Element2 Study Guide

Amateur Radio
Technician Class License

Study Guide
(For use July 1, 2006 to June 0, 2010!
Com"liments o#$
%arl
&'()R
Source *aterial is +u,licly A-aila,le
Question Pool of 393 questions released 6 Feb 2006
and CFR Title 47, Part 97, Amateur Radio er!i"e#
T$is do"ument ma% be freel% distributed and &as de!elo'ed for not(for('rofit use onl%#
Re!ision )ate* +2,+9,2006
Fore.ord
This document is sim"ly a com"ilation o# the "u,licly a-aila,le /uestion "ool
.hich has ,een con-erted into statements and #ormatted0 The intent .as to
retain as much o# the ori1inal .ords #rom the /uestion "ool as "ossi,le to
le-era1e #amiliari2ation in the learnin1 and memory "rocess0 The 13 terms
most #re/uently used in the te4t are$
amateur emer1ency "o.er
antenna e4am
radio
call FCC re"eater
communications #re/uency si1nals
control license station
The author5s ho"e is that this document mi1ht ,e use#ul as a resource in
studyin1 #or the %lement 2, Technician Class License Amateur Radio %4am0
Ta,le o# Contents
%L%*%&T 2 S6)%L%*%&T +a1e 7
T1 8 FCC Rules, station license res"onsi,ilities00000000000000000000000
T2 8 Control o"erator duties0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 6
T 8 9"eratin1 "ractices00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 :
T; 8 Radio and electronic #undamentals000000000000000000000000000000000 12
T3 8 Station setu" and o"eration000000000000000000000000000000000000000 13
T6 8 Communications modes and methods0000000000000000000000000000000000 1'
T< 8 S"ecial o"erations000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 20
T' 8 %mer1ency and +u,lic Ser-ice Communications00000000000000000000000 22
T: 8 Radio .a-es, "ro"a1ation, and antennas0000000000000000000000000000 23
T0 8 %lectrical and RF Sa#ety000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 2'
2
S6)%L%*%&T T1 8 FCC Rules and Station Licensee Res"onsi,ilities
=; e4am /uestions > ; Grou"s?
T1A =1 e4am /uestion?
)asis and "ur"ose o# the Amateur Radio Ser-ice
An Amateur Radio tation is a station in an Amateur Radio er!i"e
"onsistin- of t$e a''aratus ne"essar% for "arr%in- on radio "ommuni"ations#
An amateur o'erator as defined in Part 97 is a 'erson named in an amateur
o'erator,'rimar% li"ense -rant in t$e FCC ./ database#
0ne of t$e basi" 'ur'oses of t$e Amateur Radio er!i"e as defined in Part
97 is to 'ro!ide a !oluntar% non"ommer"ial "ommuni"ations ser!i"e to t$e
'ubli", 'arti"ularl% in times of emer-en"%#
T&o of t$e fi!e fundamental 'ur'oses for t$e Amateur Radio er!i"e are to
in"rease t$e number of trained radio o'erators and ele"troni"s e1'erts,
and im'ro!e international -ood&ill#
+enalties #or unlicensed o"eration, other "enalties
T$e Federal Communi"ations Commission ma2es and enfor"es t$e rules for t$e
Amateur Radio er!i"e in t$e .nited tates#
3armful interferen"e is a transmission t$at disturbs ot$er "ommuni"ations#
%4aminations
T$e "lasses of . amateur radio li"enses t$at ma% "urrentl% be earned b%
e1amination are Te"$ni"ian, 4eneral, and Amateur 51tra#
A 6olunteer 51aminer 7658 is an amateur a""redited b% one or more
6olunteer 51aminer Coordinators 765Cs8 &$o !olunteers to administer
amateur li"ense e1ams#
A Certifi"ate of u""essful Com'letion of 51amination 7CC58 is !alid for
li"ense u'-rade 'ur'oses for 369 da%s#
T$ree 6olunteer 51aminers $oldin- a 4eneral Class li"ense or $i-$er are
required to administer an 5lement 2 Te"$ni"ian &ritten e1am#
T1) > =1 e4am /uestion?
@T6 re1ions
:nternational Tele"ommuni"ation .nion 7:T.8
T$e 'ur'ose of :T. Re-ions is to assist in t$e mana-ement of frequen"%
allo"ations#
@nternational re1ulations
;ou are allo&ed to o'erate %our amateur station in a forei-n "ountr% &$en
t$ere is a re"i'ro"al o'eratin- a-reement bet&een t$e "ountries#
6S call si1n structure
T$e FCC uses a s%stem, "alled t$e equential Call i-n %stem, &$ere "all
si-ns are assi-ned in sequential order to sele"t ne& amateur radio "all
si-ns#
An amateur radio "lub &ould obtain a "lub station "all si-n b% a''l%in-
t$rou-$ a Club tation Call i-n Administrator#
T$e letters, A, <, = and >, must be used for t$e first letter in .
amateur "all si-ns#
A sin-le di-it, 0 t$rou-$ 9 number is used in . amateur "all si-ns#
<?3T@A is a !alid . amateur "allsi-n#
3
S"ecial e-ent calls
An% FCC(li"ensed amateur is eli-ible to a''l% for tem'orar% use of a +(b%(
+ format 'e"ial 5!ent "all si-n#
Aanity call si1ns
;ou &ould use t$e !anit% "all si-n 'ro-ram to obtain a "all si-n
"ontainin- %our initials#
T1C > =1 e4am /uestion?
Authori2ed #re/uencies (Technician!, o"eration near ,and ed1es
T$e frequen"%, 92#929 @3B, is &it$in t$e 6(meter band#
;ou are usin- t$e 2 meter band &$en %ou are transmittin- on +46#92 @3B#
T$e 70("entimeter frequen"%, 443#390 @3B, is aut$oriBed to a Te"$ni"ian
"lass li"ense $older o'eratin- in :T. Re-ion 2#
T$e 23 "entimeter frequen"%, +296 @3B, is aut$oriBed to a Te"$ni"ian "lass
li"ense $older o'eratin- in :T. Re-ion 2#
:f %ou are o'eratin- on 223#90 @3B t$en %ou are o'eratin- on t$e +#29
meter amateur band#
Reci"rocal licensin1
;ou must be named in t$e FCC amateur li"ense database, or be an alien &it$
re"i'ro"al o'eratin- aut$oriBation before %ou "an "ontrol an amateur
station in t$e .#
A . amateur li"ense allo&s %ou to transmit from &$ere!er t$e Amateur
Radio er!i"e is re-ulated b% t$e FCC or &$ere re"i'ro"al a-reements are
in 'la"e#
A . amateur o'erator ma% "ommuni"ate &it$ an amateur in a forei-n "ountr%
at an% time unless 'ro$ibited b% eit$er -o!ernment#
S"ectrum sharin1
>$en aut$oriBed b% t$e FCC, amateur stations are allo&ed to "ommuni"ate
&it$ stations o'eratin- in ot$er radio ser!i"es#
Communi"ations on a re-ular basis t$at "ould reasonabl% be furnis$ed
alternati!el% t$rou-$ ot$er radio ser!i"es are not 'ermitted in t$e
Amateur Radio er!i"e#
>$en an amateur frequen"% band is said to be a!ailable on a se"ondar%
basis, amateurs ma% not "ause $armful interferen"e to 'rimar% users
a""ordin- to t$e FCC rules#
T1B 8 =1 e4am /uestion?
The station license
T$e -o!ernment a-en"% t$at -rants %our amateur radio li"ense is t$e
Federal Communi"ations Commission 7FCC8#
T$e FCC issues o'erator,station li"enses in t$e Amateur Radio er!i"e#
An%one e1"e't a re'resentati!e of a forei-n -o!ernment "an be"ome an
amateur li"ensee in t$e .#
T$ere is no minimum a-e requirement to $old an amateur li"ense#
;ou ma% transmit after 'assin- t$e required e1amination elements for %our
first amateur radio li"ense and as soon as %our li"ense -rant a''ears in
t$e FCCCs ./ database#
;our res'onsibilit% as a station li"ensee is to ensure %our station is
o'erated in a""ordan"e &it$ t$e FCC rules#
4
Correct name and address on #ile
T$e FCC requires t$e station li"ensee mailin- address to be 2e't u' to
date on t$e .ni!ersal /i"ensin- %stem 7./8 database#
An Amateur radio o'erator must $a!e a "orre"t name and mailin- address on
file &it$ t$e FCC to re"ei!e mail deli!er% from t$e FCC b% t$e .nited
tates Postal er!i"e#
T$e FCC ma% re!o2e or sus'end a li"ense if t$e mailin- address of t$e
$older is not "urrent &it$ t$e FCC# :f mail is returned to t$e FCC as
undeli!erable t$is "ould be a "ause#
License term, rene.als, 1race "eriod
T$e normal term for an amateur station li"ense -rant is +0 %ears#
;ou are not 'ermitted to "ontinue to transmit if %ou for-et to rene& %our
amateur li"ense and it e1'ires# Transmittin- is not allo&ed until t$e
li"ense is rene&ed and a''ears on t$e FCC ./ database#
T$e -ra"e 'eriod durin- &$i"$ t$e FCC &ill rene& an e1'ired +0(%ear
li"ense &it$out re(e1amination is 2 %ears#
5
S6)%L%*%&T T2 8 Control o"erator duties > =; e4am /uestions > ; 1rou"s?
