Greetings and thank you for deciding to participate in these amateur radio lessons I hope you will find them interesting, informative and helpful. My name is Bill and my amateur radio call sign is WA6OHP.
Ham radio has been an exciting part of my life for 47 years. During these years I have helped many to get their amateur radio license by teaching ham radio classes, mentoring individuals, and working as a Volunteer Examiner. Now it is my goal to help those in the United States who would like to get their ham radio license by using lessons on my blog web site and using the same technique later help those who have their license to up grade
Those of you in other countries please understand that it is not that I do not want to help you get your amateur radio license. I would love to help you but I can’t. Every country has different requirements and the only ones I know are those in the United States. Everyone is welcome to do the study and even if you do live in another nation there should be some information that would help you and you are welcome to ask questions.
This is to be an interactive series. If you do not understand something in the lesson e-mail your question to wa6ohp@yahoo.com be sure to include “hamslife” or “Ham’s Life” in the subject line so my spam monster will not eat it. You can also use the comment box at the bottom of each session and ask your question but because I do not check this blog each day it could go missed for a while.
These lessons are not written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and thus are not inerrant. It is possible that I can make mistakes though I have carefully studied each lesson before publishing it. I do not have a proof reader though I desperately need one. So if you find something you believe to be an error please let me know either by e-mail at the previously mentioned address or comment in the comment section. The test questions below the text are copied directly as they are written in the question pool and some of them are not grammatically correct but they written just as they will appear on the test.
If you have a ham related question or radio related technical question that is not part of the question pool please go to http://hamslife.com and use the comment box to ask your question and I will try to answer your question on that site.
Each lesson will consist of text which will discuss the information you will need to pass the technician class amateur radio test. This will be followed by questions from the test pool. All the questions will have been answered in the text. Then at the bottom of the questions are the answers to those questions which will look something like this A, B, C, D, A. This means that the answer to question 1 is A and the answer to question 2 is B and so forth.
Each test question is identified by a letter, a number, a letter, and a number. It will look something like this T1A01. These identify which question it is in the test pool. T is for technician class, 1 means it is the first that subelement, A identifies it as the first group (Basis and purpose of the Amateur Radio Service), and 01 means it is the first question in that subgroup.
All comments are moderated before they are displayed. Only comments I consider appropriate will be posted. If you would like to receive a personal email and leave your email address it will be removed before it is viewed by others if it is published.
I would appreciate knowing you are out there so please use the comment section of this post and let me know your name or even respond anonymously if you wish.
When you have passed your Technician Class exam please let me know if these lessons helped you.
Monday, January 28, 2008
LESSON 1
Basis and purpose of the Amateur Radio Service, penalties
for unlicensed operation, other penalties
If you have not yet read the introduction please scroll down to the bottom of this lesson to the Introduction and read it. It will help you understand how these lessons will work. Your participation is very important and that is explained in the Introduction.
When defining Amateur Radio there are two elements to be considered. First the operator who is a man, woman, boy, or girl licensed to operate an Amateur Radio Station and then Amateur Radio station it self.
A radio service defines the way and reasons for radio transmissions. There is the Broadcast radio service which is just the regular AM and FM radio we use for our enjoyment and information. There is also the Cellular and the Land Mobile radio service. Among the many radio services there is one called The Amateur Radio service.
An amateur station is defined as “a station in an Amateur Radio Service consisting of the apparatus necessary for carrying on radio communications.”
The origin term Amateur Radio operator seems to be unclear but it is a very good definitive description of who we are. We are individuals who have an interest in radio communications and who are willing to pursue this interest with no remunerations (with almost no exception pay of any kind for any radio communications on the amateur radio bands is prohibited). We are licensed by and issued amateur radio call signs by the regulating agency responsible for the administration of radio communications in the nation under which we will be operating. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the agency which makes and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?
The FCC part 97 of radio rules and regulations covers the laws which relate to the Amateur Radio Service in the United States of America. Part 97 defines an amateur operator as “A person named in an amateur operator/primary license grant in the FCC ULS database.”
Part 97 also defines the purpose of the Amateur Radio Service. There are four reasons described there in and they are: a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur radio service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art. d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.
There are some who feel that regulating the radio waves is not necessary and they feel it is their right to transmit when, where, and what they want. Originally there were no radio licenses or regulations but as the industry grew it was realized that there was a need to regulate the use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Without regulations there would be nothing but confusion.
Think of a room full of people each trying to talk. Some are trying to talk to everyone in the room at once. Some are speaking to the person next to them while others are speaking to someone or some group across the room. That would give you some idea of what it would be like in the radio world without regulations.
Even with regulations and operators trying not to overlap or interfere with other operations it still inadvertently happens. A transmission that disturbs other communications is called Harmful interference. If this interference is deliberate it is called malicious interference and is subject to legal action which can include fines and imprisonment.
There have been many changes to these regulations over the years. The ability to send and receive Morse code had to be demonstrated before an amateur license could be granted. Then a few years ago it was changed so those who were applying for their Technician class did not have to take a code test. It was earlier this year (2007) the FCC removed all code requirement. They, prior to this had discontinued issuing licenses for two classes of licenses, the Novice and the Advanced Classes. So there are now just three classes of amateur radio licenses which currently may be earned by examination. These three licenses are: Technician, General, Extra.
Those holding Novice and Advanced classes may renew their current license as Novice or Advanced, depending on which grade they hold, with the appropriate privileges for those classes. There are also some Technician class hams who passes a code test called Technician Plus class who can also renew their Technician Plus status and operate with the extra privileges granted by their license. But again the only new licenses which are being tested for and for those who are upgrading the only upgrades available are Technician, General, and Extra classes.
Up until 1984 the FCC had done all the testing for all radio services including the Amateur radio service. In 1984 the FCC, by an act of congress, began to certify organizations to coordinate and administer the test elements. These organizations were and still are called VOLUNTEER EXAMINER COORDINATOR (VEC). The first VEC was the Anchorage (Alaska) Amateur Radio Club and remains active to the day of this writing. There are now 14 approved VEC’s the largest of which is the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
The Amateur Radio tests are administered by Volunteer Examiners (VE’s). A VE is an amateur accredited by one or more VEC’s who volunteers to administer amateur license exams. To administer the technician class test there must be a minimum of three VE’s holding a General class license or higher.
Upon the completion of any element of the examination which you successfully pass the VE team will issue you a Certification of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) so a passed element needs not be repeated if upgrade is completed within one year. The CSCE is good for 365 days.
Test Questions
1. T1A01
Who is an amateur operator as defined in Part 97?
A. A person named in an amateur operator/primary license grant in the FCC ULS database
B. A person who has passed a written license examination
C. The person named on the FCC Form 605 Application
D. A person holding a Restricted Operating Permit
~~
2. T1A02
What is one of the basic purposes of the Amateur Radio Service as defined in Part 97?
A. To support teaching of amateur radio classes in schools
B. To provide a voluntary noncommercial communications service to the public, particularly in times of emergency
C. To provide free message service to the public
D. To allow the public to communicate with other radio services
~~
3. T1A03
What classes of US amateur radio licenses may currently be earned by examination?
A. Novice, Technician, General, Advanced
B. Technician, General, Advanced
C. Technician, General, Extra
D. Technician, Tech Plus, General
~~
4. T1A04
Who is a Volunteer Examiner?
A. A certified instructor who volunteers to examine amateur
teaching manuals
B. An FCC employee who accredits volunteers to administer amateur license exams
C. An amateur accredited by one or more VECs who volunteers to administer amateur license exams
D. Any person who volunteers to examine amateur station equipment
~~
5. T1A05
How long is a CSCE valid for license upgrade purposes?
A. 365 days
B. Until the current license expires
C. Indefinitely
D. Until two years following the expiration of the current
license
~~
6. T1A06
How many and what class of Volunteer Examiners are required to administer an Element 2 Technician written exam?
A. Three Examiners holding any class of license
B. Two Examiners holding any class of license
C. Three Examiners holding a Technician Class license
D. Three Examiners holding a General Class license or
higher
~~
7. T1A07
Who makes and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?
A. The Congress of the United States
B. The Federal Communications Commission
C. The Volunteer Examiner Coordinators
D. The Federal Bureau of Investigation
~~
8. T1A08
What are two of the five fundamental purposes for the Amateur Radio Service?
A. To protect historical radio data, and help the public
understand radio history
B. To aid foreign countries in improving radio communications and encourage visits from foreign hams
C. To modernize radio electronic design theory and improve
schematic drawings
D. To increase the number of trained radio operators and
electronics experts, and improve international goodwill
~~
9. T1A09
What is the definition of an amateur radio station?
A. A station in a public radio service used for radio
communications
B. A station using radio communications for a commercial purpose
C. A station using equipment for training new broadcast
operators and technicians
D. A station in an Amateur Radio Service consisting of the
apparatus necessary for carrying on radio communications
~~
10. T1A10
What is a transmission called that disturbs other communications?
A. Interrupted CW
B. Harmful interference
C. Transponder signals
D. Unidentified transmissions
Answers:
A, B, C, C, A, D, B, D, D, B
Note 1: If you are totally new to Amateur Radio and find you are a little confused at this point don’t become discouraged because you are just starting and that would be normal. If you can it would be best if you became acquainted with a local ham radio operator or attend a local ham club. I know of no other single thing that will help more then getting to know one or more hams. Don’t worry about contacting a stranger thinking you might be rejected because it is amazing just how helpful ham radio operators are.
Note 2: Amateur Radio is the official name of the radio service but Amateur operators are also known as hams. It is believed to come from the shortening of the word Amateur to Am but British accent had the tendency to ad the H sound prior to the word which made it ham.
for unlicensed operation, other penalties
If you have not yet read the introduction please scroll down to the bottom of this lesson to the Introduction and read it. It will help you understand how these lessons will work. Your participation is very important and that is explained in the Introduction.
When defining Amateur Radio there are two elements to be considered. First the operator who is a man, woman, boy, or girl licensed to operate an Amateur Radio Station and then Amateur Radio station it self.
A radio service defines the way and reasons for radio transmissions. There is the Broadcast radio service which is just the regular AM and FM radio we use for our enjoyment and information. There is also the Cellular and the Land Mobile radio service. Among the many radio services there is one called The Amateur Radio service.
An amateur station is defined as “a station in an Amateur Radio Service consisting of the apparatus necessary for carrying on radio communications.”
The origin term Amateur Radio operator seems to be unclear but it is a very good definitive description of who we are. We are individuals who have an interest in radio communications and who are willing to pursue this interest with no remunerations (with almost no exception pay of any kind for any radio communications on the amateur radio bands is prohibited). We are licensed by and issued amateur radio call signs by the regulating agency responsible for the administration of radio communications in the nation under which we will be operating. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the agency which makes and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?
The FCC part 97 of radio rules and regulations covers the laws which relate to the Amateur Radio Service in the United States of America. Part 97 defines an amateur operator as “A person named in an amateur operator/primary license grant in the FCC ULS database.”
Part 97 also defines the purpose of the Amateur Radio Service. There are four reasons described there in and they are: a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur radio service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art. d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.
There are some who feel that regulating the radio waves is not necessary and they feel it is their right to transmit when, where, and what they want. Originally there were no radio licenses or regulations but as the industry grew it was realized that there was a need to regulate the use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Without regulations there would be nothing but confusion.
Think of a room full of people each trying to talk. Some are trying to talk to everyone in the room at once. Some are speaking to the person next to them while others are speaking to someone or some group across the room. That would give you some idea of what it would be like in the radio world without regulations.
Even with regulations and operators trying not to overlap or interfere with other operations it still inadvertently happens. A transmission that disturbs other communications is called Harmful interference. If this interference is deliberate it is called malicious interference and is subject to legal action which can include fines and imprisonment.
There have been many changes to these regulations over the years. The ability to send and receive Morse code had to be demonstrated before an amateur license could be granted. Then a few years ago it was changed so those who were applying for their Technician class did not have to take a code test. It was earlier this year (2007) the FCC removed all code requirement. They, prior to this had discontinued issuing licenses for two classes of licenses, the Novice and the Advanced Classes. So there are now just three classes of amateur radio licenses which currently may be earned by examination. These three licenses are: Technician, General, Extra.
Those holding Novice and Advanced classes may renew their current license as Novice or Advanced, depending on which grade they hold, with the appropriate privileges for those classes. There are also some Technician class hams who passes a code test called Technician Plus class who can also renew their Technician Plus status and operate with the extra privileges granted by their license. But again the only new licenses which are being tested for and for those who are upgrading the only upgrades available are Technician, General, and Extra classes.
Up until 1984 the FCC had done all the testing for all radio services including the Amateur radio service. In 1984 the FCC, by an act of congress, began to certify organizations to coordinate and administer the test elements. These organizations were and still are called VOLUNTEER EXAMINER COORDINATOR (VEC). The first VEC was the Anchorage (Alaska) Amateur Radio Club and remains active to the day of this writing. There are now 14 approved VEC’s the largest of which is the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
The Amateur Radio tests are administered by Volunteer Examiners (VE’s). A VE is an amateur accredited by one or more VEC’s who volunteers to administer amateur license exams. To administer the technician class test there must be a minimum of three VE’s holding a General class license or higher.
Upon the completion of any element of the examination which you successfully pass the VE team will issue you a Certification of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) so a passed element needs not be repeated if upgrade is completed within one year. The CSCE is good for 365 days.
Test Questions
1. T1A01
Who is an amateur operator as defined in Part 97?
A. A person named in an amateur operator/primary license grant in the FCC ULS database
B. A person who has passed a written license examination
C. The person named on the FCC Form 605 Application
D. A person holding a Restricted Operating Permit
~~
2. T1A02
What is one of the basic purposes of the Amateur Radio Service as defined in Part 97?
A. To support teaching of amateur radio classes in schools
B. To provide a voluntary noncommercial communications service to the public, particularly in times of emergency
C. To provide free message service to the public
D. To allow the public to communicate with other radio services
~~
3. T1A03
What classes of US amateur radio licenses may currently be earned by examination?
A. Novice, Technician, General, Advanced
B. Technician, General, Advanced
C. Technician, General, Extra
D. Technician, Tech Plus, General
~~
4. T1A04
Who is a Volunteer Examiner?
A. A certified instructor who volunteers to examine amateur
teaching manuals
B. An FCC employee who accredits volunteers to administer amateur license exams
C. An amateur accredited by one or more VECs who volunteers to administer amateur license exams
D. Any person who volunteers to examine amateur station equipment
~~
5. T1A05
How long is a CSCE valid for license upgrade purposes?
A. 365 days
B. Until the current license expires
C. Indefinitely
D. Until two years following the expiration of the current
license
~~
6. T1A06
How many and what class of Volunteer Examiners are required to administer an Element 2 Technician written exam?
A. Three Examiners holding any class of license
B. Two Examiners holding any class of license
C. Three Examiners holding a Technician Class license
D. Three Examiners holding a General Class license or
higher
~~
7. T1A07
Who makes and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?
A. The Congress of the United States
B. The Federal Communications Commission
C. The Volunteer Examiner Coordinators
D. The Federal Bureau of Investigation
~~
8. T1A08
What are two of the five fundamental purposes for the Amateur Radio Service?
A. To protect historical radio data, and help the public
understand radio history
B. To aid foreign countries in improving radio communications and encourage visits from foreign hams
C. To modernize radio electronic design theory and improve
schematic drawings
D. To increase the number of trained radio operators and
electronics experts, and improve international goodwill
~~
9. T1A09
What is the definition of an amateur radio station?
A. A station in a public radio service used for radio
communications
B. A station using radio communications for a commercial purpose
C. A station using equipment for training new broadcast
operators and technicians
D. A station in an Amateur Radio Service consisting of the
apparatus necessary for carrying on radio communications
~~
10. T1A10
What is a transmission called that disturbs other communications?
A. Interrupted CW
B. Harmful interference
C. Transponder signals
D. Unidentified transmissions
Answers:
A, B, C, C, A, D, B, D, D, B
Note 1: If you are totally new to Amateur Radio and find you are a little confused at this point don’t become discouraged because you are just starting and that would be normal. If you can it would be best if you became acquainted with a local ham radio operator or attend a local ham club. I know of no other single thing that will help more then getting to know one or more hams. Don’t worry about contacting a stranger thinking you might be rejected because it is amazing just how helpful ham radio operators are.
Note 2: Amateur Radio is the official name of the radio service but Amateur operators are also known as hams. It is believed to come from the shortening of the word Amateur to Am but British accent had the tendency to ad the H sound prior to the word which made it ham.
LESSON 2
ITU regions, international regulations, US call sign
structure, special event calls, vanity call signs
In our previous lesson we looked at why it is important to have regulations and a regulating organization like the FCC. But radio waves do not recognize country borders and thus the issue of regulating radio waves is a global issue. Thus there was a need to form some type of means of coordinating the frequencies and their use on an international scale. The International Telecommunication Union was formed to assist in the management of frequency allocations. (Take special notice the U stands for Union.)
One of the responsibilities of the ITU was to designate how the station call signs of radio stations transmitting in any country would start. The United States was given the whole W, K, and N blocks and the partial A block consisting of AA to AL block (A block refers to all the letter number combinations possible starting with that letter or in some cases a number and a letter). Thus all radio stations with call signs starting with W, K, and N and AA through AL belong to the authority of the United States of America. Originally the stations starting with N or A were military stations but when more amateur station call signs were needed they were also used.
An Amateur call sign starts with the letters or number letter combination authorized by the ITU for that country. If you were to hear a station with a call sign starting with 5A and a number it would be a Libyan station because the 5A was issued to Libya by the ITU.
U. S. call signs will start with a letter as listed above if that letter is A then it will always be followed by another letter from A to L. W, K, and N may be followed by another letter so all U. S. call signs will start with 1 or 2 letters. That will be followed by a single number from 0 to 9 and then there will be 1 to 3 letters following.
An example of the above: KB3TMJ would be a U.S. Station. VE3TWJ would indicate the station is Canadian, UZ4FWD would originate in the Ukraine and KBL7766 is not an amateur radio station call sign.
Amateur radio call signs are assigned by the FCC Call in sequential order. After your call sign is assigned you can have it changed to another of your choosing if the call is available and if it follows the proper amateur call sign order. This program is called the vanity call sign program. There is a cost involved and the call sign must be applied for.
A club can apply for an amateur call sign for its club station through the FCC Club Station Call Sign Administrator. The FCC requires that the club membership consist of at least 4 licensed amateur radio operators to receive a club call.
One exception to the normal call sign sequence is a 1X1 (one by one) call. That is to say there is 1 letter, a number followed by 1 letter. This type of call can only be issued by the FCC for special events like the California State Fair in 2007. The call sign is only good for the time of the event.
1. T1B01 (C) [97.3(a)(28)]
What is the ITU?
A. The International Telecommunications Utility
B. The International Telephone Union
C. The International Telecommunication Union
D. The International Technology Union
~~
2. T1B02 (A) [97.301]
What is the purpose of ITU Regions?
A. They are used to assist in the management of frequency
allocations
B. They are useful when operating maritime mobile
C. They are used in call sign assignments
D. They must be used after your call sign to indicate your
location
~~
3. T1B03 (C) [97.17(d)]
What system does the FCC use to select new amateur radio call signs?
A. Call signs are assigned in random order
B. The applicant is allowed to pick a call sign
C. Call signs are assigned in sequential order
D. Volunteer Examiners choose an unassigned call sign
~~
4. T1B04 (A) [97.19(d)]
What FCC call sign program might you use to obtain a call sign containing your initials?
A. The vanity call sign program
B. The sequential call sign program
C. The special event call sign program
D. There is no FCC provision for choosing a your call sign
~~
5. T1B05 (B) [97.17(b)(2)]
How might an amateur radio club obtain a club station call sign?
A. By applying directly to the FCC in Gettysburg, PA
B. By applying through a Club Station Call Sign Administrator
C. By submitting a FCC Form 605 to the FCC in Washington, DC
D. By notifying a VE team using NCVEC Form 605
~~
6. T1B06 (C)
Who is eligible to apply for temporary use of a 1-by-1 format
Special Event call sign?
A. Only Amateur Extra class amateurs
B. Only military stations
C. Any FCC-licensed amateur
D. Only trustees of amateur radio club stations
~~
7. T1B07 (A) [97.107]
When are you allowed to operate your amateur station in a foreign
country?
A. When there is a reciprocal operating agreement between the
countries
B. When there is a mutual agreement allowing third party
communications
C. When authorization permits amateur communications in a foreign
language
D. When you are communicating with non-licensed individuals in
another country
~~
8. T1B08 (C)
Which of the following call signs is a valid US amateur call?
A. UZ4FWD
B. KBL7766
C. KB3TMJ
D. VE3TWJ
~~
9. T1B09 (B)
What letters must be used for the first letter in US amateur call signs?
