Technician Licensing Class “T5” Presented by the Plano Texas Stake Plano, Texas January 20, 2007

Technician Licensing Class“T5”

Presented by thePlano Texas Stake

Plano, Texas

January 20, 2007

2

Amateur Radio Technician ClassElement 2 Course Presentation

ELEMENT 2 SUBELEMENTS

• T1 - FCC Rules, station license responsibilities• T2 - Control operator duties• T3 - Operating practices• T4 - Radio and electronic fundamentals• T5 - Station setup and operation• T6 - Communications modes and methods• T7 - Special operations• T8 - Emergency and Public Service Communications• T9 - Radio waves, propagation, and antennas• T0 - Electrical and RF Safety

3

Station setup and operation T5A

Station hookup – microphone, speaker, headphones, filters, power source, connecting a computer

A microphone connects to the transmitter in a basic amateur radio station.A Speaker is a piece of station equipment that converts electrical signals to sound waves.A set of headphones could be used in place of a regular speaker to help you copy signals in a noisy area.

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Station hookup – microphone, speaker, headphones, filters, power source, connecting a computer (cont)

A good reason for using a regulated power supply for communications equipment is to protect equipment from voltage fluctuations.

A filter would be installed at the transmitter to reduce spurious emissions.

A Notch Filter could be connected to a TV receiver as the first step in trying to prevent RF overload from a nearby 2-meter transmitter.

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Audio feedback is the term used to describe what happens when a microphone and speaker are too close to each other.

A Microphone is not required for a packet radio station.

A Sound Card can be used to connect a radio with a computer for data transmission.

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A Terminal Node Controller is connected between the transceiver and computer terminal in a packet radio station.

TransceiverTNC

Packet

Computer

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Station setup and operation T5B

Operating controls• If a transmitter is operated with the microphone

gain set too high it may cause the signal to become distorted and unreadable.

• A VHF/UHF transceiver may be capable of storing in memory the following kinds of information:

• Transmit and receive operating frequency• CTCSS tone frequency• Transmit power levelAll of these answers are correct

One way to select a frequency on which to operate is to use the keypad or VFO knob to enter the correct frequency.

8


Operating controls (cont)

• The squelch control on a transceiver is used to quiet noise when no signal is being received.

• The purpose of the buttons labeled "up" and "down" on many microphones is to allow easy frequency or memory selection.

• A way to enable quick access to a favorite frequency on your transceiver is to store the frequency in a memory channel.

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• To improve the situation if the station you are listening to is hard to copy because of ignition noise interference may be to turn on the noise blanker.

• Receiver Incremental Tuning (RIT)

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NB & RIT

Noise blanker RIT – Receiver Incremental Tuning

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• The purpose of the "shift" control found on many VHF/UHF transceivers is to adjust the offset between transmit and receive frequency.

• The purpose of the "step" menu function found on many transceivers is to set the tuning rate when changing frequencies.

• The purpose of the "function" or "F" key found on many transceivers is to select an alternate action for some control buttons.

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Station setup and operation T5C

Repeaters; repeater and simplex operating techniques, offsets, selective squelch, open and closed repeaters, linked repeaters

• One purpose of a repeater is to extend the usable range of mobile and low power stations.

• A courtesy tone is a tone used to indicate when a transmission is complete.

• The repeater input and output frequencies is the most important information to know before using a repeater.

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Repeaters; repeater and simplex operating techniques, offsets, selective squelch, open and closed repeaters, linked repeaters (cont)

• The most common input/output frequency offset for repeaters in the 2-meter band is 0.6 MHz otherwise stated as 600 kHz.

• The most common input/output frequency offset for repeaters in the 70-centimeter band is 5.0 MHz.

• The terms input and output frequency when referring to repeater operations means the repeater receives on one frequency and transmits on another.

60 miles

Offset+ 600 kHz

Input Freq147.78 MHz

Output Freq147.18 MHz

A repeater is a device used to retransmit amateur radio signals.

2-meter band

50 miles

Offset+ 5.0 mHz

Input Freq447.275

MHz

Output Freq442.275 MHz

A repeater is a device used to retransmit amateur radio signals.

70-centimeter band

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• The term, simplex operation, means transmitting and receiving on the same frequency.

• A reason to use simplex instead of a repeater is to avoid tying up the repeater when direct contact is possible.