T2A > =1 e4am /uestion?
+rohi,ited communications$ music, ,roadcastin1, codes and ci"hers, ,usiness
use
An amateur station is never aut$oriBed to transmit information to t$e
-eneral 'ubli"#
Amateurs may not transmit musi", e1"e't as in"idental to transmissions
from manned s'a"e"raft#
An amateur station ma% never transmit false or de"e'ti!e si-nalsD
:nde"ent and obs"ene lan-ua-e is s'e"ifi"all% 'ro$ibited in t$e Amateur
Radio er!i"e#
?road"astin- is defined as* Transmissions intended for re"e'tion b% t$e
-eneral 'ubli", eit$er dire"t or rela%ed#
?road"asts intended for re"e'tion b% t$e -eneral 'ubli" may not be
transmitted in t$e Amateur Radio er!i"e#
Calls to %our em'lo%er requestin- dire"tions to a "ustomerCs offi"e are
prohibited &$en usin- a re'eater auto'at"$#
+ermissi,le communications, ,ulletins, code "ractice, incidental music
Transmission of "odes or "i'$ers is allo&ed to $ide t$e meanin- of a
messa-e transmitted b% an amateur station only when transmittin- "ontrol
"ommands to s'a"e stations or radio "ontrol "raft#
An amateur station ma% transmit unidentified "ommuni"ations only when sent
from a s'a"e station or to "ontrol a model "raft#
T$e FCC allo&s an amateur radio station to be used as a met$od of
"ommuni"ation for $ire or material "om'ensation only when in a""ordan"e
&it$ 'art 97 rules#
;ou ma% use %our amateur station on an occasional basis to tell 'eo'le
about equi'ment %ou $a!e for sale &$en %ou are offerin- amateur radio
equi'ment for sale or trade#
)asic identi#ication re/uirements, non8-oice modes, mo,ile and "orta,le
o"eration
;ou must transmit %ou "allsi-n to identif% %our amateur station#
A transmission t$at does not "ontain a station identifi"ation is
unidentified "ommuni"ations or si-nals#
An amateur station must transmit t$e assi-ned "all si-n e!er% +0 minutes
durin- "ommuni"ations and at t$e end of ea"$ "ommuni"ation#
5a"$ station must transmit its o&n "all si-n &$en t&o amateur stations end
"ommuni"ations#
T$e lon-est 'eriod of time an amateur station "an o'erate &it$out
transmittin- its "all si-n is +0 minutes#
;ou must identif% usin- t$e 5n-lis$ lan-ua-e to identif% %our station &$en
%ou are s'ea2in- to anot$er amateur o'erator usin- a lan-ua-e ot$er t$an
5n-lis$#
>$en o'eratin- &$ile usin- a s'e"ial e!ent "all si-n %ou must identif%
usin- %our assi-ned "all si-n on"e 'er $our#
>$en usin- one or more self(assi-ned indi"ators &it$ %our assi-ned "all
si-n t$e indi"ator must not "onfli"t &it$ an indi"ator s'e"ified b% FCC
rules or &it$ a 'refi1 assi-ned to anot$er "ountr%#
T$e "orre"t &a% to identif% &$en !isitin- a station is send $is "all si-n
firstE follo&ed b% %our "all si-n, if %ou $old a $i-$er "lass li"ense t$an
6
t$at of t$e station li"ensee and %ou are usin- a frequen"% not aut$oriBed
to $is "lass of li"ense#
>$en e1er"isin- t$e o'eratin- 'ri!ile-es earned b% e1amination u'-rade of
a li"ense, t$e indi"ator F,A4F means Aut$oriBed 4eneral#
Re"eater @B standards
All of t$e follo&in- are a""e'table met$ods of transmittin- a re'eater
station identifi"ation*
o ?% '$one usin- t$e 5n-lis$ lan-ua-e
o ?% !ideo ima-e "onformin- to a''li"able standards
o ?% @orse "ode at a s'eed not to e1"eed 20 &ords 'er minute
o All of these answers are correct
Be#inition o# control o"erator
A "ontrol o'erator of an amateur station is an o'erator desi-nated b% t$e
li"ensee to be res'onsible for t$e stationCs transmissions to assure
"om'lian"e &it$ FCC rules#
T$e Control 0'erator is res'onsible for t$e transmissions from an amateur
station#
5!er% amateur station must $a!e a "ontrol o'erator &$en transmittin-#
0nl% one amateur o'erator , 'rimar% station li"enses ma% be $eld b% one
'erson#
T$e minimum "lass of amateur li"ense %ou must $old to be a "ontrol
o'erator of a re'eater station is t$e Te"$ni"ian "lass#
An amateur station must $a!e a "ontrol o'erator &$ene!er t$e station is
transmittin-#
Location o# control o"erator
T$e lo"ation at &$i"$ t$e "ontrol o'erator fun"tion is 'erformed is t$e
"ontrol 'oint of an amateur station#
An automati"all% "ontrolled amateur station does not require a "ontrol
o'erator to be at t$e "ontrol 'oint#
Automatic and remote control, au4iliary stations
T$e t$ree t%'es of station "ontrol 'ermitted and re"o-niBed b% FCC rule
are*
o lo"al,
o remote, and
o automati" "ontrol#
Automati" "ontrol is bein- used on a re'eater &$en t$e "ontrol o'erator is
not 'resent#
/o"al "ontrol is bein- used &$en transmittin- usin- a $and$eld radio#
Remote "ontrol is used &$en t$e "ontrol o'erator is not at t$e station
lo"ation but "an still ma2e "$an-es to a transmitter#
T2B > =1 e4am /uestion?
9"eratin1 another "ersonCs station
?ot$ %ou and t$e ot$er 'erson are res'onsible for 'ro'er o'eration if %ou
transmit from anot$er amateurCs station#
0nl% t$e o'eratin- 'ri!ile-es allo&ed b% %our li"ense are allo&ed &$en %ou
are t$e "ontrol o'erator at t$e station of anot$er amateur &$o $as a
$i-$er "lass li"ense t$an %ours#
7
;ou ma% o'erate %our amateur station aboard an air"raft onl% &it$ t$e
a''ro!al of t$e 'ilot in "ommand and not usin- t$e air"raftCs radio
equi'ment#
Guest o"erators at your station
All o'eratin- 'ri!ile-es allo&ed b% t$e $i-$er "lass li"ense are allo&ed
&$en anot$er amateur $oldin- a $i-$er "lass li"ense is "ontrollin- %our
station#
.nli"ensed 'ersons in %our famil% are not allo&ed to transmit on %our
amateur station if %ou are not t$ere be"ause t$e% must be li"ensed before
t$e% are allo&ed to be "ontrol o'erators#
Third "arty communications
A messa-e sent bet&een t&o amateur stations for someone else is t$ird(
'art% "ommuni"ations#
Auto"atch, @ncidental ,usiness use
.sin- amateur radio for "ondu"tin- business is a prohibited amateur radio
transmission#
Com"ensation o# o"erators
:t is 'ermissible for t$e "ontrol o'erator of a "lub station to a""e't
"om'ensation for sendin- information bulletins or @orse "ode 'ra"ti"e &$en
t$e station ma2es t$ose transmissions for at least 40 $ours 'er &ee2#
Clu, stations
At least 4 'ersons are required to be members of a "lub for a "lub station
li"ense to be issued b% t$e FCC#
Station ins"ection
T$e FCC is allo&ed to ins'e"t %our station equi'ment and station re"ords
at an% time u'on request#
Station security and "rotection a1ainst unauthori2ed transmissions
;ou mi-$t best 2ee' unaut$oriBed 'ersons from usin- %our amateur station
b% dis"onne"tin- t$e 'o&er and mi"ro'$one "ables &$en not usin- %our
equi'ment#
8
S6)%L%*%&T T 8 9"eratin1 "ractices > =; e4am /uestions > ; 1rou"s?
TA > =1 e4am /uestion?
