Amateur Radio License Class - Lesson 5: Communicating with ... · Amateur Radio License Class Communicating with Other Hams Presented by Steve Gallafent October 17, 2007 Communicating

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Amateur Radio License Class

Communicating withOther Hams

Presented by Steve GallafentOctober 17, 2007

Communicating with Other Hams

Radio Direction FindingRadio direction finding is the process oflocating the source of an unknown signalRadio direction finding is often used tolocate sources of interference or jammingFox hunts are a radio direction findingexercise where you locate a hiddentransmitter

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Radio Direction FindingUse a directionalantenna for radiodirection finding


ContestingContesting is contacting as many stationsas possible during a defined periodOne of the biggest contests is the ARRLField Day held on the fourth full weekendin June

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Grid SquaresGrid squares areletter numberdesignators for ageographic locationWe are in grid squareDN17


Special Event StationsA special event station is a temporary stationthat operates in conjunction with an activity ofspecial significance.Special event calls signs are 1x1 call signs.(Example: K7A)A special event call sign can be issued for anevent which is “publicly significant.”

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Operating in the FieldExtensive handheldoperation requires one ormore fully charged sparebattery packs.Many radios have abattery case that acceptsAA batteries.


Operating in the FieldSome other helpful items:• A cable and clips for

connecting to an externalpower source

• External antenna and cable• Repeater and net frequencies• Radio reference instructions

Something you probablydon’t need:• 1500 Watt output linear

amplifier

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Operating in the FieldSome accessories can make

your life easier:You can make the signalfrom a handheld radiostronger by using anexternal antenna insteadof the rubber-duckantennaA combination headsetand microphone canmake it easier tocommunicate in an areawith a lot of crowd noise


Radio ControlRadio controltransmissions are limitedto 1 Watt maximumpower.Transmitters must beidentified with a labelindicating the licensee’scall sign and address.

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Satellite OperationSatellite operation islike working arepeater in the sky.Satellites allow VHFand UHFcommunication withamateur radiooperators in othercountries.


Satellite OperationAO-51

Launched in 200425cm cubeFM voice repeater• 145.920 uplink• 435.300 downlink

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Satellite Operation


Satellite OperationAny amateur whose license allows them totransmit on the satellite uplink frequency canuse an amateur satellite.Satellite operation is possible with an HT,although you may need a better antenna.As with other modes, you should use theminimum amount of power needed to completethe contact.A beacon transmits information about a satellite.

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Satellite Sub-bandsBand plans provide a way to coordinatedifferent communication methods thatshare an amateur radio band.A satellite sub-band is a portion of a bandwhere satellite operations are permitted.


Satellite Sub-bandsThe satellite sub-band in the 70cm band is435 to 438 MHz.

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Satellite OrbitsAmateur satellites are typically LEO (Low EarthOrbit) satellites.LEO satellites typically orbit the earth aboutonce every 90 minutes.A satellite tracking program can help youdetermine when a satellite will pass over.There are several web sites with trackinginformation:• http://www.amsat.org/• http://www.heavens-above.com/


Doppler ShiftDoppler shift is a change in signalfrequency caused by motion throughspace.Doppler shift is not a form of RFinterference.We can hear Doppler shift at voicefrequencies – sirens and train whistles, forexample.Doppler shift is about 10KHz at 70cm andabout 3KHz at 2m.

http://www.amsat.org/

http://www.heavens-above.com/

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Split Frequency / Operating Protocols

Satellite repeaters are typically cross-bandrepeaters.• AO-51 – FM Tx on 2m, Rx on 70cm• SO-50 – FM Tx on 2m, Rx on 70cm• VO-52 – SSB Tx on 70cm, Rx on 2m

Satellites can be congested, so contactsshould be brief – generally call signs,signal reports, grid squares, and names.


