HAM BOOTCAMP

Northeast HamXposition @ Boxboro 2019

Presented by The Nashua Area Radio Society

Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

Radio Programming* Your Rx or

Repeater “Output” Freq.

* Operating Mode

* Access & Squelch Tones

DSTAR Repeater Access Info

* Offset/ Simplex

* Access Tone Mode (None, Tone, T Sql)

Scan Lockout

Simplex & FM Repeaters

DSTAR

FM Easy Sat

Fox (RDF)

APRS

Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

* These items available via repeater

directories/

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Data Sources, EchoLink• Repeaters (FM, DSTAR, Fusion)

1. Repeater Book - https://repeaterbook.com2. New England Repeater Directory3. ARRL Repeater Book (Printed)4. Applications (ex. iPhone, Android, RFinder)

• Satellites1. AMSAT Sat List – https://amsat.org/two-way-satellites2. AMSAT Sat Status – https://amsat.org/status

• EchoLink1. Registration and Software – https://echolink.org2. Smartphone apps also available

Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio SocietySteps: 1) Register your Callsign, 2) Download & Install App, 3) Setup audio & Echo Test 3

Basics of a Repeater or Simplex Contact• Announce that you are listening

• “N1FD Listening” (Phonetics are not required)

• Responding to a call from someone else1. AB1AV: N1FD, this is AB1AV. My name is Bill.2. N1FD: AB1AV this N1FD, my name is John. Hello Bill.3. AB1AV : Hello John, N1FD; < Bill begins conversation with some info or an open-ended

question for John…>4. <enjoy a nice conversation and don’t forget to ID every 10 mins>5. N1FD: I need to go now Bill. 73 Thanks for a nice QSO. I’ll be clear on your final.6. AB1AV : OK John, thank you and have a great day! 73, N1FD this is AB1AV I am clear.

• Calling someone else – same as above with roles reversed• Joining a discussion in progress

1. AB1OC: AB1AV this is AB1OC, Isn’t the weather nice today Bill?2. N1FD: N1FD (Drop you callsign in quickly between speakers)3. AB1OC: N1FD Acknowledged. It sure is Bill. N1FD why don’t you take it next?

This is AB1OC.4. N1FD: Hello Bill AB1AV, Hello Fred AB1OC, This is John, N1FD. How are you both

doing today? I can’t believe this weather …5. <take turns speaking in rotation>6. N1FD: Thanks for a nice chat folks. I need to go now. I’ll listen out one more round.

This is N1FD, I’m clear and listening for one more round.7. ….

• If you hear the repeater ID’ing, stop transmitting and allow it to complete…

Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

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Checking Into A Net1. Wait for the Net Control Station to begin the net2. Speak only when the NCS asks for check-ins or calls you unless…3. If you have an emergency, say your callsign plus “emergency” or “mayday” at any

time• The NCS will stop the net and call you immediately

4. When the NCS asks for check-ins, key up for 1 second and release you PTT to see if someone else is trying to check-in at the same time. If the repeater/channel is clear, key up again and say:• Your Callsign• Your First Name• Your Location (ex. Nashua, New Hampshire)• Indicate if you have traffic (ex. Info of general interest for the net)

5. The NCS will read back the check-ins heard at some point in the process. If your information is not correct, wait for the NCS to ask for more check-ins and check-in again and inform the NCS about your correct information.

6. The net may involved various types of exchanges depending upon the nature of the net. The NCS will call you at the appropriate time when its your turn. Don’t forget to ID at the beginning and end of your transmission.• When you are done, pass control back to NCS – “This is N1FD passing back to Net”

• If you hear the repeater ID’ing, stop transmitting and allow it to complete…• Take a look at the Net Control Script for a typical Nashua Area Radio Society Chat Net

• We will conduct one now on a simplex channel• Join us every Sunday evening @ 7:30p ET on N1IMO network or via EchoLink Copyright 2019

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Finding Public Service Nets

• Amateur Radio Emergency Service and National Traffic System

• Eastern MA ARES - https://ema.arrl.org/ares/ares-net-schedule/

• Eastern MA NTS - https://ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system/