Choosin1 an o"eratin1 #re/uency
;ou s$ould listen to determine if t$e frequen"% is bus% &$en sele"tin- a
frequen"% on &$i"$ to transmit#
Callin1 CD
;ou indi"ate %ou are loo2in- for an% station &it$ &$i"$ to ma2e "onta"t b%
"allin- CQ follo&ed b% %our "allsi-n#
T$e meanin- of t$e 'ro"edural si-nal FCQF is* Callin- an% station#
T$e brief statement, sim'l% sa%in- %ou "all si-n, is often used in 'la"e
of FCQF to indi"ate t$at %ou are listenin- for "alls on a re'eater#
Callin1 another station
:f %ou 2no& t$e stationCs "all si-n, sa% t$e stationCs "all si-n t$en
identif% %our o&n station &$en "allin- anot$er station on a re'eater#
;ou s$ould transmit t$e ot$er stationGs "allsi-n follo&ed b% %our "allsi-n
&$en res'ondin- to a "all of CQ#
;ou s$ould a!oid usin- "ute '$rases or &ord "ombinations to identif% %our
station be"ause t$e% are not easil% understood b% some o'erators#
;ou s$ould use t$e :nternational Tele"ommuni"ation .nion 7:T.8 '$oneti"
al'$abet &$en identif%in- %our station be"ause t$e &ords are
internationall% re"o-niBed substitutes for letters#
Test transmissions
An ille-al unidentified transmission des"ribes a brief test transmission
t$at does not in"lude an% station identifi"ation#
An amateur must 'ro'erl% identif% t$e station &$en ma2in- a transmission
to test equi'ment or antennas#
tation identifi"ation is required at least e!er% ten minutes and at t$e
end of e!er% transmission#
T)> =1 e4am /uestion?
6se o# minimum "o.er
An amateur must use t$e minimum transmitter 'o&er ne"essar% to "arr% out
t$e desired "ommuni"ation#
)and "lans
A band 'lan is a !oluntar% -uideline, be%ond t$e di!isions establis$ed b%
t$e FCC for usin- different o'eratin- modes &it$in an amateur band#
?and Plans are !oluntar% -uidelines for effi"ient use of t$e radio
s'e"trum#
T$e amateur "ommunit% de!elo'ed t$e band 'lans used b% amateur radio
o'erators#
Re"eater coordination
T$e re"o-niBed frequen"% "oordination bod% is in "$ar-e of t$e re'eater
frequen"% band 'lan in %our lo"al area#
T$e main 'ur'ose of re'eater "oordination is to redu"e interferen"e and
'romote 'ro'er use of s'e"trum#
*ode restricted su,8,ands
T$e 6(meter, 2(meter, and + +,4(meter bands a!ailable to Te"$ni"ian "lass
li"ensees $a!e mode restri"ted sub(bands#
9
T$e onl% emission mode t$at is 'ermitted in t$e restri"ted sub(band at
90#0(90#+ @3B is C>#
T$e onl% emission mode t$at is 'ermitted in t$e restri"ted sub(band at
+44#0(+44#+ @3B is C>#
T$e emission modes t$at are 'ermitted in t$e restri"ted 'ortion of t$e +
+,4(meter band are C> and )ata#
Accounta,ility
T$e transmittin- station is a""ountable if a re'eater station
inad!ertentl% retransmits "ommuni"ations t$at !iolate FCC rules#
TC > =1 e4am /uestion?
Courtesy and res"ect #or others
T$e 'ro'er &a% to brea2 into a "on!ersation bet&een t&o stations t$at are
usin- t$e frequen"% is to sa% %our "all si-n bet&een t$eir transmissions#
Pro'er re'eater o'eratin- 'ra"ti"e*
o @onitor before transmittin- and 2ee' transmissions s$ort
o :dentif% le-all%
o .se t$e minimum amount of transmitter 'o&er ne"essar%
?efore res'ondin- to anot$er stations "all, ma2e sure %ou are o'eratin- on
a 'ermissible frequen"% for %our li"ense "lass#
=o frequen"% &ill be assi-ned for t$e e1"lusi!e use of an% station and
neit$er $as 'riorit%# T$is rule a''lies &$en t&o amateur stations &ant to
use t$e same frequen"%#
:f %ou $ear a ne&l% li"ensed o'erator t$at is $a!in- trouble &it$ t$eir
station %ou s$ould "onta"t t$em and offer to $el' &it$ t$e 'roblem#
>$en "ir"umstan"es are not s'e"ifi"all% "o!ered b% FCC rules t$e -eneral
o'eratin- standard of -ood en-ineerin- and -ood amateur 'ra"ti"es must be
a''lied to amateur station o'eration#
Sensiti-e su,Eect areas
Amateur radio o'erators s$ould a!oid t$e use of ra"ial or et$ni" slurs
&$en tal2in- to ot$er stations be"ause it is offensi!e to some 'eo'le and
refle"ts a 'oor 'ubli" ima-e on all amateur radio o'erators#
T$ese t%'es of subHe"ts are not 'ro$ibited "ommuni"ations &$ile usin-
amateur radio*
o Politi"al dis"ussions
o Ao2es and stories
o Reli-ious 'referen"es
o All of these answers are correct.
9,scene and indecent lan1ua1e
:nde"ent and obs"ene lan-ua-e is 'ro$ibited in t$e Amateur er!i"e#
o ?e"ause it is offensi!e to some indi!iduals
o ?e"ause %oun- "$ildren ma% inter"e't amateur "ommuni"ations &it$
readil% a!ailable re"ei!in- equi'ment
o ?e"ause su"$ lan-ua-e is s'e"ifi"all% 'ro$ibited b% FCC Rules
o All of these choices are correct
T$ere is no offi"ial list of 'ro$ibited obs"ene and inde"ent &ords t$at
s$ould not be used in amateur radio#
10
TB > =1 e4am /uestion?
@nter#erence to and #rom consumer de-ices
T$e o&ner of t$e tele!ision re"ei!er is res'onsible for ta2in- "are of t$e
interferen"e if si-nals from %our transmitter are "ausin- front end
o!erload in %our nei-$borCs tele!ision re"ei!er#
T$e maHor "ause of tele'$one interferen"e is t$e tele'$one &as not
equi''ed &it$ adequate interferen"e 'rote"tion &$en manufa"tured#
A brea2 in a "able tele!ision transmission line ma% result in T6
interferen"e &$en t$e amateur station is transmittin-, or interferen"e ma%
o""ur to t$e amateur re"ei!er#
Re"ei!er front(end o!erload is t$e result of interferen"e "aused b% stron-
si-nals from a nearb% sour"e#
+u,lic relations
RAC5 and AR5 $a!e in "ommon t$e fa"t t$at bot$ or-aniBations 'ro!ide
"ommuni"ations durin- emer-en"ies#
FCC rules a''l% to %our station &$en usin- amateur radio at t$e request of
'ubli" ser!i"e offi"ials or at t$e s"ene of an emer-en"%#
@ntentional and unintentional inter#erence
;ou s$ould "$e"2 %our transmitter for off frequen"% o'eration or s'urious
emissions if %ou re"ei!e a re'ort t$at %our transmissions are "ausin-
s'latter or interferen"e on nearb% frequen"ies#
T$e 'ro'er "ourse of a"tion if %ou unintentionall% interfere &it$ anot$er
station is to 'ro'erl% identif% %our station and mo!e to a different
frequen"%#
;ou ma% ne!er deliberatel% interfere &it$ anot$er stationCs "ommuni"ations#
=o station $as e1"lusi!e use of an% s'e"ifi" frequen"% &$en t$e FCC $as
not de"lared a "ommuni"ation emer-en"%#
T$e best &a% to redu"e on t$e air interferen"e &$en testin- %our
transmitter is to use a dumm% load &$en testin-#
11
S6)%L%*%&T T; 8Radio and electronic #undamentals > =3 e4am /uestions > 3
1rou"s?
T;A8 =1 e4am /uestion?
&ames o# electrical units, BC and AC, .hat is a radio si1nal
5le"tri"al "urrent is measured in t$e follo&in- units* Am'eres
5le"tri"al Po&er is measured in t$e follo&in- units* >atts
T$e name for t$e flo& of ele"trons in an ele"tri" "ir"uit is Current#
T$e name for a "urrent t$at flo&s onl% in one dire"tion is a )ire"t
Current 7)C8#
T$e standard unit of frequen"% is t$e 3ertB#
T$e basi" unit of resistan"e is t$e 0$m#
T$e name for a "urrent t$at re!erses dire"tion on a re-ular basis is an
Alternatin- Current 7AC8#
Conductors and insulators
Co''er is a -ood ele"tri"al "ondu"tor#
4lass is a -ood ele"tri"al insulator#
T$e term used to des"ribe o''osition to "urrent flo& in ordinar%
"ondu"tors su"$ as &ires is Resistan"e#
%lectrical com"onents
An automobile batter% usuall% su''lies about +2 !olts I)CJ#
An Ammeter is an instrument used to measure t$e flo& of "urrent in an
ele"tri"al "ir"uit#
A 6oltmeter is an instrument used to measure 5le"tromoti!e For"e 75@F8
bet&een t&o 'oints su"$ as t$e 'oles of a batter%#
T;) > =1 e4am /uestion?
