STATEMENT OF POLICY CONCERNING  ENG/EFP VAN CERTIFICATION

I realize that my safety, the safety of the public and my co-workers depends on the knowledge and understanding of the dangers involved in ENG/EFP van operation.

I hereby agree that I will not divulge the questions nor the answers of this test, nor discuss the nature of this test or subsequent tests, written or practical, with anyone.

I acknowledge that the release of such information will compromise the integrity of the certification process and will deny other employees a fair and accurate representation of their knowledge.

I understand that a breach of this agreement shall result on revocation of my ENG van certification and may initiate possible further disciplinary action by _____________.
 
 

_____________________________________________________
(LEGAL SIGNATURE)
 

_____________________________________________________
(PRINT LEGAL NAME)
 

_____________________________________________________
(DATE)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ENG VAN SAFETY  WRITTEN EXAMINATION (25 QUESTIONS)
 

Read all questions carefully.  There are no "trick" questions, however, of the choices of answers, there will be one that more accurately answers the question.

Use of notes, manuals, or other reference materials, are not permitted for this test.

You are not permitted to make notes or in any way, record these test materials.

You will be given sufficient time to complete this examination.  If you need to take a break during this exam, you must get permission from your test administrator.

You must make at least a grade of _____ to pass this exam.

Do not discuss or comment to any other employee other than your test administrator or ENG instructor, the contents of this written examination.  To do so, may jeopardize the safety of others.  Operators of our ENG van equipment must know and practice all of the safe operating procedures associated with ENG systems.  There are no shortcuts in acquiring this important and life-saving knowledge.  You will not be helping anyone by divulging test information -- on the contrary.  By doing so, you may be responsible for their injury, or even their deaths.

Read, sign, and date, the attached Statement of Policy.  You will then exchange this signed statement for the actual written test.

After completing this test, give it immediately to the test administrator for grading.
 

NAME ____________________________________________

DATE __________________________ TIME BEGAN ___________________

TIME COMPLETED __________________

TEST GRADE ___________________

TEST VERSION ___________________

ADMINISTRATOR ___________________
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1)  Of the following, which is the most important statement concerning live shot site selection?

a.  One clear of trees in the direction of the microwave shot.
b.  One that offers no obstacles -- power lines, tree limbs, street lights,
 phone lines, etc., -- to a rising ENG mast pole.
c.  A site that will allow sufficient working space around the van.
d.  A site higher in elevation than the average terrain.
 

2)  Which statement most correctly describes the safety features of either of our live vans that might help insure your safety when raising the masts?

a.  A safety "Mast Stop" switch will immediately stop the mast from rising if the mast   should come in contact  with any object.
b.  The masts of both live vans have a sonar alert that detects objects 36 inches above   the top of the mast and will sound an alarm when activated.
c.  When raising the mast, there are no automatic safety features of any type in either van   to protect you or other personnel in or around the van.
d.  The mast poles are designed so they will not be tall enough to reach power lines.
 

3)  If the generator in either van is shut down before switching off other equipment,  which of the following is the most accurate statement?

a.  The vans are designed to be shut down normally by simply turning off the generator.
b.  Equipment can be damaged by incorrect frequency and improper voltage levels as   generator's speed decreases during shutdown.
c.  Normally, switching off equipment before generator shutdown is desirable but not   necessary.
d.  The generator only charges the van's batteries.  Because of this, there is no    prescribed shutdown procedure.
 

4)  If a live van's mast comes in contact with a power line, which of the following is most likely to happen?

a.  Probably very little.  Power lines are insulated just like any other electrical wiring and   they are also protected by fuses that prevent short circuits from occurring.
b.  Internal protection circuits in van will prevent any serious damage to equipment  and   will protect personnel.
c.  Equipment would be seriously damaged, possibly totaled or destroyed.  Personnel in   and around the van would be exposed to deadly voltages.
d.  The rubber tires on the vans will eliminate all possible electrical hazards to equipment   and personnel.
 

5)  One advantage of using the van's generator AC power for our lights and cameras is that the generator's voltage, unlike house current, is safe.  Because of this, personnel are not in danger of  electrocution.

a.  True
b.  False
 

6)  The fully raised height of the ENG antenna on Unit _____ is?

a.  52 ft.
b.  46 ft.
c.  35 ft.
d.  65 ft.
 

7)  Which of the following statements is most correct concerning the possibility of lightning strikes to the van during a thunderstorm?

a.  Excellent grounding of the van's electrical system and its rubber tires will   probably prevent a lightning strike to the van.
b.  Mast pole is fiberglass and will not conduct current.
c.  Van is not protected in any way against lightning strikes and a raised mast during an   electrical storm usually offers a good target for a lightning hit.
d.  As long as the upraised mast is not higher than surrounding objects, you are safe   from lightning strikes.
 