• Western MA - http://mtara.org/w1tom-local-nets/

• RI ARES - http://riares.org/nets/

• NH - http://nhradio.org/nh-ares/CommPlan/AttachmentB-Nets&Frequencies.pdf

• CT ARES - http://www.ctares.org/networks.php

• CT NTS - http://www.ctares.org/sec-nets.php

• ME ARES - http://maine-ares.org/Frequency_Chart_November_2017.pdf

• ARRL Net Directory - http://www.arrl.org/arrl-net-directory-search

(click “Search for a Net" at the bottom of the page)

Ham Radio SatellitesGetting started with FM EasySats

Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

• What’s Needed• Arrow or Elk handheld antenna• A pair of radios (or a Duplex Kenwood TH-72)• Headset with connections to both radios• Smartphone running a Satellite Tracking App• Voice Recorder

• Preparation• Program your HT for satellite frequencies, PL tone(s), and to handle doppler shift on

70cm side• Select FM Easy Sat “high elevation” passes (AO-91, AO-92, SO-50, AO-85*, PO-101*)• Orient you smartphone app to display satellite’s track & practice pointing antenna• Practice tracking/listening/adjusting for doppler on a few passes first

Satellite Ham Radio Classic

U: 70cm V: 2m

U/V FMEasy Sat

Ex. AO-91, AO-92…

* Limited Availability Sats

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Ham Radio SatellitesMaking a Contact

Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

• Final Preparation Checklist• Radio memories setup for uplink/downlink frequencies at AOS• Rx squelch fully open• Smartphone oriented to north at you feet to display pass• Voice recorder on• Practice pointing antenna through the pass

• Making the contact (include a helper if you can)• Listen for FM quieting on downlink indicating that you have the bird• Rotate antenna to find the best polarity (shift 900 for Tx/Rx with Arrow Antenna)• Drop in your call, listen for your uplink signal in the downlink, adjust ant. pointing• N1FD: N1FD (announce your call sign, use phonetics only if needed)• AB1OC: N1FD, AB1OC Fox November 42• N1FD: AB1OC, Fox November 44 thank you

• Adjust the 70cm side for Doppler shift as you go

Typical Radio Program for AO-91, a U/V FM Satellite

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Locating the FoxBegin by taking some bearings…

Not to ScaleCopyright 2019

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Locating the FoxHow do you take a bearing?

• Best accuracy comes from finding thedirection where the fox is weakest – itwill be located in the opposite direction• Better to find a range of directions

where you can’t hear the fox, then pick the center & turn 180O

• Open the radio Squelch and use the signal strength meter

• How do you make the fox sound weaker?• Use a directional antenna (Yagi, Loop, or a Rubber Duck)

• Change the orientation of your antenna (vertical to horizontal)

• Use your body as a signal attenuator

• Tune your radio off frequency a bit

• Tune your radio to 3X the Fox frequency (the third Harmonic)

• Some combination of these will usually work

• When you get very close, your eyes take over from the radioCopyright 2019

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First HF StationYour Radio and Accessories

• Two basic paths (recommend a 100w radio)– HF plus 6m (ex. IC-7300)

– HF, 6m, 2m and 70cm (ex. IC-7100, IC-7000)

• Usability is important– Display should be easy to read and understand

– Touch screen interfaces are a good idea

– Pan adapter/waterfall

– Radio should be easy to configure; common operational scenarios should be intuitively obvious

– Try out friend’s gear before you buy if possible

• Consider cost of accessories vs. built-in to radio– Antenna tuner

– Sound card for digital

– Interface to your computer

• An outboard wattmeter is a good idea– Connect on the antenna side of tuner

• Headset, headphones, microphone– Heil Sound is a good choice for these

• Other useful accessories– 13.8Vdc Power distribution

– Dummy load and a simple antenna switch

– CW paddles or straight key11 Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

First HF StationYour Shack

• Feedline and ground entry/disconnects

• Human engineering is important– Temperature, humidity, lighting

– Comfortable desk/table and chair

– Important items within easy reach

– Enough room to comfortably operate equipment

• Acoustics and “noise”– Quiet environment where you won’t disturb others

– Acoustically “dead” environment

– Headphones or a headset is a good idea

• Computer – nearly a must today– Logging, Digital modes, QSL’ing

– Internet Access is important

– Consider dual monitors if you have the space

• Power supplies – 30A quiet switching supply to provide 13.8Vdc; be sure to fuse properly!