A. K, N, U and W
B. A, K, N and W
C. A, B, C and D
D. A, N, V and W
~~
10. T1B10 (D)
What numbers are used in US amateur call signs?
A. Any two-digit number, 10 through 99
B. Any two-digit number, 22 through 45
C. A single digit, 1 though 9
D. A single digit, 0 through 9
Answers: C, A, C, A, B, C, A, C, B, D
structure, special event calls, vanity call signs
In our previous lesson we looked at why it is important to have regulations and a regulating organization like the FCC. But radio waves do not recognize country borders and thus the issue of regulating radio waves is a global issue. Thus there was a need to form some type of means of coordinating the frequencies and their use on an international scale. The International Telecommunication Union was formed to assist in the management of frequency allocations. (Take special notice the U stands for Union.)
One of the responsibilities of the ITU was to designate how the station call signs of radio stations transmitting in any country would start. The United States was given the whole W, K, and N blocks and the partial A block consisting of AA to AL block (A block refers to all the letter number combinations possible starting with that letter or in some cases a number and a letter). Thus all radio stations with call signs starting with W, K, and N and AA through AL belong to the authority of the United States of America. Originally the stations starting with N or A were military stations but when more amateur station call signs were needed they were also used.
An Amateur call sign starts with the letters or number letter combination authorized by the ITU for that country. If you were to hear a station with a call sign starting with 5A and a number it would be a Libyan station because the 5A was issued to Libya by the ITU.
U. S. call signs will start with a letter as listed above if that letter is A then it will always be followed by another letter from A to L. W, K, and N may be followed by another letter so all U. S. call signs will start with 1 or 2 letters. That will be followed by a single number from 0 to 9 and then there will be 1 to 3 letters following.
An example of the above: KB3TMJ would be a U.S. Station. VE3TWJ would indicate the station is Canadian, UZ4FWD would originate in the Ukraine and KBL7766 is not an amateur radio station call sign.
Amateur radio call signs are assigned by the FCC Call in sequential order. After your call sign is assigned you can have it changed to another of your choosing if the call is available and if it follows the proper amateur call sign order. This program is called the vanity call sign program. There is a cost involved and the call sign must be applied for.
A club can apply for an amateur call sign for its club station through the FCC Club Station Call Sign Administrator. The FCC requires that the club membership consist of at least 4 licensed amateur radio operators to receive a club call.
One exception to the normal call sign sequence is a 1X1 (one by one) call. That is to say there is 1 letter, a number followed by 1 letter. This type of call can only be issued by the FCC for special events like the California State Fair in 2007. The call sign is only good for the time of the event.
1. T1B01 (C) [97.3(a)(28)]
What is the ITU?
A. The International Telecommunications Utility
B. The International Telephone Union
C. The International Telecommunication Union
D. The International Technology Union
~~
2. T1B02 (A) [97.301]
What is the purpose of ITU Regions?
A. They are used to assist in the management of frequency
allocations
B. They are useful when operating maritime mobile
C. They are used in call sign assignments
D. They must be used after your call sign to indicate your
location
~~
3. T1B03 (C) [97.17(d)]
What system does the FCC use to select new amateur radio call signs?
A. Call signs are assigned in random order
B. The applicant is allowed to pick a call sign
C. Call signs are assigned in sequential order
D. Volunteer Examiners choose an unassigned call sign
~~
4. T1B04 (A) [97.19(d)]
What FCC call sign program might you use to obtain a call sign containing your initials?
A. The vanity call sign program
B. The sequential call sign program
C. The special event call sign program
D. There is no FCC provision for choosing a your call sign
~~
5. T1B05 (B) [97.17(b)(2)]
How might an amateur radio club obtain a club station call sign?
A. By applying directly to the FCC in Gettysburg, PA
B. By applying through a Club Station Call Sign Administrator
C. By submitting a FCC Form 605 to the FCC in Washington, DC
D. By notifying a VE team using NCVEC Form 605
~~
6. T1B06 (C)
Who is eligible to apply for temporary use of a 1-by-1 format
Special Event call sign?
A. Only Amateur Extra class amateurs
B. Only military stations
C. Any FCC-licensed amateur
D. Only trustees of amateur radio club stations
~~
7. T1B07 (A) [97.107]
When are you allowed to operate your amateur station in a foreign
country?
A. When there is a reciprocal operating agreement between the
countries
B. When there is a mutual agreement allowing third party
communications
C. When authorization permits amateur communications in a foreign
language
D. When you are communicating with non-licensed individuals in
another country
~~
8. T1B08 (C)
Which of the following call signs is a valid US amateur call?
A. UZ4FWD
B. KBL7766
C. KB3TMJ
D. VE3TWJ
~~
9. T1B09 (B)
What letters must be used for the first letter in US amateur call signs?
A. K, N, U and W
B. A, K, N and W
C. A, B, C and D
D. A, N, V and W
~~
10. T1B10 (D)
What numbers are used in US amateur call signs?
A. Any two-digit number, 10 through 99
B. Any two-digit number, 22 through 45
C. A single digit, 1 though 9
D. A single digit, 0 through 9
Answers: C, A, C, A, B, C, A, C, B, D
LESSON 3
Authorized frequencies (Technician), reciprocal licensing,
operation near band edges, spectrum sharing
When I first got my license, 1960, we were required to wait until the license came in the mail before we were permitted to transmit on the amateur bands. The FCC was and is understaffed so it could be several weeks of waiting. We had no way of knowing what our call sign would be until the ticket was in our hand.
Things have changed with the evolution of computers. Now within a very few days after the candidate has taken the exam the FCC will post the new call sign of those who have passed their test. The FCC has changed the rules so now all that is required to control an amateur station in the US is to be named in the FCC amateur license data base.
The United States has agreements with some other countries to allow US amateurs operating privileges in their country while the US allows their amateurs to operate in the US. These agreements are called reciprocal agreements. So an alien from a country with reciprocal operating authorization is also allows individual operating privileges.
The FCC only has jurisdiction in the United States and its territories. An amateur radio license issued by the FCC allows the holder to operate from wherever the Amateur Radio Service is regulated by the FCC or where reciprocal agreements are in place. Remember when operating in another country their rules apply so know them.
Most other radio services are assigned a specific frequency or set of frequencies called channels. The amateur radio service is allotted bands of frequencies. Because of the international nature of radio waves these bands are coordinated on an International level by the International Telecommunications Union. The ITU are the one who actually determine what frequencies or band of frequencies may be used by which radio services.
To obtain your ham radio license it is necessary that you know where these amateur bands are located on the radio spectrum chart. I know of no other way to be ready for the test other then memories those frequencies.
The ITU has broken the world up into 3 Regions. Each region has amateur bands that do not exactly correspond with the other regions. The United States is located in Region 2. So all of these bands listed are applicable to Region 2 and authorized bands for Technician class hams to operate.
6 –Meter is 50.0 – 54.00 MHz.
2-Meters is 144.0 - 148.0 MHz
1.25-Meter is 222.0 - 225.0 MHz
70-centimeter is 420.0 - 450.0 MHz
33-centimeter is 902 - 928 MHz
23-centimeter is 1240 - 1300 MHz
13-centimeter is 2300 - 2310 MHz and 2390 - 2450 MHz
Some bands are shared with other radio services and the Amateur radio service is considered secondary user by the FCC. That means Amateurs are allowed to use the frequency band only if they do not cause harmful interference to primary users. 23-centimeter band is one of these shared bands so if an amateur station is operating FM phone on the 23-cm band and learn that the transmitted signals are interfering with a radiolocation station outside the US then the ham station must stop operating or take steps to eliminate this harmful interference.
Now if two amateur radio stations want to use the same frequency at the same time both station operators have an equal right to operate on the frequency. The normal operating practice is first come first served.
1. T1C01
What is required before you can control an amateur station in the US?
A. You must hold an FCC restricted operator's permit for a
licensed radio station
B. You must submit an FCC Form 605 with a license examination fee
C. You must be named in the FCC amateur license database, or be an alien with reciprocal operating authorization
D. The FCC must issue you a Certificate of Successful Completion
of Amateur Training
~~
2. T1C02
Where does a US amateur license allow you to transmit?
A. From anywhere in the world
B. From wherever the Amateur Radio Service is regulated by the FCC or where reciprocal agreements are in place
C. From a country that shares a third party agreement with the US
D. Only from the mailing address printed on your license
~~
3. T1C03
Under what conditions are amateur stations allowed to communicate with stations operating in other radio services?
A. When other radio services make contact with amateur stations
B. When authorized by the FCC
C. When communicating with stations in the Family Radio Service
D. When commercial broadcast stations are off the air
~~
4. T1C04
Which frequency is within the 6-meter band?
A. 49.00 MHz
B. 52.525 MHz
C. 28.50 MHz
D. 222.15 MHz
~~
5. T1C05
Which amateur band are you using when transmitting on 146.52 MHz?
A. 2 meter band
B. 20 meter band
C. 14 meter band
D. 6 meter band
~~
6. T1C06
Which 70-centimeter frequency is authorized to a Technician class license holder operating in ITU Region 2?
A. 455.350 MHz
B. 146.520 MHz
C. 443.350 MHz
D. 222.520 MHz
~~
7. T1C07
Which 23 centimeter frequency is authorized to a Technician class license holder operating in ITU Region 2?
A. 2315 MHz
B. 1296 MHz
C. 3390 MHz
D. 146.52 MHz
~~
8. T1C08
What amateur band are you using if you are operating on 223.50 MHz?
A. 15 meter band
B. 10 meter band
C. 2 meter band
D. 1.25 meter band
~~
9. T1C09
What do the FCC rules mean when an amateur frequency band is said to be available on a secondary basis?
A. Secondary users of a frequency have equal rights to operate
B. Amateurs are only allowed to use the frequency at night
C. Amateurs may not cause harmful interference to primary users
D. Secondary users are not allowed on amateur bands
~~
10. T1C10
When may a US amateur operator communicate with an amateur in a foreign country?
A. Only when a third-party agreement exists between the US and the foreign country
B. At any time except between 146.52 and 146.58 MHz
C. Only when a foreign amateur uses English
D. At any time unless prohibited by either government
~~
11. T1C11
Which of the following types of communications are not permitted in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Brief transmissions to make adjustments to the station
B. Brief transmissions to establish two-way communications with other stations
C. Transmissions to assist persons learning or improving
proficiency in CW
D. Communications on a regular basis that could reasonably be furnished alternatively through other radio services
Answers: C, B, B, B, A, C, B, D, C, D, D
A FCC license data base search can be done at: http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp Search by entering your last name first then a comma and your first name. When you are in the system your call sign will be displayed.
operation near band edges, spectrum sharing
When I first got my license, 1960, we were required to wait until the license came in the mail before we were permitted to transmit on the amateur bands. The FCC was and is understaffed so it could be several weeks of waiting. We had no way of knowing what our call sign would be until the ticket was in our hand.
Things have changed with the evolution of computers. Now within a very few days after the candidate has taken the exam the FCC will post the new call sign of those who have passed their test. The FCC has changed the rules so now all that is required to control an amateur station in the US is to be named in the FCC amateur license data base.
The United States has agreements with some other countries to allow US amateurs operating privileges in their country while the US allows their amateurs to operate in the US. These agreements are called reciprocal agreements. So an alien from a country with reciprocal operating authorization is also allows individual operating privileges.
The FCC only has jurisdiction in the United States and its territories. An amateur radio license issued by the FCC allows the holder to operate from wherever the Amateur Radio Service is regulated by the FCC or where reciprocal agreements are in place. Remember when operating in another country their rules apply so know them.
Most other radio services are assigned a specific frequency or set of frequencies called channels. The amateur radio service is allotted bands of frequencies. Because of the international nature of radio waves these bands are coordinated on an International level by the International Telecommunications Union. The ITU are the one who actually determine what frequencies or band of frequencies may be used by which radio services.
To obtain your ham radio license it is necessary that you know where these amateur bands are located on the radio spectrum chart. I know of no other way to be ready for the test other then memories those frequencies.
The ITU has broken the world up into 3 Regions. Each region has amateur bands that do not exactly correspond with the other regions. The United States is located in Region 2. So all of these bands listed are applicable to Region 2 and authorized bands for Technician class hams to operate.
6 –Meter is 50.0 – 54.00 MHz.
2-Meters is 144.0 - 148.0 MHz
1.25-Meter is 222.0 - 225.0 MHz
70-centimeter is 420.0 - 450.0 MHz
33-centimeter is 902 - 928 MHz
23-centimeter is 1240 - 1300 MHz
13-centimeter is 2300 - 2310 MHz and 2390 - 2450 MHz
Some bands are shared with other radio services and the Amateur radio service is considered secondary user by the FCC. That means Amateurs are allowed to use the frequency band only if they do not cause harmful interference to primary users. 23-centimeter band is one of these shared bands so if an amateur station is operating FM phone on the 23-cm band and learn that the transmitted signals are interfering with a radiolocation station outside the US then the ham station must stop operating or take steps to eliminate this harmful interference.
Now if two amateur radio stations want to use the same frequency at the same time both station operators have an equal right to operate on the frequency. The normal operating practice is first come first served.
1. T1C01
What is required before you can control an amateur station in the US?
A. You must hold an FCC restricted operator's permit for a
licensed radio station
B. You must submit an FCC Form 605 with a license examination fee
C. You must be named in the FCC amateur license database, or be an alien with reciprocal operating authorization
D. The FCC must issue you a Certificate of Successful Completion
of Amateur Training
~~
2. T1C02
Where does a US amateur license allow you to transmit?
A. From anywhere in the world
B. From wherever the Amateur Radio Service is regulated by the FCC or where reciprocal agreements are in place
C. From a country that shares a third party agreement with the US
D. Only from the mailing address printed on your license
~~
3. T1C03
Under what conditions are amateur stations allowed to communicate with stations operating in other radio services?
A. When other radio services make contact with amateur stations
B. When authorized by the FCC
C. When communicating with stations in the Family Radio Service
D. When commercial broadcast stations are off the air
~~
4. T1C04
Which frequency is within the 6-meter band?
A. 49.00 MHz
B. 52.525 MHz
C. 28.50 MHz
D. 222.15 MHz
~~
5. T1C05
Which amateur band are you using when transmitting on 146.52 MHz?
A. 2 meter band
B. 20 meter band
C. 14 meter band
D. 6 meter band
~~
6. T1C06
Which 70-centimeter frequency is authorized to a Technician class license holder operating in ITU Region 2?
A. 455.350 MHz
B. 146.520 MHz
C. 443.350 MHz
D. 222.520 MHz
~~
7. T1C07
Which 23 centimeter frequency is authorized to a Technician class license holder operating in ITU Region 2?
A. 2315 MHz
B. 1296 MHz
C. 3390 MHz
D. 146.52 MHz
~~
8. T1C08
What amateur band are you using if you are operating on 223.50 MHz?
A. 15 meter band
B. 10 meter band
C. 2 meter band
D. 1.25 meter band
~~
9. T1C09
What do the FCC rules mean when an amateur frequency band is said to be available on a secondary basis?
A. Secondary users of a frequency have equal rights to operate
B. Amateurs are only allowed to use the frequency at night
C. Amateurs may not cause harmful interference to primary users
D. Secondary users are not allowed on amateur bands
~~
10. T1C10
When may a US amateur operator communicate with an amateur in a foreign country?
A. Only when a third-party agreement exists between the US and the foreign country
B. At any time except between 146.52 and 146.58 MHz
C. Only when a foreign amateur uses English
D. At any time unless prohibited by either government
~~
11. T1C11
Which of the following types of communications are not permitted in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Brief transmissions to make adjustments to the station
B. Brief transmissions to establish two-way communications with other stations
C. Transmissions to assist persons learning or improving
proficiency in CW
D. Communications on a regular basis that could reasonably be furnished alternatively through other radio services
Answers: C, B, B, B, A, C, B, D, C, D, D
A FCC license data base search can be done at: http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp Search by entering your last name first then a comma and your first name. When you are in the system your call sign will be displayed.
LESSON 4
The station license, correct name and address on file,
license term, renewals, grace period
The VE exam questions and correct answers are word for word the question and answer found in the quiz section of these lessons. Originally the questions, answers, and distracters were all exactly the same even the order in which they were given was the same. That allowed an applicant to memorize questions and answers without even knowing what they were really saying.
For example of a question from the pool that I think is kind of…, well I don’t think I am going to finish that thought. The question is T1D01 “Which of the following services are issued an operator station license by the FCC?” The distracters are: “ A. Family Radio Service B. Amateur Radio Service C. General Radiotelephone Service D. The Citizens Radio Service.” The answer is B. Originally if you just learned T1D01 is B you could get it right if that question appeared on your test.
The VE teams are now allowed to change the distracters as well as the letter which is the correct answer.
Another thought about taking the exam using the above question. You might look at the answers and think Family Radio Service might be correct because there are Family Radio Stations in the Broadcast Radio service but those are Family Radio Stations not Family Radio Service. There is a Family Radio Service available under FCC rules but no license is issued. The FCC no longer issues licenses Citizen Band 27 MHz. The only correct answer is Amateur Radio Service, that probably does not shock you because remember what the test is for, and even if you might think other answers might be correct there is only one correct answer to this question.
There are questions that have more then one correct answer but they will give a group option like “all of the above are correct” or “Answers A and B are correct”. Don’t just mark the first correct answer you see; read them all because if A and B are both correct marking A or B will be incorrect.
Another big change that has come into existence in the past few years is the authorization of who can obtain a license in the United States. Remember your opinion or my opinion has no bearing on the proper answer. It is only the FCC’s opinion that counts when taking the exam because it is the Federal Communications Commission who issues amateur radio license. Anyone except a representative of a foreign government may obtain an amateur radio license in the United States. There is no age limit. If you are old enough to answer the questions and you pass the test then you qualify.
The amateur radio licenses issued now have a normal term of 10 years. Thus if you do not upgrade, change mailing address, or make some other change that would require modifying your license you will not have to do anything but renew in the time period not more then 90 days before expiration 10 years after it was issued. So if your license would expire on January 1, 2008 you can not renew it before October 3, 2007.
The FCC requires the station licensee keep the correct mailing address in the Universal Licensing System database so they can use that address in the event they need to contact you by mail which is almost the only way they will attempt to contact you. Not changing your address could result in suspension or revocation of your amateur license.
If you forget to renew your license and it expires you must discontinue transmitting until you have been able to renew and that renewal can be seen in the FCC data base. You do have two years to renew after expiration without retesting but if the expiration date is more then two years old it is necessary to start all over just as if you had never had an amateur radio license.
A great advantage of the VE program is when you take the test you know at that time whether or not you passed. Passing the test does not and again let me emphasize does not allow you to transmit on the ham bands. It is not until your name with the information about your call sign appears in the FCC data base that you are allowed to transmit on the ham bands.
It makes sense if you think about it. If you don’t have a valid amateur radio call sign then you have no way to identify your station and you will not have a valid call sign until the FCC issues it. Neither the VE team giving the test nor the VEC they represent can issue an amateur radio license. Only the FCC can issue a valid license in the United States of America.
1. T1D01
Which of the following services are issued an operator station license by the FCC?
A. Family Radio Service
B. Amateur Radio Service
C. General Radiotelephone Service
D. The Citizens Radio Service
~~
2. T1D02
Who can become an amateur licensee in the US?
A. Anyone except a representative of a foreign government
B. Only a citizen of the United States
C. Anyone except an employee of the US government
D. Anyone
~~
3. T1D03
What is the minimum age required to hold an amateur license?
A. 14 years or older
B. 18 years or older
C. 70 years or younger
D. There is no minimum age requirement
~~
4. T1D04
What government agency grants your amateur radio license?
A. The Department of Defense
B. The Bureau of Public Communications
C. The Department of Commerce
D. The Federal Communications Commission
~~
5. T1D05
How soon may you transmit after passing the required examination elements for your first amateur radio license?
A. Immediately
B. 30 days after the test date
C. As soon as your license grant appears in the FCC's ULS database
D. As soon as you receive your license in the mail from the FCC
~~
6. T1D06
What is the normal term for an amateur station license grant?
A. 5 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years
D. For the lifetime of the licensee
~~
7. T1D07
What is the grace period during which the FCC will renew an
expired 10-year license without re-examination?
A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 10 years
D. There is no grace period
~~
8. T1D08
What is your responsibility as a station licensee?
A. You must allow another amateur to operate your station upon request
B. You must be present whenever the station is operated
C. You must notify the FCC if another amateur acts as the control operator
D. Your station must be operated in accordance with the FCC rules
~~
9. T1D09
When may the FCC revoke or suspend a license if the mailing
address of the holder is not current with the FCC?