• You might find out you could communicate with a station using simplex instead of a repeater if you check the repeater input frequency to see if you can hear the other station.

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Offsets

The repeater listings show the repeaters' output frequencies.

Repeaters have standard input frequency offsets as shown in the table.

Output Frequency Input Frequency Offset

51-52 - 0.5 MHz

52-54 - 1.0 MHz

144.51-144.89 + 0.6 MHz

145.11-145.49 - 0.6 MHz

146.0-146.39 +0.6 MHz

146.61-147.0 -0.6 MHz

147.0-147.39 +0.6 MHz

147.6-147.99 -0.6 MHz

223-225 - 1.6 MHz

440-445 + 5.0 MHz

445-450 - 5.0 MHz

918-922 -12 MHz

927-928 -25 MHz

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• You should pause briefly between transmissions when using a repeater to listen for anyone wanting to break in.

• Linked repeater system is the term for a series of repeaters that can be connected to one another to provide users with a wider coverage.

• Access to any repeater may be limited by the repeater owner.

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• The main reason repeaters should be approved by the local frequency coordinator before being installed is that coordination minimizes interference between repeaters and makes the most efficient use of available frequencies.

• A closed repeater is the term used to describe a repeater when use is restricted to the members of a club or group.

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Station setup and operation T5D

Recognition and correction of problems• A logical first step when attempting to

cure a radio frequency interference problem in a nearby telephone is to install an RF filter at the telephone.

• The most likely cause of telephone interference from a nearby transmitter is the transmitter's signals are causing the telephone to act like a radio receiver.The following may be useful in correcting a radio frequency interference problem:

Snap-on ferrite chokes Low-pass and high-pass filters Notch and band-pass filtersAll of these answers are correct

21


Recognition and correction of problems (cont)

• If someone tells you that your transmissions are interfering with their TV reception: First make sure that your station is operating properly

and; That it does not cause interference to your own television.

• When a neighbor reports that your radio signals are interfering with something in his home: The proper course of action to take is to check your

station and make sure it meets the standards of good amateur practice.

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• The most likely cause of telephone interference from a nearby transmitter is the transmitter's signals are causing the telephone to act like a radio receiver.

• If someone tells you that your transmissions are interfering with their TV reception you should first make sure that your station is operating properly and that it does not cause interference to your own television.

• The following may be useful in correcting a radio frequency interference problem: (you’ve seen these before)

• Snap-on ferrite chokes• Low-pass and high-pass filters• Notch and band-pass filtersAll of these answers are correct

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• If a "Part 15" device in your neighbor’s home is causing harmful interference…..

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• When a neighbor reports that your radio signals are interfering with something in his home the proper course of action to take is to check your station and make sure it meets the standards of good amateur practice.

• A logical first step when attempting to cure a radio frequency interference problem in a nearby telephone is to install an RF filter at the telephone.

• If a "Part 15" device in your neighbor’s home is causing harmful interference to your amateur station you should:

• Work with your neighbor to identify the offending device• Politely inform your neighbor about the rules that

require him to stop using the device if it causes interference

• Check your station and make sure it meets the standards of good amateur practice

All of these answers are correct

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Fundamental overload Symptoms of overload and overdrive

• A fundamental overload, in reference to a receiver, is interference caused by very strong signals from a nearby source.

• Receiver front-end overload is the result of interference caused by strong signals from a nearby source.

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Distortion• If you receive a report that your signal through

the repeater is distorted or weak, the problem may be any of the following: Your transmitter may be slightly off frequency Your batteries may be running low You could be in a bad locationAll of these answers are correct

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Over and under modulation, RF feedback, Off frequency signals• If another operator reports that your SSB signal is

very garbled and breaks up, RF energy may be getting into the microphone circuit and causing feedback.

• Fading and noise• If another operator tells you he is hearing a variable high-

pitched whine on the signals from your mobile transmitter, the power wiring for your radio could be picking up noise from the vehicle's electrical system.

• Doppler shift is NOT a cause of radio frequency interference.

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Problems with digital communications links

• One of the reasons to use digital signals instead of analog signals to communicate with another station is:

many digital systems can automatically correct errors caused by noise and interference.