Relationshi" ,et.een #re/uency and .a-elen1th
>a!elen-t$ is t$e term used for t$e distan"e a radio &a!e tra!els durin-
one "om'lete "%"le#
T$e term Frequen"% des"ribes t$e number of times t$at an alternatin-
"urrent flo&s ba"2 and fort$ 'er se"ond#
i1t% 7608 $ertB 73B8 means 60 "%"les 'er se"ond#
T$e &a!elen-t$ -ets s$orter as t$e frequen"% in"reases#
>a!elen-t$ in meters equals 300 di!ided b% frequen"% in me-a$ertB#
A radio &a!e tra!els t$rou-$ s'a"e at t$e s'eed of li-$t#
@denti#ication o# ,ands
T$e 'ro'ert% of a radio &a!e often used to identif% t$e different bands
amateur radio o'erators use is t$e '$%si"al len-t$ of t$e &a!e#
T$e frequen"% ran-e of t$e 2 meter band in t$e .nited tates is +44 to +4K
@3B#
T$e frequen"% ran-e of t$e 6 meter band in t$e .nited tates is 90 to 94
@3B#
T$e frequen"% ran-e of t$e 70 "entimeter band in t$e .nited tates is 420
to 490 @3B#
&ames o# #re/uency ran1es, ty"es o# .a-es
6oi"e frequen"ies are sound &a!es in t$e ran-e bet&een 300 and 3000 3ertB#
5le"troma-neti" &a!es t$at os"illate more t$an 20,000 times 'er se"ond as
t$e% tra!el t$rou-$ s'a"e are -enerall% referred to as Radio &a!es#
12
T;C > =1 e4am /uestion?
Fo. radio .orGs$ recei-ers, transmitters, transcei-ers, am"li#iers, "o.er
su""lies, ty"es o# ,atteries, ser-ice li#e
A Re"ei!er is used to "on!ert radio si-nals into sounds &e "an $ear#
A Transmitter is used to "on!ert sounds from our !oi"e into radio si-nals#
A Re"ei!er and Transmitter are t&o de!i"es "ombined into one unit in a
trans"ei!er#
A Po&er u''l% is t$e de!i"e used to "on!ert t$e alternatin- "urrent from
a &all outlet into lo&(!olta-e dire"t "urrent#
An Am'lifier is a de!i"e used to in"rease t$e out'ut of a +0 &att radio to
+00 &atts#
A /it$ium(ion batter% offers t$e lon-est life &$en used &it$ a $and($eld
radio, &$en "om'arin- batter% t%'es of t$e same '$%si"al siBe#
T$e nominal !olta-e 'er "ell of a full% "$ar-ed ni"2el("admium batter% is
+#2 !olts#
A Carbon(Bin" batter% is not desi-ned to be re("$ar-ed#
:n order to 2ee' re"$ar-eable batteries in -ood "ondition and read% for
emer-en"ies*
o T$e% must be ins'e"ted for '$%si"al dama-e and re'la"ed if ne"essar%
o T$e% s$ould be stored in a "ool and dr% lo"ation
o T$e% must be -i!en a maintenan"e re"$ar-e at least e!er% 6 mont$s
T$e best &a% to -et t$e most amount of ener-% from a batter% is to dra&
"urrent from t$e batter% at t$e slo&est rate needed#
T;B> =1 e4am /uestion?
9hms la. relationshi"s
T$e formula, 6olta-e 758 equals "urrent 7:8 multi'lied b%
resistan"e 7R8, is used to "al"ulate !olta-e in a
"ir"uit# %H@IR
T$e formula, Current 7:8 equals !olta-e 758 di!ided b%
resistan"e 7R8, is used to "al"ulate "urrent in a
"ir"uit# @H%JR
T$e formula, Resistan"e 7R8 equals !olta-e 758 di!ided b%
"urrent 7:8, is used to "al"ulate resistan"e in a
"ir"uit# RH%J@
:f :L3 am'eres and 5L90 !olts t$en RL30 o$ms# RH%J@ LL RL90,3L 30
:f 5L+2 !olts and :L+#9 am'eres t$en RLK o$ms# RH%J@ LL RL+2,+#9L K
:f 5L+20 !olts and RLK0 o$ms t$en :L+#9 am'eres# @H%JR LL :L+20,K0L +#9
:f a "urrent of 0#9 am'eres flo&s t$rou-$ a 2 o$m resistor t$en !olta-e
a"ross t$e resistor is equal to + !olt# %H@IR LL 5L0#9M2L + !olt
:f a "urrent of + am'ere flo&s t$rou-$ a +0 o$m resistor t$en t$e !olta-e
a"ross t$e resistor is equal to +0 !olts# %H@IR LL 5L+M+0L +0 !olts
:f a "urrent of 2 am'eres flo&s t$rou-$ a +0 o$m resistor t$en t$e !olta-e
a"ross t$e resistor is equal to 20 !olts# %H@IR LL 5L2M+0L 20 !olts
T$e "urrent flo&in- t$rou-$ a +00 o$m resistor "onne"ted a"ross 200 !olts
is 2 am'eres# @H%JR LL :L200,+00L 2 am'eres
T$e "urrent flo&in- t$rou-$ a 24 o$m resistor "onne"ted a"ross 240 !olts
is +0 am'eres# @H%JR LL :L240,24L +0 am'eres
13
T;% > =1 e4am /uestion?
+o.er calculations
T$e unit used to des"ribe ele"tri"al 'o&er is t$e >att#
T$e formula used to "al"ulate ele"tri"al 'o&er in a
)C "ir"uit is Po&er 7P8 equals !olta-e 758 multi'lied
b% "urrent 7:8# +H@I%
A 'o&er of +3K &atts is re'resented b% a !olta-e of
+3#K !olts )C and a "urrent of +0 am'eres#
+H@I% LL PL+0M+3#KL+3K &atts
A 'o&er of 300 &atts is bein- used in a "ir"uit &$en
t$e !olta-e is +20 !olts )C and t$e "urrent is 2#9
am'eres#
+H@I% LL PL2#9M+20L300 &atts
;ou "an %ou determine $o& man% &atts are bein- dra&n I"onsumedJ b% %our
trans"ei!er &$en %ou are transmittin- b% measurin- t$e )C !olta-e at t$e
trans"ei!er and multi'l%in- b% t$e "urrent dra&n &$en %ou transmit#
A "urrent of +0 am'eres is flo&in- in a "ir"uit &$en t$e a''lied !olta-e
is +20 !olts )C and t$e load is +200 &atts#
@H+J% LL :L+200,+20L+0 am'eres#
6nits, Gilo, me1a, milli, micro
0ne t$ousand !olts is equal to one 2ilo!olt#
Anot$er &a% to s'e"if% t$e frequen"% of a radio si-nal t$at is os"illatin-
at +,900,000 3ertB is +900 23B Ior +#9 me-a$ertBJ
+900 milliam'eres is t$e same as +#9 am'eres#
A $and($eld trans"ei!er t$at $as an out'ut 'o&er of 900 milli&atts "an
ot$er&ise be said to out'ut 0#9 &atts#
0ne one(milliont$ of a !olt is equal to one mi"ro!olt#
14
S6)%L%*%&T T3 8 Station setu" and o"eration >=; e4am /uestions > ; 1rou"s?
