Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam 2026 - Free Paramedic Practice Questions and Study Guide

In a simplex communication system, portable units are designed to operate in a way that they can either transmit or receive at any one time, but not both simultaneously. This means that while the portable unit is transmitting, it is unable to listen for incoming communications. The term "simultaneously" is key here, as it clarifies that the unit must operate in a single mode at a given time. Therefore, the ability to "transmit voice or telemetry in one mode" accurately reflects the functionality of these portable units.

The option highlighting the capability to transmit and receive simultaneously does not apply to simplex systems, as they are inherently designed to function in a half-duplex nature. The choice that indicates portable units can only receive voice communication ignores their transmission capabilities, which are fundamental to their operation. The notion that these units can operate independently without additional units may apply to certain scenarios, but does not capture the essential characteristics of simplex communication related to their specific transmission and reception abilities.