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GMDSS · 600 questions

Element 7 - USCG Exam Questions

GMDSS radio operating practices: digital selective calling, INMARSAT, NAVTEX, EPIRBs, search and rescue transponders, and distress, urgency, and safety procedures.

Every question below is a real U.S. Coast Guard exam question with four choices. Answer one and the correct choice is revealed instantly, with the USCG reference and illustration where the question uses one.

Random question Start at question 2 Build a timed exam

All Element 7 questions

Questions 1–100 of 600 · page 1 of 6

  1. #2 The primary purpose of the GMDSS is?
  2. #4 GMDSS is primarily a system based on?
  3. #9 What equipment is used in or near the survival craft?
  4. #14 What sea area is defined as being within range of a shore-based MF station that provides for continuous DSC alerting?
  5. #16 What is defined as an area, excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of an Inmarsat geostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is...
  6. #18 What is defined as the area within the radiotelephone coverage area of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available as...
  7. #25 Which statement is true regarding a vessel equipped with GMDSS equipment that will remain in Sea Area A1 at all times?
  8. #26 What statement is true regarding the additional equipment carriage requirement imposed for the survival craft of vessels over 500 gross tons?
  9. #27 Vessels operating in which sea area(s) are required to carry either Inmarsat or HF equipment or a combination thereof under GMDSS?
  10. #31 Which of the following statements concerning maintenance requirements is false?
  11. #37 What is the frequency range for Medium Frequency?
  12. #38 What is the frequency range for High Frequency?
  13. #39 What is the frequency range for Very High Frequency?
  14. #40 What is the frequency range for Ultra High Frequency?
  15. #41 What is the frequency range for Super High Frequency?
  16. #44 Which system is most likely to be affected by atmospheric disturbances?
  17. #47 Which of the following frequency bands would most likely provide reliable communications between two stations that are 100 miles (160 km) apart?
  18. #49 What statement best describes modulation?
  19. #52 What is the emission designation for MF-HF voice signals?
  20. #57 How many sidebands are present in the J3E mode?
  21. #58 What is the signal transmitted in H3E mode?
  22. #59 What is the signal transmitted in J2B mode?
  23. #65 Which emission mode occupies the most bandwidth?
  24. #67 A vertical (whip) antenna has a radiation pattern best described by?
  25. #73 How often must a compulsory vessel's GMDSS radio station be inspected?
  26. #74 What periodic inspection is required in order to remain in compliance with the regulations regarding GMDSS ship radio station inspections?
  27. #75 Which statement is false regarding a GMDSS-equipped ship?
  28. #76 Which statement is false regarding a GMDSS equipped ship?
  29. #80 Where can GMDSS regulations pertaining specifically to U.S.-flag vessels be found?
  30. #85 Which of the following maintenance functions is not the responsibility of the GMDSS Radio Operator?
  31. #86 When may a compulsory vessel not be allowed to leave port?
  32. #88 Which of the following service or maintenance functions may NOT be performed by the holder of a GMDSS Radio Operator License?
  33. #89 What are the conditions, under GMDSS, whereby a ship is NOT allowed to depart from any port?
  34. #94 Which statement is false regarding the radio operator requirements for a GMDSS-equipped ship station?
  35. #102 Which of the following terms is defined as a back-up power source that provides power to radio installations for the purpose of conducting Distress an...
  36. #103 Under GMDSS, a compulsory VHF-DSC radiotelephone installation must be tested at what minimum intervals at sea?
  37. #105 While underway, how frequently is the DSC controller required to be tested?
  38. #108 The best way to test the Inmarsat-C terminal is?
  39. #111 A vessel certified for service in Sea Area A-2 is required to maintain watch on?
  40. #118 Where should the GMDSS radio log be kept on board ship?
  41. #119 How long must the radio log be retained on board before sending it to the shoreside licensee?
  42. #122 A typical call sign for a large container ship under U. S. flag would be:
  43. #125 Which of the following is the call sign for a U.S.C.G. coast station?
  44. #128 What is the MID?
  45. #129 How many digits are in the MID (Maritime Identification Digits)?
  46. #130 What does the MID (Maritime Identification Digits) signify?
  47. #131 Which of the following numbers indicates a U.S. flag ship station?
  48. #133 Which of the following numbers indicates a ship station MMSI?
  49. #135 A valid MMSI number for a DSC call to a specific group of vessels is:
  50. #137 Which of the following statements concerning MMSI is true?
  51. #156 DSC transmissions are received:
  52. #160 What does the DSC control unit do if the GMDSS Radio Operator fails to insert updated information when initiating a DSC Distress alert?
  53. #161 A DSC Distress alert:
  54. #165 Which of the following channels and modes should be used when initiating a Distress alert transmission?
  55. #166 How many total frequencies are available for DSC Distress alerting?