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Take aways

• Microphone … transmitter

• Speaker … receiver

• Mic/speaker too close … feedback

• Noisy area, use headphones

• Regulated power supply … voltage fluctuations

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Take aways (cont)

• Reduce spurious emissions at Xmtr

• Prevent RF overload … Notch filter

• Transceiver…TNC…computer

• Packet doesn’t need a mic

• Computer sound card for data transmissions

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Take aways (cont)

• Too much mic gain will cause distortion and be unreadable

• Store in memory: PL (tones); Power level; transmit/receive frequencies

• Keypad/VFO to select frequency

• Favorite frequency … store in memory

• Ignition noise…turn on noise blanker

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Take aways (cont)

• Up/Down buttons … easy frequency or memory selection

• Shift … sets offset frequency

• RIT … Receiver Incremental Tuning

• Step sets tuning rate

• “F” selects alternate actions with same buttons

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Take aways (cont)

• Repeaters extend range of mobiles and low-power stations

• Courtesy tone … indicates transmission is done

• Offsets: 0.6 MHz … 5.0 MHz … 2-meter & 70-centimeter bands

• Input/output frequencies of repeaters: receives on one, transmits on another

• Transmit and receive same frequency… simplex

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Take aways (cont)

• Use of simplex avoids tying up repeater• Series of repeaters connected … linked

repeater system• Access to repeater may be limited by

owner• Closed machine is restricted use• Local frequency coordinators …

minimize interference and make most efficient use of frequencies available

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Take aways (cont)

• Fundamental overload … very strong signals from nearby source

• Doppler is NOT a cause of RFI• Transmitter signals cause telephone to

act like a receiver caused by nearby transmitter

• Correct RFI: Snap-on ferrite chokes; low-pass and high-pass filters

• Neighbor reports interference … meet standards of good amateur practice

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Take aways (cont)

• Neighbor causing interference … work with neighbor; inform rules require stop of interference; Good standards of amateur practice

• Mobile has high-pitched whine … power wiring picking up noise from electrical system

• SSB garbled and broken up … RF energy causing feedback

• Digital systems automatically error correct noise and interference

• Using repeater: distorted or weak .. Off frequency; batteries low; bad location

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Element 2 Technician Class Question Pool

T5

Valid July 1, 2006

Through

June 30, 2010

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T5A01 What does a microphone connect to in a basic amateur radio station?

A. The receiverB. The transmitterC. The SWR BridgeD. The Balun

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T5A02 Which piece of station equipment converts electrical signals to sound waves?

A. Frequency coordinatorB. Frequency discriminatorC. SpeakerD. Microphone

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T5A03 What is the term used to describe what happens when a microphone and speaker are too close to each other?

A. Excessive wind noiseB. Audio feedbackC. Inverted signal patternsD. Poor electrical grounding

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T5A04 What could you use in place of a regular speaker to help you copy signals in a noisy area?

A. A video displayB. A low pass filterC. A set of headphonesD. A boom microphone

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T5A05 What is a good reason for using a regulated power supply for

communications equipment?

A. To protect equipment from voltage fluctuations

B. A regulated power supply has FCC approval

C. A fuse or circuit breaker regulates the power

D. Regulated supplies are less expensive

43

T5A06 Where must a filter be installed to reduce spurious emissions?

A. At the transmitterB. At the receiverC. At the station power supplyD. At the microphone

44

T5A07 What type of filter should be connected to a TV receiver as the first step in trying to prevent RF overload from a nearby 2-meter transmitter?

A. Low-pass filterB. High-pass filterC. Band pass filterD. Notch filter

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T5A08 What is connected between the transceiver and computer terminal in a packet radio station?

A. TransmatchB. MixerC. Terminal Node Controller D. Antenna

46

T5A09 Which of these items is not required for a packet radio station?

A. AntennaB. TransceiverC. Power sourceD. Microphone

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T5A10 What can be used to connect a radio with a computer for data transmission?

A. BalunB. Sound CardC. Impedance matcherD. Autopatch

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T5B01 What may happen if a transmitter is operated

with the microphone gain set too high?

A. The output power will be too highB. It may cause the signal to become

distorted and unreadableC. The frequency will varyD. The SWR will increase

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T5B02 What kind of information may a VHF/UHF transceiver be capable of storing in memory?

A. Transmit and receive operating frequency

B. CTCSS tone frequencyC. Transmit power level D. All of these answers are correct

50

T5B03 What is one way to select a frequency on which to operate?