A. If mail is returned to the FCC as undeliverable
B. When the licensee transmits without having updated the address
C. When the licensee operates portable at a different address
D. If the address is not updated within the 2 year grace period
~~
10. T1D10
The FCC requires which address to be kept up to date on the
Universal Licensing System database?
A. The station location address
B. The station licensee mailing address
C. The station location address and mailing address
D. The station transmitting location address
~~
11. T1D11
When are you permitted to continue to transmit if you forget to renew your amateur license and it expires?
A. Transmitting is not allowed until the license is renewed and appears on the FCC ULS database
B. When you identify using the suffix EXP
C. When you notify the FCC you intend to renew within 90 days
D. Transmitting is allowed any time during the 2-year grace period
~~
12. T1D12
Why must an Amateur radio operator have a correct name and mailing address on file with the FCC?
A. To receive mail delivery from the FCC by the United States Postal Service
B. So the FCC Field office can contact the licensee
C. It isn't required when you haven't operated your station in a year
D. So the FCC can locate your transmitting location
Answers: B A D D C C A D A B A A
license term, renewals, grace period
The VE exam questions and correct answers are word for word the question and answer found in the quiz section of these lessons. Originally the questions, answers, and distracters were all exactly the same even the order in which they were given was the same. That allowed an applicant to memorize questions and answers without even knowing what they were really saying.
For example of a question from the pool that I think is kind of…, well I don’t think I am going to finish that thought. The question is T1D01 “Which of the following services are issued an operator station license by the FCC?” The distracters are: “ A. Family Radio Service B. Amateur Radio Service C. General Radiotelephone Service D. The Citizens Radio Service.” The answer is B. Originally if you just learned T1D01 is B you could get it right if that question appeared on your test.
The VE teams are now allowed to change the distracters as well as the letter which is the correct answer.
Another thought about taking the exam using the above question. You might look at the answers and think Family Radio Service might be correct because there are Family Radio Stations in the Broadcast Radio service but those are Family Radio Stations not Family Radio Service. There is a Family Radio Service available under FCC rules but no license is issued. The FCC no longer issues licenses Citizen Band 27 MHz. The only correct answer is Amateur Radio Service, that probably does not shock you because remember what the test is for, and even if you might think other answers might be correct there is only one correct answer to this question.
There are questions that have more then one correct answer but they will give a group option like “all of the above are correct” or “Answers A and B are correct”. Don’t just mark the first correct answer you see; read them all because if A and B are both correct marking A or B will be incorrect.
Another big change that has come into existence in the past few years is the authorization of who can obtain a license in the United States. Remember your opinion or my opinion has no bearing on the proper answer. It is only the FCC’s opinion that counts when taking the exam because it is the Federal Communications Commission who issues amateur radio license. Anyone except a representative of a foreign government may obtain an amateur radio license in the United States. There is no age limit. If you are old enough to answer the questions and you pass the test then you qualify.
The amateur radio licenses issued now have a normal term of 10 years. Thus if you do not upgrade, change mailing address, or make some other change that would require modifying your license you will not have to do anything but renew in the time period not more then 90 days before expiration 10 years after it was issued. So if your license would expire on January 1, 2008 you can not renew it before October 3, 2007.
The FCC requires the station licensee keep the correct mailing address in the Universal Licensing System database so they can use that address in the event they need to contact you by mail which is almost the only way they will attempt to contact you. Not changing your address could result in suspension or revocation of your amateur license.
If you forget to renew your license and it expires you must discontinue transmitting until you have been able to renew and that renewal can be seen in the FCC data base. You do have two years to renew after expiration without retesting but if the expiration date is more then two years old it is necessary to start all over just as if you had never had an amateur radio license.
A great advantage of the VE program is when you take the test you know at that time whether or not you passed. Passing the test does not and again let me emphasize does not allow you to transmit on the ham bands. It is not until your name with the information about your call sign appears in the FCC data base that you are allowed to transmit on the ham bands.
It makes sense if you think about it. If you don’t have a valid amateur radio call sign then you have no way to identify your station and you will not have a valid call sign until the FCC issues it. Neither the VE team giving the test nor the VEC they represent can issue an amateur radio license. Only the FCC can issue a valid license in the United States of America.
1. T1D01
Which of the following services are issued an operator station license by the FCC?
A. Family Radio Service
B. Amateur Radio Service
C. General Radiotelephone Service
D. The Citizens Radio Service
~~
2. T1D02
Who can become an amateur licensee in the US?
A. Anyone except a representative of a foreign government
B. Only a citizen of the United States
C. Anyone except an employee of the US government
D. Anyone
~~
3. T1D03
What is the minimum age required to hold an amateur license?
A. 14 years or older
B. 18 years or older
C. 70 years or younger
D. There is no minimum age requirement
~~
4. T1D04
What government agency grants your amateur radio license?
A. The Department of Defense
B. The Bureau of Public Communications
C. The Department of Commerce
D. The Federal Communications Commission
~~
5. T1D05
How soon may you transmit after passing the required examination elements for your first amateur radio license?
A. Immediately
B. 30 days after the test date
C. As soon as your license grant appears in the FCC's ULS database
D. As soon as you receive your license in the mail from the FCC
~~
6. T1D06
What is the normal term for an amateur station license grant?
A. 5 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years
D. For the lifetime of the licensee
~~
7. T1D07
What is the grace period during which the FCC will renew an
expired 10-year license without re-examination?
A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 10 years
D. There is no grace period
~~
8. T1D08
What is your responsibility as a station licensee?
A. You must allow another amateur to operate your station upon request
B. You must be present whenever the station is operated
C. You must notify the FCC if another amateur acts as the control operator
D. Your station must be operated in accordance with the FCC rules
~~
9. T1D09
When may the FCC revoke or suspend a license if the mailing
address of the holder is not current with the FCC?
A. If mail is returned to the FCC as undeliverable
B. When the licensee transmits without having updated the address
C. When the licensee operates portable at a different address
D. If the address is not updated within the 2 year grace period
~~
10. T1D10
The FCC requires which address to be kept up to date on the
Universal Licensing System database?
A. The station location address
B. The station licensee mailing address
C. The station location address and mailing address
D. The station transmitting location address
~~
11. T1D11
When are you permitted to continue to transmit if you forget to renew your amateur license and it expires?
A. Transmitting is not allowed until the license is renewed and appears on the FCC ULS database
B. When you identify using the suffix EXP
C. When you notify the FCC you intend to renew within 90 days
D. Transmitting is allowed any time during the 2-year grace period
~~
12. T1D12
Why must an Amateur radio operator have a correct name and mailing address on file with the FCC?
A. To receive mail delivery from the FCC by the United States Postal Service
B. So the FCC Field office can contact the licensee
C. It isn't required when you haven't operated your station in a year
D. So the FCC can locate your transmitting location
Answers: B A D D C C A D A B A A
LESSON 5
Prohibited communications: music, broadcasting, codes and
ciphers, business use, permissible communications, bulletins, code
practice, incidental music
When a radio transmitter sends out a signal it can be for several intended purposes.
Most of the signals sent in the amateur radio bands are for the purpose of being heard by one or more licensed hams who are expected to respond to that transmission when it is complete. That type of activity is known as two way radio communication and is what most people think of when the term ham radio is used but there are other types of radio transmissions allowed by ham radio operators.
Amateur radio transmissions can be used to control a model aircraft, boat, car or some other device. When using amateur frequencies for radio control models it is not necessary to transmit a radio station identifying. Normally an amateur radio station must identify every 10 minutes during communications and at the end of each communications. The only other time when an amateur station is not required to identify itself during a transmission is when that signal is sent from a space station.
The transmission of codes or cipher used to hide the meaning of messages transmitted is forbidden on the ham bands with two exceptions. The two exceptions are when these codes or ciphers are used to transmitted control commands to a space stations or radio controlled craft.
There are short hand expressions and abbreviations commonly used which are understood in the ham community and that do not fall within the above prohibition. These will be discussed in a later lesson.
So sense most of us will never operate a station from space in general we could say if you are not using your transmitter as a means to control a radio controlled model then you must identify by giving the call letters of the transmitting station. The same could be said about codes or ciphers used to hide the meaning of a message being transmitted.
Though this will not appear on the test this might be a good time to mention, if you are use to the slang and terms used on the CB radio frequencies they are not the same as those used on the ham bands. Most of these expressions will not be well received by other hams.
When transmitting it is the responsibility of the control operator to protect what is being transmitted. With only one exception music is not allowed to be transmitted on an amateur radio station. When operation CW (Morse code) ambient sounds will not be transmitted but when you are using a mike you must be sure that there is no music in the back ground that can be picked up by the mike and transmitted. Do not operate where the TV, radio, or any other source of music can be heard. If that music is transmitted even in very low level it is a violation of FCC regulations.
As was mentioned earlier there is one exception to the music transmission prohibition. The FCC has authorized some amateur radio stations to rebroadcast to space shuttle communications. Sometimes, such as wake up call, music is sent to the space shuttle. The transmission of music is not prohibited when it is incidental to an authorized rebroadcast of space shuttle communications.
While speaking of background sounds the mike must also be out of the hearing range of indecent and obscene language. While music has one exception the prohibition of indecent and obscene language has no exception.
False or deceptive transmissions are never permitted on the ham bands. Do not send a distress or emergency message unless there is an actual distress or emergency. I have personally had the privilege of assisting the FCC to send a ham to a long prison term for transmitting a false distress signal.
Transmissions intended for reception by the general public, either direct or relayed is called broadcasting. Broadcasting on an amateur radio station is prohibited by FCC regulations.
There are some one way communications to a specific group such as code practice transmissions that are permitted. If you are planning to make such transmissions be sure to check with part 97 of the FCC regulations to see if your type is permitted.
A few of the regulations may seem a little ambiguous and different people see them differently. The distinction between an illegally compensated transmission and a legitimate use of the ham bands can sometimes be in this category. There is nothing like an amateur radio repeater where someone thinks that another ham is abusing these regulations to start an interesting discussion.
Some repeaters have a telephone interconnect called an autopatch that allows the repeater to be used to make telephone calls. These have started a few arguments as to which calls are legal and which are not.
It is legal to call your family, it is legal to call a friend, and it is legal to call for a tow truck if your car breaks down on the road. A call to your employer requesting directions to a customer's office or calling to order a pizza is not legal. Fortunately the common use of cell phones today has reduced the questionable use of autopatches but other uses of the amateur bands for compensation can still be in question to some.
It is legal to use your ham radio to tell others about a piece of amateur radio equipment you have for sale or trade on an occasional basis. Receiving any compensation for a transmission whether it is monetary or material is permitted by the FCC only when in accordance with part 97 rules. And for the most part that is never.
Part 97.113 of the FCC rules and regulations covers prohibited transmissions and I strongly encourage, before you go on the air, you to obtain a copy of part 97 and read it. You can find them and down load them at: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/cfr/1998/47cfr97.pdf .
Even for me to tell others about these lessons using the amateur bands is not legal because of the ad found on this page. Others hams can go on the air and tell or talk about it but I can not.
1. T2A01
When is an amateur station authorized to transmit information to the general public?
A. Never
B. Only when the operator is being paid
C. Only when the transmission lasts more than 10 minutes
D. Only when the transmission lasts longer than 15 minutes
~~
2. T2A02
When is an amateur station authorized to transmit music?
A. Amateurs may not transmit music, except as incidental to an authorized rebroadcast of space shuttle communications
B. Only when the music produces no spurious emissions
C. Only to interfere with an illegal transmission
D. Only when the music is above 1280 MHz
~~
3. T2A03
When is the transmission of codes or ciphers allowed to hide the meaning of a message transmitted by an amateur station?
A. Only during contests
B. Only when operating mobile
C. Only when transmitting control commands to space stations or radio control craft
D. Only when frequencies above 1280 MHz are used
~~
4. T2A04
When may an amateur station transmit false or deceptive signals?
A. Never
B. When operating a beacon transmitter in a "fox hunt" exercise
C. Only when making unidentified transmissions
D. When needed to hide the meaning of a message for secrecy
~~
5. T2A05
When may an amateur station transmit unidentified communications?
A. Only during brief tests not meant as messages
B. Only when they do not interfere with others
C. Only when sent from a space station or to control a model craft
D. Only during two-way or third party communications
~~
6. T2A06
What does the term broadcasting mean?
A. Transmissions intended for reception by the general public, either direct or relayed
B. Retransmission by automatic means of programs or signals from non-amateur stations
C. One-way radio communications, regardless of purpose or content
D. One-way or two-way radio communications between two or more stations
~~
7. T2A07
Which of the following are specifically prohibited in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Discussion of politics
B. Discussion of programs on broadcast stations
C. Indecent and obscene language
D. Morse code practice
~~
8. T2A08
Which of the following one-way communications may not be
transmitted in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Telecommand of model craft
B. Broadcasts intended for reception by the general public
C. Brief transmissions to make adjustments to the station
D. Morse code practice
~~
9. T2A09
When does the FCC allow an amateur radio station to be used as a method of communication for hire or material compensation?
A. Only when making test transmissions
B. Only when news is being broadcast in times of emergency
C. Only when in accordance with part 97 rules
D. Only when your employer is using amateur radio to broadcast advertising
~~
10. T2A10
What type of communications are prohibited when using a repeater autopatch?
A. Calls to a recorded weather report
B. Calls to your employer requesting directions to a customer's office
C. Calls to the police reporting a traffic accident
D. Calls to a public utility reporting an outage of your telephone
~~
11. T2A11
When may you use your station to tell people about equipment you have for sale?
A. Never
B. When you are conducting an on-line auction
C. When you are offering amateur radio equipment for sale or trade on an occasional basis
D. When you are helping a recognized charity
~~
Answers: A A C A C A C B C B C
ciphers, business use, permissible communications, bulletins, code
practice, incidental music
When a radio transmitter sends out a signal it can be for several intended purposes.
Most of the signals sent in the amateur radio bands are for the purpose of being heard by one or more licensed hams who are expected to respond to that transmission when it is complete. That type of activity is known as two way radio communication and is what most people think of when the term ham radio is used but there are other types of radio transmissions allowed by ham radio operators.
Amateur radio transmissions can be used to control a model aircraft, boat, car or some other device. When using amateur frequencies for radio control models it is not necessary to transmit a radio station identifying. Normally an amateur radio station must identify every 10 minutes during communications and at the end of each communications. The only other time when an amateur station is not required to identify itself during a transmission is when that signal is sent from a space station.
The transmission of codes or cipher used to hide the meaning of messages transmitted is forbidden on the ham bands with two exceptions. The two exceptions are when these codes or ciphers are used to transmitted control commands to a space stations or radio controlled craft.
There are short hand expressions and abbreviations commonly used which are understood in the ham community and that do not fall within the above prohibition. These will be discussed in a later lesson.
So sense most of us will never operate a station from space in general we could say if you are not using your transmitter as a means to control a radio controlled model then you must identify by giving the call letters of the transmitting station. The same could be said about codes or ciphers used to hide the meaning of a message being transmitted.
Though this will not appear on the test this might be a good time to mention, if you are use to the slang and terms used on the CB radio frequencies they are not the same as those used on the ham bands. Most of these expressions will not be well received by other hams.
When transmitting it is the responsibility of the control operator to protect what is being transmitted. With only one exception music is not allowed to be transmitted on an amateur radio station. When operation CW (Morse code) ambient sounds will not be transmitted but when you are using a mike you must be sure that there is no music in the back ground that can be picked up by the mike and transmitted. Do not operate where the TV, radio, or any other source of music can be heard. If that music is transmitted even in very low level it is a violation of FCC regulations.
As was mentioned earlier there is one exception to the music transmission prohibition. The FCC has authorized some amateur radio stations to rebroadcast to space shuttle communications. Sometimes, such as wake up call, music is sent to the space shuttle. The transmission of music is not prohibited when it is incidental to an authorized rebroadcast of space shuttle communications.
While speaking of background sounds the mike must also be out of the hearing range of indecent and obscene language. While music has one exception the prohibition of indecent and obscene language has no exception.
False or deceptive transmissions are never permitted on the ham bands. Do not send a distress or emergency message unless there is an actual distress or emergency. I have personally had the privilege of assisting the FCC to send a ham to a long prison term for transmitting a false distress signal.
Transmissions intended for reception by the general public, either direct or relayed is called broadcasting. Broadcasting on an amateur radio station is prohibited by FCC regulations.
There are some one way communications to a specific group such as code practice transmissions that are permitted. If you are planning to make such transmissions be sure to check with part 97 of the FCC regulations to see if your type is permitted.
A few of the regulations may seem a little ambiguous and different people see them differently. The distinction between an illegally compensated transmission and a legitimate use of the ham bands can sometimes be in this category. There is nothing like an amateur radio repeater where someone thinks that another ham is abusing these regulations to start an interesting discussion.
Some repeaters have a telephone interconnect called an autopatch that allows the repeater to be used to make telephone calls. These have started a few arguments as to which calls are legal and which are not.
It is legal to call your family, it is legal to call a friend, and it is legal to call for a tow truck if your car breaks down on the road. A call to your employer requesting directions to a customer's office or calling to order a pizza is not legal. Fortunately the common use of cell phones today has reduced the questionable use of autopatches but other uses of the amateur bands for compensation can still be in question to some.
It is legal to use your ham radio to tell others about a piece of amateur radio equipment you have for sale or trade on an occasional basis. Receiving any compensation for a transmission whether it is monetary or material is permitted by the FCC only when in accordance with part 97 rules. And for the most part that is never.
Part 97.113 of the FCC rules and regulations covers prohibited transmissions and I strongly encourage, before you go on the air, you to obtain a copy of part 97 and read it. You can find them and down load them at: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/cfr/1998/47cfr97.pdf .
Even for me to tell others about these lessons using the amateur bands is not legal because of the ad found on this page. Others hams can go on the air and tell or talk about it but I can not.
1. T2A01
When is an amateur station authorized to transmit information to the general public?
A. Never
B. Only when the operator is being paid
C. Only when the transmission lasts more than 10 minutes
D. Only when the transmission lasts longer than 15 minutes
~~
2. T2A02
When is an amateur station authorized to transmit music?
A. Amateurs may not transmit music, except as incidental to an authorized rebroadcast of space shuttle communications
B. Only when the music produces no spurious emissions
C. Only to interfere with an illegal transmission
D. Only when the music is above 1280 MHz
~~
3. T2A03
When is the transmission of codes or ciphers allowed to hide the meaning of a message transmitted by an amateur station?
A. Only during contests
B. Only when operating mobile
C. Only when transmitting control commands to space stations or radio control craft
D. Only when frequencies above 1280 MHz are used
~~
4. T2A04
When may an amateur station transmit false or deceptive signals?
A. Never
B. When operating a beacon transmitter in a "fox hunt" exercise
C. Only when making unidentified transmissions
D. When needed to hide the meaning of a message for secrecy
~~
5. T2A05
When may an amateur station transmit unidentified communications?
A. Only during brief tests not meant as messages
B. Only when they do not interfere with others
C. Only when sent from a space station or to control a model craft
D. Only during two-way or third party communications
~~
6. T2A06
What does the term broadcasting mean?
A. Transmissions intended for reception by the general public, either direct or relayed
B. Retransmission by automatic means of programs or signals from non-amateur stations
C. One-way radio communications, regardless of purpose or content
D. One-way or two-way radio communications between two or more stations
~~
7. T2A07
Which of the following are specifically prohibited in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Discussion of politics
B. Discussion of programs on broadcast stations
C. Indecent and obscene language
D. Morse code practice
~~
8. T2A08
Which of the following one-way communications may not be
transmitted in the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Telecommand of model craft
B. Broadcasts intended for reception by the general public
C. Brief transmissions to make adjustments to the station
D. Morse code practice
~~
9. T2A09
When does the FCC allow an amateur radio station to be used as a method of communication for hire or material compensation?
A. Only when making test transmissions
B. Only when news is being broadcast in times of emergency
C. Only when in accordance with part 97 rules
D. Only when your employer is using amateur radio to broadcast advertising
~~
10. T2A10
What type of communications are prohibited when using a repeater autopatch?
A. Calls to a recorded weather report
B. Calls to your employer requesting directions to a customer's office
C. Calls to the police reporting a traffic accident
D. Calls to a public utility reporting an outage of your telephone
~~
11. T2A11
When may you use your station to tell people about equipment you have for sale?
A. Never
B. When you are conducting an on-line auction
C. When you are offering amateur radio equipment for sale or trade on an occasional basis
D. When you are helping a recognized charity
~~
Answers: A A C A C A C B C B C
LESSON 6
Basic identification requirements, repeater ID standards,
identification for non-voice modes, identification requirements
for mobile and portable operation
When you pass your test for the technician class amateur radio license you will receive a CSCE signed by the VEs. This can only be used if you try to upgrade before your license arrives. It is proof that you have completed element 2. The CSCE does not authorize you to go on the air. For one obvious reason is you will not have a valid call sign to identify your station. If you continue to watch the FCC register your name and new call sign will appear a few days after you took the test. Only then are you allowed to be the control operator of an amateur radio station.