• Storage for accessories – try to keep it neat

• Place for construction and test is a good idea12 Copyright 2019

Nashua Area Radio Society

Hooking It All Together

• Single Point Ground Bus - Each device in station is grounded here

• Ground bus connected to outside ground rod with a braided strap

• Antenna Switches for HF and VHF Antenna selection

• Plywood provides solid mounting system to keep things organized

1313 Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

First HF StationSoftware Choices• Windows is usually going to be the best

platform– Maximizes selection and compatibility with Amateur

Radio software

– USB interfaces, Internet access and decent screen resolution

– Any reasonably current PC will work fine

– Mac can work also – See MacLoggerDX

• Logging Suite – Popular choices are DXLab and Ham Radio Deluxe– Interface to radio via CAT

– Logging of contacts

– Digital modes

– Spotting cluster access

– Award tracking and QSL’ing (incl. online)

– …

• Some useful add-on programs– WSJT-X (FT8, FT4, JT65 and JT9 digital modes),

Dimension 4 to set clocks accurately

– JTAlert connects WSJT-X to logger

– FLdigi – alternative digital mode program14 Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

Sample QSOs• Calling or answering a CQ on SSB

• CQ CQ DE Alpha Charlie 1 Delta Charlie, AC1DC• AC1DC this is Alpha Bravo 1 Quebec Bravo, AB1QB• AB1QB this is AC1DC you are 5 9, 59 here in Boxboro, MA. My name is Jamey, Juliet Alpha

Mike Echo Yankee QSL?• AC1DC this is AB1QB, you are also 5 9, 59 here in Hollis, NH. My name is Anita, Alpha

November India Tango Alpha• <proceed with conversation>• Anita, thank you for the nice QSO. AB1QB this is AC1DC, 73.• Thank you Jamey, all the best. AC1DC this is AB1QB, 73 and 88.

• Calling or answering a CQ on CW• CQ CQ DE AC1DC AC1DC K• AC1DC DE AB1QB• AB1QB TU UR 5NN 599 NAME IS JAMEY JAMEY QTH IS BOXBORO MA BOXBORO MA QSL?• QSL AC1DC UR 5NN 599 NAME IS ANITA ANITA QTH IS HOLLIS NH HOLLIS NH QSL?• …• TU ANITA FER NICE QSO, 73 es GDX. AB1QB DE AC1DC SK• TU JAMEY 73, 88. AC1DC DE AB1QB SK

• FT8 Digital QSO• CQ AC1DC FN42• AC1DC AB1QB FN42• AB1QB AC1DC -12• AC1DC AB1QB R-14• AB1QB AC1DC RR73• AC1DC AB1QB 73 Copyright 2019

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AC1DC is Calling CQ in all cases, AB1QB is answering the CQ

First HF StationPortable Options

• Radios

• Elecraft KX2 or KX3 www.elecraft.com

• Yaesu FT-817 or FT-818

• Xiegu G90

• Batteries and Solar Power

• LiFePo4 www.bioennopower.com

• Lightweight

• SLA/AGM

• Heavy, but good for non-hiking use

• Keys/Paddles

• Begali Expedition or Traveller Light www.i2rtf.com

• Expensive, but oh so nice!