A. Use the keypad or VFO knob to enter the correct frequency

B. Turn on the CTCSS encoderC. Adjust the power supply ripple

frequencyD. All of these answers are correct

51

T5B04 What is the purpose of the squelch control on a transceiver?

A. It is used to set the highest level of volume desired

B. It is used to set the transmitter power level

C. It is used to adjust the antenna polarization

D. It is used to quiet noise when no signal is being received

52

T5B05 What is a way to enable quick access to a favorite frequency on your transceiver?

A. Enable the CTCSS tonesB. Store the frequency in a memory

channelC. Disable the CTCSS tonesD. Use the scan mode to select the desired

frequency

53

T5B06 What might you do to improve the situation if the station you are listening to is hard to copy because of ignition noise interference?

A. Increase your transmitter powerB. Decrease the squelch settingC. Turn on the noise blankerD. Use the RIT control

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T5B07 What is the purpose of the buttons labeled "up" and "down" on many microphones?

A. To allow easy frequency or memory selection

B. To raise or lower the internal antennaC. To set the battery charge rateD. To upload or download messages

55

T5B08 What is the purpose of the "shift" control found on many VHF/UHF transceivers?

A. Adjust transmitter power levelB. Change bandsC. Adjust the offset between transmit

and receive frequencyD. Change modes

56

T5B09 What does RIT mean?

A. Receiver Input ToneB. Receiver Incremental TuningC. Rectifier Inverter TestD. Remote Input Transmitter

57

T5B10 What is the purpose of the "step" menu function found on many transceivers?

A. It adjusts the transmitter power output level

B. It adjusts the modulation levelC. It sets the earphone volumeD. It sets the tuning rate when changing

frequencies

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T5B11 What is the purpose of the "function" or "F" key found on many transceivers?

A. It turns the power on and offB. It selects the autopatch access codeC. It selects an alternate action for some

control buttonsD. It controls access to the memory

scrambler

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T5C01 What is one purpose of a repeater?

A. To cut your power bill by using someone else's higher power system

B. To extend the usable range of mobile and low-power stations

C. To transmit signals for observing propagation and reception

D. To communicate with stations in services other than amateur

60

T5C02 What is a courtesy tone?

A. A tone used to identify the repeaterB. A tone used to indicate when a

transmission is completeC. A tone used to indicate that a

message is waiting for someoneD. A tone used to activate a receiver in

case of severe weather

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T5C03 Which of the following is the most important information to know before using a repeater?

A. The repeater input and output frequencies

B. The repeater call signC. The repeater power levelD. Whether or not the repeater has

an autopatch

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T5C04 Why should you pause briefly between transmissions when using a repeater?

A. To let your radio cool offB. To reach for pencil and paper so you

can take notesC. To listen for anyone wanting to break

inD. To dial up the repeater's autopatch

63

T5C05 What is the most common input/output frequency offset for repeaters in the 2-meter band?

A. 0.6 MHz B. 1.0 MHzC. 1.6 MHzD. 5.0 MHz

64

T5C06 What is the most common input/output frequency offset for repeaters in the 70-centimeter band?

A. 600 kHzB. 1.0 MHzC. 1.6 MHzD. 5.0 MHz

65

T5C07 What is meant by the terms input and output frequency when referring to repeater operations?

A. The repeater receives on one frequency and transmits on another

B. The repeater offers a choice of operating frequencies

C. One frequency is used to control the repeater and another is used to retransmit received signals

D. The repeater must receive an access code on one frequency before it will begin transmitting

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T5C08 What is the meaning of the term simplex operation?

A. Transmitting and receiving on the same frequency

B. Transmitting and receiving over a wide area

C. Transmitting on one frequency and receiving on another

D. Transmitting one-way communications

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T5C09 What is a reason to use simplex instead of a repeater?

A. When the most reliable communications are needed

B. To avoid tying up the repeater when direct contact is possible

C. When an emergency telephone call is needed

D. When you are traveling and need some local information

68

T5C10 How might you find out if you could communicate with a station using simplex instead of a repeater?

A. Check the repeater input frequency to see if you can hear the other station

B. Check to see if you can hear the other station on a different frequency band

C. Check to see if you can hear a more distant repeater

D. Check to see if a third station can hear both of you

69

T5C11 What is the term for a series of repeaters that can be connected to one another to provide users with a wider coverage?