If you already have a call sign and upgrade to General class or Extra class the CSCE does give you authorization to use the new upgraded privileges. When using the upgraded provisions, if using CW (Morse code), you send your call sign followed by “/AG” if the upgrade is to general and “/AE” if extra class upgrade has been achieved. For voice you merely say your call sign followed by AG or AE which means Authorized General or Authorized Extra. So if I were a technician class and upgraded to general the station identification for my station when using the general class privileges would be WA6OHP/AG on CW or WA6OHP AG on voice. If my up grade was from general to extra my station identification would then be WA6OHP/AE if using CW and WA6OHP AE if using voice in the extra portion of the amateur band.
The AG (/AG) or AE (/AE) tags are not necessary when operating within the limits of your presently held license. They are only necessary when you are using your newly acquired privileges and the FCC has not yet upgraded your station class in the registry.
If an amateur radio operator with a General Class license or higher should desire to use your station and operate with other then Technician Class privileges it is legal only if properly identified. This is done by first giving the station call from which the operation is taking place followed by the call sign of the operator using the station.
With the two exceptions mentioned in the last lesson an amateur radio transmission must be identified with the call sign of the transmitting station. This identification is given at least every 10 minutes of operation and at the end of your communications.
When an amateur radio station sends even short transmissions with no identifications they are called unidentified communications or signals. If they do not meet the two exemptions they could also be called illegal transmissions.
When identifying your station even if you are communicating with another ham speaking a language other then English your station identifications must be in English.
Normally stations will identify by giving the call sign of the station they are speaking to and say “this is” and give their call sign. On CW the words “this is” is replaced by the letters “de”. The call sign of the other station is no longer required but it is still common practice to do such.
Frequently amateurs become involved in aiding special events like marathons, long distance bike runs, or some other similar event. During these events there may be operations or stations which can be difficult to keep track of who is operating the amateur radio station at that location. Sometimes the operators at these station can change so in order to keep track each activity may be assigned special identifier called “Tactical ID”. There may be a judge’s stand, 4 aid stations, and a sweep rider. So a call may go something like this, “sweep rider this is aid station 3” with the answer, “aid station 3 this is sweep rider”. FCC call signs must be given at least once every hour.
When using self-assigned identifiers or tactical ID the indicator must not conflict with an indicator specified by FCC rules or with a prefix assigned to another country. So Field Three can not be shortened to F3 because F3 is the prefix of some French stations.
Something we have not discussed yet is the repeater station. Last lesson it was mentioned that they might contain an autopatch and there may be some who wondered, “What is a repeater?” I hope it did not case any confusion and if it did I am sorry.
When operating on VHF and UHF bands the communication range, especially of a mobile, can be very limited. Range can be extended by raising the height of the antenna of either one or both stations. If a mobile station is talking to another mobile station the ability to raise the height of the antenna is very limited. There are Amateur radio stations placed where they can take advantage of a high structure such as a water tower, tall building, or TV transmitting tower. Some of these stations are placed on mountain tops. These stations receive incoming signals on one frequency and retransmit it on another frequency. So a mobile twenty five miles north of the repeater site could talk to another mobile station 25 miles south of the repeater site. The range of the communications through the repeater would be 50 miles which is far beyond the range normally expected without the use of a repeater.
Just as with any other station these stations must be identified with their call sign. A repeater station can identify by phone (voice) using the English language, by video image conforming to applicable standards, or By Morse code at a speed not to exceed 20 words per minute.
1. T2B01
What must you transmit to identify your amateur station?
A. Your tactical ID
B. Your call sign
C. Your first name and your location
D. Your full name
~~
2. T2B02
What is a transmission called that does not contain station identification?
A. Unidentified communications or signals
B. Reluctance modulation
C. Test emission
D. Intentional interference
~~
3. T2B03
How often must an amateur station transmit the assigned call sign?
A. At the beginning of each transmission and every 10 minutes during communication
B. Every 10 minutes during communications and at the end of each communication
C. At the end of each transmission
D. Only at the end of the communication
~~
4. T2B04
What is an acceptable method of transmitting a repeater station identification?
A. By phone using the English language
B. By video image conforming to applicable standards
C. By Morse code at a speed not to exceed 20 words per minute
D. All of these answers are correct.
~~
5. T2B05
What identification is required when two amateur stations end communications?
A. No identification is required
B. One of the stations must transmit both stations' call signs
C. Each station must transmit its own call sign
D. Both stations must transmit both call signs
~~
6. T2B06
What is the longest period of time an amateur station can operate without transmitting its call sign?
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes
~~
7. T2B07
What is a permissible way to identify your station when you are speaking to another amateur operator using a language other than English?
A. You must identify using the official version of the foreign language
B. Identification is not required when using other languages
C. You must identify using the English language
D. You must identify using phonetics
~~
8. T2B08
How often must you identify using your assigned call sign when operating while using a special event call sign?
A. Every 10 minutes
B. Once when the event begins and once when it concludes
C. Never
D. Once per hour
~~
9. T2B09
What is required when using one or more self-assigned indicators with your assigned call sign?
A. The indicator must not conflict with an indicator specified by FCC rules or with a prefix assigned to another country
B. The indicator must consist only of numeric digits
C. The indicator must include the 2-letter abbreviation for your state
D. The indicator must be separated from your call sign by a
double slash mark
~~
10. T2B10
What is the correct way to identify when visiting a station if you hold a higher class license than that of the station licensee and you are using a frequency not authorized to his class of license?
A. Send your call sign first, followed by his call sign
B. Send his call sign first, followed by your call sign
C. Send your call sign only, his is not required
D. Send his call sign followed by "/KT"
~~
11. T2B11
When exercising the operating privileges earned by examination upgrade of a license what is meant by use of the indicator "/AG"?
A. Authorized General
B. Adjunct General
C. Address as General
D. Automatically General
Answers: B A B D C B C D A B A
-----------------------------------
identification for non-voice modes, identification requirements
for mobile and portable operation
When you pass your test for the technician class amateur radio license you will receive a CSCE signed by the VEs. This can only be used if you try to upgrade before your license arrives. It is proof that you have completed element 2. The CSCE does not authorize you to go on the air. For one obvious reason is you will not have a valid call sign to identify your station. If you continue to watch the FCC register your name and new call sign will appear a few days after you took the test. Only then are you allowed to be the control operator of an amateur radio station.
If you already have a call sign and upgrade to General class or Extra class the CSCE does give you authorization to use the new upgraded privileges. When using the upgraded provisions, if using CW (Morse code), you send your call sign followed by “/AG” if the upgrade is to general and “/AE” if extra class upgrade has been achieved. For voice you merely say your call sign followed by AG or AE which means Authorized General or Authorized Extra. So if I were a technician class and upgraded to general the station identification for my station when using the general class privileges would be WA6OHP/AG on CW or WA6OHP AG on voice. If my up grade was from general to extra my station identification would then be WA6OHP/AE if using CW and WA6OHP AE if using voice in the extra portion of the amateur band.
The AG (/AG) or AE (/AE) tags are not necessary when operating within the limits of your presently held license. They are only necessary when you are using your newly acquired privileges and the FCC has not yet upgraded your station class in the registry.
If an amateur radio operator with a General Class license or higher should desire to use your station and operate with other then Technician Class privileges it is legal only if properly identified. This is done by first giving the station call from which the operation is taking place followed by the call sign of the operator using the station.
With the two exceptions mentioned in the last lesson an amateur radio transmission must be identified with the call sign of the transmitting station. This identification is given at least every 10 minutes of operation and at the end of your communications.
When an amateur radio station sends even short transmissions with no identifications they are called unidentified communications or signals. If they do not meet the two exemptions they could also be called illegal transmissions.
When identifying your station even if you are communicating with another ham speaking a language other then English your station identifications must be in English.
Normally stations will identify by giving the call sign of the station they are speaking to and say “this is” and give their call sign. On CW the words “this is” is replaced by the letters “de”. The call sign of the other station is no longer required but it is still common practice to do such.
Frequently amateurs become involved in aiding special events like marathons, long distance bike runs, or some other similar event. During these events there may be operations or stations which can be difficult to keep track of who is operating the amateur radio station at that location. Sometimes the operators at these station can change so in order to keep track each activity may be assigned special identifier called “Tactical ID”. There may be a judge’s stand, 4 aid stations, and a sweep rider. So a call may go something like this, “sweep rider this is aid station 3” with the answer, “aid station 3 this is sweep rider”. FCC call signs must be given at least once every hour.
When using self-assigned identifiers or tactical ID the indicator must not conflict with an indicator specified by FCC rules or with a prefix assigned to another country. So Field Three can not be shortened to F3 because F3 is the prefix of some French stations.
Something we have not discussed yet is the repeater station. Last lesson it was mentioned that they might contain an autopatch and there may be some who wondered, “What is a repeater?” I hope it did not case any confusion and if it did I am sorry.
When operating on VHF and UHF bands the communication range, especially of a mobile, can be very limited. Range can be extended by raising the height of the antenna of either one or both stations. If a mobile station is talking to another mobile station the ability to raise the height of the antenna is very limited. There are Amateur radio stations placed where they can take advantage of a high structure such as a water tower, tall building, or TV transmitting tower. Some of these stations are placed on mountain tops. These stations receive incoming signals on one frequency and retransmit it on another frequency. So a mobile twenty five miles north of the repeater site could talk to another mobile station 25 miles south of the repeater site. The range of the communications through the repeater would be 50 miles which is far beyond the range normally expected without the use of a repeater.
Just as with any other station these stations must be identified with their call sign. A repeater station can identify by phone (voice) using the English language, by video image conforming to applicable standards, or By Morse code at a speed not to exceed 20 words per minute.
1. T2B01
What must you transmit to identify your amateur station?
A. Your tactical ID
B. Your call sign
C. Your first name and your location
D. Your full name
~~
2. T2B02
What is a transmission called that does not contain station identification?
A. Unidentified communications or signals
B. Reluctance modulation
C. Test emission
D. Intentional interference
~~
3. T2B03
How often must an amateur station transmit the assigned call sign?
A. At the beginning of each transmission and every 10 minutes during communication
B. Every 10 minutes during communications and at the end of each communication
C. At the end of each transmission
D. Only at the end of the communication
~~
4. T2B04
What is an acceptable method of transmitting a repeater station identification?
A. By phone using the English language
B. By video image conforming to applicable standards
C. By Morse code at a speed not to exceed 20 words per minute
D. All of these answers are correct.
~~
5. T2B05
What identification is required when two amateur stations end communications?
A. No identification is required
B. One of the stations must transmit both stations' call signs
C. Each station must transmit its own call sign
D. Both stations must transmit both call signs
~~
6. T2B06
What is the longest period of time an amateur station can operate without transmitting its call sign?
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes
~~
7. T2B07
What is a permissible way to identify your station when you are speaking to another amateur operator using a language other than English?
A. You must identify using the official version of the foreign language
B. Identification is not required when using other languages
C. You must identify using the English language
D. You must identify using phonetics
~~
8. T2B08
How often must you identify using your assigned call sign when operating while using a special event call sign?
A. Every 10 minutes
B. Once when the event begins and once when it concludes
C. Never
D. Once per hour
~~
9. T2B09
What is required when using one or more self-assigned indicators with your assigned call sign?
A. The indicator must not conflict with an indicator specified by FCC rules or with a prefix assigned to another country
B. The indicator must consist only of numeric digits
C. The indicator must include the 2-letter abbreviation for your state
D. The indicator must be separated from your call sign by a
double slash mark
~~
10. T2B10
What is the correct way to identify when visiting a station if you hold a higher class license than that of the station licensee and you are using a frequency not authorized to his class of license?
A. Send your call sign first, followed by his call sign
B. Send his call sign first, followed by your call sign
C. Send your call sign only, his is not required
D. Send his call sign followed by "/KT"
~~
11. T2B11
When exercising the operating privileges earned by examination upgrade of a license what is meant by use of the indicator "/AG"?
A. Authorized General
B. Adjunct General
C. Address as General
D. Automatically General
Answers: B A B D C B C D A B A
-----------------------------------
LESSON 7
Definition of control operator, location of control
operator, automatic and remote control, auxiliary stations
There is the necessity of a station control operator for any amateur radio station when it is transmitting. A control operator is the station licensee or a licensed amateur radio operator designated by the licensee to be responsible for the station's transmissions to assure compliance with FCC rules.
The minimum license required to be a station control operator is a technician class. Thus any class of amateur radio station may be the station control operator but the control operator can only operate within the limits of the license held by that operator.
No person is allowed to hold more then one operator/primary station license.
The control point of an amateur radio station is the location at which the control operator function is performed. There are three types of station control permitted and recognized by FCC rules: Local, remote and automatic control.
A hand held unit or a directly controlled base station are examples of a local station control while a repeater is commonly uses an automatic control. The power out, the frequency, and the modulation are all preset. There is an automatic shut off for excessively long transmissions. They can also be shut down remotely. It does not require a control operator’s presence.
Then there is the remote station control. Usually this is a remote base. The remote base is usually used to increase the height of the station by placing it on top of a structure or mountain. The frequency, power and possibly other transmission operations may be changed using a remote radio or wire device.
1. T2C01
What must every amateur station have when transmitting?
A. A frequency-measuring device
B. A control operator
C. A beacon transmitter
D. A third party operator
~~
2. T2C02
How many amateur operator / primary station licenses may be held by one person?
A. As many as desired
B. One for each portable transmitter
C. Only one
D. One for each station location
~~
3. T2C03
What minimum class of amateur license must you hold to be a
control operator of a repeater station?
A. Technician Plus
B. Technician
C. General
D. Amateur Extra
~~
4. T2C04
Who is responsible for the transmissions from an amateur station?
A. Auxiliary operator
B. Operations coordinator
C. Third-party operator
D. Control operator
~~
5. T2C05
When must an amateur station have a control operator?
A. Only when training another amateur
B. Whenever the station receiver is operated
C. Whenever the station is transmitting
D. A control operator is not needed
~~
6. T2C06
What is the control point of an amateur station?
A. The on/off switch of the transmitter
B. The input/output port of a packet controller
C. The variable frequency oscillator of a transmitter
D. The location at which the control operator function is
performed
~~
7. T2C07
What type of amateur station does not require a control operator to be at the control point?
A. A locally controlled station
B. A remotely controlled station
C. An automatically controlled station
D. An earth station controlling a space station
~~
8. T2C08
What are the three types of station control permitted and
recognized by FCC rule?
A. Local, remote and automatic control
B. Local, distant and automatic control
C. Remote, distant and unauthorized control
D. All of the choices are correct
~~
9. T2C09
What type of control is being used on a repeater when the control operator is not present?
A. Local control
B. Remote control
C. Automatic control
D. Uncontrolled
~~
10. T2C10
What type of control is being used when transmitting using a handheld radio?
A. Radio control
B. Unattended control
C. Automatic control
D. Local control
~~
11. T2C11
What type of control is used when the control operator is not at the station location but can still make changes to a transmitter?
A. Local control
B. Remote control
C. Automatic control
D. Uncontrolled
~~
12. T2C12
What is the definition of a control operator of an amateur
station?
A. Anyone who operates the controls of the station
B. Anyone who is responsible for the station's equipment
C. An operator designated by the licensee to be responsible for the station's transmissions to assure compliance with FCC rules
D. The operator with the highest class of license who is in
control of the station
~~
Answers: B C B D C D C A C D B C
operator, automatic and remote control, auxiliary stations
There is the necessity of a station control operator for any amateur radio station when it is transmitting. A control operator is the station licensee or a licensed amateur radio operator designated by the licensee to be responsible for the station's transmissions to assure compliance with FCC rules.
The minimum license required to be a station control operator is a technician class. Thus any class of amateur radio station may be the station control operator but the control operator can only operate within the limits of the license held by that operator.
No person is allowed to hold more then one operator/primary station license.
The control point of an amateur radio station is the location at which the control operator function is performed. There are three types of station control permitted and recognized by FCC rules: Local, remote and automatic control.
A hand held unit or a directly controlled base station are examples of a local station control while a repeater is commonly uses an automatic control. The power out, the frequency, and the modulation are all preset. There is an automatic shut off for excessively long transmissions. They can also be shut down remotely. It does not require a control operator’s presence.
Then there is the remote station control. Usually this is a remote base. The remote base is usually used to increase the height of the station by placing it on top of a structure or mountain. The frequency, power and possibly other transmission operations may be changed using a remote radio or wire device.
1. T2C01
What must every amateur station have when transmitting?
A. A frequency-measuring device
B. A control operator
C. A beacon transmitter
D. A third party operator
~~
2. T2C02
How many amateur operator / primary station licenses may be held by one person?
A. As many as desired
B. One for each portable transmitter
C. Only one
D. One for each station location
~~
3. T2C03
What minimum class of amateur license must you hold to be a
control operator of a repeater station?
A. Technician Plus
B. Technician
C. General
D. Amateur Extra
~~
4. T2C04
Who is responsible for the transmissions from an amateur station?
A. Auxiliary operator
B. Operations coordinator
C. Third-party operator
D. Control operator
~~
5. T2C05
When must an amateur station have a control operator?
A. Only when training another amateur
B. Whenever the station receiver is operated
C. Whenever the station is transmitting
D. A control operator is not needed
~~
6. T2C06
What is the control point of an amateur station?
A. The on/off switch of the transmitter
B. The input/output port of a packet controller
C. The variable frequency oscillator of a transmitter
D. The location at which the control operator function is
performed
~~
7. T2C07
What type of amateur station does not require a control operator to be at the control point?
A. A locally controlled station
B. A remotely controlled station
C. An automatically controlled station
D. An earth station controlling a space station
~~
8. T2C08
What are the three types of station control permitted and
recognized by FCC rule?
A. Local, remote and automatic control
B. Local, distant and automatic control
C. Remote, distant and unauthorized control
D. All of the choices are correct
~~
9. T2C09
What type of control is being used on a repeater when the control operator is not present?
A. Local control
B. Remote control
C. Automatic control
D. Uncontrolled
~~
10. T2C10
What type of control is being used when transmitting using a handheld radio?
A. Radio control
B. Unattended control
C. Automatic control
D. Local control
~~
11. T2C11
What type of control is used when the control operator is not at the station location but can still make changes to a transmitter?
A. Local control
B. Remote control
C. Automatic control
D. Uncontrolled
~~
12. T2C12
What is the definition of a control operator of an amateur
station?
A. Anyone who operates the controls of the station
B. Anyone who is responsible for the station's equipment
C. An operator designated by the licensee to be responsible for the station's transmissions to assure compliance with FCC rules
D. The operator with the highest class of license who is in
control of the station
~~
Answers: B C B D C D C A C D B C
LESSON 8
Operating another person's station, guest operators at your
station, third party communications, autopatch, incidental
business use, compensation of operators, club stations, station
security, station inspection, protection against unauthorized
transmissions
Ham radio clubs are a great way for local amateur radio operators to get together and fellowship, share ideas, swap parts or rigs, and plan emergency preparation or other community assistance using ham radio. Sometimes a club will decide to set up a club station. The FCC will issue a license and call for a club with a minimum membership of 4 people.
Sometime after you get your new license you may have the opportunity to operate a club station or the station of a friend. Or you may have someone ask it they may use your station. If any of these scenarios happen there are some things that you must realize and remember.
When you use someone else’s station or if you allow someone else use your station you both are responsible for proper operation while transmitting. This means before you allow anyone use your station you need to be sure they can be trusted. It would be a shame if you lost your operating privileges because someone else misused your station.
When an amateur radio operator holding a higher class license then the owner is the control operator the higher class control operator is allowed all privileges granted by the higher class license but if the control operator is a lower class then the owner the control operator is only allowed those privileges granted by the license held by that operator.
It is extremely important that you protect your equipment from being used by non hams. The recommended way of doing this is to disconnect the power and microphone cables when not using your equipment. It may sound like a bit of a hassle but remember you are responsible if a non ham should transmit on your station. Only a licensed person may operate the transmitter so not even family member who are not licensed hams are allowed to transmit.
If there is a licensed ham control operator present to control the operations of the transmitter then it is legal for a non ham to talk on the unit.
A message sent between two amateur stations for someone else is known as third party traffic and is legal in the United States with other stations in the United States but it is only legal to pass third party traffic in or out of countries which have a third party agreement with the Untied States. It may surprise you who does and who does not be sure you know before doing it.
While third party traffic is legal using amateur radio for conducting business is not legal so the third party traffic must be personal and not business. It is also not legal to accept compensation for handling third party traffic.
It is permissible for the control operator of a club station to accept compensation for sending information bulletins or Morse code practice when the station makes those transmissions for at least 40 hours per week.