• QRP Guys www.qprguys.com

• Build your own – budget & lightweight paddles

• Antennas/Masts

• End fed

• All bands, but must use tuner

• Buddipole www.buddipole.com

• Many configurations and works great, but is heavy for hiking

• SotaBeams www.sotabeams.co.uk

• Sells portable antennas, masts and accessories

• Logging

• Paper logs

• Easy, cost effective and lightweight

• HamLog 73 App on phone

KC1GGX & AC1DC on Mt. Washington

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HF AntennasSingle Band Dipoles

• Mount Vertical, Horizontal, as a Sloper, or as an Inverted-V

– Try to get feed point ½ wavelength above ground if horizontal, sloper or inverted-V

– ~35 ft on 20m, ~70 ft on 40m; V-Dipole and sloped ends should be 4+ ft. off the ground

• All balanced antennas require a Balun if fed with coax

– Consider power handling, bandwidth, and mechanical construction

– Optimum ratio will depend upon how the antenna is installed

– 1:1 is a good choice for 20m and higher

• Will want something to keep a moderate amount of tension on the ends of the wires

– Lots of ways to do this, don’t over tighten

• Seal the feedline and other connections properly if exposed to weather

VerticalDipole

Balun

Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

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HF AntennasOff Center Fed Dipole

• Good choice if you want a multi-band wire antenna

– 7 band (<135 ft): 75/80m, 40m, 20m, 17m, 12m, 10m and 6m

– 4 band (<70 ft): 40m, 20m, 10m and 6m

• Usually best mounted as an inverted-V, ends ~10 ft. and angle > 120o

• Balun has a significant impact on performance

– Don’t skimp here, consider long-term power requirements

• More forgiving in terms of tuning/SWR/BW than other multi-band designs

– Alternative ex.: G5RV, trapped dipoles, fan dipoles, etc. Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

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HF AntennasDelta Loop

• High-performance, mono-band wire antenna

• Very quiet on receive; makes an excellent DX antenna

• Requires a single support (ex. 40 m Delta Loop – 40 ft)

• Can be vertically (if fed ¼ WL down from top), or horizontally (if fed bottom-center) polarized

– Recommend horizontal here in New England

• Balun has a significant impact on performance

– Don’t skimp here, consider long-term power requirements

– Suggest building/measuring SWR first. Then select a custom balun to maximize SWR BW (1.5:1 has worked well for low horizontally polarized applications here).

Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

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HF AntennasExample Installations

• Trees, push-up masts and ground anchors are useful supports

• Installations by trees are fine as long as branches do not touch antenna wires

• Your house or a fence can form a part of the required supports

• Clearly mark any guy ropes, etc. that cannot be walked under safely

• Consider high voltages present on antenna wires during transmit

Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

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20m Vertical Dipole

40m Delta Loopon Push-up Mast

80m – 6m OCF Dipole on Push-Up Mast

HF AntennasAntenna System Construction

• If your antenna is directional, want to aim at Europe (45o – 65o) bearing• Dacron or other weather resistant cord is recommended for supports

– Soft rubber tarp stretchers are a good choice for tensioning wire antennas

• Coax choices – RG-8X is good for runs less that 100 ft on HF bands at 100w– LMR-400UF or equiv. if 1) runs exceed 100 ft or 2) you want to run 500w+ power, or 3) you are operating

on 6m or above– If you are going to bury your coax, you’ll need a cable that is rated for direct bury use

• You’ll need an antenna analyzer to setup your antenna – an Elmer can help here• Use good quality connectors and seal them properly• Build a lightning and RF ground, outside as close to shack as possible• Create a single-point ground system, bond to your electrical ground if possible Copyright 2019

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HF AntennasSafety

• Be careful on ladders, work with a helper

• Eye protection and hard hats are essential– A Tool belt is a good idea

– Make sure your helpers look up

• Beware of power lines close to your antennas

• Do all the work you can on the ground

• Disconnect coax outside your house to preventlightning from getting in

• Use proper safety harness and equipment when working on towersCopyright 2019

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HF AntennasPortable Antennas

Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

• Buddipole www.buddipole.com– All in one – antenna and mast

– Many configurations and works great, but is heavy for hiking

• SotaBeams www.sotabeams.co.uk– Lightweight masts for hiking

– Also sell linked dipoles for multiband use and other portable gear

• Home Brew Your Own– Speaker wire dipole to BNC to terminal post connection

– Inexpensive and lightweight!