AMSATAMSAT is The Radio Amateur SatelliteCorporation.AMSAT is responsible for the largestnumber of amateur radio satellites.Formed in 1969 to “foster Amateur Radio’sparticipation in space research andcommunication.”http://www.amsat.org/

http://www.amsat.org/

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ISS CommunicationsAny amateur with a Technician class orhigher license class can communicate withthe International Space Station.ARISS coordinates amateur radio on theISS.http://www.rac.ca/ariss/


Emergency CommunicationsAn FCC declaration of a communicationemergency sets special conditions foroperation in the amateur service• Special conditions or rules• Frequencies restricted to emergency

communication

You must avoid frequencies restricted toemergency use

http://www.rac.ca/ariss/

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Emergency CommunicationsAn emergency is defined as a situationwhere there is immediate threat to humanlife or propertyYou can use any means of communicationavailable to you in an actual emergency• Other services• Non-amateur frequenciesEmergency traffic always has priority overany other traffic


Emergency CommunicationsRACES is the Radio Amateur CivilEmergency ServiceRACES requires registration with theresponsible civil defense agencyRACES organizations are restricted toserving government emergencycommunication organizations

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Emergency CommunicationsARES is the Amateur Radio EmergencyServiceARES organizations serve public serviceorganizations• Red Cross• Salvation Army• National Weather Service


Emergency CommunicationsBe prepared for emergencies• Regularly check equipment• Practice field operation• Backup power sources

Car batteryBicycle generatorSolar panel

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Emergency CommunicationsMayday – Any station come in pleasePenalties for false declaration ofemergency can be severe

Do not transmit personal information ofvictims without consentDigital modes reduce the possibility ofcasual listeners


Emergency CommunicationsTactical call signs can help simplifyemergency and public servicecommunicationYou must still legally identify every tenminutes

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Directed NetsDirected nets create a formal structure tokeep communication happeningDo not transmit until acknowledged by thenet control stationAvoid idle chatter that ties up thefrequencyNet control stations should have a strongclear signal


Traffic Handling

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Amateur Radio License Class

Communicating withOther HamsExam Questions

What is a good thing to have when operatinga hand-held transceiver away from home?

A. A selection of spare partsB. A programming cable to load new

channelsC. One or more fully charged spare battery

packsD. A dummy load

T7A01

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Which of these items would probably not be veryuseful to include in an emergency response kit?

A. An external antenna and several feet ofconnecting cable

B. A 1500 watt output linear amplifierC. A cable and clips for connecting your

transceiver to an external batteryD. A listing of repeater frequencies and nets

in your area

T7A02

How can you make the signal from a hand-heldradio stronger when operating in the field?

A. Switch to VFO modeB. Use an external antenna instead of the

rubber-duck antennaC. Stand so there is a metal building

between you and other stationsD. Speak as loudly as you can

T7A03

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What would be a good thing to have whenoperating from a location that includes lots

of crowd noise?

A. A portable bullhornB. An encrypted radioC. A combination headset and microphoneD. A pulse noise blanker

T7A04

What is a method used to locate sources ofnoise interference or jamming?

A. EcholocationB. Doppler radarC. Radio direction findingD. Phase locking

T7A05

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Which of these items would be the mostuseful for a hidden transmitter hunt?

A. Binoculars and a compassB. A directional antennaC. A calibrated noise bridgeD. Calibrated SWR meter

T7A06

What is a popular activity that involvescontacting as many stations as possible

during a specified period of time?

A. ContestingB. Net operationsC. Public service eventsD. Simulated emergency exercises

T7A07

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What is a grid locator?

A. A letter-number designator assigned to ageographic location

B. Your azimuth and elevationC. Your UTC locationD. The 4 digits that follow your ZIP code

T7A09

What is a special event station?

A. A station that sends out birthdaygreetings

B. A station that operates only on holidaysC. A temporary station that operates in

conjunction with an activity of specialsignificance

D. A station that broadcasts special events

T7A10

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What is the maximum power allowed whentransmitting telecommand signals to radio

controlled models?

A. 500 milliwattsB. 1 wattC. 25 wattsD. 1500 watts

T7A11

What is the station identification requirementwhen sending commands to a radio control

model using amateur frequencies?