Operating a ham radio from an aircraft can be a lot of fun. When other hams hear you are aeronautical mobile they will want to work you. To operate aeronautical mobile you must have authorization from the pilot in command and you are not allowed to use the aircraft’s communication or navigational equipment to do such operations.
If the FCC thinks for some reason you are operating illegally they are not required to get a search warrant to inspect your station and its records. The right to make such search at anytime upon request was given by accepting the radio station license.
1. T2D01 [97.103(a)]
Who is responsible for proper operation if you transmit from another amateur's station?
A. Both of you
B. Only the other station licensee
C. Only you as the control operator
D. Only the station licensee, unless the station records shows another control operator at the time
~~
2. T2D02 [97.105(b)]
What operating privileges are allowed when another amateur holding a higher class license is controlling your station?
A. All privileges allowed by the higher class license
B. Only the privileges allowed by your license
C. All the emission privileges of the higher class license, but only the frequency privileges of your license
D. All the frequency privileges of the higher class license, but only the emission privileges of your license
~~
3. T2D03 [97.105(b)]
What operating privileges are allowed when you are the control operator at the station of another amateur who has a higher class license than yours?
A. Any privileges allowed by the higher class license
B. Only the privileges allowed by your license
C. All the emission privileges of the higher class license, but only the frequency privileges of your license
D. All the frequency privileges of the higher class license, but only the emission privileges of your license
~~
4. T2D04 [97.113(a)(3)]
Which of the following is a prohibited amateur radio transmission?
A. Using amateur radio to seek emergency assistance
B. Using amateur radio for conducting business
C. Using an amateur phone patch to call for a taxi or food
Delivery
D. Using an amateur phone patch to call home to say you are
running late
~~
5. T2D05 [97.3(a)46]
What is the definition of third-party communications?
A. A message sent between two amateur stations for someone else
B. Public service communications for a political party
C. Any messages sent by amateur stations
D. A three-minute transmission to another amateur
~~
6. T2D06 [97.5(b)(2)]
How many persons are required to be members of a club for a club station license to be issued by the FCC?
A. At least 5
B. At least 4
C. A trustee and 2 officers
D. At least 2
~~
7. T2D07 [97.11(a)]
When may you operate your amateur station aboard an aircraft?
A. At any time
B. Only while the aircraft is on the ground
C. Only with the approval of the pilot in command and not using the aircraft's radio equipment
D. Only when you have written permission from the airline and only using the aircraft's radio equipment
~~
8. T2D08 [97.103(c)]
When is the FCC allowed to inspect your station equipment and station records?
A. Only on weekends
B. At any time upon request
C. Never
D. Only during daylight hours
~~
9. T2D09
How might you best keep unauthorized persons from using your amateur station?
A. Disconnect the power and microphone cables when not using your equipment
B. Connect a dummy load to the antenna
C. Put a "Danger - High Voltage" sign in the station
D. Put fuses in the main power line
~~
10. T2D10 [97.109(b)]
Why are unlicensed persons in your family not allowed to transmit on your amateur station if you are not there?
A. They must not use your equipment without your permission
B. They must be licensed before they are allowed to be control operators
C. They must know how to use proper procedures and Q signals
D. They must know the right frequencies and emissions for transmitting
~~
11. T2D11 [97.113(d)]
When is it permissible for the control operator of a club station to accept compensation for sending information bulletins or Morse code practice?
A. When compensation is paid from a non-profit organization
B. When the club station license is held by a non-profit
Organization
C. Anytime compensation is needed
D. When the station makes those transmissions for at least 40 hours per week
Answers to today’s questions:
A A B B A B C B A B D
station, third party communications, autopatch, incidental
business use, compensation of operators, club stations, station
security, station inspection, protection against unauthorized
transmissions
Ham radio clubs are a great way for local amateur radio operators to get together and fellowship, share ideas, swap parts or rigs, and plan emergency preparation or other community assistance using ham radio. Sometimes a club will decide to set up a club station. The FCC will issue a license and call for a club with a minimum membership of 4 people.
Sometime after you get your new license you may have the opportunity to operate a club station or the station of a friend. Or you may have someone ask it they may use your station. If any of these scenarios happen there are some things that you must realize and remember.
When you use someone else’s station or if you allow someone else use your station you both are responsible for proper operation while transmitting. This means before you allow anyone use your station you need to be sure they can be trusted. It would be a shame if you lost your operating privileges because someone else misused your station.
When an amateur radio operator holding a higher class license then the owner is the control operator the higher class control operator is allowed all privileges granted by the higher class license but if the control operator is a lower class then the owner the control operator is only allowed those privileges granted by the license held by that operator.
It is extremely important that you protect your equipment from being used by non hams. The recommended way of doing this is to disconnect the power and microphone cables when not using your equipment. It may sound like a bit of a hassle but remember you are responsible if a non ham should transmit on your station. Only a licensed person may operate the transmitter so not even family member who are not licensed hams are allowed to transmit.
If there is a licensed ham control operator present to control the operations of the transmitter then it is legal for a non ham to talk on the unit.
A message sent between two amateur stations for someone else is known as third party traffic and is legal in the United States with other stations in the United States but it is only legal to pass third party traffic in or out of countries which have a third party agreement with the Untied States. It may surprise you who does and who does not be sure you know before doing it.
While third party traffic is legal using amateur radio for conducting business is not legal so the third party traffic must be personal and not business. It is also not legal to accept compensation for handling third party traffic.
It is permissible for the control operator of a club station to accept compensation for sending information bulletins or Morse code practice when the station makes those transmissions for at least 40 hours per week.
Operating a ham radio from an aircraft can be a lot of fun. When other hams hear you are aeronautical mobile they will want to work you. To operate aeronautical mobile you must have authorization from the pilot in command and you are not allowed to use the aircraft’s communication or navigational equipment to do such operations.
If the FCC thinks for some reason you are operating illegally they are not required to get a search warrant to inspect your station and its records. The right to make such search at anytime upon request was given by accepting the radio station license.
1. T2D01 [97.103(a)]
Who is responsible for proper operation if you transmit from another amateur's station?
A. Both of you
B. Only the other station licensee
C. Only you as the control operator
D. Only the station licensee, unless the station records shows another control operator at the time
~~
2. T2D02 [97.105(b)]
What operating privileges are allowed when another amateur holding a higher class license is controlling your station?
A. All privileges allowed by the higher class license
B. Only the privileges allowed by your license
C. All the emission privileges of the higher class license, but only the frequency privileges of your license
D. All the frequency privileges of the higher class license, but only the emission privileges of your license
~~
3. T2D03 [97.105(b)]
What operating privileges are allowed when you are the control operator at the station of another amateur who has a higher class license than yours?
A. Any privileges allowed by the higher class license
B. Only the privileges allowed by your license
C. All the emission privileges of the higher class license, but only the frequency privileges of your license
D. All the frequency privileges of the higher class license, but only the emission privileges of your license
~~
4. T2D04 [97.113(a)(3)]
Which of the following is a prohibited amateur radio transmission?
A. Using amateur radio to seek emergency assistance
B. Using amateur radio for conducting business
C. Using an amateur phone patch to call for a taxi or food
Delivery
D. Using an amateur phone patch to call home to say you are
running late
~~
5. T2D05 [97.3(a)46]
What is the definition of third-party communications?
A. A message sent between two amateur stations for someone else
B. Public service communications for a political party
C. Any messages sent by amateur stations
D. A three-minute transmission to another amateur
~~
6. T2D06 [97.5(b)(2)]
How many persons are required to be members of a club for a club station license to be issued by the FCC?
A. At least 5
B. At least 4
C. A trustee and 2 officers
D. At least 2
~~
7. T2D07 [97.11(a)]
When may you operate your amateur station aboard an aircraft?
A. At any time
B. Only while the aircraft is on the ground
C. Only with the approval of the pilot in command and not using the aircraft's radio equipment
D. Only when you have written permission from the airline and only using the aircraft's radio equipment
~~
8. T2D08 [97.103(c)]
When is the FCC allowed to inspect your station equipment and station records?
A. Only on weekends
B. At any time upon request
C. Never
D. Only during daylight hours
~~
9. T2D09
How might you best keep unauthorized persons from using your amateur station?
A. Disconnect the power and microphone cables when not using your equipment
B. Connect a dummy load to the antenna
C. Put a "Danger - High Voltage" sign in the station
D. Put fuses in the main power line
~~
10. T2D10 [97.109(b)]
Why are unlicensed persons in your family not allowed to transmit on your amateur station if you are not there?
A. They must not use your equipment without your permission
B. They must be licensed before they are allowed to be control operators
C. They must know how to use proper procedures and Q signals
D. They must know the right frequencies and emissions for transmitting
~~
11. T2D11 [97.113(d)]
When is it permissible for the control operator of a club station to accept compensation for sending information bulletins or Morse code practice?
A. When compensation is paid from a non-profit organization
B. When the club station license is held by a non-profit
Organization
C. Anytime compensation is needed
D. When the station makes those transmissions for at least 40 hours per week
Answers to today’s questions:
A A B B A B C B A B D
LESSON 9
Choosing an operating frequency, calling CQ, calling another
station, test transmissions
CQ followed by your callsign indicates you are looking for any station with which to make contact. CQ is usually heard on the high frequencies bands sometime with SSB and CW on the VHF bands but most new technician hams will start on FM today. CQ is almost never used on VHF and UHF with Frequency Modulation (FM) because it is rare that a station will be tuning around the band to hear a CQ. Most stations listen on the calling and answering frequency (to be explained in a later lesson) or to a repeater. The normal way to make it know that you are listening and wishing a response is just give your call sign.
Before you call CQ listen to determine if the frequency is busy. The most highly recommended practice use to be call CQ three times, say “this is” (on CW “this is” is sent as de) once, then give your call three times, and repeat the process two more times. That is still the longest CQ call recommended but shorter versions may be in order depending on many factors.
If you hear a CQ and wish to answer you should give other station’s callsign followed by your callsign.
This may be an appropriate time to mention. It is proper at the end of a transmission to say “over” which means I am finished with what I have to say and now it is your turn to transmit while I listen. When you are finished communicating and you are not expecting the other station to respond you say “out”. “Over and out” means you have been listening to TV portrayal of radio and you really don’t know what you are saying. The proper response is “Over” or “out” never “Over and Out.”
Calling another station whose call sign you know and who is looking for you on or about a certain frequency then to give his call three times and your call three times would be appropriate but if you are calling a station on a repeater that would be unnecessary and defiantly discouraged. Just give the station’s call sign once “this is” and your call sign once. It might sound like this “KI6YQ this is WA6OHP”.
Sometimes it is necessary to make a short test with an on the air signal. This could be to check your antenna or check your final tuning. These tests should always be kept short and they are to be identified with your call sign. Never test on a frequency that is being used which means you must listen to the frequency you are going to use before sending the test signal. If the transmission should (and in this writer’s opinion it shouldn’t) run longer then 10 minuets then the signal must be identified at 10 minuet intervals with the station call sign.
Transmitting a test signal without giving your call sign is defined as an illegal unidentified transmission.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) phonetic alphabet should be used to identify your station identification and to spell words that may need to be spelled over the air. I would identify my call phonetically as Whisky Alpha 6 Oscar Hotel Papa. These words were selected because they are easily understood and distinguished form one another. Cute words or phrases may not be easily understood by some operators.
(Notice the Phonetic alphabet located on the right hand side of the page under the ads. I highly advise memorizing this alphabet.)
After the other station understands your call then the phrases may be used to help them remember. Like my last three letters are OHP so when someone has problem remembering my call I tell them it is like One Horse Power but that is never to be used to identify my station.
1. T3A01
Which of the following should you do when selecting a frequency on which to transmit?
A. Call CQ to see if anyone is listening
B. Listen to determine if the frequency is busy
C. Transmit on a frequency that allows your signals to be heard
D. Check for maximum power output
~~
2. T3A02
How do you call another station on a repeater if you know the station's call sign?
A. Say "break, break" then say the station's call sign
B. Say the station's call sign then identify your own station
C. Say "CQ" three times then the other station's call sign
D. Wait for the station to call "CQ" then answer it
~~
3. T3A03
How do you indicate you are looking for any station with which to make contact?
A. CQ followed by your callsign
B. RST followed by your callsign
C. QST followed by your callsign
D. SK followed by your callsign
~~
4. T3A04
What should you transmit when responding to a call of CQ?
A. Your own CQ followed by the other station’s callsign
B. Your callsign followed by the other station’s callsign
C. The other station’s callsign followed by your callsign
D. A signal report followed by your callsign
~~
5. T3A05
What term describes a brief test transmission that does not
include any station identification?
A. A test emission with no identification required
B. An illegal un-modulated transmission
C. An illegal unidentified transmission
D. A non-voice ID transmission
~~
6. T3A06
What must an amateur do when making a transmission to test
equipment or antennas?
A. Properly identify the station
B. Make test transmissions only after 10:00 PM local time
C. Notify the FCC of the test transmission
D. State the purpose of the test during the test procedure
~~
7. T3A07
Which of the following is true when making a test transmission?
A. Station identification is not required if the transmission is less than 15 seconds
B. Station identification is not required if the transmission is less than 1 watt
C. Station identification is required only if your station can be heard
D. Station identification is required at least every ten minutes and at the end of every transmission.
~~
8. T3A08
What is the meaning of the procedural signal "CQ"?
A. Call on the quarter hour
B. New antenna is being tested (no station should answer)
C. Only the called station should transmit
D. Calling any station
~~
9. T3A09
Why should you avoid using cute phrases or word combinations to identify your station?
A. They are not easily understood by some operators
B. They might offend some operators
C. They do not meet FCC identification requirements
D. They might be interpreted as codes or ciphers intended to obscure your identification
~~
10. T3A10
What brief statement is often used in place of "CQ" to indicate that you are listening for calls on a repeater?
A. Say "Hello test" followed by your call sign
B. Say your call sign
C. Say the repeater call sign followed by your call sign
D. Say the letters "QSY" followed by your call sign
~~
11. T3A11
Why should you use the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)phonetic alphabet when identifying your station?
A. The words are internationally recognized substitutes for
letters
B. There is no advantage
C. The words have been chosen to represent amateur radio terms
D. It preserves traditions begun in the early days of amateur radio
Answers B B A C C A D D A B A
KI6YQ is my xyl (ham abbreviation for wife). She holds an Advanced Class License.
The technician class license does require a little technical knowledge. Starting with lesson 13 there will be some technical questions so starting with lesson 10 under answers to the questions I am going to start giving some technical information. Some will already know the information and thus can pass over it and understand the questions but others will not have that knowledge so this is an effort to make it easier for those who don’t already have some electronic and radio propagation knowledge.
station, test transmissions
CQ followed by your callsign indicates you are looking for any station with which to make contact. CQ is usually heard on the high frequencies bands sometime with SSB and CW on the VHF bands but most new technician hams will start on FM today. CQ is almost never used on VHF and UHF with Frequency Modulation (FM) because it is rare that a station will be tuning around the band to hear a CQ. Most stations listen on the calling and answering frequency (to be explained in a later lesson) or to a repeater. The normal way to make it know that you are listening and wishing a response is just give your call sign.
Before you call CQ listen to determine if the frequency is busy. The most highly recommended practice use to be call CQ three times, say “this is” (on CW “this is” is sent as de) once, then give your call three times, and repeat the process two more times. That is still the longest CQ call recommended but shorter versions may be in order depending on many factors.
If you hear a CQ and wish to answer you should give other station’s callsign followed by your callsign.
This may be an appropriate time to mention. It is proper at the end of a transmission to say “over” which means I am finished with what I have to say and now it is your turn to transmit while I listen. When you are finished communicating and you are not expecting the other station to respond you say “out”. “Over and out” means you have been listening to TV portrayal of radio and you really don’t know what you are saying. The proper response is “Over” or “out” never “Over and Out.”
Calling another station whose call sign you know and who is looking for you on or about a certain frequency then to give his call three times and your call three times would be appropriate but if you are calling a station on a repeater that would be unnecessary and defiantly discouraged. Just give the station’s call sign once “this is” and your call sign once. It might sound like this “KI6YQ this is WA6OHP”.
Sometimes it is necessary to make a short test with an on the air signal. This could be to check your antenna or check your final tuning. These tests should always be kept short and they are to be identified with your call sign. Never test on a frequency that is being used which means you must listen to the frequency you are going to use before sending the test signal. If the transmission should (and in this writer’s opinion it shouldn’t) run longer then 10 minuets then the signal must be identified at 10 minuet intervals with the station call sign.
Transmitting a test signal without giving your call sign is defined as an illegal unidentified transmission.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) phonetic alphabet should be used to identify your station identification and to spell words that may need to be spelled over the air. I would identify my call phonetically as Whisky Alpha 6 Oscar Hotel Papa. These words were selected because they are easily understood and distinguished form one another. Cute words or phrases may not be easily understood by some operators.
(Notice the Phonetic alphabet located on the right hand side of the page under the ads. I highly advise memorizing this alphabet.)
After the other station understands your call then the phrases may be used to help them remember. Like my last three letters are OHP so when someone has problem remembering my call I tell them it is like One Horse Power but that is never to be used to identify my station.
1. T3A01
Which of the following should you do when selecting a frequency on which to transmit?
A. Call CQ to see if anyone is listening
B. Listen to determine if the frequency is busy
C. Transmit on a frequency that allows your signals to be heard
D. Check for maximum power output
~~
2. T3A02
How do you call another station on a repeater if you know the station's call sign?
A. Say "break, break" then say the station's call sign
B. Say the station's call sign then identify your own station
C. Say "CQ" three times then the other station's call sign
D. Wait for the station to call "CQ" then answer it
~~
3. T3A03
How do you indicate you are looking for any station with which to make contact?
A. CQ followed by your callsign
B. RST followed by your callsign
C. QST followed by your callsign
D. SK followed by your callsign
~~
4. T3A04
What should you transmit when responding to a call of CQ?
A. Your own CQ followed by the other station’s callsign
B. Your callsign followed by the other station’s callsign
C. The other station’s callsign followed by your callsign
D. A signal report followed by your callsign
~~
5. T3A05
What term describes a brief test transmission that does not
include any station identification?
A. A test emission with no identification required
B. An illegal un-modulated transmission
C. An illegal unidentified transmission
D. A non-voice ID transmission
~~
6. T3A06
What must an amateur do when making a transmission to test
equipment or antennas?
A. Properly identify the station
B. Make test transmissions only after 10:00 PM local time
C. Notify the FCC of the test transmission
D. State the purpose of the test during the test procedure
~~
7. T3A07
Which of the following is true when making a test transmission?
A. Station identification is not required if the transmission is less than 15 seconds
B. Station identification is not required if the transmission is less than 1 watt
C. Station identification is required only if your station can be heard
D. Station identification is required at least every ten minutes and at the end of every transmission.
~~
8. T3A08
What is the meaning of the procedural signal "CQ"?
A. Call on the quarter hour
B. New antenna is being tested (no station should answer)
C. Only the called station should transmit
D. Calling any station
~~
9. T3A09
Why should you avoid using cute phrases or word combinations to identify your station?
A. They are not easily understood by some operators
B. They might offend some operators
C. They do not meet FCC identification requirements
D. They might be interpreted as codes or ciphers intended to obscure your identification
~~
10. T3A10
What brief statement is often used in place of "CQ" to indicate that you are listening for calls on a repeater?
A. Say "Hello test" followed by your call sign
B. Say your call sign
C. Say the repeater call sign followed by your call sign
D. Say the letters "QSY" followed by your call sign
~~
11. T3A11
Why should you use the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)phonetic alphabet when identifying your station?
A. The words are internationally recognized substitutes for
letters
B. There is no advantage
C. The words have been chosen to represent amateur radio terms
D. It preserves traditions begun in the early days of amateur radio
Answers B B A C C A D D A B A
KI6YQ is my xyl (ham abbreviation for wife). She holds an Advanced Class License.
The technician class license does require a little technical knowledge. Starting with lesson 13 there will be some technical questions so starting with lesson 10 under answers to the questions I am going to start giving some technical information. Some will already know the information and thus can pass over it and understand the questions but others will not have that knowledge so this is an effort to make it easier for those who don’t already have some electronic and radio propagation knowledge.
LESSON 10
Use of minimum power, band plans, repeater coordination,
mode restricted sub-bands
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the largest and oldest organization representing radio amateurs today. They have the largest VE team in the United States of America today. Some hams seem to think that decisions made by the ARRL hold as much weight as decisions mad by the FCC and that is not true. Laws are established by the FCC. Suggestions and recommendations are made by the ARRL.