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Portable Antennas/Masts

QSL’ingThere Are Many Options…

• LoTW or eQSL – online services• Costs $$ to use confirmed QSOs

for award credit

• ClubLog – check logs and order QSLs via Direct or Buro• Charge $$ for Direct QSL, “Buro” is usually free• There are other online QSL services as well (ex. M0OXO)

• Direct QSL – send your card with SAE and return postage (green stamps)• Postal theft can be a problem• Can get expensive

• QSL “Buro” – least expensive but slow• Good for confirming less important contacts

• Always begin by checking QSL “route” & options – www.qrz.comCopyright 2019

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QSL’ingLoTW and eQSL

• LoTW is an ARRL service• Accepted for ARRL awards and a few others (ex. some CQ awards)

• Upload contacts via a special tool (Tqsl)• Register your call sign(s) and get a “certificate” from LoTW• Configure your operating locations and match to call signs• Can accomplish upload from most loggers directly (best way)

• eQSL simpler (setup calls/QTHs on website, upload adif file)• Accepted for eQSL and some CQ awards only Copyright 2019

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QSL’ingDirect Mail

• Most stations support direct QSL’ing• You must take steps to avoid postal theft

• Use a secure envelope system• Properly package your “Green Stamps”• Tape outer envelope properly

• Be sure to check QSL route, manager, and return postage requirements before sending

• Can get expensive: figure ~$4-5 for each successful confirmationCopyright 2019

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Hints for Learning CW

Copyright 2019Nashua Area Radio Society

27“CW is for those that don’t have much to say and want to take a long time to say it”

Resources:• Training Classes:

• CW Academy• Long Island CW Club• ARRL practice files• W5IY group CD’s ($)• Join NARS CW group– coming soon!

• On-The Air Activates:• 3905 Century Club CW Nets• NAQCC QRS Nets• W1AW Bulletins• CW Novice “Safe Zones”

• Learning Apps:• CWops Morse Code Trainer (WWW)• Learn CW On Line (WWW)• Ham Morse (iPhone)• Just Learn Morse Code (Windows)• Morse Runner (Windows)• RufzXP (Windows)• eBook2cw (Windows)• SpeedCalls (Mac)

When learning CW:• Do…

• Use Farnsworth, Koch, and “words-worth” methods

• Make a plan, set S.M.A.R.T. goals• Find a buddy, take a class, use peer pressure • Start learning to send immediately• Practice every day• Celebrate successes, accept setbacks • Get on the air!

• Don’t…• Count dits-n-dahs – ever!• Write down characters as you copy • Start with a straight key or a bug• Practice too long at any one sitting• Use CW decoders or a keyboard• Try to learn another skill at the same time

Why Learn CW?• It’s a fun and rewording “journey” • DX with 100 Watts & a wire? No problem!• Every day can be a field day

Useful Links• Station Building, Antennas and Operating

• Nashua Area Radio Society - n1fd.org• Station Project Blog - stationproject.blog

• Radio Programing• RT Systems Programmers – www.rtsystemsinc.com• RFinder Repeater Directory - www.rfinder.net/blog• Chirp - chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home

• Satellites• AMSAT Sat List – amsat.org/two-way-satellites• AMSAT Sat Status – amsat.org/status

• EchoLink• Registration and Software – echolink.org

• Antennas and Baluns• Buckmaster OCF Dipole – hamcall.net/7bandocf.html• Balun Designs – www.balundesigns.com• Buddipole Antennas – www.buddipole.com• Max Gain Systems Push-up Masts – mgs4u.com/fiberglass-push-up-masts• End-Fed Antennas - www.lnrprecision.com/store/EndfedZ-Antennas-c10468543

• Software• DXLab Logging Suite - www.dxlabsuite.com• WSJT-X - physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html• JTAlert - hamapps.com• MacLoggerDX - dogparksoftware.com/MacLoggerDX.html28 Copyright 2019

Nashua Area Radio Society