8)  When scurrying to set-up a live shot, you should be very aware of the liability you can create when you:

a.  run cables that are not taped to lay flat on floors, sidewalks, walkways, etc.
b.  run cables on stairways.
c.  use ungrounded AC extension cords.
d.  All of the above.
 

9)  The driving characteristics of our live vans differ greatly from other news vehicles.

The higher ____________________ of ___________________ affects the turning and stability of  the vans.

The higher gross weight greatly affects the ____________________ distance.
 

10)  When conducting a live shot from __________________, it is best to use microwave channel four.

a.  True
b.  False
 

11)  In ENG van Unit _______, to which mixer input would you connect the output of_________ or _____________ or ____________ if you wanted to send audio back to the studio?___________________.
 

12)  Which of the following  is the most correct statement concerning the proper procedure for raising the mast on an ENG vehicle?

a.  With the generator stabilized and air compressor functioning properly, place raise   control handle in the raise position.  To expedite the set-up, as the mast is rising,  you may begin running your camera cables, conduct interviews, etc. The mast will stop automatically when it is fully deployed.
b.  For safety reasons, the mast raise control is spring-loaded in the "down" position. You  must physically hold in the "raise" position in order to achieve full extension of  mast.
c.  Walk around van while looking up to ascertain there will be no obstacles in the mast's   path.  Place the raise control in the up position. It will stay in that position until you  change it.  Keeping your hand on the control, watch the mast rise until it is fully deployed.  Never take your attention away from the area in which the mast is rising.
d.  In a practical situation, it is permissible to allow the rising mast and antenna to"brush"   against tree limbs and leaves.  They will easily be pushed out of the way by the forceful rising mast, and could in no way result in damage the equipment.
 

13)  When setting up a live shot in wet and rainy conditions, you should always:

a.  Guard against electrical cable connections coming in contact with water.  Route all   cables in such a manner as to prevent them from coming in contact with puddles,  streams, or other water situations.
b.  Run all of your video/audio and AC cables to your equipment but connect the AC cables last.  This will let you handle the cables with relative safety before AC is applied.
c.  Before using, carefully inspect all of your AC cords for breaks in the rubber covering,   fraying wiring, loose end connectors, broken ground wire or ground connector and any other faulty condition that might make you question the safety integrity of the cable.
d.  Do all of the above.
 

14)  If you find yourself having difficulty lowering a mast, which of the following might be the problem?

a.  Van could be parked on uneven  ground such as a hill, expressway off-ramp, a  slopping ditch or curb gutter, resulting in the mast sections "binding" and preventing normal retraction.
b.  If severe cold weather, sections could be glazed over with ice and frozen in position.
c.  Mast control malfunction - possible clogged air lines.
d.  Any of the above.
 
 

15)  The safest practice to help eliminate the possibility of electrical shock during live set-ups is?

a.  After raising mast, turn generator off and run equipment on invertor supply.
b.  Connect all power cables to the van last after all other equipment is connected.
c.  The three pin "grounded" AC cords are great for most applications, but for broadcasting use, this ground pin should be removed from the plug.  This will eliminate the possibility of your coax providing an electrical path to ground.
d.  All of the above.
 

16)  You are required to perform a van inspection.  Which of the following would indicate to you the potential for an important safety problem?

a.  Tire pressure on one of the rear tires is obviously low.
b.  The two-way radio doesn't work on channel one.
c.  There is an unidentified fluid leak on the inside of the engine compartment.
d.  Any of the above.
 

17)  When performing the generator check during your inspection of the ENG van, you observe that the generator is running rough and unevenly.  You should:

a.  Let the generator run for a few minutes to see if  it begins to run properly.  If it does not, then load the generator by switching on your microwave transmitter, all interior and exterior lights and the roof-mount air conditioner to see if that will trigger smooth operation.
b.  Let the generator run for a few minutes to see if it begins to run properly.  Do not switch on any electrical equipment as long as generator is running improperly.
c.  Stop the generator and add oil.  A low oil condition is the only reason a generator will run unevenly.
d.  Crank up the van's engine and see if it also runs rough.  If it does, the fuel is contaminated and must be replaced.
 

18)  Which of the following most accurately describes the health hazard to humans when near an operating ENG 2 GHz  transmitter?

a.  There are no health hazards - the emitted power is too low and the frequency is not high enough to cause harm.
b.  At the present time, there is no evidence that the ENG signal is harmful to humans if the equipment is operated within FCC and ANSI guidelines.  However, some common sense precautions should be observed, as described during training.
c.  Tests reveal the 2 GHz frequency is seriously harmful to humans and one should always maintain the maximum distance possible from the operating antennas.
d.  None of the above.
 