Because of the number of amateur radio operators in the world and because of the many different operations possible on the ham bands the ARRL has put together a band plan. A band plan gives suggested that certain of portions of the ham bands be used for limited types of operation. There are hams that like to experiment with Earth Moon Earth (EME) bounce and the ARRL has suggested that when using the 2 meter band that 144.00 to 144.05 MHz be used for CW EME operations and 144.10 to 144.20 MHz be used for SSB (single side band) EME operations. If some hams use 144.15 MHz to just chat using CW it is legal but it is not courteous.
A band plan is a voluntary guideline, beyond the divisions established by the FCC for using different operating modes within an amateur band. They are just guidelines for efficient use of the radio spectrum. They are said to be developed by the amateur community.
To learn more about the band plans I recommend going to http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/bandplan.html where you can see the plans and print them for your use when you are able to go on the air. While it is not a legal requirement to observe these plans they are very helpful in keeping the ham bands more usable.
In the early 1960s there were very few amateur radio repeaters but as more equipment became available and more interest developed they became very popular. It was not long until the two meter band which had very little use in 1960 was rapidly becoming filled with repeater by the mid 1970s. To prevent interference between repeaters the recognized frequency coordination bodies were formed to reduce interference and promote proper use of spectrum in local areas.
When using a repeater the transmitting station is accountable for any illegal transmissions it sends to the repeaters that are then rebroadcast. The control operator or trustee may shut the repeater down in event of illegal transmissions but again the station transmitting is the one who is actually held accountable.
When using a repeater usually very little power is needed to maintain quality communications. Remember the general rule regarding power is an amateur must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communication. Most modern ham radios are equipped with high and low power switches. Use the low power switch when using a repeater unless high power is necessary to maintain communications.
While the band plans break the ham bands into voluntary sub bands the FCC also has sub bands which are not voluntary. By FCC rules CW can be used anywhere on the ham bands but there are three bands used by Technician class hams that have sub bands set up by the FCC for CW only. They are the 6-meter, 2-meter, and 1 1/4-meter bands.
The first 100 KHz of the 6 meter band (50.00 to 50.100 MHz) and the two meter band (144.00 to 144.10 MHz) are restricted to CW operation only. ( The whole 6 meter band is 50 to 54 MHz and the whole 2 meter band is 144.00 to 148.00 MHz)
1. T3B01
What is a band plan?
A. A voluntary guideline, beyond the divisions established by the FCC for using different operating modes within an amateur band
B. A guideline from the FCC for making amateur frequency band allocations
C. A guideline for operating schedules within an amateur band published by the FCC
D. A plan devised by a local group
~~
2. T3B02
Which of the following statements is true of band plans?
A. They are mandated by the FCC to regulate spectrum use
B. They are mandated by the ITU
C. They are voluntary guidelines for efficient use of the radio spectrum
D. They are mandatory only in the US
~~
3. T3B03
Who developed the band plans used by amateur radio operators?
A. The US Congress
B. The FCC
C. The amateur community
D. The Interstate Commerce Commission
~~
4. T3B04
Who is in charge of the repeater frequency band plan in your local area?
A. The local FCC field office
B. RACES and FEMA
C. The recognized frequency coordination body
D. Repeater Council of America
~~
5. T3B05
What is the main purpose of repeater coordination?
A. To reduce interference and promote proper use of spectrum
B. To coordinate as many repeaters as possible in a small area
C. To coordinate all possible frequencies available for repeater use
D. To promote and encourage use of simplex frequencies
~~
6. T3B06
Who is accountable if a repeater station inadvertently retransmits communications that violate FCC rules?
A. The repeater trustee
B. The repeater control operator
C. The transmitting station
D. All of these answers are correct
~~
7. T3B07
Which of these statements is true about legal power levels on the amateur bands?
A. Always use the maximum power allowed to ensure that you
complete the contact
B. An amateur may use no more than 200 Watts PEP to make an
amateur contact
C. An amateur may use up to 1500 Watts PEP on any amateur
frequency
D. An amateur must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communication
~~
8. T3B08
Which of the bands available to Technician class licensees have mode restricted sub-bands?
A. The 6-meter, 2-meter, and 70-centimeter bands
B. The 2-meter and 13-centimeter bands
C. The 6-meter, 2-meter, and 1 1/4-meter bands
D. The 2-meter and 70-centimeter bands
~~
9. T3B09
What emission modes are permitted in the restricted sub-band at 50.0-50.1 MHz?
A. CW only
B. CW and RTTY
C. SSB only
D. CW and SSB
~~
10. T3B10
What emission modes are permitted in the restricted sub-band at 144.0-144.1 MHz?
A. CW only
B. CW and RTTY
C. SSB only
D. CW and SSB
~~
Answers to today’s questions:
A C C C A C D C A A
Basic knowledge about electricity is the most fundamental necessity to understanding radio communications. Frequently the flow of electricity is compared to the flow of water in a pipe and this gives confusion to some who are learning the principles of electricity. A conductor of electricity is not a tube through which the power flows.
As I am sure every reader knows an atom is made up of electrons orbiting around a nuclease made of protons and possibly neutrons. For this discussion the electrons and protons are all that need to be considered.
Electrons are said to have a negative charge and protons a positive charge. Like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other. An atom of copper which has 29 electrons and 29 protons (the normal state of copper atoms) is electrically neutral. If an atom loses an electron then it would have 28 electrons and 29 protons which would make it positively charged. For reasons I will not take time to explain here this happens. That free electron will seek to be joined into another atom which may in the process knock another electron out of orbit in another atom meanwhile an other free electron will fill the gap left vacant in the atom from which the electron first left.
In a piece of copper wire this process is going on in a random order. Now if you were to place an excess of electrons on one end of the wire and lack of electrons on the other end then what was random will now start to migrate from the negative side (excess electrons) to the positive side (lack of electrons) thus a current flow is established. The greater the number of excessive electrons on one end and lack of electrons on the other for a given area the greater the pressure will be between the two sides which will result in a larger current flow in that piece of wire.
This pressure is called Volts or Electro Motive Force (EMF). A battery is a device that through chemical action will cause electrons to be removed from the positive terminal and moved to the negative terminal. When a circuit is completed by placing the copper wire between those two terminals electors will then flow from the negative terminal through the conductor to the positive terminal. The process of this flow is electrons on the negative terminal pushes electrons from the atoms and replaces them while the positive terminal pulls electrons from the atoms near it and other electrons replaces them. The current is a leap frog type of movement not a water flow type of movement.
The conductor will offer some opposition to that flow so all of the electrons do not move at once across the circuit. This opposition is called resistance. The higher the resistance the fewer electrons will move across between the terminals in a given time.
There is a formula which will state how many of these electrons will move at any given time. It is called Ohm’s law and it states that it takes one volt of pressure to push one ampere of current (6.24150948×1018 Electrons passing a specific point in one second) through one Ohm of resistance. The formula is E/R=I where E is voltage, R is resistance and I stands for current.
There are other conductors besides copper. Metals for the most part are conductors while there are other items such as glass in which current does not readily flow. These are called insulators. Some might say there is no current flow in an insulator but just as there is no perfect conductor there is no perfect insulator.
If the plus (positive) and minus (negative) terminals are switched back and forth at a given rate (the polarity changes at a given rate) it is called Alternating Current (AC). But if the polarity remains constant as in a battery it is called Direct Current (DC).
The rate at which AC switches back and forth is called frequency. When I started in ham radio AC was calculated in cycles per second then cycles per second were given a unit name Hertz. So if the frequency is one cycle, starts at positive switches to negative and back to positive, in one second it is one Hertz (1 Hz). If it changes 60 times a second it is 60 Hz which is standard house hold AC in the United States.
That is enough for today. If you have any questions be sure to use the comment section and ask.
mode restricted sub-bands
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the largest and oldest organization representing radio amateurs today. They have the largest VE team in the United States of America today. Some hams seem to think that decisions made by the ARRL hold as much weight as decisions mad by the FCC and that is not true. Laws are established by the FCC. Suggestions and recommendations are made by the ARRL.
Because of the number of amateur radio operators in the world and because of the many different operations possible on the ham bands the ARRL has put together a band plan. A band plan gives suggested that certain of portions of the ham bands be used for limited types of operation. There are hams that like to experiment with Earth Moon Earth (EME) bounce and the ARRL has suggested that when using the 2 meter band that 144.00 to 144.05 MHz be used for CW EME operations and 144.10 to 144.20 MHz be used for SSB (single side band) EME operations. If some hams use 144.15 MHz to just chat using CW it is legal but it is not courteous.
A band plan is a voluntary guideline, beyond the divisions established by the FCC for using different operating modes within an amateur band. They are just guidelines for efficient use of the radio spectrum. They are said to be developed by the amateur community.
To learn more about the band plans I recommend going to http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/bandplan.html where you can see the plans and print them for your use when you are able to go on the air. While it is not a legal requirement to observe these plans they are very helpful in keeping the ham bands more usable.
In the early 1960s there were very few amateur radio repeaters but as more equipment became available and more interest developed they became very popular. It was not long until the two meter band which had very little use in 1960 was rapidly becoming filled with repeater by the mid 1970s. To prevent interference between repeaters the recognized frequency coordination bodies were formed to reduce interference and promote proper use of spectrum in local areas.
When using a repeater the transmitting station is accountable for any illegal transmissions it sends to the repeaters that are then rebroadcast. The control operator or trustee may shut the repeater down in event of illegal transmissions but again the station transmitting is the one who is actually held accountable.
When using a repeater usually very little power is needed to maintain quality communications. Remember the general rule regarding power is an amateur must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communication. Most modern ham radios are equipped with high and low power switches. Use the low power switch when using a repeater unless high power is necessary to maintain communications.
While the band plans break the ham bands into voluntary sub bands the FCC also has sub bands which are not voluntary. By FCC rules CW can be used anywhere on the ham bands but there are three bands used by Technician class hams that have sub bands set up by the FCC for CW only. They are the 6-meter, 2-meter, and 1 1/4-meter bands.
The first 100 KHz of the 6 meter band (50.00 to 50.100 MHz) and the two meter band (144.00 to 144.10 MHz) are restricted to CW operation only. ( The whole 6 meter band is 50 to 54 MHz and the whole 2 meter band is 144.00 to 148.00 MHz)
1. T3B01
What is a band plan?
A. A voluntary guideline, beyond the divisions established by the FCC for using different operating modes within an amateur band
B. A guideline from the FCC for making amateur frequency band allocations
C. A guideline for operating schedules within an amateur band published by the FCC
D. A plan devised by a local group
~~
2. T3B02
Which of the following statements is true of band plans?
A. They are mandated by the FCC to regulate spectrum use
B. They are mandated by the ITU
C. They are voluntary guidelines for efficient use of the radio spectrum
D. They are mandatory only in the US
~~
3. T3B03
Who developed the band plans used by amateur radio operators?
A. The US Congress
B. The FCC
C. The amateur community
D. The Interstate Commerce Commission
~~
4. T3B04
Who is in charge of the repeater frequency band plan in your local area?
A. The local FCC field office
B. RACES and FEMA
C. The recognized frequency coordination body
D. Repeater Council of America
~~
5. T3B05
What is the main purpose of repeater coordination?
A. To reduce interference and promote proper use of spectrum
B. To coordinate as many repeaters as possible in a small area
C. To coordinate all possible frequencies available for repeater use
D. To promote and encourage use of simplex frequencies
~~
6. T3B06
Who is accountable if a repeater station inadvertently retransmits communications that violate FCC rules?
A. The repeater trustee
B. The repeater control operator
C. The transmitting station
D. All of these answers are correct
~~
7. T3B07
Which of these statements is true about legal power levels on the amateur bands?
A. Always use the maximum power allowed to ensure that you
complete the contact
B. An amateur may use no more than 200 Watts PEP to make an
amateur contact
C. An amateur may use up to 1500 Watts PEP on any amateur
frequency
D. An amateur must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communication
~~
8. T3B08
Which of the bands available to Technician class licensees have mode restricted sub-bands?
A. The 6-meter, 2-meter, and 70-centimeter bands
B. The 2-meter and 13-centimeter bands
C. The 6-meter, 2-meter, and 1 1/4-meter bands
D. The 2-meter and 70-centimeter bands
~~
9. T3B09
What emission modes are permitted in the restricted sub-band at 50.0-50.1 MHz?
A. CW only
B. CW and RTTY
C. SSB only
D. CW and SSB
~~
10. T3B10
What emission modes are permitted in the restricted sub-band at 144.0-144.1 MHz?
A. CW only
B. CW and RTTY
C. SSB only
D. CW and SSB
~~
Answers to today’s questions:
A C C C A C D C A A
Basic knowledge about electricity is the most fundamental necessity to understanding radio communications. Frequently the flow of electricity is compared to the flow of water in a pipe and this gives confusion to some who are learning the principles of electricity. A conductor of electricity is not a tube through which the power flows.
As I am sure every reader knows an atom is made up of electrons orbiting around a nuclease made of protons and possibly neutrons. For this discussion the electrons and protons are all that need to be considered.
Electrons are said to have a negative charge and protons a positive charge. Like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other. An atom of copper which has 29 electrons and 29 protons (the normal state of copper atoms) is electrically neutral. If an atom loses an electron then it would have 28 electrons and 29 protons which would make it positively charged. For reasons I will not take time to explain here this happens. That free electron will seek to be joined into another atom which may in the process knock another electron out of orbit in another atom meanwhile an other free electron will fill the gap left vacant in the atom from which the electron first left.
In a piece of copper wire this process is going on in a random order. Now if you were to place an excess of electrons on one end of the wire and lack of electrons on the other end then what was random will now start to migrate from the negative side (excess electrons) to the positive side (lack of electrons) thus a current flow is established. The greater the number of excessive electrons on one end and lack of electrons on the other for a given area the greater the pressure will be between the two sides which will result in a larger current flow in that piece of wire.
This pressure is called Volts or Electro Motive Force (EMF). A battery is a device that through chemical action will cause electrons to be removed from the positive terminal and moved to the negative terminal. When a circuit is completed by placing the copper wire between those two terminals electors will then flow from the negative terminal through the conductor to the positive terminal. The process of this flow is electrons on the negative terminal pushes electrons from the atoms and replaces them while the positive terminal pulls electrons from the atoms near it and other electrons replaces them. The current is a leap frog type of movement not a water flow type of movement.
The conductor will offer some opposition to that flow so all of the electrons do not move at once across the circuit. This opposition is called resistance. The higher the resistance the fewer electrons will move across between the terminals in a given time.
There is a formula which will state how many of these electrons will move at any given time. It is called Ohm’s law and it states that it takes one volt of pressure to push one ampere of current (6.24150948×1018 Electrons passing a specific point in one second) through one Ohm of resistance. The formula is E/R=I where E is voltage, R is resistance and I stands for current.
There are other conductors besides copper. Metals for the most part are conductors while there are other items such as glass in which current does not readily flow. These are called insulators. Some might say there is no current flow in an insulator but just as there is no perfect conductor there is no perfect insulator.
If the plus (positive) and minus (negative) terminals are switched back and forth at a given rate (the polarity changes at a given rate) it is called Alternating Current (AC). But if the polarity remains constant as in a battery it is called Direct Current (DC).
The rate at which AC switches back and forth is called frequency. When I started in ham radio AC was calculated in cycles per second then cycles per second were given a unit name Hertz. So if the frequency is one cycle, starts at positive switches to negative and back to positive, in one second it is one Hertz (1 Hz). If it changes 60 times a second it is 60 Hz which is standard house hold AC in the United States.
That is enough for today. If you have any questions be sure to use the comment section and ask.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
LESSON 11
Courtesy and respect for others, sensitive subject areas,
obscene and indecent language
When the FCC established the Citizen Band services they had were trying to satisfy a very legitimate need for the general community. The regulations were clear that not more then 5 watts of power was to be used and communications were to be short range business communications, by business communications that could be of commercial or personal. Obscene and indecent language was forbidden unfortunately there were those who violated every regulation listed by the FCC and destroyed the Citizen Band Frequencies for their intended use. Ham radio operators have historically made an effort to prevent the same thing from happening to the ham frequencies.
Courtesy and respect for others makes the ham frequencies enjoyable for all to use.
On the ham bands when you hear two people talking and you would like to join into the conversation it is acceptable. The proper way to do this is when one ceases to transmit and before the other starts transmitting say your call sign and wait to be recognized.
Maybe someone is using a repeater and you would like to call another station. In this case you can wait until the repeater is clear or if it looks like that will take more time then you can wait you can use the same procedure as above. Say your call sign between their transmissions and request permission to call the other station. If you do this make your transmission very short or request the station you called to switch to another frequence.
When using a repeater always monitor before transmitting and when you transmit keep the transmissions short. Use proper legal identification and use the minimum amount of transmitting power necessary to maintain communications.
Sometimes when you are operating you might hear a rare DX (long distance) station. It can be so exciting that you set your transmitter on the frequency of the transmitting station and try to work that station. Be careful foreign countries may have legal operating privileges on frequencies not allowed to hams in the United States. Always, whether it is a foreign station or local one, check to see if you are operating on a permissible frequency for your class of license.
When two hams want to use the same frequency at the same time it needs to be remembered that no frequency will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station and neither has priority. The normal accepted practice is first come first serve. If you are using a frequency and someone informs you that they normally conduct a net on that frequency at that time you are not legally required to move but it would be a courteous thing to do. It is also possible that someone has a schedule set up on that frequency a courteous thing would be allow that person to make the call after which they will hopefully have the courteously to move off frequency after contact is established.
People make mistakes and equipment can mal function. It is not the responsibility of other hams to take someone to task if they make a mistake or have a problem especially if they are new as a ham radio operator. You can tell them in a nice way and most likely they will respond far more favorably then to harsh criticism. If a newly licensed operator is having problems with their station contact them and offer to help with the problem.
There is no official list of prohibited obscene and indecent words but there really shouldn’t have to be. We all know what not to say. The FCC gives more leeway on this subject then I personally believe it should.
So in general it could be said the reason indecent and obscene language is prohibited in the Amateur Service is because it is offensive to some individuals and because young children may intercept amateur communications with readily available receiving equipment. Those two should be sufficient reason without further expansion but if that is not considered sufficient then because such language is specifically prohibited by FCC Rules ends the discussion.
Try to remember there are other people possibly listing to you. Those listening could include children or people who are greatly offended by certain words or references. Jokes are legal on the ham band but use some discursion to be sure they are not “off colored” or ethnic jokes.
Racial or ethnic slurs have no place on the amateur frequencies because they are offensive to some people and reflects a poor public image on all amateur radio operators.
Political discussions, Jokes and stories, or Religious preferences are not prohibited subjects on the ham radio frequencies but they are sensitive subjects and should be handled carefully. Politics and Religion are two subjects if discussed on a repeater may cause a control station to shut the repeater down.
1. T3C01
What is the proper way to break into a conversation between two stations that are using the frequency?
A. Say your call sign between their transmissions
B. Wait for them to finish and then call CQ
C. Say "Break-break" between their transmissions
D. Call one of the operators on the telephone to interrupt the conversation
~~
2. T3C02
What is considered to be proper repeater operating practice?
A. Monitor before transmitting and keep transmissions short
B. Identify legally
C. Use the minimum amount of transmitter power necessary
D. All of these answers are correct
~~
3. T3C03
What should you do before responding to another stations call?
A. Make sure you are operating on a permissible frequency for your license class
B. Adjust your transmitter for maximum power output
C. Ask the station to send their signal report and location
D. Verify the other station’s license class
~~
4. T3C04 [97.101(b)]
What rule applies if two amateur stations want to use the same frequency?
A. The station operator with a lesser class of license must yield the frequency to a higher-class licensee
B. The station operator with a lower power output must yield the frequency to the station with a higher power output
C. No frequency will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station and neither has priority
D. Station operators in ITU Regions 1 and 3 must yield the
frequency to stations in ITU Region 2
~~
5. T3C05 [97.113(a)(4)]
Why is indecent and obscene language prohibited in the Amateur Service?
A. Because it is offensive to some individuals
B. Because young children may intercept amateur communications with readily available receiving equipment
C. Because such language is specifically prohibited by FCC Rules
D. All of these choices are correct
~~
6. T3C06
Why should amateur radio operators avoid the use of racial or ethnic slurs when talking to other stations?
A. Such language is prohibited by the FCC
B. It is offensive to some people and reflects a poor public image on all amateur radio operators
C. Some of the terms used may be unfamiliar to other operators
D. You transmissions might be recorded for use in court
~~
7. T3C07
What should you do if you hear a newly licensed operator that is having trouble with their station?
A. Tell them to get off the air until they learn how operate properly
B. Report them to the FCC
C. Contact them and offer to help with the problem
D. Move to another frequency
~~
8. T3C08 [97.113(a)(4)]
Where can an official list be found of prohibited obscene and indecent words that should not be used in amateur radio?
