strong: Feedline Loss and Length — Learn why longer cables and higher frequencies weaken your radio signal before it reaches the antenna. Discover how choosing the right cable type and keeping the run short preserves your power.
Understanding SWR and Impedance Matching — Learn why matching your antenna to the feedline matters and how to read Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) meters. Discover what causes high SWR, why it increases signal loss, and how to use an antenna analyzer to fix problems.
Matching Antennas and Feedlines for Maximum Power — Learn why radio transmitters reduce power when antennas don't match and how tuners fix this. Discover the rules for moving power efficiently and the best places to install matching devices.
Understanding Antenna Polarization and Isotropic Radiators — Learn how the physical orientation of an antenna determines the direction of radio waves and why matching this orientation is crucial for strong signals. Discover the concept of the isotropic radiator as a theoretical benchmark for measuring antenna performance.
Tuning Antennas: Length, Speed, and Traps — Learn how changing an antenna's length or adding components shifts its resonant frequency. Understand the speed of radio waves and how to calculate wavelength in free space.
Directing Signals: Parasitic Elements and Antenna Gain — Learn how adding unpowered elements focuses radio waves to increase signal strength in a specific direction. Understand how to calculate antenna gain and define the frequency range an antenna can use effectively.
Building and Tuning Vertical Antennas — Learn how to calculate the physical length of vertical antennas for different frequencies and understand why specific designs improve performance. This lesson explains how to match antennas to your radio using radials and loading coils.
Mastering the Multi-Band Yagi Antenna — Learn how Yagi antennas use traps to work on multiple bands and how their physical dimensions affect signal strength and direction. This lesson explains the trade-offs between gain, bandwidth, and element spacing to help you choose the right setup.
Dipoles, Lengths, and Multi-Band Antennas — Learn how to calculate the physical length of a dipole antenna for any frequency and understand its unique donut-shaped radiation pattern. Discover the trade-offs of using traps and end-fed designs to operate on multiple bands with a single antenna.
Loop Antennas: Quads and Delta Loops — This lesson explains how quad and delta loop antennas use full-wavelength wire loops to create directional signals. You will learn how to calculate their size, determine their polarization, and understand their trade-offs compared to other antennas.

Radio wave propagation

How Radio Waves Travel: Ground, Sky, and Line-of-Sight (free to read) — This lesson explains why your radio works differently on short versus long distances and how the atmosphere shapes your signal. You will learn the three main paths a radio wave takes and which frequencies use each path.
How the Ionosphere Shapes Radio Signals — Learn how sunlight creates a charged layer in the sky that reflects radio waves. Understand why some bands work for long distances only at night while others fail during the day.
Understanding Skip Zones and Sky Wave Hops — This lesson explains how radio waves bounce off the ionosphere to travel long distances and why a silent gap often exists between local and distant reception. You will learn the specific distances covered by different atmospheric layers and how antenna angles change your signal's reach.
Why HF Signals Fade and How Ionospheric Layers Interact — Learn how the daytime D region absorbs low-frequency signals and why multi-path travel causes fading. Discover practical fixes for signal loss during ionospheric disturbances and how bandwidth affects reception quality.
The Sun's Role in Radio Propagation — Learn how the Sun's 11-year cycle and daily radiation change the atmosphere to allow long-distance radio communication. Understand why sunspots and solar flux determine which frequencies work best for reaching distant stations.
Mastering the Ionosphere and Maximum Usable Frequency — Learn how the sun shapes the ionosphere to reflect radio waves over long distances. Discover how to predict which frequencies will reach your destination by understanding critical frequency and the Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF).
VHF and UHF Propagation: Bending, Ducts, and Auroras — Learn how the atmosphere bends radio waves to extend your range beyond the horizon. Discover the specific conditions that allow 2-metre and 6-metre signals to travel hundreds of kilometres.
Scatter Propagation: Filling the Skip Zone — Learn how radio signals can reach the 'dead zone' between ground wave and normal sky wave by bouncing off atmospheric irregularities. This lesson explains why these signals are weak and distorted, and which bands rely on this unique mode.

Interference and suppression

Understanding and Solving Receiver Overload (free to read) — Learn why strong nearby signals can overwhelm a radio receiver and how to distinguish this from other types of interference. Discover the specific filters and steps needed to restore clear reception.
Stopping RF Interference in Home Electronics — Learn why strong radio signals turn into noise in your speakers and phones. Discover the simple ferrite cores and filters that stop these unwanted sounds.
Stopping Unwanted Signals: Intermodulation and Spurious Emissions — Learn why radios sometimes create new, unwanted frequencies and how to stop them. This lesson explains spurious emissions, intermodulation, and key clicks so you can keep your transmissions clean.
Harmonics, Splatter, and Out-of-Band Emissions — Learn why transmitters sometimes send signals on the wrong frequencies and how to stop them. Understand the difference between harmonics, splatter, and out-of-band emissions to keep your neighbours happy.
Taming Signals: Filters and Interference Control — Learn how different electronic filters block unwanted radio noise while letting your desired signals pass. Understand why matching impedance prevents signal loss and how to choose the right filter for specific interference problems.