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Technician Class Amateur Radio Operator

Technician Class Amateur Radio Operator. presented by the Hampton Public Service Team Hampton, Virginia. 0711. Chapter 6. Communicating With Other Hams. HF Identify your station Their signal report Give your name QTH Age How long a ham Rig Antenna Weather Normally, one time QSO.

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Technician Class Amateur Radio Operator

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  1. Technician Class Amateur Radio Operator presented by the Hampton Public Service Team Hampton, Virginia 0711

  2. Chapter 6 Communicating With Other Hams

  3. HF Identify your station Their signal report Give your name QTH Age How long a ham Rig Antenna Weather Normally, one time QSO VHF/UHF Identify your station First time contact Name QTH Etc., etc. Normally repetitive QSOs 6.1 Contacts – What To Talk About HPST Technician Course

  4. Appropriate Topics • Discuss just about anything • Indecent & obscene language prohibited • No official list • Try to stay clear of provocative subjects • Politics • Religion • Sex HPST Technician Course

  5. Some No-No’s • Don’t use CB slang or 10-codes. • Don’t interrupt conversations (QSO’s) in progress. • Don’t tune up on the air, use a dummy load. • Avoid subject matter that could be offensive. • Don’t forget your manners – be polite. • Don’t whine and complain. • Don’t forget that the whole world can hear you! HPST Technician Course

  6. Good Operating • Speak clearly, use a normal tone of voice • No one has a “right” to a specific frequency • Be polite – there’s no excuse for rudeness • Use the minimum power to establish & maintain communication • Don’t be a “Lid” HPST Technician Course

  7. Signing Off • How to end it – the jargon • Final • QRU • Down the Log • 73 • 88 • Clear or off & clear HPST Technician Course

  8. Q-signals • The use of Q-signals began in the days of the telegraph, where operators developed a way to exchange commonly transmitted information (location, output power, etc.) more efficiently. • Q-signals are a kind of “short-hand” hams use to communicate quickly, especially via Morse Code. • Most Q-signals can be used as a question or a statement: “My QTH is Georgia.” “What is your QTH?” • Some common Q-signals are on the next slide… HPST Technician Course

  9. Q-Signals QRM - Is my transmission being interfered with?/Something is causing interference QRN - Are you troubled by static/noise?/I am troubled by static/noise. QRO - Shall I increase transmitter power?/I am running high power. QRP - Shall I decrease transmitter power?/I am running low power. QRQ - Shall I send faster?/Please send faster. QRS - Shall I send slower?/Please send slower QRT - Shall I stop sending?/I am going off the air. QRZ - Who is calling me? QSB - Are my signals fading?/Your signal is fading. QSL - Can you acknowledge receipt?/I received the message. QSO - Can you communicate with ____ direct?/I will communicate with ____ directly. QSY - Shall I change frequency?/I am changing frequency to _______. QTH - What is your location?/My location is _______. HPST Technician Course

  10. The RST Reporting System The RST system is a quick way amateurs use to describe a received signal. Readability 1 = Poor 5 = Good Signal Strength 1 = Poor 9 = Good Tone (CW only) 1 = Poor 9 = Good Signals stronger than S9 are reported as “XX Db over S9” Note: Do not use the RST system on repeaters. Strong FM signals are referred to as “full quieting” HPST Technician Course

  11. The RST System HPST Technician Course

  12. The Quality System • Used as a simple indicator of signal quality • Voice only • Q1 = Barely understandable • Q5 = Perfectly readable HPST Technician Course

  13. Locators • Where am I?? • QTH • City, State (HF) • Part of town (VHF/UHF) • Grid Squares • Maidenhead system • 1 deg latitude, 2 deg longitude • FM17sb HPST Technician Course

  14. Maidenhead Grid Squares HPST Technician Course

  15. Advising & Assisting • Methods & Procedure • Be helpful • Be nice • Radio & Antenna Checks • Make sure you can describe the problem verbally before transmitting • When helping, be able to provide with detailed information about what you are hearing • 59 isn’t much help • Is there a hum, broken signal, bad audio, etc. • Noting violations • Ham radio is self-policing • Be courteous and diplomatic when helping rules breakers HPST Technician Course

  16. Logging & Confirming Contacts • Keep a log of contacts • All HF • All VHF/UHF simplex • QSL cards • Exchanged to confirm 2-way contact • Used for display or for awards • E-logbook • ARRL Logbook of the World HPST Technician Course