A. On the FCC web site
B. There is no official list of prohibited obscene and indecent words
C. On the Department of Commerce web site
D. The official list is in public domain and found in all amateur study guides
~~
9. T3C09 [97.113(a)(4)]
What type of subjects are not prohibited communications while using amateur radio?
A. Political discussions
B. Jokes and stories
C. Religious preferences
D. All of these answers are correct
~~
10. T3C10 [97.101 (a)]
When circumstances are not specifically covered by FCC rules, what general operating standard must be applied to amateur station operation?
A. Designated operator control
B. Politically correct control
C. Good engineering and amateur practices
D. Reasonable operator control
A D A C D B C B D C
Electronics Continued.
If you have not looked at the electronics lesson on Lesson 10 and you are new at electronics it would be best if you would scroll down and look at it before continuing on with this lesson.
When electrons are moving through a conductor they will product a magnetic field circling around the conductor. When the electron movement stops that magnetic field will collapse back into the conductor and if the current is reversed that field will again be produced circling the conductor in the opposite direction. By reversing these fields back and forth an electromagnetic field will be radiated from that conductor. They will reproduce themselves in another conductor caught within that field.
A radio wave is an electromagnetic field or wave (though lower frequencies will radiate as electromagnetic fields radio waves are normally consider electromagnetic waves 20 KHz and above). A transmitting antenna allows these waves to be sent out while a receiving antenna reproduces these waves so they can be sent to a receiver usually via a feed line though an antenna can be connected directly to the receiver’s input. The receiver then turns these into a usable form (Audio, Video, mechanical controls, etc).
A radio wave travel at approximately 300,000,000 meters per second or at the speed of light. The amplitude or strength of the electromagnetic field will continue to increase in strength as the current in the antenna increases in strength and decrease in strength as the current in the antenna decreases until it reaching zero then it will follow the same process in the opposite polarity during the second half of the cycle. When the current again reaches zero one complete cycle has been produced and one complete wave will have been transmitted. The next cycle will start and a new wave will begin to be produced.
We know the speed at which a wave travels so we can calculate how long that wave is (300/Frequency in MHz equals wave length). 300 divided by 50 equals 6 thus we refer to the 50 to 54 MHz band as the 6 meter band.
In order to transmit this signal effectively the transmitter antenna must be resonant. That is to say it must allow the oscillation to take place easily and efficiently. An antenna vibrates electrically much like a tuning fork vibrates mechanically. The frequency of a tuning fork is determined by its physical dimensions with the length of the tines being the most determining factor. An antenna’s frequency is also determined by its physical dimensions with length being its most determining factor.
The electrons will start out moving down the antenna in one direction. When the first half of the cycle is complete the polarity will switch and the electrons will start moving in the opposite direction. If the wire is at a length such that the electrons movement will just reach the end when the cycle reverses they can bounce back and forth freely. The length of such an antenna would have to be ½ wave length or multiples of that frequency. The receiver antenna must also vibrate easily at the desired frequency to work most effectively. (This is a simplified description of a more complex process but the basics are correct and hopefully easy to follow.)
To calculate the length of antenna in feet divide 468 by the frequency in MHz. Most of the time the frequencies used at Technician class frequencies are expressed in inches not feet. So to calculate the length of antenna in inches divide 5609 by the frequency in MHz. (The speed of electron movement inside a wire is .95 the speed of light in free space so the formula is 492 x .95 ÷ Frequency in MHz equals half wave length [468/F=L].)
Tomorrow modulation will be described.
obscene and indecent language
When the FCC established the Citizen Band services they had were trying to satisfy a very legitimate need for the general community. The regulations were clear that not more then 5 watts of power was to be used and communications were to be short range business communications, by business communications that could be of commercial or personal. Obscene and indecent language was forbidden unfortunately there were those who violated every regulation listed by the FCC and destroyed the Citizen Band Frequencies for their intended use. Ham radio operators have historically made an effort to prevent the same thing from happening to the ham frequencies.
Courtesy and respect for others makes the ham frequencies enjoyable for all to use.
On the ham bands when you hear two people talking and you would like to join into the conversation it is acceptable. The proper way to do this is when one ceases to transmit and before the other starts transmitting say your call sign and wait to be recognized.
Maybe someone is using a repeater and you would like to call another station. In this case you can wait until the repeater is clear or if it looks like that will take more time then you can wait you can use the same procedure as above. Say your call sign between their transmissions and request permission to call the other station. If you do this make your transmission very short or request the station you called to switch to another frequence.
When using a repeater always monitor before transmitting and when you transmit keep the transmissions short. Use proper legal identification and use the minimum amount of transmitting power necessary to maintain communications.
Sometimes when you are operating you might hear a rare DX (long distance) station. It can be so exciting that you set your transmitter on the frequency of the transmitting station and try to work that station. Be careful foreign countries may have legal operating privileges on frequencies not allowed to hams in the United States. Always, whether it is a foreign station or local one, check to see if you are operating on a permissible frequency for your class of license.
When two hams want to use the same frequency at the same time it needs to be remembered that no frequency will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station and neither has priority. The normal accepted practice is first come first serve. If you are using a frequency and someone informs you that they normally conduct a net on that frequency at that time you are not legally required to move but it would be a courteous thing to do. It is also possible that someone has a schedule set up on that frequency a courteous thing would be allow that person to make the call after which they will hopefully have the courteously to move off frequency after contact is established.
People make mistakes and equipment can mal function. It is not the responsibility of other hams to take someone to task if they make a mistake or have a problem especially if they are new as a ham radio operator. You can tell them in a nice way and most likely they will respond far more favorably then to harsh criticism. If a newly licensed operator is having problems with their station contact them and offer to help with the problem.
There is no official list of prohibited obscene and indecent words but there really shouldn’t have to be. We all know what not to say. The FCC gives more leeway on this subject then I personally believe it should.
So in general it could be said the reason indecent and obscene language is prohibited in the Amateur Service is because it is offensive to some individuals and because young children may intercept amateur communications with readily available receiving equipment. Those two should be sufficient reason without further expansion but if that is not considered sufficient then because such language is specifically prohibited by FCC Rules ends the discussion.
Try to remember there are other people possibly listing to you. Those listening could include children or people who are greatly offended by certain words or references. Jokes are legal on the ham band but use some discursion to be sure they are not “off colored” or ethnic jokes.
Racial or ethnic slurs have no place on the amateur frequencies because they are offensive to some people and reflects a poor public image on all amateur radio operators.
Political discussions, Jokes and stories, or Religious preferences are not prohibited subjects on the ham radio frequencies but they are sensitive subjects and should be handled carefully. Politics and Religion are two subjects if discussed on a repeater may cause a control station to shut the repeater down.
1. T3C01
What is the proper way to break into a conversation between two stations that are using the frequency?
A. Say your call sign between their transmissions
B. Wait for them to finish and then call CQ
C. Say "Break-break" between their transmissions
D. Call one of the operators on the telephone to interrupt the conversation
~~
2. T3C02
What is considered to be proper repeater operating practice?
A. Monitor before transmitting and keep transmissions short
B. Identify legally
C. Use the minimum amount of transmitter power necessary
D. All of these answers are correct
~~
3. T3C03
What should you do before responding to another stations call?
A. Make sure you are operating on a permissible frequency for your license class
B. Adjust your transmitter for maximum power output
C. Ask the station to send their signal report and location
D. Verify the other station’s license class
~~
4. T3C04 [97.101(b)]
What rule applies if two amateur stations want to use the same frequency?
A. The station operator with a lesser class of license must yield the frequency to a higher-class licensee
B. The station operator with a lower power output must yield the frequency to the station with a higher power output
C. No frequency will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station and neither has priority
D. Station operators in ITU Regions 1 and 3 must yield the
frequency to stations in ITU Region 2
~~
5. T3C05 [97.113(a)(4)]
Why is indecent and obscene language prohibited in the Amateur Service?
A. Because it is offensive to some individuals
B. Because young children may intercept amateur communications with readily available receiving equipment
C. Because such language is specifically prohibited by FCC Rules
D. All of these choices are correct
~~
6. T3C06
Why should amateur radio operators avoid the use of racial or ethnic slurs when talking to other stations?
A. Such language is prohibited by the FCC
B. It is offensive to some people and reflects a poor public image on all amateur radio operators
C. Some of the terms used may be unfamiliar to other operators
D. You transmissions might be recorded for use in court
~~
7. T3C07
What should you do if you hear a newly licensed operator that is having trouble with their station?
A. Tell them to get off the air until they learn how operate properly
B. Report them to the FCC
C. Contact them and offer to help with the problem
D. Move to another frequency
~~
8. T3C08 [97.113(a)(4)]
Where can an official list be found of prohibited obscene and indecent words that should not be used in amateur radio?
A. On the FCC web site
B. There is no official list of prohibited obscene and indecent words
C. On the Department of Commerce web site
D. The official list is in public domain and found in all amateur study guides
~~
9. T3C09 [97.113(a)(4)]
What type of subjects are not prohibited communications while using amateur radio?
A. Political discussions
B. Jokes and stories
C. Religious preferences
D. All of these answers are correct
~~
10. T3C10 [97.101 (a)]
When circumstances are not specifically covered by FCC rules, what general operating standard must be applied to amateur station operation?
A. Designated operator control
B. Politically correct control
C. Good engineering and amateur practices
D. Reasonable operator control
A D A C D B C B D C
Electronics Continued.
If you have not looked at the electronics lesson on Lesson 10 and you are new at electronics it would be best if you would scroll down and look at it before continuing on with this lesson.
When electrons are moving through a conductor they will product a magnetic field circling around the conductor. When the electron movement stops that magnetic field will collapse back into the conductor and if the current is reversed that field will again be produced circling the conductor in the opposite direction. By reversing these fields back and forth an electromagnetic field will be radiated from that conductor. They will reproduce themselves in another conductor caught within that field.
A radio wave is an electromagnetic field or wave (though lower frequencies will radiate as electromagnetic fields radio waves are normally consider electromagnetic waves 20 KHz and above). A transmitting antenna allows these waves to be sent out while a receiving antenna reproduces these waves so they can be sent to a receiver usually via a feed line though an antenna can be connected directly to the receiver’s input. The receiver then turns these into a usable form (Audio, Video, mechanical controls, etc).
A radio wave travel at approximately 300,000,000 meters per second or at the speed of light. The amplitude or strength of the electromagnetic field will continue to increase in strength as the current in the antenna increases in strength and decrease in strength as the current in the antenna decreases until it reaching zero then it will follow the same process in the opposite polarity during the second half of the cycle. When the current again reaches zero one complete cycle has been produced and one complete wave will have been transmitted. The next cycle will start and a new wave will begin to be produced.
We know the speed at which a wave travels so we can calculate how long that wave is (300/Frequency in MHz equals wave length). 300 divided by 50 equals 6 thus we refer to the 50 to 54 MHz band as the 6 meter band.
In order to transmit this signal effectively the transmitter antenna must be resonant. That is to say it must allow the oscillation to take place easily and efficiently. An antenna vibrates electrically much like a tuning fork vibrates mechanically. The frequency of a tuning fork is determined by its physical dimensions with the length of the tines being the most determining factor. An antenna’s frequency is also determined by its physical dimensions with length being its most determining factor.
The electrons will start out moving down the antenna in one direction. When the first half of the cycle is complete the polarity will switch and the electrons will start moving in the opposite direction. If the wire is at a length such that the electrons movement will just reach the end when the cycle reverses they can bounce back and forth freely. The length of such an antenna would have to be ½ wave length or multiples of that frequency. The receiver antenna must also vibrate easily at the desired frequency to work most effectively. (This is a simplified description of a more complex process but the basics are correct and hopefully easy to follow.)
To calculate the length of antenna in feet divide 468 by the frequency in MHz. Most of the time the frequencies used at Technician class frequencies are expressed in inches not feet. So to calculate the length of antenna in inches divide 5609 by the frequency in MHz. (The speed of electron movement inside a wire is .95 the speed of light in free space so the formula is 492 x .95 ÷ Frequency in MHz equals half wave length [468/F=L].)
Tomorrow modulation will be described.
LESSON 12
Interference to and from consumer devices, public relations,
intentional and unintentional interference
After receiving my amateur radio license I learned that there were two types of electronic construction qualities. There were the commercial quality and the consumer quality. Commercial construction is built with the most efficient overall operation in consideration while consumer quality construction focuses on cost and appearance.
Television sets and broadcast radios are built with consumer quality construction while two way radios use to be built with commercial quality. One of the big differences in the two qualities comes in the area of shielding against interference. Television sets and AM/FM radios are notorious for lack of protection against interference and thus any strong RF signal around them will interfere with their operation.
This problem has plagued ham radio operators sense the days when these consumer products were first constructed and sold to the general public. It has caused serious battles between hams and their neighbors which sometimes leads to hostilities.
One of the problems a strong RF signal can cause in a television set is something known as front end overload. This simply means that the early stages of the television input are not properly constructed to protect them against very strong RF signals and thus they become inoperative when a transmitter is operating nearby. The owner of the television receiver is responsible for eliminating the problem.
Front end overload can create a problem in almost any radio receiver. A television set is nothing more or less then a radio receiver. The definition of front end overload is: Interference caused by strong signals from a nearby source.
If a ham receives a complaint that their transmitter is causing problems with a telephone, CD player, or some other non RF operated device it is not the fault of the transmitter. The reason for such interference is the device was not equipped with adequate interference protection when manufactured. It is not the ham’s responsibility to eliminate such interference.
Cable television has done a lot to reduce interference problems caused by amateur radio transmitters. This is because the cable television transmission line is a coaxial cable (one conductor inside another separated by an insulator.) The outer conductor shields the inter conductor and when properly balanced the system is very efficient. Sometimes there are things that cause an imbalance in the system such as a break in the transmission line which can result in an amateur radio transmission interfering with the television set and sometimes the break can cause the transmission from the cable company to interfere with the amateur radio receiver.
If a ham receives a report that transmissions are causing splatter interference on nearby frequencies it should not be assumed the transmitter is ok. The transmitter should be checked for off frequency operation or spurious emissions (undesired signals being transmitted with the desired signal). Sometimes assistance from other more experienced hams in the area will be required.
One piece of equipment every ham shack should include is a dummy load. A dummy load is a resistor which turns most of the RF signal into heat and thus prevents interference when testing the transmitter and at the same time protects the transmitter from damage. Never transmit without a proper load on the transmitter output.
It should never be assumed that just because a dummy load is being used there is no RF radiation. I have personally communicated with stations over several miles while either I or they were using a dummy load. Some radiation will be present.
The ham frequencies are crowded and sometimes interference can be caused unintentionally. When an amateur radio operator is informed that transmissions from that station are causing interference to a QSO (communications) already in process the proper course of action is to properly identify and change frequencies. A ham operator is never allowed to deliberately interfere with any other transmission.
There are two organizations, RACES and ARES that have both been established by amateur radio operators to provide radio communications during emergency. They are both excellent organizations and well worth every amateur radio operator’s consideration to join. The provision of radio communications during emergencies is the one thing these two organizations have in common.
When operating with RACES, ARES, or any other organization it is always to be remembered that it is the FCC who establishes the rules and regulations of operation.
Sometimes during an emergency situation certain frequencies will be declared by the FCC for emergency operations only. Otherwise no frequency is considered to be for exclusive operation only. But there is one thing that should be remembered which almost seem a contradiction to that statement. If there is a distress operation in process or a distress call is given distress communications will always have priority.
1. T3D01
What should you do if you receive a report that your transmissions are causing splatter or interference on nearby frequencies?
A. Increase transmit power
B. Change mode of transmission
C. Report the interference to the equipment manufacturer
D. Check transmitter for off frequency operation or spurious emissions
~~
2. T3D02
Who is responsible for taking care of the interference if signals from your transmitter are causing front end overload in your neighbor's television receiver?
A. You alone are responsible, since your transmitter is causing the problem
B. Both you and the owner of the television receiver share the responsibility
C. The FCC must decide if you or the owner of the television receiver is responsible
D. The owner of the television receiver is responsible
~~
3. T3D03
What is the major cause of telephone interference?
A. The telephone wiring is inadequate
B. Tropospheric ducting at UHF frequencies
C. The telephone was not equipped with adequate interference protection when manufactured.
D. Improper location of the telephone in the home
~~
4. T3D04
What is the proper course of action if you unintentionally
interfere with another station?
A. Rotate your antenna slightly
B. Properly identify your station and move to a different
Frequency
C. Increase power
D. Change antenna polarization
~~
5. T3D05
When may you deliberately interfere with another station's
communications?
A. Only if the station is operating illegally
B. Only if the station begins transmitting on a frequency you are using
C. Never
D. You may cause deliberate interference because it can't be helped during crowded band conditions
~~
6. T3D06
Who has exclusive use of a specific frequency when the FCC has not declared a communication emergency?
A. Any net station that has traffic
B. The station first occupying the frequency
C. Individuals passing health and welfare communications
D. No station has exclusive use of any frequency
~~
7. T3D07
What effect might a break in a cable television transmission line have on amateur communications?
A. A break cannot affect amateur communications
B. Harmonic radiation from the TV may cause the amateur
transmitter to transmit off-frequency
C. TV interference may result when the amateur station is
transmitting, or interference may occur to the amateur receiver
D. The broken cable may pick up very high voltages when the
amateur station is transmitting
~~
8. T3D08
What is the best way to reduce on the air interference when
testing your transmitter?
A. Use a short indoor antenna when testing
B. Use upper side band when testing
C. Use a dummy load when testing
D. Use a simplex frequency instead of a repeater frequency
~~
9. T3D09
What rules apply to your station when using amateur radio at the request of public service officials or at the scene of an emergency?
A. RACES
B. ARES
C. FCC
D. FEMA
~~
10. T3D10
What do RACES and ARES have in common?
A. They represent the two largest ham clubs in the United States
B. One handles road traffic, the other weather traffic
C. Neither may handle emergency traffic
D. Both organizations provide communications during emergencies
~~
11. T3D11
What is meant by receiver front-end overload?
A. Too much voltage from the power supply
B. Too much current from the power supply
C. Interference caused by strong signals from a nearby source
D. Interference caused by turning the volume up too high
~~
D D C B C D C C C D C
Modulation
Modulation is the process by which intelligence is placed on a radio signal. (Intelligence is the information which is to be transmitted, Voice, Teletype, Morse Code, Video, Control Tones, etc)
The fundamental frequency of an alternating current is the basic frequency and any multiples of that frequency are harmonics. If a transmitter is transmitting on 3.6 MHz the second harmonic would be 7.2 MHz, the third harmonic would be 10.8 and so on. Harmonics, while undesired when on the fundamental transmitting frequency, are present. They should be kept at very low levels.
Sidebands are frequencies are separate signals which are sent along with the fundamental frequency and are the result of the mixing of the fundamental frequency and another frequency or frequencies.
There are basically two types of modulation, Frequency Modulation (FM) and Amplitude Modulation (AM). FM is accomplished by varying the Frequency of the carrier (fundamental frequency).
FM moves the frequency in accordance with the volume of the signal being used to modulate the carrier frequency. So the loader the volume is the further the frequency of the carrier will shift. The frequency shift will move from the central frequency (carrier frequency) in one direction until the peek of the modulating signal is reached then it will move back to the central frequency as the modulating frequency moves back towards zero. Then the central frequency will shift in the other direction as the modulating frequency moves up in level.
If a 146 MHz signal is modulated by a 1 KHz tone at the maximum legal level (5 KHz) the following would be observed. 146,000,000 Hz will start to move up as the 1 KHz signal starts to move in the positive direction. Half way up the positive slope the 146,000,000 frequency will have changed to 146,002,500 Hz. At the peak of the 1 KHz tone the central frequency will have changed to 146,005,000 Hz and will again move back down passing the 2.5 KHz positive shift at half way down the positive slope to 146 MHz. Then as the modulating tone moves in the negative direction the 146 MHz signal will move down in frequency until it reaches 145,995000 Hz and then star back down. If the modulating signal’s volume is cut in half then the frequency shift of the 146 MHz signal will be 146,002,500 and 145,992,500 Hz. This means the carrier will move up in frequency to a maximum peak and back to 146 MHz then down to a maximum dip and back to 146 MHz 1,000 times every second. The receiver will turn this into a 1 KHz tone.
FM has many sidebands but the considerations of these sidebands are complex and not necessary for this discussion.
I am going to explain the process a little differently then most because, though it might be a little more difficult to understand at first, in the long run I believe it will make it easier to understand the whole picture.
With AM the carrier always remains the same. The modulating signal is mixed with the carrier to produce a carrier and two sidebands. If two different frequencies are mixed together in a nonlinear device they will produce two new frequencies that equal the sum of the two frequencies and the difference to the lower frequency from the upper frequency.