  56. #168 Which of the following are the MF/HF DSC Distress watch frequencies
  57. #171 Which of the following statements is true regarding Distress alerting under GMDSS?
  58. #172 If a GMDSS Radio Operator initiates a DSC Distress transmission but does not insert a message, what happens?
  59. #182 Which statement is true regarding the receipt and acknowledgement of actual Distress follow-on communications by GMDSS ship stations.
  60. #184 What is the proper procedure to be followed upon receipt of a Distress alert transmitted by use of Digital Selective Calling techniques?
  61. #206 The Radiotelephone Urgency signal is:
  62. #210 The Urgency Priority should be used for:
  63. #213 Which of the following situations would normally use the Voice designation "Securite"?
  64. #216 The Radiotelephone Safety signal is:
  65. #221 How many MF frequencies are available for DSC Distress related calls?
  66. #222 How many HF frequencies are available for DSC Distress related calls?
  67. #248 A SART's signal cannot be detected:
  68. #253 Which is not a valid maintenance and testing function for a SART?
  69. #254 The SART is required to have sufficient battery capacity to operate in the stand-by mode for what period of time?
  70. #267 Which of the following would best be used for visual detection of a distressed vessel?
  71. #268 Which piece of required GMDSS equipment is the primary source of transmitting locating signals?
  72. #270 What part of a satellite EPIRB may function as a visual aid to rescue vessels?
  73. #278 Which statement is NOT true regarding the requirements of survival craft portable two-way VHF radiotelephone equipment?
  74. #286 Which of the following channels is designated as the VHF follow-on communications channel and is required in all portable survival craft equipment?
  75. #291 Which of the following control selections may result in limited receiving range?
  76. #298 Which channel is utilized for the required bridge-to-bridge watch?
  77. #299 While conducting routine communications using the wheelhouse VHF with a station 1 mile distant, your recommended power setting would be:
  78. #307 Which of the following is the primary frequency that is used exclusively for NAVTEX broadcasts internationally?
  79. #308 What is the transmitting range of most NAVTEX stations?
  80. #310 How can reception of certain NAVTEX broadcasts be prevented?
  81. #317 How are NAVTEX broadcasts transmitted?
  82. #320 NAVTEX broadcasts are sent:
  83. #327 SafetyNETTM promulgates what type of information?
  84. #328 What kind(s) of broadcasts are not available through SafetyNETTM?
  85. #329 Which satellite system promulgates Maritime Safety Information?
  86. #330 What information is promulgated by the international SafetyNETTM?
  87. #335 Which of the following provides a unique automated system capable of addressing messages to pre-determined groups of ships or all vessels in both fixe...
  88. #336 What system may be useful for messages, such as local storm warnings or a shore-to-ship Distress alert, for which it is inappropriate to alert all shi...
  89. #337 What services are available through Enhanced Group Calls?
  90. #340 The U.S. Coast Guard communications station providing HF MSI broadcast coverage for NAVAREA IV is:
  91. #341 The U.S. Coast Guard communications station providing HF MSI (Maritime Safety Information) broadcast coverage for NAVAREA XII is:
  92. #343 Which frequency/mode is authorized for use internationally for Maritime Safety Information transmissions?
  93. #344 How many frequencies are assigned specifically for HF MSI broadcasts?
  94. #345 Which NAVAREA is associated with the western North Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea?
  95. #347 NAVAREAs referred to in NAVTEX are the same as used in:
  96. #348 A vessel operating in the Western Atlantic or along the East coast of North America and Central America from Canada to Venezuela, including the Caribb...
  97. #349 A vessel operating in the Eastern Pacific or along the West coast of North and Central America from Alaska to Ecuador, including Panama and Hawaii, wo...
  98. #357 Which satellite(s) would most likely be selected for use when the vessel is operating off the eastern shore of the United States?
  99. #369 What is the primary function of an NCS?
  100. #387 Which mode of communications is NOT possible through an Inmarsat-C SES?

Element 7 questions: what to expect

Q How many Element 7 questions are in the GMDSS pool?

There are 600 Element 7 questions on this site, every one released by the U.S. Coast Guard or taken from the National Maritime Center's sample examinations, with its correct answer. The exam draws its Element 7 module from the same pool.

Q What score do I need to pass the Element 7 module?

Most USCG exam modules, including Element 7, require 70 percent to pass. Rules of the Road modules require 90 percent.

Q Are these the real USCG Element 7 exam questions?

Yes. They are the published U.S. Coast Guard questions, matched to the National Maritime Center's 2026 sample examinations. Answer any question to see the correct choice, the USCG reference and the illustration where the question uses one.

About the GMDSS question pool

These are the published GMDSS Element 7 questions covering radio operating practices: DSC, satellite communications, NAVTEX, EPIRBs, and distress procedures. The GMDSS Radio Operator exam draws from this pool.