Station hooGu" > micro"hone, s"eaGer, head"hones, #ilters, "o.er source,
connectin1 a com"uter
A mi"ro'$one "onne"ts to t$e transmitter in a basi" amateur radio station#
A 'ea2er is a 'ie"e of station equi'ment t$at "on!erts ele"tri"al si-nals
to sound &a!es#
Audio feedba"2 is t$e term used to des"ribe &$at $a''ens &$en a mi"ro'$one
and s'ea2er are too "lose to ea"$ ot$er#
A set of $ead'$ones "ould be used in 'la"e of a re-ular s'ea2er to $el'
%ou "o'% si-nals in a nois% area#
A -ood reason for usin- a re-ulated 'o&er su''l% for "ommuni"ations
equi'ment is to 'rote"t equi'ment from !olta-e flu"tuations#
A filter &ould be installed at t$e transmitter to redu"e s'urious
emissions#
A =ot"$ Filter "ould be "onne"ted to a T6 re"ei!er as t$e first ste' in
tr%in- to 're!ent RF o!erload from a nearb% 2(meter transmitter#
A Terminal =ode Controller is "onne"ted bet&een t$e trans"ei!er and
"om'uter terminal in a 'a"2et radio station#
A @i"ro'$one is not required for a 'a"2et radio station#
A ound Card "an be used to "onne"t a radio &it$ a "om'uter for data
transmission#
9"eratin1 controls
:f a transmitter is o'erated &it$ t$e mi"ro'$one -ain set too $i-$ it ma%
"ause t$e si-nal to be"ome distorted and unreadable#
A 63F,.3F trans"ei!er ma% be "a'able of storin- in memor% t$e follo&in-
2inds of information*
o Transmit and re"ei!e o'eratin- frequen"%
o CTC tone frequen"%
o Transmit 'o&er le!el
0ne &a% to sele"t a frequen"% on &$i"$ to o'erate is to use t$e 2e%'ad or
6F0 2nob to enter t$e "orre"t frequen"%#
T$e squel"$ "ontrol on a trans"ei!er is used to quiet noise &$en no si-nal
is bein- re"ei!ed#
A &a% to enable qui"2 a""ess to a fa!orite frequen"% on %our trans"ei!er
is to store t$e frequen"% in a memor% "$annel#
To im'ro!e t$e situation if t$e station %ou are listenin- to is $ard to
"o'% be"ause of i-nition noise interferen"e ma% be to turn on t$e noise
blan2er#
T$e 'ur'ose of t$e buttons labeled Fu'F and Fdo&nF on man% mi"ro'$ones is
to allo& eas% frequen"% or memor% sele"tion#
T$e 'ur'ose of t$e Fs$iftF "ontrol found on man% 63F,.3F trans"ei!ers is
to adHust t$e offset bet&een transmit and re"ei!e frequen"%#
Re"ei!er :n"remental Tunin- 7R:T8
T$e 'ur'ose of t$e Fste'F menu fun"tion found on man% trans"ei!ers is to
set t$e tunin- rate &$en "$an-in- frequen"ies#
T$e 'ur'ose of t$e Ffun"tionF or FFF 2e% found on man% trans"ei!ers is to
sele"t an alternate a"tion for some "ontrol buttons#
15
Re"eatersK re"eater and sim"le4 o"eratin1 techni/ues, o##sets, selecti-e
s/uelch, o"en and closed re"eaters, linGed re"eaters
0ne 'ur'ose of a re'eater is to e1tend t$e usable ran-e of mobile and lo&(
'o&er stations#
A "ourtes% tone is a tone used to indi"ate &$en a transmission is "om'lete#
T$e re'eater in'ut and out'ut frequen"ies is t$e most im'ortant
information to 2no& before usin- a re'eater#
;ou s$ould 'ause briefl% bet&een transmissions &$en usin- a re'eater to
listen for an%one &antin- to brea2 in#
T$e most "ommon in'ut,out'ut frequen"% offset for re'eaters in t$e 2(meter
band is 0#6 @3B ot$er&ise stated as 600 23B#
T$e most "ommon in'ut,out'ut frequen"% offset for re'eaters in t$e 70(
"entimeter band is 9#0 @3B#
T$e terms in'ut and out'ut frequen"% &$en referrin- to re'eater o'erations
means t$e re'eater re"ei!es on one frequen"% and transmits on anot$er#
T$e term, sim'le1 o'eration, means transmittin- and re"ei!in- on t$e same
frequen"%#
A reason to use sim'le1 instead of a re'eater is to a!oid t%in- u' t$e
re'eater &$en dire"t "onta"t is 'ossible#
;ou mi-$t find out %ou "ould "ommuni"ate &it$ a station usin- sim'le1
instead of a re'eater if %ou "$e"2 t$e re'eater in'ut frequen"% to see if
%ou "an $ear t$e ot$er station#
/in2ed re'eater s%stem is t$e term for a series of re'eaters t$at "an be
"onne"ted to one anot$er to 'ro!ide users &it$ a &ider "o!era-e#
T$e main reason re'eaters s$ould be a''ro!ed b% t$e lo"al frequen"%
"oordinator before bein- installed is t$at "oordination minimiBes
interferen"e bet&een re'eaters and ma2es t$e most effi"ient use of
a!ailable frequen"ies#
A""ess to an% re'eater ma% be limited b% t$e re'eater o&ner#
A "losed re'eater is t$e term used to des"ribe a re'eater &$en use is
restri"ted to t$e members of a "lub or -rou'#
T3B > 1 e4am /uestion
Reco1nition and correction o# "ro,lems
T$e most li2el% "ause of tele'$one interferen"e from a nearb% transmitter
is t$e transmitterCs si-nals are "ausin- t$e tele'$one to a"t li2e a radio
re"ei!er#
A lo-i"al first ste' &$en attem'tin- to "ure a radio frequen"%
interferen"e 'roblem in a nearb% tele'$one is to install an RF filter at
t$e tele'$one#
:f someone tells %ou t$at %our transmissions are interferin- &it$ t$eir T6
re"e'tion %ou s$ould first ma2e sure t$at %our station is o'eratin-
'ro'erl% and t$at it does not "ause interferen"e to %our o&n tele!ision#
T$e follo&in- ma% be useful in "orre"tin- a radio frequen"% interferen"e
'roblem*
o na'(on ferrite "$o2es
o /o&('ass and $i-$('ass filters
o =ot"$ and band('ass filters
>$en a nei-$bor re'orts t$at %our radio si-nals are interferin- &it$
somet$in- in $is $ome t$e 'ro'er "ourse of a"tion to ta2e is to "$e"2 %our
station and ma2e sure it meets t$e standards of -ood amateur 'ra"ti"e#
16
:f a FPart +9F de!i"e in %our nei-$borGs $ome is "ausin- $armful
interferen"e to %our amateur station %ou s$ould*
o >or2 &it$ %our nei-$bor to identif% t$e offendin- de!i"e
o Politel% inform %our nei-$bor about t$e rules t$at require $im to
sto' usin- t$e de!i"e if it "auses interferen"e
o C$e"2 %our station and ma2e sure it meets t$e standards of -ood
amateur 'ra"ti"e
Sym"toms o# o-erload and o-erdri-e
A fundamental o!erload, in referen"e to a re"ei!er, is interferen"e "aused
b% !er% stron- si-nals from a nearb% sour"e#
Bistortion
:f %ou re"ei!e a re'ort t$at %our si-nal t$rou-$ t$e re'eater is distorted
or &ea2, t$e 'roblem ma% be an% of t$e follo&in-*
o ;our transmitter ma% be sli-$tl% off frequen"%
o ;our batteries ma% be runnin- lo&
o ;ou "ould be in a bad lo"ation
9-er and under modulation, RF #eed,acG, 9## #re/uency si1nals
:f anot$er o'erator re'orts t$at %our ? si-nal is !er% -arbled and
brea2s u', RF ener-% ma% be -ettin- into t$e mi"ro'$one "ir"uit and
"ausin- feedba"2#
Fadin1 and noise
:f anot$er o'erator tells %ou $e is $earin- a !ariable $i-$('it"$ed &$ine
on t$e si-nals from %our mobile transmitter, t$e 'o&er &irin- for %our
radio "ould be 'i"2in- u' noise from t$e !e$i"leCs ele"tri"al s%stem#
)o''ler s$ift is =0T a "ause of radio frequen"% interferen"e#
+ro,lems .ith di1ital communications linGs
0ne of t$e reasons to use di-ital si-nals instead of analo- si-nals to
"ommuni"ate &it$ anot$er station is t$at man% di-ital s%stems "an
automati"all% "orre"t errors "aused b% noise and interferen"e#
17
S6)%L%*%&T T6 8 Communications modes and methods >= e4am /uestions 8
1rou"s?
*odulation modes, descri"tions and ,and.idth (A*, F*, SS)!
P$one transmissions are !oi"e transmissions b% radio#
in-le sideband 7?8 is a form of am'litude modulation#
A -ate&a% is a name -i!en to an amateur radio station t$at is used to
"onne"t ot$er amateur stations to t$e :nternet#
in-le sideband 7?8 !oi"e modulation is most often used for lon-
distan"e and &ea2 si-nal "onta"ts on t$e 63F and .3F bands#
Frequen"% @odulation 7F@8 is most "ommonl% used for 63F and .3F !oi"e
re'eaters#
T$e emission t%'e, C>, $as t$e narro&est band&idt$#
.''er sideband is normall% used for 63F and .3F ? "ommuni"ations#
T$e 'rimar% ad!anta-e of sin-le sideband o!er F@ for !oi"e transmissions
is t$at ? si-nals use mu"$ less band&idt$ t$an F@ si-nals#
T$e a''ro1imate band&idt$ of a sin-le(sideband !oi"e si-nal is bet&een 2
and 3 23B#
T$e a''ro1imate band&idt$ of a frequen"%(modulated !oi"e si-nal is bet&een
9 and +9 23B#
T$e normal band&idt$ required for a "on!entional fast(s"an T6 transmission
usin- "ombined !ideo and audio on t$e 70("entimeter band is about 6 @3B#
Aoice communications, %choLinG and @RL+
:nformation is transmitted bet&een stations !ia t$e :nternet usin-
5"$olin2#
:nternet Radio /in2in- ProHe"t 7:R/P8
An% li"ensed amateur radio o'erator ma% o'erate on t$e 5"$olin2 s%stem#
5"$olin2 and :R/P $a!e in "ommon 6oi"e o!er :nternet 'roto"ol te"$nolo-%#
6oi"e o!er :nternet 'roto"ol is t$e met$od used to transfer data b% :R/P#
:R/P is a met$od of lin2in- bet&een t&o or more amateur stations usin- t$e
:nternet#
5"$o/in2 allo&s "om'uter(to(radio lin2in- for !oi"e transmission#
:f %ou $ear a brief tone and t$en a station from Russia "allin- CQ on a 2(
meter re'eater %ou are listenin- to an :nternet lin2ed )N station#
;ou mi-$t find a list of a"ti!e nodes usin- 6o:P in a re'eater dire"tor%
or t$e :nternet#
>$en usin- a 'ortable trans"ei!er %ou sele"t a s'e"ifi" :R/P node b% usin-
t$e 2e%'ad to transmit t$e :R/P node numbers#
&on8-oice communications 8 ima1e communications, data, CL, "acGet, +S(1,
*orse code techni/ues, D si1nals
Pa"2et Radio is an e1am'le of a di-ital "ommuni"ations met$od#
Automati" Position Re'ortin- %stem 7APR8
A -lobal 'ositionin- s%stem re"ei!er is required alon- &it$ %our normal
radio for sendin- automati" lo"ation re'orts#
A standard fast s"an "olor tele!ision si-nal transmission is indi"ated b%
t$e term =TC#
Point(to('oint di-ital messa-e for&ardin- emission mode ma% be used b% a
Te"$ni"ian "lass o'erator in t$e 2+9 ( 220 @3B frequen"% ran-e#
18
P$ase $ift <e%in- 7P<8
P<3+ is a lo&(rate data transmission mode t$at &or2s &ell in nois%
"onditions#
An% sendin- s'eed at &$i"$ %ou "an reliabl% re"ei!e is re"ommended &$en
usin- @orse "ode#
A 'ra"ti"al reason for bein- able to "o'% C> &$en usin- re'eaters is to
re"o-niBe a re'eater :) sent in @orse "ode#
QR@ is t$e FQF si-nal used to indi"ate t$at %ou are re"ei!in- interferen"e
from ot$er stations#
Q; t$e FQF si-nal used to indi"ate t$at %ou are "$an-in- frequen"%#
19
S6)%L%*%&T T< 8 S"ecial o"erations > =2 e4am /uestions > 2 1rou"s?