  17. QSL Cards A QSL card is a written confirmation of contact between two amateur radio stations. HPST Technician Course

  18. 6.2 – Band Plans

  19. 144.00-144.05 EME (CW) 144.05-144.10 General CW and weak signals 144.10-144.20 EME and weak-signal SSB 144.200 National calling frequency 144.200-144.275 General SSB operation 144.275-144.300 Propagation beacons 144.30-144.50 New OSCAR subband 144.50-144.60 Linear translator inputs 144.60-144.90 FM repeater inputs 144.90-145.10 Weak signal and FM simplex (145.01,03,05,07,09 are widely used for packet) 145.10-145.20 Linear translator outputs 145.20-145.50 FM repeater outputs 145.50-145.80 Miscellaneous and experimental modes 145.80-146.00 OSCAR subband 146.01-146.37 Repeater inputs 146.40-146.58 Simplex 146.52 National Simplex Calling Frequency 146.61-146.97 Repeater outputs 147.00-147.39 Repeater outputs 147.42-147.57 Simplex 147.60-147.99 Repeater inputs Band Plans – 2 Meters HPST Technician Course

  20. 6.3 – Making a Contact

  21. Starting a Contact • Initiating a contact • Ascertain whether or not the frequency is in use • Calling CQ (I am calling any station) on HF • Announcing your call on VHF or UHF repeaters • Answering another station • Another station calls CQ or announces on the repeater • Answer with your call sign • Use phonetics, especially if your cal sign is hard to distinguish HPST Technician Course

  22. Taking Turns & Breaking In • Taking turns in roundtable conversations • Use “over” • Listen for repeater courtesy beep before keying • Wait your turn to speak • Avoid doubling • Breaking in • Listen to the conversation • Make sure that you have something to add • Say “break” and add your call sign, or just say your call sign • Wait to be recognized to enter the conversation HPST Technician Course

  23. ITU Phonetic Alphabet • Internationally recognized • Used for accurate copy when band conditions are noisy or crowded. • Always use the proper words, they were carefully selected so no two sound alike. • Avoid being cute. • Generally not needed on repeaters. HPST Technician Course

  24. Finding Repeaters • To find a repeater: • Check the band plan to see what segment is set aside for repeaters • Tune through that segment • Listen for conversations or repeater ID • ID may be in voice or Morse code • Good reason to learn the code • Scan the repeater band segments (radio should have scan feature) • Use a repeater directory (paper or online) HPST Technician Course

  25. Using Repeaters • Find frequency (such as 146.730) • Set offset (-600 kHz) • Set sub-audible tone (CTCSS) • Wait for a clear frequency • Key and say “<call sign> listening” • Observe repeater output signal on your S-meter • Squelch tail HPST Technician Course

  26. Repeater ID and Control • ID • Repeater will ID at least every ten minutes • Timer • Normally 3 minutes, kills transmitter • May announce “Time Out” • Will reset when carrier goes away • Reset during long conversations by unkeying until courtesy tone • Linking • Some repeaters are linked (audio sharing) • Wide area coverage • Several states coverage possible • May be physically connected or use a control link • Several repeaters may be linked into a network HPST Technician Course

  27. Repeater Controller • An electronic device that directs the repeater how to operate • Usually controllable by RF tone or by telephone tone • Generates ID • Contains repeater timer • May have several features • Voice ID synthesizer • Clock feature • Autopatch • Digital Voice Recorder • Weather station input HPST Technician Course

  28. Repeater Etiquette • Join the sponsoring club & support the repeater • Listen, listen, listen • ID your station (the repeater takes care of itself) • Keep power to minimum necessary for effective communications • Pause briefly between transmissions • Don’t hog the repeater • Don’t interrupt conversations unless you have something to add HPST Technician Course

  29. Repeater Signal Reports • RST system doesn’t apply well to VHF & above • Full quieting • No receiver noise is present • White noise • Hiss present, not as good as full quieting • Scratchy • Noise almost as loud as your signal • Mobile flutter or picket fencing • Rapid fading in and out • Dropping out • Marginal copy, sometimes signal not into the repeater • Broken or breaking up • Short periods where signal is audible HPST Technician Course

  30. Other Repeater Signal Issues • Distorted audio • Possibly off frequency • Up/Down buttons may have been bumped • Use Lock feature • Weak or dead batteries • Can cause distorted audio as well HPST Technician Course

  31. Autopatch • You can make phone calls from your radio • All repeaters are required to have a 3 minute transmit time-out feature. This applies to the autopatch as well. • Do not abuse the autopatch. • Use judgment calling 911. • Use of autopatch may be subject to payment of dues to the repeater owner or club. HPST Technician Course

  32. Open, Special Use & Private Repeaters • Closed repeaters are not available for public use • Closed repeater versus closed autopatch • Some repeaters dedicated to special purpose communications • Emergency communications • Most repeaters are “open” HPST Technician Course

  33. Repeater Coordination • Who Decides? • Volunteers! • Several repeater “coordination groups” throughout the US • SERA Southeast Repeater Association for our area • Input vs. Output “pairs” of frequencies are coordinated • Coordinators determine what freq is best based on location, HAAT, power, etc. to avoid interference with other repeaters • The FCC will typically side with a coordinated repeater over a uncoordinated repeater HPST Technician Course