19)  Although the manufacturer states that "bounce" shots are not practical when using the Omni-pole antennas of the type located at our studio site, we have had success using this type of microwave shot.  Which of the following is not a true statement when establishing a bounce type microwave signal?

a.  When setting up a bounce shot, the distance to the reflecting object is not critical as   long as it is high enough to carry your signal over the tree line, buildings, etc.
b.  The object you select to reflect your shot must be located close to your transmitter,   should be higher than other objects around you and ideally should be flat and   smooth.
c.  When bouncing your ENG signal off of a usable object, the signal reaching the    receive antenna is 180 degrees out of phase; the same principle as reflections in a mirror - the signal is reversed.  Therefore, the polarization control on some ENG receivers must be adjusted to match this signal reversal to achieve maximum signal strength.
d.  In some instances, you might be more successful in attaining your bounce shot if  you  lower the height of the van's 2 GHz antenna.
 

20)  When breaking down a shot, the first important safety procedure to remember is to:

a.  Notify newsbase of your projected time of arrival back at the studio.
b.  Carefully retrieve and store all of your external equipment in its proper place.
c.  Lower your mast and secure the antenna in its proper travel position.
d.  Shut down the generator then switch off all of the van's equipment.
 

21)  You  are assigned to cover live a major highway accident, you reach the location and find  a tanker truck with a full load of gasoline has collided with another 18 wheeler.  There is a large quantity of spilled gasoline.  Fortunately there is no fire but the fire department is on the scene.  Which of the following would be the least important item to consider at that time?
a.  An explosion could erupt at any moment.  You should position yourself and equipment  a safe distance from the scene.
b.  If van is located very close to the scene, your transmitted microwave signal and/or   your  2-way radio transmitter might very well ignite the gasoline fumes.
c.  Be sure to position your van so if fire should erupt, your microwave signal will not have to pass through the heavy smoke, therefore attenuating the signal.
d.  Take the time to check with the fire supervisor on the scene.  Get his advice on potential dangers of the situation.  This information might help you choose the best van location.
 

22)  When you first arrive at the scene of your live shot, why is it required procedure that you immediately contact newsbase by radio?

a.  Newsbase should be informed of any competitive  broadcasters also at the scene.
b.  Newsbase can confirm both radio communication from the site and your safe  arrival.
c.  Newsbase must know of your location so they can dispatch other units to the scene.
d.  Newsbase must know your exact location so they can begin swinging their ENG   receive antenna in your direction.
 

23) Some sites have  "steerable" receiving antennas. It usually takes more time to establish a successful live van shot than with a fixed antenna.  Which of  the following is the best method of antenna alignment for the steerable site?

a.  The simplest and therefore most practical method is with the van transmitting a    modulated signal (any video and audio source), the van operator rotates his  antenna until newsbase advises him that he has reached his highest AGC (signal strength) number.  Newsbase then rotates the steerable antenna until the highest AGC is reached.
b.  Newsbase should rotate the steerable antenna to the best approximate azimuth for the  live location while van is in route to site. Color bars with tone should be modulating the van's ENG signal.  If newsbase reports they are not receiving any signal, the van should slowly rotate the antenna.  As soon as newsbase reports they are receiving a signal, the van should stop rotation and newsbase should then rotate the steerable antenna until maximum AGC is reached.  Then the van can slowly rotate it's antenna until advised by newsbase of maximum AGC.
c.  The steerable antenna has an "automatic tuning" feature that will fine tune the signal   for maximum AGC once some sort of signal link is obtained.
d.  A quick method that always works for antenna alignment is for both van and  steerable  antenna to rotate at the same time.  The highest AGC can then be quickly and dependably reached using this method.
 

24)  The operating range of an ENG live signal depends upon many factors.  The usable range using our tower and unit ________ is considered to be:

a.  70 miles.
b.  50 miles.
c.  35 miles.
d.  60 miles.
 

25)  If you are assigned to set up a live shot and you observe that the weather seems to be developing into a potential thunderstorm, how should you proceed with the set-up?

a.  If you feel that the threat of lightning exists, lower the mast and notify newsbase of the   weather conditions and of your plans to terminate (for now) the set-up.
b.  Continue with the set-up but watch for nearby lightning.  After you observe at least two  lightning strikes, discontinue with the shot and lower the mast.
c.  You should proceed as you normally would under good weather conditions.  The rubber tires on the van will protect you (as long as you are in the van), the van and the equipment from any lightning strikes.
d.  Try to relocate the ENG van near a tall building, water tower or some other tall structure and proceed with your live set-up.  A structure taller than your van's extended mast will protect the van from a lightning hit.
 
 
 

ANSWERS
 

1.  B
2.  C
3.  B
4.  C
5.  F
 

6.  B
7.  C
8.  D
9.  CENTER OF GRAVITY, STOPPING
10. F
 

11.  FOUR (LINE LEVEL)
12.  C
13.  D
14.  D
15.  B
 

16.  D
17.  B
18.  B
19.  A
20.  B
 

21.  C
22.  B
23.  B
24.  C
25.  A