A. Open repeater systemB. Closed repeater systemC. Linked repeater systemD. Locked repeater system

70

T5C12 What is the main reason repeaters should be approved by the local frequency coordinator before being installed?

A. Coordination minimizes interference between repeaters and makes the most efficient use of available frequencies

B. Coordination is required by the FCCC. Repeater manufacturers have exclusive

territories and you could be fined for using the wrong equipment

D. Only coordinated systems will be approved by the officers of the local radio club

71

T5C13 Which of the following statements regarding use of repeaters is true?

A. All amateur radio operators have the right to use any repeater at any time

B. Access to any repeater may be limited by the repeater owner

C. Closed repeaters must be opened at the request of any amateur wishing to use it

D. Open repeaters are required to use CTCSS tones for access

72

T5C14 What term is used to describe a repeater when use is restricted to the members of a club or group?

A. A beacon stationB. An open repeaterC. A auxiliary station D. A closed repeater

73

T5D01 What is meant by fundamental overload

in reference to a receiver?

A. Too much voltage from the power supplyB. Too much current from the power supplyC. Interference caused by very strong signals

from a nearby sourceD. Interference caused by turning the volume

up too high

74

T5D02 Which of the following is NOT a cause

of radio frequency interference?

A. Fundamental overloadB. Doppler shiftC. Spurious emissionsD. Harmonics

75

T5D03 What is the most likely cause of telephone

interference from a nearby transmitter?

A. Harmonics from the transmitterB. The transmitter's signals are causing

the telephone to act like a radio receiver

C. Poor station groundingD. Improper transmitter adjustment

76

T5D04 What is a logical first step when attempting to cure a radio frequency interference problem in a nearby telephone?

A. Install a low-pass filter at the transmitterB. Install a high-pass filter at the transmitterC. Install an RF filter at the telephoneD. Improve station grounding

77

T5D05 What should you do first if someone tells you that your transmissions are interfering with their TV reception?

A. Make sure that your station is operating properly and that it does not cause interference to your own television

B. Immediately turn off your transmitter and contact the nearest FCC office for assistance

C. Tell them that your license gives you the right to transmit and nothing can be done to reduce the interference

D. Continue operating normally because your equipment cannot possibly cause any interference

78

T5D07 Which of the following may be useful in correcting a radio frequency

Interference problem?

A. Snap-on ferrite chokesB. Low-pass and high-pass filtersC. Notch and band-pass filters D. All of these answers are correct

79

T5D08 What is the proper course of action to take when a neighbor reports that your radio signals are

interfering with something in his home?

A. You are not required to do anythingB. Contact the FCC to see if other

interference reports have been filedC. Check your station and make sure it

meets the standards of good amateur practice

D. Change your antenna polarization from vertical to horizontal

80

T5D09 What should you do if a "Part 15" device in your neighbor's home is causing harmful

interference to your amateur station?

A. Work with your neighbor to identify the offending device

B. Politely inform your neighbor about the rules that require him to stop using the device if it causes interference

C. Check your station and make sure it meets the standards of good amateur practice

D. All of these answers are correct

81

T5D10 What could be happening if another operator tells you he is hearing a variable high-pitched whine on the signals from your mobile transmitter?

A. Your microphone is picking up noise from an open window

B. You have the volume on your receiver set too highC. You need to adjust your squelch controlD. The power wiring for your radio is picking up noise

from the vehicle's electrical system

82

T5D11 What may be the problem if another operator reports that your SSB signal is very garbled and breaks up?

A. You have the noise limiter turned onB. The transmitter is too hot and needs

to cool off C. RF energy may be getting into the

microphone circuit and causing feedback

D. You are operating on lower sideband

83

T5D12 What might be the problem if you receive a report that your signal through the repeater is distorted or weak?

A. Your transmitter may be slightly off frequency

B. Your batteries may be running lowC. You could be in a bad locationD. All of these answers are correct

84

T5D13 What is one of the reasons to use digital signals instead of analog signals to communicate with another station?

A. Digital systems are less expensive than analog systems

B. Many digital systems can automatically correct errors caused by noise and interference

C. Digital modulation circuits are much less complicated than any other types

D. All digital signals allow higher transmit power levels

Documents

Technician Licensing Class “T5” Presented by the Plano Texas Stake Plano, Texas January 20, 2007