  34. Simplex Frequencies • Band plans provide blocks of “simplex” frequencies • Direct communication, no repeater required • Establish contact on the repeater • Check input frequency to see if you can hear the other station • If so, move to a simplex frequency • Frees up the repeater for other weak or mobile stations HPST Technician Course

  35. Repeater – Digital Systems • The marriage of ham radio and the Internet • Echolink • IRLP • WIRES II • D-STAR • Similar technology to internet telephone services HPST Technician Course

  36. Echolink Normally links operator to repeater via the internet Operator sits at the computer Selects repeater from a list Uses space bar as PTT switch Normally no codes are needed, only a computer & software IRLP Normally links repeaters to other repeaters via the internet Requires radio link from the operator to a repeater Must know codes to initiate & terminate link to node Once repeaters are linked, regular repeater rules apply Echolink & IRLP HPST Technician Course

  37. 6.4 - Nets

  38. Types of Nets • Social • Least formal, most common • Themes vary widely • Traffic • On-air routing of messages • National Traffic System • Emergency & Public Service • Established specific to an emergency or public service event • Pass traffic, coordinate reporting & response activities HPST Technician Course

  39. Net Structure & Participation • Net Control Station (NCS) • Conductor of the net • Must have a clear, strong signal heard by all net members • Should be skilled & experienced • Generally uses a script • Note net Q signals in table 4-5 HPST Technician Course

  40. Efficiency and accuracy are most important Listen, listen, listen Check in Then don’t transmit unless requested to do so, or; Information that you have is being requested by the NCS Traffic priority Emergency Priority Health & Welfare Routine If no NCS present, announce that you are the temporary NCS Take check-ins, turn the list over to a more experienced operator when he/she comes on the air Participating In Emergency Nets HPST Technician Course

  41. NTS Format Number Precedence Handling Instructions Station of Origin Check Place of Origin Time & Date Address Text (Up to 25 words) Signature Use ARRL Radiograms Traffic nets make heavy use of Q signals Finding Nets ARRL Net Directory Online lists Check into the local traffic nets to gain experience in handling traffic Traffic Handling HPST Technician Course

  42. 6.5 – Emergency Operating

  43. Emergency Communications • Generally, hams can’t communicate with other services • Sometimes hams may communicate with non-hams during declared emergencies • RACES operators may talk with government stations during emergencies • Military station/ham contacts permitted on Armed Forces Day HPST Technician Course

  44. Emergency Conditions – Public Service • Emergency communications have precedence over all other amateur activities on any frequency • Essentially, you are authorized to do whatever you need to do to deal with an emergency • Except business communications, personal info without consent • News reports and messages are not emergency communications HPST Technician Course

  45. Emergency Operating Tips • Don’t become a part of the problem • You’re not in charge • Never speculate or guess • Be 100% accurate, ask for clarification, say “I don’t know” • Don’t give out unauthorized information • Refer curiosity to the Public Information Officer • Maintain your own safety • Stay out of harm’s way • Maintain radio discipline • Follow prescribed protocol and refrain from idle conversation • Protect personal information • Get consent, use packet or Morse code HPST Technician Course

  46. Emergency Declarations • FCC may declare temporary state of communications emergency • Normal rules may be suspended or changed • Frequencies may be restricted to emergency communications • Steer clear unless involved in the emergency • Amateurs may be authorized to communicate with other services HPST Technician Course

  47. Making Distress Calls • Mayday, Mayday, Mayday (voice) or SOS, SOS, SOS (CW) • ID with your call sign • Give your location • State the nature of the emergency • Describe the assistance required • Give other pertinent information • Pause for response, repeat if necessary FALSE DISTRESS CALLS ARE WORTH $10,000 AND REVOCATION HPST Technician Course

  48. Answering Distress Calls • Suspend ongoing communications immediately • Record everything said by the station calling • Respond, get any clarification • Notify the proper authorities • Stay on frequency until help arrives HPST Technician Course

  49. Tactical Communications • Tactical call signs may be used • Hampton EOC, Shelter 1, etc. • You must still meet all FCC requirements for ID with your call sign HPST Technician Course

  50. Emergency Equipment • Have a “GO-Kit” for responding to emergencies • Equipment & supplies required dependent on situation • Generally mobile radio, HT with charger & spare batteries, mag mount antenna, etc. will be adequate for one day event • Other options include headphones, identification, WATER & food, flashlight & batteries, clothes, toiletries, sleeping bag, tent, generator, gasoline & oil, bug repellent, list of repeaters, etc. • Ask those that have gone before you for advice HPST Technician Course

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