Back to the 146 MHz carrier being modulated with the 1,000 Hz tone. When these two frequencies are mixed together they will produce a new frequency of 146,001,000 Hz called upper sideband and another of 145,999,000 Hz called lower sideband. All three RF frequencies are transmitted at the same time. If the modulating frequency changes the sideband frequencies will change correspondent.
With standard AM when modulated at 100% the output power will go up to 150% of the output power of the carrier alone. Thus a 100 watt transmitter modulated at 100% will have a total output power of 150 watts. 25 watts will be in the upper sideband, 25 watts will be in the lower sideband, and 100 watts will be in the carrier. When the modulating signal becomes greater then 50 watts the transmitter will be over modulated and this will cause distortion of the audio signal. It will also cause the band width of the transmitted signal to be wider then it should be and cause splatter.
When the AM signal reaches the receiver it is turned back into audio in the detector. The detector is non linear and thus mixes the sideband and the carrier to produce an audio frequency. The more signal there is in the sidebands the greater the volume will result.
The description above is far above what is needed for the technician class license but I believe it will give you a good foundation to understanding what modulation is. This information will be very helpful is you upgrade to general class.
intentional and unintentional interference
After receiving my amateur radio license I learned that there were two types of electronic construction qualities. There were the commercial quality and the consumer quality. Commercial construction is built with the most efficient overall operation in consideration while consumer quality construction focuses on cost and appearance.
Television sets and broadcast radios are built with consumer quality construction while two way radios use to be built with commercial quality. One of the big differences in the two qualities comes in the area of shielding against interference. Television sets and AM/FM radios are notorious for lack of protection against interference and thus any strong RF signal around them will interfere with their operation.
This problem has plagued ham radio operators sense the days when these consumer products were first constructed and sold to the general public. It has caused serious battles between hams and their neighbors which sometimes leads to hostilities.
One of the problems a strong RF signal can cause in a television set is something known as front end overload. This simply means that the early stages of the television input are not properly constructed to protect them against very strong RF signals and thus they become inoperative when a transmitter is operating nearby. The owner of the television receiver is responsible for eliminating the problem.
Front end overload can create a problem in almost any radio receiver. A television set is nothing more or less then a radio receiver. The definition of front end overload is: Interference caused by strong signals from a nearby source.
If a ham receives a complaint that their transmitter is causing problems with a telephone, CD player, or some other non RF operated device it is not the fault of the transmitter. The reason for such interference is the device was not equipped with adequate interference protection when manufactured. It is not the ham’s responsibility to eliminate such interference.
Cable television has done a lot to reduce interference problems caused by amateur radio transmitters. This is because the cable television transmission line is a coaxial cable (one conductor inside another separated by an insulator.) The outer conductor shields the inter conductor and when properly balanced the system is very efficient. Sometimes there are things that cause an imbalance in the system such as a break in the transmission line which can result in an amateur radio transmission interfering with the television set and sometimes the break can cause the transmission from the cable company to interfere with the amateur radio receiver.
If a ham receives a report that transmissions are causing splatter interference on nearby frequencies it should not be assumed the transmitter is ok. The transmitter should be checked for off frequency operation or spurious emissions (undesired signals being transmitted with the desired signal). Sometimes assistance from other more experienced hams in the area will be required.
One piece of equipment every ham shack should include is a dummy load. A dummy load is a resistor which turns most of the RF signal into heat and thus prevents interference when testing the transmitter and at the same time protects the transmitter from damage. Never transmit without a proper load on the transmitter output.
It should never be assumed that just because a dummy load is being used there is no RF radiation. I have personally communicated with stations over several miles while either I or they were using a dummy load. Some radiation will be present.
The ham frequencies are crowded and sometimes interference can be caused unintentionally. When an amateur radio operator is informed that transmissions from that station are causing interference to a QSO (communications) already in process the proper course of action is to properly identify and change frequencies. A ham operator is never allowed to deliberately interfere with any other transmission.
There are two organizations, RACES and ARES that have both been established by amateur radio operators to provide radio communications during emergency. They are both excellent organizations and well worth every amateur radio operator’s consideration to join. The provision of radio communications during emergencies is the one thing these two organizations have in common.
When operating with RACES, ARES, or any other organization it is always to be remembered that it is the FCC who establishes the rules and regulations of operation.
Sometimes during an emergency situation certain frequencies will be declared by the FCC for emergency operations only. Otherwise no frequency is considered to be for exclusive operation only. But there is one thing that should be remembered which almost seem a contradiction to that statement. If there is a distress operation in process or a distress call is given distress communications will always have priority.
1. T3D01
What should you do if you receive a report that your transmissions are causing splatter or interference on nearby frequencies?
A. Increase transmit power
B. Change mode of transmission
C. Report the interference to the equipment manufacturer
D. Check transmitter for off frequency operation or spurious emissions
~~
2. T3D02
Who is responsible for taking care of the interference if signals from your transmitter are causing front end overload in your neighbor's television receiver?
A. You alone are responsible, since your transmitter is causing the problem
B. Both you and the owner of the television receiver share the responsibility
C. The FCC must decide if you or the owner of the television receiver is responsible
D. The owner of the television receiver is responsible
~~
3. T3D03
What is the major cause of telephone interference?
A. The telephone wiring is inadequate
B. Tropospheric ducting at UHF frequencies
C. The telephone was not equipped with adequate interference protection when manufactured.
D. Improper location of the telephone in the home
~~
4. T3D04
What is the proper course of action if you unintentionally
interfere with another station?
A. Rotate your antenna slightly
B. Properly identify your station and move to a different
Frequency
C. Increase power
D. Change antenna polarization
~~
5. T3D05
When may you deliberately interfere with another station's
communications?
A. Only if the station is operating illegally
B. Only if the station begins transmitting on a frequency you are using
C. Never
D. You may cause deliberate interference because it can't be helped during crowded band conditions
~~
6. T3D06
Who has exclusive use of a specific frequency when the FCC has not declared a communication emergency?
A. Any net station that has traffic
B. The station first occupying the frequency
C. Individuals passing health and welfare communications
D. No station has exclusive use of any frequency
~~
7. T3D07
What effect might a break in a cable television transmission line have on amateur communications?
A. A break cannot affect amateur communications
B. Harmonic radiation from the TV may cause the amateur
transmitter to transmit off-frequency
C. TV interference may result when the amateur station is
transmitting, or interference may occur to the amateur receiver
D. The broken cable may pick up very high voltages when the
amateur station is transmitting
~~
8. T3D08
What is the best way to reduce on the air interference when
testing your transmitter?
A. Use a short indoor antenna when testing
B. Use upper side band when testing
C. Use a dummy load when testing
D. Use a simplex frequency instead of a repeater frequency
~~
9. T3D09
What rules apply to your station when using amateur radio at the request of public service officials or at the scene of an emergency?
A. RACES
B. ARES
C. FCC
D. FEMA
~~
10. T3D10
What do RACES and ARES have in common?
A. They represent the two largest ham clubs in the United States
B. One handles road traffic, the other weather traffic
C. Neither may handle emergency traffic
D. Both organizations provide communications during emergencies
~~
11. T3D11
What is meant by receiver front-end overload?
A. Too much voltage from the power supply
B. Too much current from the power supply
C. Interference caused by strong signals from a nearby source
D. Interference caused by turning the volume up too high
~~
D D C B C D C C C D C
Modulation
Modulation is the process by which intelligence is placed on a radio signal. (Intelligence is the information which is to be transmitted, Voice, Teletype, Morse Code, Video, Control Tones, etc)
The fundamental frequency of an alternating current is the basic frequency and any multiples of that frequency are harmonics. If a transmitter is transmitting on 3.6 MHz the second harmonic would be 7.2 MHz, the third harmonic would be 10.8 and so on. Harmonics, while undesired when on the fundamental transmitting frequency, are present. They should be kept at very low levels.
Sidebands are frequencies are separate signals which are sent along with the fundamental frequency and are the result of the mixing of the fundamental frequency and another frequency or frequencies.
There are basically two types of modulation, Frequency Modulation (FM) and Amplitude Modulation (AM). FM is accomplished by varying the Frequency of the carrier (fundamental frequency).
FM moves the frequency in accordance with the volume of the signal being used to modulate the carrier frequency. So the loader the volume is the further the frequency of the carrier will shift. The frequency shift will move from the central frequency (carrier frequency) in one direction until the peek of the modulating signal is reached then it will move back to the central frequency as the modulating frequency moves back towards zero. Then the central frequency will shift in the other direction as the modulating frequency moves up in level.
If a 146 MHz signal is modulated by a 1 KHz tone at the maximum legal level (5 KHz) the following would be observed. 146,000,000 Hz will start to move up as the 1 KHz signal starts to move in the positive direction. Half way up the positive slope the 146,000,000 frequency will have changed to 146,002,500 Hz. At the peak of the 1 KHz tone the central frequency will have changed to 146,005,000 Hz and will again move back down passing the 2.5 KHz positive shift at half way down the positive slope to 146 MHz. Then as the modulating tone moves in the negative direction the 146 MHz signal will move down in frequency until it reaches 145,995000 Hz and then star back down. If the modulating signal’s volume is cut in half then the frequency shift of the 146 MHz signal will be 146,002,500 and 145,992,500 Hz. This means the carrier will move up in frequency to a maximum peak and back to 146 MHz then down to a maximum dip and back to 146 MHz 1,000 times every second. The receiver will turn this into a 1 KHz tone.
FM has many sidebands but the considerations of these sidebands are complex and not necessary for this discussion.
I am going to explain the process a little differently then most because, though it might be a little more difficult to understand at first, in the long run I believe it will make it easier to understand the whole picture.
With AM the carrier always remains the same. The modulating signal is mixed with the carrier to produce a carrier and two sidebands. If two different frequencies are mixed together in a nonlinear device they will produce two new frequencies that equal the sum of the two frequencies and the difference to the lower frequency from the upper frequency.
Back to the 146 MHz carrier being modulated with the 1,000 Hz tone. When these two frequencies are mixed together they will produce a new frequency of 146,001,000 Hz called upper sideband and another of 145,999,000 Hz called lower sideband. All three RF frequencies are transmitted at the same time. If the modulating frequency changes the sideband frequencies will change correspondent.
With standard AM when modulated at 100% the output power will go up to 150% of the output power of the carrier alone. Thus a 100 watt transmitter modulated at 100% will have a total output power of 150 watts. 25 watts will be in the upper sideband, 25 watts will be in the lower sideband, and 100 watts will be in the carrier. When the modulating signal becomes greater then 50 watts the transmitter will be over modulated and this will cause distortion of the audio signal. It will also cause the band width of the transmitted signal to be wider then it should be and cause splatter.
When the AM signal reaches the receiver it is turned back into audio in the detector. The detector is non linear and thus mixes the sideband and the carrier to produce an audio frequency. The more signal there is in the sidebands the greater the volume will result.
The description above is far above what is needed for the technician class license but I believe it will give you a good foundation to understanding what modulation is. This information will be very helpful is you upgrade to general class.
LESSON 13
Names of electrical units, DC and AC, what is a radio
signal, conductors and insulators, electrical components - 1 exam
question
If you have been following the electronic discussions at the bottom of the last three blogs you should have no problem with this lesson.
Electricity is the flow of electrons inside a conductor. The current, which number of electrons that flow past a certain point in a given time, is measured in Amperes. The opposition to the flow of electrons in a conductor is resistance and is measured in Ohms. The force or pressure which pushes the electrons through the conductor is the Electromotive Force also known as voltage and is measured in volts.
When the volts and the amperes are multiplied together the product is the power which is being used by that circuit.
Current is measured with an Ammeter while voltage (EMF) is measured with a Voltmeter. Resistance is measured with an Ohmmeter while power is measured with a Wattmeter.
A standard car battery is said to be 12 volts. It is actually a little higher than that but if asked the voltage of a car battery 12 volts will suffice. A car battery, as with any battery, has a positive and a negative terminal which remains the same at all times. Thus the current always flows in the same direction known as direct current.
If the current was changing back and forth at a given rate it would be called Alternating Current (AC) and the rate of change is measured in Hertz (Hz).
Most conductors today are made from copper because, though copper is not as good of a conductor as silver, it is a very good conductor for the price. Aluminum is also a good conductor but not a good as copper. Mercury is a metal and thus is also a good conductor and is used in some switches.
Wood, glass, and rubber are extremely poor conductors and thus are called insulators.
1. T4A01
Electrical current is measured in which of the following units?
A. Volts
B. Watts
C. Ohms
D. Amperes
~~
2. T4A02
Electrical Power is measured in which of the following units?
A. Volts
B. Watts
C. Ohms
D. Amperes
~~
3. T4A03
What is the name for the flow of electrons in an electric circuit?
A. Voltage
B. Resistance
C. Capacitance
D. Current
~~
4. T4A04
What is the name of a current that flows only in one direction?
A. An alternating current
B. A direct current
C. A normal current
D. A smooth current
~~
5. T4A05
What is the standard unit of frequency?
A. The megacycle
B. The Hertz
C. One thousand cycles per second
D. The electromagnetic force
~~
6. T4A06
How much voltage does an automobile battery usually supply?
A. About 12 volts
B. About 30 volts
C. About 120 volts
D. About 240 volts
~~
7. T4A07
What is the basic unit of resistance?
A. The volt
B. The watt
C. The ampere
D. The ohm
~~
8. T4A08
What is the name of a current that reverses direction on a regular basis?
A. An alternating current
B. A direct current
C. A circular current
D. A vertical current
~~
9. T4A09
Which of the following is a good electrical conductor?
A. Glass
B. Wood
C. Copper
D. Rubber
~~
10. T4A10
Which of the following is a good electrical insulator?
A. Copper
B. Glass
C. Aluminum
D. Mercury
~~
11. T4A11
What is the term used to describe opposition to current flow in ordinary conductors such as wires?
A. Inductance
B. Resistance
C. Counter EMF
D. Magnetism
~~
12. T4A12
What instrument is used to measure the flow of current in an electrical circuit?
A. Frequency meter
B. SWR meter
C. Ammeter
D. Voltmeter
~~
13. T4A13
What instrument is used to measure Electromotive Force (EMF) between two points such as the poles of a battery?
A. Magnetometer
B. Voltmeter
C. Ammeter
D. Ohmmeter
~~
Answers: D B D B B A D A C B B C B
Up to now in our electronic study we have considered what electricity is and electrical current flows. We have seen how AC differs form DC. Then such things as what radio waves are, what frequency is, how fast radio waves travel, and how they are modulated have been revealed.
After the discussion it might be good to explain that when sending an AM signal it is not necessary to send the carrier and anymore then one sideband if a means of reinserting that carrier frequency is provided in the receiver. The carrier is provided by a BFO (beet frequency oscillator).
The carrier can be removed by a balanced modulator which by phasing removes the carrier but allows the sidebands to be established. Then the undesired sideband is removed by filtering most of the time though phasing the undesired sideband out is possible.
An oscillator is a stage in a radio, transmitter or receiver, which generates a radio frequency signal. In a simple transmitter the oscillator will usually be followed by one or more amplifiers which raise the level of a signal. If the output of the amplifier is a faithful reproduction of the input it is said to be linear. This means the whole signal is reproduced in the output so it looks like a larger version of the input signal. That output will also very proportionally to the input. If a 1 watt signal is placed into an amplifier with an amplification factor of 100 then the output will be 100 watts. If that 1 watt signal is reduced to ½ watts the output power will be 50 watts and if the power is raised to 1.5 watts the output power will be 150 watts. While the input and the output look the same the output may be inverted from the input, that is to say as the signal lever goes positive in the input it will go negative in the output. This inversion does not change the fact that it is a linear amplifier.
If the output of the amplifier is 25 watts when the input is ½ watts and then 100 watts when the input is 1 watt and 250 watts output when the input is 1.5 watts the amplifier is non linear.
AM and SSB signals must be amplified by linear amplifiers while FM and CW can be amplified by nonlinear amplifiers.
signal, conductors and insulators, electrical components - 1 exam
question
If you have been following the electronic discussions at the bottom of the last three blogs you should have no problem with this lesson.
Electricity is the flow of electrons inside a conductor. The current, which number of electrons that flow past a certain point in a given time, is measured in Amperes. The opposition to the flow of electrons in a conductor is resistance and is measured in Ohms. The force or pressure which pushes the electrons through the conductor is the Electromotive Force also known as voltage and is measured in volts.
When the volts and the amperes are multiplied together the product is the power which is being used by that circuit.
Current is measured with an Ammeter while voltage (EMF) is measured with a Voltmeter. Resistance is measured with an Ohmmeter while power is measured with a Wattmeter.
A standard car battery is said to be 12 volts. It is actually a little higher than that but if asked the voltage of a car battery 12 volts will suffice. A car battery, as with any battery, has a positive and a negative terminal which remains the same at all times. Thus the current always flows in the same direction known as direct current.
If the current was changing back and forth at a given rate it would be called Alternating Current (AC) and the rate of change is measured in Hertz (Hz).
Most conductors today are made from copper because, though copper is not as good of a conductor as silver, it is a very good conductor for the price. Aluminum is also a good conductor but not a good as copper. Mercury is a metal and thus is also a good conductor and is used in some switches.
Wood, glass, and rubber are extremely poor conductors and thus are called insulators.
1. T4A01
Electrical current is measured in which of the following units?
A. Volts
B. Watts
C. Ohms
D. Amperes
~~
2. T4A02
Electrical Power is measured in which of the following units?
A. Volts
B. Watts
C. Ohms
D. Amperes
~~
3. T4A03
What is the name for the flow of electrons in an electric circuit?
A. Voltage
B. Resistance
C. Capacitance
D. Current
~~
4. T4A04
What is the name of a current that flows only in one direction?
A. An alternating current
B. A direct current
C. A normal current
D. A smooth current
~~
5. T4A05
What is the standard unit of frequency?
A. The megacycle
B. The Hertz
C. One thousand cycles per second
D. The electromagnetic force
~~
6. T4A06
How much voltage does an automobile battery usually supply?
A. About 12 volts
B. About 30 volts
C. About 120 volts
D. About 240 volts
~~
7. T4A07
What is the basic unit of resistance?
A. The volt
B. The watt
C. The ampere
D. The ohm
~~
8. T4A08
What is the name of a current that reverses direction on a regular basis?
A. An alternating current
B. A direct current
C. A circular current
D. A vertical current
~~
9. T4A09
Which of the following is a good electrical conductor?
A. Glass
B. Wood
C. Copper
D. Rubber
~~
10. T4A10
Which of the following is a good electrical insulator?
A. Copper
B. Glass
C. Aluminum
D. Mercury
~~
11. T4A11
What is the term used to describe opposition to current flow in ordinary conductors such as wires?
A. Inductance
B. Resistance
C. Counter EMF
D. Magnetism
~~
12. T4A12
What instrument is used to measure the flow of current in an electrical circuit?
A. Frequency meter
B. SWR meter
C. Ammeter
D. Voltmeter
~~
13. T4A13
What instrument is used to measure Electromotive Force (EMF) between two points such as the poles of a battery?
A. Magnetometer
B. Voltmeter
C. Ammeter
D. Ohmmeter
~~
Answers: D B D B B A D A C B B C B
Up to now in our electronic study we have considered what electricity is and electrical current flows. We have seen how AC differs form DC. Then such things as what radio waves are, what frequency is, how fast radio waves travel, and how they are modulated have been revealed.
After the discussion it might be good to explain that when sending an AM signal it is not necessary to send the carrier and anymore then one sideband if a means of reinserting that carrier frequency is provided in the receiver. The carrier is provided by a BFO (beet frequency oscillator).
The carrier can be removed by a balanced modulator which by phasing removes the carrier but allows the sidebands to be established. Then the undesired sideband is removed by filtering most of the time though phasing the undesired sideband out is possible.
An oscillator is a stage in a radio, transmitter or receiver, which generates a radio frequency signal. In a simple transmitter the oscillator will usually be followed by one or more amplifiers which raise the level of a signal. If the output of the amplifier is a faithful reproduction of the input it is said to be linear. This means the whole signal is reproduced in the output so it looks like a larger version of the input signal. That output will also very proportionally to the input. If a 1 watt signal is placed into an amplifier with an amplification factor of 100 then the output will be 100 watts. If that 1 watt signal is reduced to ½ watts the output power will be 50 watts and if the power is raised to 1.5 watts the output power will be 150 watts. While the input and the output look the same the output may be inverted from the input, that is to say as the signal lever goes positive in the input it will go negative in the output. This inversion does not change the fact that it is a linear amplifier.
If the output of the amplifier is 25 watts when the input is ½ watts and then 100 watts when the input is 1 watt and 250 watts output when the input is 1.5 watts the amplifier is non linear.
AM and SSB signals must be amplified by linear amplifiers while FM and CW can be amplified by nonlinear amplifiers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