T<A > =1 e4am /uestion?
9"eratin1 in the #ield
A -ood t$in- to $a!e &$en o'eratin- a $and($eld trans"ei!er a&a% from $ome
are one or more full% "$ar-ed s'are batter% 'a"2s#
A +900 &att out'ut linear am'lifier &ould 'robabl% not be !er% useful to
in"lude in an emer-en"% res'onse 2it#
;ou "an ma2e t$e si-nal from a $and($eld radio stron-er &$en o'eratin- in
t$e field b% usin- an e1ternal antenna instead of t$e rubber(du"2 antenna#
A "ombination $eadset and mi"ro'$one &ould be a -ood t$in- to $a!e &$en
o'eratin- from a lo"ation t$at in"ludes lots of "ro&d noise#
Radio direction #indin1
Radio dire"tion findin- is a met$od used to lo"ate sour"es of noise
interferen"e or Hammin-#
A dire"tional antenna &ould be t$e most useful for a $idden transmitter
$unt#
Radio control
T$e ma1imum 'o&er allo&ed &$en transmittin- tele"ommand si-nals to radio
"ontrolled models is + &att#
T$e station identifi"ation requirement &$en sendin- "ommands to a radio
"ontrol model usin- amateur frequen"ies is a label indi"atin- t$e
li"enseeCs "all si-n and address affi1ed to t$e transmitter#
Contests
Contestin- is a 'o'ular o'eratin- a"ti!it% t$at in!ol!es "onta"tin- as
man% stations as 'ossible durin- a s'e"ified 'eriod of time#
A -rid lo"ator is a letter(number desi-nator assi-ned to a -eo-ra'$i"
lo"ation#
S"ecial e-ent stations
A s'e"ial e!ent station is a tem'orar% station t$at o'erates in
"onHun"tion &it$ an a"ti!it% of s'e"ial si-nifi"an"e#
T<) > 1 e4am /uestion
Satellite o"eration, s"lit #re/uency o"eration, o"eratin1 "rotocols
T$e "lass of li"ense required to use amateur satellites is an% amateur
&$ose li"ense allo&s t$em to transmit on t$e satellite u'lin2 frequen"%#
T$e minimum amount of 'o&er needed to "om'lete t$e "onta"t is t$e 'o&er
t$at %ou s$ould use to transmit &$en usin- an amateur satellite#
omet$in- %ou "an do &$en usin- an amateur radio satellite is tal2 to
amateur radio o'erators in ot$er "ountries#
A satellite bea"on is a si-nal t$at "ontains information about a satellite#
Bo""ler shi#t
)o''ler s$ift is a "$an-e in si-nal frequen"% "aused b% motion t$rou-$
s'a"e#
Satellite su, ,ands
A satellite sub(band is a 'ortion of a band &$ere satellite o'erations are
'ermitted#
T$e satellite sub(band on 70(C@ is 439 to 43K @3B#
20
L%9
T$e initials, /50, tell %ou t$at t$e amateur satellite is in a /o& 5art$
0rbit 7/508#
9r,it calculation
;ou s$ould use a satellite tra"2in- 'ro-ram to determine &$en %ou "an
a""ess an amateur satellite#
A*SAT
A@AT is t$e name of t$e -rou' t$at "oordinates t$e buildin- and,or laun"$
of t$e lar-est number of amateur radio satellites#
@SS communications
An% amateur &it$ a Te"$ni"ian or $i-$er "lass li"ense ma% ma2e "onta"t
&it$ an astronaut on t$e :nternational 'a"e tation usin- amateur radio
frequen"ies#
21
S6)%L%*%&T T' 8 %mer1ency and +u,lic Ser-ice Communications
= e4am /uestions > 1rou"s?
T'A > =1 e4am /uestion?
FCC declarations o# an emer1ency
T$e information in"luded in an FCC de"laration of a tem'orar% state of
"ommuni"ation emer-en"% is an% s'e"ial "onditions and rules to be obser!ed
durin- t$e emer-en"%#
:f %ou are in "onta"t &it$ anot$er station and an emer-en"% "all is $eard
%ou s$ould sto' %our "onta"t immediatel% and ta2e t$e emer-en"% "all#
T$e restri"tions on amateur radio "ommuni"ations after t$e FCC $as
de"lared a "ommuni"ations emer-en"% are t$at %ou must a!oid t$ose
frequen"ies dedi"ated to su''ortin- t$e emer-en"% unless %ou are
'arti"i'atin- in t$e relief effort#
An FCC de"laration of a "ommuni"ations emer-en"% is le-all% required to
restri"t a frequen"% to emer-en"%(onl% "ommuni"ation#
=o station $as e1"lusi!e use of a frequen"% if t$e FCC $as not de"lared a
"ommuni"ation emer-en"%#
:f %ou $ear someone re'ortin- an emer-en"% %ou s$ould assume t$e emer-en"%
is real and a"t a""ordin-l%#
T$e a''ro'riate &a% to initiate an emer-en"% "all on amateur radio is b%
sa%in- F@a%da%, @a%da%, @a%da%F follo&ed b% Fan% station "ome in 'leaseF
and identif% %our station#
Penalties for ma2in- a false emer-en"% "all*
o ;ou "ould $a!e %our li"ense re!o2ed
o ;ou "ould be fined a lar-e sum of mone%
o ;ou "ould be sent to 'rison
5mer-en"% "ommuni"ations $as 'riorit% at all times in t$e Amateur Radio
er!i"e#
6se o# non8amateur e/ui"ment and #re/uencies, use o# e/ui"ment ,y unlicensed
"ersons
Priorit% must be -i!en at all times and on all frequen"ies to stations
'ro!idin- emer-en"% "ommuni"ations#
>$en s'e"iall% aut$oriBed b% t$e FCC, or in an a"tual emer-en"%, amateur
stations are allo&ed to "ommuni"ate &it$ stations o'eratin- in ot$er radio
ser!i"es#
Tactical call si1ns
0ne reason for usin- ta"ti"al "all si-ns su"$ as F"ommand 'ostF or
F&eat$er "enterF durin- an emer-en"% is t$at t$e% are more effi"ient and
$el' "oordinate 'ubli"(ser!i"e "ommuni"ations#
T') > =1 e4am /uestion?