A. Voice identification must be transmitted every10 minutes

B. Morse code ID must be sent once per hourC. A label indicating the licensee’s call sign and

address must be affixed to the transmitterD. There is no station identification requirement

for this service

T7A12

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What class of license is required to useamateur satellites?

A. Only Extra class licensees can use amateurradio satellites

B. General or higher class licensees who have asatellite operator certification

C. Only persons who are AMSAT members andwho have paid their dues

D. Any amateur whose license allows them totransmit on the satellite uplink frequency

T7B01

How much power should you use to transmitwhen using an amateur satellite?

A. The maximum power of your transmitterB. The minimum amount of power needed

to complete the contactC. No more than half the rating of your

linear amplifierD. Never more than 1 watt

T7B02

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What is something you can do when usingan amateur radio satellite?

A. Listen to the Space ShuttleB. Get global positioning informationC. Make autopatch callsD. Talk to amateur radio operators in other

countries

T7B03

Who may make contact with an astronaut on theInternational Space Station using amateur radio

frequencies?

A. Only members of amateur radio clubs atNASA facilities

B. Any amateur with a Technician or higherclass license

C. Only the astronaut’s family memberswho are hams

D. You cannot talk to the ISS on amateurradio frequencies

T7B04

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What is a satellite beacon?

A. The primary transmit antenna on thesatellite

B. An indicator light that shows where topoint your antenna

C. A reflective surface on the satelliteD. A signal that contains information about

a satellite

T7B05

What should you use to determine when youcan access an amateur satellite?

A. A GPS receiverB. A field strength meterC. A telescopeD. A satellite tracking program

T7B06

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What is Doppler shift?

A. A change in the satellite orbitB. A mode where the satellite receives

signals on one band and transmits onanother

C. A change in signal frequency caused bymotion through space

D. A special digital communications modefor some satellites

T7B07

What is the name of the group thatcoordinates the building and/or launch of thelargest number of amateur radio satellites?

A. NSAB. USOCC. AMSATD. FCC

T7B08

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What is a satellite sub-band?

A. A special frequency for talking tosubmarines

B. A frequency range limited to Extra Classlicensees

C. A portion of a band where satelliteoperations are permitted

D. An obsolete term that has no meaning

T7B09

What is the satellite sub-band on 70 cm?

A. 420 to 450 MHzB. 435 to 438 MHzC. 440 to 450 MHzD. 432 to 433 MHz

T7B10

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What do the initials LEO tell you about anamateur satellite?

A. The satellite battery is in Low EnergyOperation mode

B. The satellite is performing a LunarEjection Orbit maneuver

C. The satellite is in a Low Earth OrbitD. The satellite uses Light Emitting Optics

T7B11

What information is included in an FCCdeclaration of a temporary state of

communication emergency?

A. A list of organizations authorized to use radiocommunications in the affected area

B. A list of amateur frequency bands to be usedin the affected areas

C. Any special conditions and rules to beobserved during the emergency

D. An operating schedule for authorized amateuremergency stations

T8A01

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Under what conditions are amateur stationsallowed to communicate with stations operating in

other radio services?

A. When communicating with the spaceshuttle

B. When specially authorized by the FCC, orin an actual emergency

C. When communicated with stations in theCitizens Radio Service

D. When a commercial broadcast station isreporting news during a natural disaster

T8A02

What should you do if you are in contactwith another station and an emergency call

is heard?

A. Tell the calling station that the frequencyis in use

B. Direct the calling station to the nearestemergency net frequency

C. Disregard the call and continue with yourcontact

D. Stop your contact immediately and takethe emergency call

T8A03

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What are the restrictions on amateur radiocommunications after the FCC has declared

a communications emergency?

A. The emergency declaration prohibits allcommunications

B. There are no restrictions if you have specialemergency certification

C. You must avoid those frequencies dedicated tosupporting the emergency unless you areparticipating in the relief effort

D. Only military stations are allowed to use theamateur radio frequencies during anemergency

T8A04

What is one reason for using tactical call signssuch as “command post” or “weather center”

during an emergency?