+re"aration #or emer1ency o"erations
To be 're'ared for an emer-en"% situation &$ere %our assistan"e mi-$t be
needed, %ou "an*
o C$e"2 at least t&i"e a %ear to ma2e sure %ou $a!e all of %our
emer-en"% res'onse equi'ment and 2no& &$ere it is
o @a2e sure %ou $a!e a &a% to run %our equi'ment if t$ere is a 'o&er
failure in %our area
o Parti"i'ate in drills t$at test %our abilit% to set u' and o'erate
in t$e field
22
T$e follo&in- "ould be used as an alternate sour"e of 'o&er to o'erate
radio equi'ment durin- emer-en"ies*
o T$e batter% in a "ar or tru"2
o A bi"%"le -enerator
o A 'ortable solar 'anel
:n a -enuine emer-en"% %ou ma% use an% means at %our dis'osal to "all for
$el' on an% frequen"%#
o T$is ma% in"lude usin- non(amateur frequen"ies or equi'ment to "all
for $el' in a situation in!ol!in- immediate dan-er to life or
'ro'ert%#
o T$is ma% in"lude usin- a modified amateur radio trans"ei!er to
transmit on t$e lo"al fire de'artment frequen"%#
RAC%SJAR%S
T$e 'rimar% fun"tion of RAC5 in relation to emer-en"% a"ti!ities is RAC5
or-aniBations are restri"ted to ser!in- lo"al, state, and federal
-o!ernment emer-en"% mana-ement a-en"ies#
T$e 'rimar% fun"tion of AR5 in relation to emer-en"% a"ti!ities is AR5
su''orts a-en"ies li2e t$e Red Cross, al!ation Arm%, and =ational >eat$er
er!i"e#
;ou must re-ister &it$ t$e res'onsible "i!il defense or-aniBation before
%ou "an 'arti"i'ate in RAC5 a"ti!ities#
;ou must $a!e an amateur radio li"ense before %ou "an Hoin an AR5 -rou'#
Sa#ety o# li#e and "ro"erty
;ou ma% use %our amateur station to transmit a F0F or F@A;)A;F si-nal
&$en t$ere is immediate t$reat to $uman life or 'ro'ert%#
6sin1 ham radio at ci-ic e-ents
Casual "on!ersation bet&een stations durin- a 'ubli" ser!i"e e!ent s$ould
be a!oided be"ause idle "$atter ma% interfere &it$ im'ortant traffi"#
Com"ensation "rohi,ited
:f a re'orter as2s to use %our amateur radio trans"ei!er to ma2e a ne&s
re'ort %ou s$ould ad!ise t$em t$at t$e FCC 'ro$ibits su"$ use#
T'C =1 e4am /uestion?
&et o"erations, inter#acin1 .ith "u,lic sa#ety o##icials
To minimiBe disru'tions to an emer-en"% traffi" net on"e %ou $a!e "$e"2ed
in do not transmit on t$e net frequen"% until as2ed to do so b% t$e net
"ontrol station#
5mer-en"% traffi" $as t$e $i-$est 'riorit%#
Personal information "on"ernin- !i"tims s$ould not be transmitted o!er
amateur radio frequen"ies durin- emer-en"ies#
Res"onsi,ilities o# the net control station
A stron- and "lear si-nal is of 'rimar% im'ortan"e for a net "ontrol
station#
:f someone brea2s in &it$ emer-en"% traffi" t$e net "ontrol station s$ould
sto' all net a"ti!it% until t$e emer-en"% $as been $andled#
:f a lar-e s"ale emer-en"% $as Hust o""urred and no net "ontrol station is
a!ailable %ou s$ould o'en t$e emer-en"% net immediatel% and as2 for "$e"2(
ins#
23
*essa1e handlin1
T$e name of t$e 'erson ori-inatin- t$e messa-e must be in"luded &$en
'assin- emer-en"% messa-es#
0ne &a% to redu"e t$e "$an"es of "asual listeners o!er$earin- sensiti!e
emer-en"% traffi" is to 'ass messa-es usin- a non(!oi"e mode su"$ as
'a"2et radio or @orse "ode#
T$e 'reamble of a messa-e is t$e information needed to tra"2 t$e messa-e
as it 'asses t$rou-$ t$e amateur radio traffi" $andlin- s%stem#
T$e term F"$e"2F in referen"e to a messa-e refers to t$e "ount of t$e
number of &ords in t$e messa-e#
T$e re"ommended -uideline for t$e ma1imum number of &ords to be in"luded
in t$e te1t of an emer-en"% messa-e is 29 &ords#
24
S6)%L%*%&T T: 8 Radio .a-es, "ro"a1ation, and antennas
= e4am /uestions > 1rou"s?
T:A > =1 e4am /uestion?
Antenna ty"es > -ertical, hori2ontal
A !erti"al antenna is an antenna t$at "onsists of a sin-le element mounted
'er'endi"ular to t$e 5art$Cs surfa"e#
A $oriBontal antenna is a sim'le di'ole mounted so t$e elements are
'arallel to t$e 5art$Cs surfa"e#
Conce"t o# 1ain
A beam antenna is an antenna t$at "on"entrates si-nals in one dire"tion#
T$e quad, ;a-i, and dis$ are all t%'es of dire"tional or beam antennas#
T$e ad!anta-e of 9,K &a!elen-t$ o!er +,4 &a!elen-t$ !erti"al antennas is
t$eir radiation 'attern "on"entrates ener-% at lo&er an-les#
Common "orta,le and mo,ile antennas, losses .ith short antennas
A disad!anta-e of t$e Frubber du"2F antenna su''lied &it$ most $and $eld
radio trans"ei!ers is it does not transmit or re"ei!e as effe"ti!el% as a
full siBed antenna#
A -ood reason not to use a Frubber du"2F antenna inside %our "ar is t$at
si-nals "an be +0 to 20 times &ea2er t$an &$en %ou are outside of t$e
!e$i"le#
A ma-net mount !erti"al antenna is one t%'e of antenna t$at offers -ood
effi"ien"% &$en o'eratin- mobile and "an be easil% installed or remo!ed#
Relationshi"s ,et.een antenna len1th and #re/uency
T$e '$%si"al siBe of $alf(&a!e di'ole antenna be"omes s$orter as t$e
o'eratin- frequen"% in"reases#
T$e a''ro1imate len-t$, in in"$es, of a quarter(&a!elen-t$ !erti"al
antenna for +46 @3B is +9 in"$es# [Remember the relationship between
wavelength and frequency.]
T$e a''ro1imate len-t$, in in"$es, of a 6(meter +,2 &a!elen-t$ &ire di'ole
antenna is ++2 in"$es# [Remember the relationship between wavelength and
frequency.]
Bummy loads
T$e 'rimar% 'ur'ose of a dumm% load is it does not radiate interferin-
si-nals &$en ma2in- tests# [Actually, it may radiate but the signal level
radiated is usually well attenuated.]
T:) > =1 e4am /uestion?
+ro"a1ation
63F,.3F si-nals not normall% $eard o!er lon- distan"es due to 63F and .3F
si-nals usuall% not bein- refle"ted b% t$e ionos'$ere#
>$en &e $ear a 63F si-nal from lon- distan"es a 'ossible "ause is s'oradi"
5 refle"tion from a la%er in t$e ionos'$ere#
Fadin1, *ulti"ath distortion
Pi"2et fen"in- is a term "ommonl% used to des"ribe t$e ra'id flutterin-
sound sometimes $eard from mobile stations t$at are mo!in- &$ile
transmittin-#
:f a station re'orts t$at %our si-nals &ere stron- Hust a moment a-o, but
no& t$e% are &ea2 or distorted, tr% mo!in- a fe& feet, random refle"tions
ma% be "ausin- multi('at$ distortion#
25
T$e most li2el% "ause of sudden bursts of tones or fra-ments of different
"on!ersations t$at interfere &it$ 63F or .3F si-nals is &$en stron-
si-nals are o!erloadin- t$e re"ei!er and "ausin- undesired si-nals to be
$eard#
Re#lections
A &a% to rea"$ a distant re'eater if buildin-s or obstru"tions are
blo"2in- t$e dire"t line of si-$t 'at$ is to tr% usin- a dire"tional
antenna to find a 'at$ t$at refle"ts si-nals to t$e re'eater#
Radio hori2on, Terrain ,locGin1
T$e radio $oriBon is t$e 'oint &$ere radio si-nals bet&een t&o 'oints are
blo"2ed b% t$e "ur!ature of t$e 5art$#
63F and .3F Radio si-nals usuall% tra!el about a t$ird fart$er t$an t$e
!isual line of si-$t distan"e bet&een 2 stations be"ause t$e 5art$ seems
less "ur!ed to radio &a!es t$an to li-$t#
La-elen1th -s0 "enetration
.3F si-nals often &or2 better inside of buildin-s t$an 63F si-nals sin"e
t$e s$orter &a!elen-t$ of .3F si-nals allo&s t$em to more easil% 'enetrate
urban areas and buildin-s#
Antenna orientation
A -ood t$in- to remember &$en usin- %our $and($eld 63F or .3F radio to
rea"$ a distant re'eater is to 2ee' t$e antenna as "lose to !erti"al as
%ou "an#
:f t$e antennas at o''osite ends of a 63F or .3F line of si-$t radio lin2
are not usin- t$e same 'olariBation si-nals "ould be as mu"$ as +00 times
&ea2er#
T:C > 1 e4am /uestion
Feedline ty"es
Loses -s0 #re/uency, matchin1 and "o.er trans#er
Coa1ial "able is used more often t$an an% ot$er feed line for amateur
radio antenna s%stems be"ause it is eas% to use and requires fe& s'e"ial
installation "onsiderations#
:t is im'ortant to $a!e a lo& >R in an antenna s%stem t$at uses "oa1ial
"able feedline to allo& t$e effi"ient transfer of 'o&er and redu"e losses#
T$e "$ara"teristi" im'edan"e of t$e most "ommonl% used "oa1ial "able in
t%'i"al amateur radio installations is 90 0$ms#
SLR conce"ts
:n -eneral terms, standin- &a!e ratio 7>R8 is a measure of $o& &ell a
load is mat"$ed to a transmitter#
A readin- on a >R meter of + to + 7+*+8 indi"ates a 'erfe"t im'edan"e
mat"$ bet&een t$e antenna and t$e feed line#
A loose "onne"tion in %our antenna or feedline mi-$t be indi"ated b%
errati" "$an-es in >R readin-s#
T$e >R !alue, 2 to + 72*+8 is &$ere t$e 'rote"tion "ir"uits in most
solid(state transmitters be-in to redu"e transmitter 'o&er#
T$e 'o&er lost in a feed line is "on!erted into $eat b% losses in t$e line#
26
*easurin1 SLR
A )ire"tional &attmeter "ould be used to determine if %our feedline and
antenna are 'ro'erl% mat"$ed#
Leather "rotection
/osses "an in"rease dramati"all% in older "oa1ial "ables t$at are e1'osed
to &eat$er and sunli-$t for se!eral %ears#
T$e outer s$eat$ of most "oa1ial "ables is bla"2 in "olor be"ause bla"2
'ro!ides 'rote"tion a-ainst ultra!iolet dama-e#
Feedline #ailure modes
@oisture "ontamination is t$e most "ommon reason for failure of "oa1ial
"ables#
27
S6)%L%*%&T T0 8 %lectrical and RF Sa#ety > = e4am /uestions > 1rou"s?