A. They help to keep the general publicinformed

B. They are more efficient and helpcoordinate public-servicecommunications

C. They are required by the FCCD. They increase goodwill and sound

professional

T8A05

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What is legally required to restrict afrequency to emergency-only

communication?

A. An FCC declaration of a communicationsemergency

B. Determination by the designated netmanaged for an emergency net

C. Authorization by an ARES/RACESemergency coordinator

D. A Congressional declaration of intent

T8A06

Who has the exclusive use of a frequency ifthe FCC has not declared a communication

emergency?

A. Any net station that has trafficB. The station first occupying the frequencyC. Individuals passing health and welfare

communicationsD. No station has exclusive use in this

circumstance

T8A07

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What should you do if you hear someonereporting an emergency?

A. Report the station to the FCCimmediately

B. Assume the emergency is real and actaccordingly

C. Ask the other station to move to adifferent frequency

D. Tell the station to call the police on thetelephone

T8A08

What is an appropriate way to initiate anemergency call on amateur radio?

A. Yell as loudly as you can into the microphoneB. Ask if the frequency is in use and wait for

someone to give you permission to go aheadbefore proceeding

C. Declare a communications emergencyD. Say “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” followed by

“any station come in please” and identify yourstation

T8A09

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What are the penalties for making a falseemergency call?

A. You could have your license revokedB. You could be fined a large sum of moneyC. You could be sent to prisonD. All of these answers are correct

T8A10

What type of communications has priority atall times in the Amateur Radio Service?

A. Repeater communicationsB. Emergency communicationsC. Simplex communicationsD. Third-party communications

T8A11

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When must priority be given to stationsproviding emergency communications?

A. Only when operating under RACESB. Only when an emergency has been

declaredC. Any time a net control station is on the

airD. At all times and on all frequencies

T8A12

What can you do to be prepared for anemergency situation where your assistance

might be needed?

A. Check at least twice a year to make sure youhave all of your emergency responseequipment and know where it is

B. Make sure you have a way to run yourequipment if there is a power failure in yourarea

C. Participate in drills that test your ability to setup and operate in the field

D. All of these answers are correct

T8B01

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When may you use your amateur station totransmit a “SOS” or “MAYDAY” signal?

A. Only when you are transmitting from aship at sea

B. Only at 15 and 30 minutes after the hourC. When there is immediate threat to

human life or propertyD. When the National Weather Service has

announced a weather warning

T8B02

What is the primary function of RACES inrelation to emergency activities?

A. RACES organizations are restricted to servinglocal, state, and federal governmentemergency management agencies

B. RACES supports agencies like the Red Cross,Salvation Army, and National Weather Service

C. RACES supports the National Traffic SystemD. RACES is part of the National Emergency

Warning System

T8B03

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What is the primary function of ARES inrelation to emergency activities?

A. ARES organizations are restricted to servinglocal, state, and federal governmentemergency management agencies

B. ARES supports agencies like the Red Cross,Salvation Army, and National Weather Service

C. ARES groups work only with local schooldistricts

D. ARES supports local National Guard units

T8B04

What organization must you register withbefore you can participate in RACES

activities?

A. A local amateur radio clubB. A local racing organizationC. The responsible civil defense

organizationD. The Federal Communications

Commission

T8B05

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What is necessary before you can join anARES group?

A. You are required to join the ARRLB. You must have an amateur radio licenseC. You must have an amateur radio license

and have Red Cross CPR trainingD. You must register with a civil defense

organization

T8B06

What could be used as an alternate sourceof power to operate radio equipment during

emergencies?

A. The battery in a car or truckB. A bicycle generatorC. A portable solar panelD. All of these answers are correct

T8B07

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When can you use non-amateur frequenciesor equipment to call for help in a situation

involving immediate danger to life orproperty?