AC "o.er circuits, %lectrical code com"liance
A fe& -ood &a%s to -uard a-ainst ele"tri"al s$o"2 at %our station are*
o .se 3(&ire "ords and 'lu-s for all AC 'o&ered equi'ment
o Conne"t all AC 'o&ered station equi'ment to a "ommon -round
o .se a -round(fault interru'ter at ea"$ ele"tri"al outlet
T$e most im'ortant t$in- to "onsider &$en installin- an emer-en"%
dis"onne"t s&it"$ at %our station is for e!er%one to 2no& &$ere it is and
$o& to use it#
Fa2ardous -olta1es
T$e "ommonl% a""e'ted !alue for t$e lo&est !olta-e t$at "an "ause a
dan-erous ele"tri" s$o"2 is 30 !olts# (Note !ower voltages can be "ust
as dangerous where conditions result in lower levels of resistance and
thus current levels approaching #$$ miliamperes.%
T$e lo&est amount of ele"tri"al "urrent flo&in- t$rou-$ t$e $uman bod%
t$at is li2el% to "ause deat$ is +00 milliam'eres#
A $aBard mi-$t still e1ist in a 'o&er su''l% &$en it is turned off and
dis"onne"ted# :f %ou arenGt "areful %ou mi-$t re"ei!e an ele"tri" s$o"2
from stored "$ar-e in lar-e "a'a"itors#
Fuses and circuit ,reaGers
T$e 'ur'ose of a fuse in an ele"tri"al "ir"uit is to interru't 'o&er in
"ase of o!erload#
:f %ou install a 20(am'ere fuse in %our trans"ei!er in t$e 'la"e of a 9(
am'ere fuse e1"essi!e "urrent "ould "ause a fire# (Note &f it didn't
cause a fire, it still could result in damage to the equipment.%
Groundin1
4round is "onne"ted to t$e -reen &ire in a t$ree(&ire ele"tri"al 'lu-#
Li1htnin1 "rotection
T$e 're"autions t$at s$ould be ta2en &$en a li-$tnin- storm is e1'e"ted
are*
o )is"onne"t t$e antenna "ables from %our station and mo!e t$em a&a%
from %our radio equi'ment
o .n'lu- all 'o&er "ords from AC outlets
o to' usin- %our radio equi'ment and mo!e to anot$er room until t$e
storm 'asses
Fire 're!ention is t$e most im'ortant reason to $a!e a li-$tnin-
'rote"tion s%stem for %our amateur radio station#
)attery sa#ety
0ne &a% to re"$ar-e a +2(!olt batter% if t$e "ommer"ial 'o&er is out is to
"onne"t t$e batter% to a "arCs batter% and run t$e en-ine#
:f a stora-e batter% is "$ar-ed or dis"$ar-ed too qui"2l% it "ould
o!er$eat and -i!e off dan-erous -as or e1'lode#
28
T$e $aBards t$at are 'resented b% a "on!entional +2(!olt stora-e batter%
are*
o :t "ontains dan-erous a"id t$at "an s'ill and "ause inHur%
o $ort "ir"uits "an dama-e &irin- and 'ossibl% "ause a fire
o 51'losi!e -as "an "olle"t if not 'ro'erl% !ented
Antenna installation
An im'ortant "onsideration &$en 'uttin- u' an antenna is ma2e sure 'eo'le
"annot a""identall% "ome into "onta"t &it$ it#
T$e ma1imum allo&ed $ei-$t &it$ re-ard to nearb% air'orts must be
"onsidered &$en ere"tin- an antenna near an air'ort#
To.er sa#ety
;ou s$ould &ear a $ard $at and safet% -lasses if %ou are on t$e -round
$el'in- someone &or2 on an antenna to&er in order to 'rote"t %our $ead and
e%es in "ase somet$in- a""identall% falls from t$e to&er#
A -ood 're"aution to obser!e before "limbin- an antenna to&er is to 'ut on
%our safet% belt and safet% -lasses#
;ou s$ould do all of t$e follo&in- before %ou "limb a to&er*
o Arran-e for a $el'er or obser!er
o :ns'e"t t$e to&er for dama-e or loose $ard&are
o @a2e sure t$ere are no ele"tri"al storms nearb%
4u% &ires for an antenna to&er s$ould be installed in a""ordan"e &it$ t$e
to&er manufa"turerCs instru"tions#
T$e most im'ortant safet% rule to remember &$en usin- a "ran2(u' to&er is
a "ran2(u' to&er s$ould ne!er be "limbed unless it is in t$e full% lo&ered
'osition#
tainless steel $ard&are is used on man% antennas instead of ot$er metals
be"ause stainless steel 'arts are mu"$ less li2el% to "orrode#
A se'arate K foot lon- -round rods for ea"$ to&er le-, bonded to t$e to&er
and ea"$ ot$er is "onsidered to be an adequate -round for a to&er#
9-erhead "o.er lines
T$e most im'ortant safet% 're"aution to obser!e &$en 'uttin- u' an antenna
to&er is loo2 for and sta% "lear of an% o!er$ead ele"tri"al &ires#
A safe distan"e from a 'o&er line to allo& &$en installin- an antenna is
so t$at if t$e antenna falls une1'e"tedl%, no 'art of it "an "ome "loser
t$an +0 feet to t$e 'o&er &ires#
RF ha2ards, RF heatin1 ha2ards, +ro4imity to antennas, Fand held sa#ety
63F and .3F radio si-nals are non(ioniBin- radiation#
Radio &a!es "an "ause inHur% to t$e $uman bod% onl% if t$e "ombination of
si-nal stren-t$ and frequen"% "ause e1"essi!e 'o&er to be absorbed#
:f a 'erson a""identall% tou"$ed %our antenna &$ile %ou &ere transmittin-
t$e% mi-$t re"ei!e a 'ainful RF burn inHur%#
29
Radiation e4"osure, e4"osure to others
T$e fa"tors t$at affe"t t$e RF e1'osure of 'eo'le near an amateur
transmitter are*
o Frequen"% and 'o&er le!el of t$e RF field
o )istan"e from t$e antenna to a 'erson
o Radiation 'attern of t$e antenna
T$e frequen"% of an RF sour"e must be "onsidered &$en e!aluatin- RF
radiation e1'osure be"ause t$e $uman bod% absorbs more RF ener-% at some
frequen"ies t$an ot$ers#
ome a"tions amateur o'erators mi-$t ta2e to 're!ent e1'osure to RF
radiation in e1"ess of FCC su''lied limits in"lude*
o Alter antenna 'atterns
o Relo"ate antennas
o C$an-e station 'arameters su"$ as frequen"% or 'o&er
Reco1ni2ed sa#e "o.er le-els
T$e ma1imum 'o&er le!el t$at an amateur radio station ma% use at
frequen"ies abo!e 30 @3B before an RF e1'osure e!aluation is required is
90 &atts P5P at t$e antenna#
;ou "an determine t$at %our station "om'lies &it$ FCC RF e1'osure
re-ulations*
o ?% "al"ulation based on FCC 05T ?ulletin 69
o ?% "al"ulation based on "om'uter modelin-
o ?% measurement of field stren-t$ usin- "alibrated equi'ment
o All of these choices are correct
@illi&atts 'er square "entimeter is t$e unit of measurement used to
measure RF radiation e1'osure#
T$e dut% "%"le is one of t$e fa"tors used to determine safe RF radiation
e1'osure le!els be"ause it ta2es into a""ount t$e amount of time t$e
transmitter is o'eratin-#
;ou ma2e sure %our station sta%s in "om'lian"e &it$ RF safet% re-ulations
b% re(e!aluatin- t$e station &$ene!er an item of equi'ment is "$an-ed#
30

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