A. Never; your license only allows you to use thefrequencies authorized to your class of license

B. In a genuine emergency you may use anymeans at your disposal to call for help on anyfrequency

C. When you have permission from the owner ofthe set

D. When you have permission from a policeofficer on the scene

T8B08

Why should casual conversation betweenstations during a public service event be

avoided?

A. Such chatter is often interesting tobystanders

B. Other listeners might overhear personalinformation

C. Idle chatter may interfere with importanttraffic

D. You might have to change batteriesmore often

T8B09

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What should you do if a reporter asks to useyour amateur radio transceiver to make a

news report?

A. Allow the use but give your call signevery 10 minutes

B. Advice them that the FCC prohibits suchuse

C. Tell them it is OK as long as you do notreceive compensation

D. Tell the reporter that you must approvethe material beforehand

T8B10

When can you use a modified amateur radiotransceiver to transmit on the local fire

department frequency?

A. When you are helping the Fire Departmentraise money

B. Only when the Fire Department is short ofregular equipment

C. In a genuine emergency you may use anymeans at your disposal to call for help on anyfrequency

D. Only when the local Fire Chief has givenwritten permission

T8B11

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Which type of traffic has the highest priority?

A. Emergency trafficB. Priority trafficC. Health and welfare trafficD. Routine traffic

T8C01

What type of messages should not betransmitted over amateur radio frequencies

during emergencies?

A. Requests for suppliesB. Personal information concerning victimsC. A schedule of relief operatorsD. Answer D

T8C02

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What should you do to minimize disruptionsto an emergency traffic net once you have

checked in?

A. Whenever the net frequency is quiet,announce your call sign and location

B. Move 5 kHz away from the net’s frequency anduse high power to ask other hams to keepclear of the net frequency

C. Do not transmit on the net frequency untilasked to do so by the net control station

D. Wait until the net frequency is quiet, then askfor any emergency traffic for your area

T8C03

What is one thing that must be includedwhen passing emergency messages?

A. The call signs of all the stations passingthe message

B. The name of the person originating themessage

C. A status reportD. The message title

T8C04

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What is one way to reduce the chances ofcasual listeners overhearing sensitive

emergency traffic?

A. Pass messages using a non-voice modesuch as packet radio or Morse code

B. Speak as rapidly as possible to reduceyour on-air time

C. Spell out every word using phoneticsD. Restrict transmission of messages to the

hours between midnight and 4:00 AM

T6C10

What is of primary importance for a netcontrol station?

A. A dual-band transceiverB. A network cardC. A strong and clear signalD. The ability to speak several languages

T8C06

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What should the net control station do ifsomeone breaks in with emergency traffic?

A. Ask them to wait until the roll has beencompleted

B. Stop all net activity until the emergencyhas been handled

C. Ask the station to call the local policeand then resume normal net activities

D. Ask them to move off your net frequencyimmediately

T8C07

What should you do if a large scaleemergency has just occurred and no net

control station is available?

A. Wait until the assigned net control stationcomes on the air and pass your traffic whencalled

B. Transmit a call for help and hope someone willhear you

C. Open the emergency net immediately and askfor check-ins

D. Listen to the local NOAA weather broadcast tofind out how long the emergency will last

T8C08

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What is the preamble of a message?

A. The first paragraph of the message textB. The message numberC. The priority handling indicator for the

messageD. The information needed to track the

message as it passes through theamateur radio traffic handling system

T8C09

What is meant by the term “check” inreference to a message?

A. The check is a count of the number ofwords in the message

B. The check is the value of a money orderattached to the message

C. The check is a list of stations that haverelayed the message

D. The check is a box on the message formthat tells you the message was received

T8C10

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What is the recommended guideline for themaximum number of words to be included in

the text of an emergency message?

A. 10 wordsB. 25 wordsC. 50 wordsD. 75 words

T8C11

Documents

Amateur Radio License Class - Lesson 5: Communicating with ... · Amateur Radio License Class Communicating with Other Hams Presented by Steve Gallafent October 17, 2007 Communicating