SARA-ARRL

1. SARA-ARRL Saratoga Amateur Radio Association One-day Technician Licensing Course 2010

2. Course Details • We are using the Ham Radio License Manual • Organized by subject; we won’t follow chapter by chapter • Useful practical reference post-license • We have limited time, so promptness is essential • Two 10-min “stretch” breaks, morning and afternoon • 20-min lunch break, mid-day • Take restroom breaks on your own as needed • Open Q&A during the breaks • Your instructors will present material by sections • Yin Shih, N9YS • Don Steinbach, AE6PM • Kelly Johnson, N6KJ • Rob Vance, N6ROB • Christina Sand, WO1NDR

3. What to Expect • Nature of the content • Practical radio overview, some theory, regulations, amateur radio practice • We won’t cover all of the book content, we will cover every question • There will be some things to memorize long enough to take the test • Our goal: 70% principles, 30% memorization • We will summarize key study points then go over the question pool for each section • We will proceed quickly even though there may be some unfamiliar material • Don’t stress over a few unfamiliar sections as there will only be 1-2 questions from each a section • Our goal is to have you pass the test today, while retaining enough to know when to ask questions in the future

4. What to Expect (cont) • At the end, you will take a proctored 35-question multiple choice test. • Test questions are selected from the exact questions we will review today • Only need to answer 26 questions correctly or 75% • No record is kept of your scores, only PASS • No penalty (except test fee) for retaking the test now or later • No Morse code is required

5. Let’s Get Started • Our goal during this class is for each of you to achieve the Technician Class Amateur Radio License! • The license will authorize you to operate an Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) transmitter. • After licensing, we strongly encourage you to sign up for SARA “How to use your radio” sessions! • Please check out the SARA website www.k6sa.net and come to a meeting to see what we’re about! • The following is an example of how we’ll go through the material and present exam questions.

6. What is Amateur Radio? • Amateur (or Ham) Radio is a personal radio service authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). • To encourage the advancement of the art and science of radio. • To promote the development of an emergency communication capability to assist communities when needed. • To develop a pool of trained radio operators. • To promote international good will by connecting private citizens in countries around the globe. • Through ham radio, you will become an ambassador for your community and your country.

7. What agency regulates and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States? • A. FEMA • B. The ITU • C. The FCC • D. Homeland Security T1A02 (C) [97.1]

8. Amateur Radio Stations Basic Electricity & Math Radio Waves & Spectrum Modulation & Modes Feedlines & SWR Antennas Propagation RFI & Solutions Electronic Components Basic Circuits Radio Functions & Repeaters Operating Basics Emergency Communications Special Comm Modes Amateur Licensing & Privileges Amateur Responsibilities Safety Course Topics

9. Amateur Radio Stations

10. Basic Station Organization • Station Equipment • Receiver • Transmitter • Antenna • Power Supply • Accessory Station Equipment • Repeaters

11. What Happens During Radio Communication? • Transmitting (sending a signal): • Information (voice, data, video, commands, etc.) is converted to electronic form. • The information in electronic form is attached or embedded on a radio wave (a carrier). • The radio wave is sent out from the station antenna into space.

12. What Happens During Radio Communication? • Receiving end: • The radio wave (carrier) with the information is intercepted by the receiving station antenna. • The receiver extracts the information from the carrier wave. • The information is then presented to the user in a format that can be understood (sound, picture, words on a computer screen, response to a command).

13. The Basic Radio Station

14. The Transceiver • Most modern transmitters and receivers are combined in one unit – called a transceiver. • Saves space • Cost less • Many common electronic circuits are shared in the transceiver.

15. Antenna • The antenna exposes your station to the world. • Facilitates the radiation of your signal into space (electromagnetic radiation). • Intercepts someone else’s signal. • Most times the transmitting and receiving antenna are the same antenna. • Connected to your station by a connecting wire called a feed line.

16. Power Supply • Your radio station needs some sort of power to operate. • Battery, Household AC converted to proper voltage or alternative sources • Most modern radios operate on “12 volts” direct current (DC) externally or internally. • 13.8 volts DC is the actual voltage. • This is the charging voltage for motorized vehicles. • Household AC is 120 volts AC. • Power supplies convert 120 volts AC to 13-14 volts DC.

17. Basic Station Accessories • Human interface accessories: • Microphones • Speakers • Earphones • Computer • Morse code key • TV camera • Etc. • Station performance accessories: • Antenna tuner • SWR meter (antenna match checker) • Amplifier • Antenna rotator (turning antenna) • Filters • Etc.

18. Basic Data Transmission Setup Also TNC, or Computer Soundcard

19. Handheld Transceivers • Single, dual and multi-band versions (with increasing cost and complexity). • Some have expanded receiver coverage (wide-band receive). • Very portable and self-contained. • Internal microphone and speaker. • Rubber duck antenna. • Battery powered. • Also called HTs

20. Special Stations You Will Use (Repeaters) • Repeaters are automated stations located at high places that receive and then retransmit your signal – simultaneously. • Dramatically improves range. • The basic components of a repeater are the same as your station: receiver, transmitter, antenna and power supply.

21. Repeater

22. What is the FCC Part 97 definition of an amateur station? • A. A station in an Amateur Radio Service consisting of the apparatus necessary for carrying on radio communications • B. A building where Amateur Radio receivers, transmitters, and RF power amplifiers are installed • C. Any radio station operated by a non-professional • D. Any radio station for hobby use T1A10 (A) [97.3(a)(5)]

23. Which of the following is true concerning the microphone connectors on amateur transceivers? • A. All transceivers use the same microphone connector type • B. Some connectors include push-to-talk and voltages for powering the microphone • C. All transceivers using the same connector type are wired identically • D. Un-keyed connectors allow any microphone to be connected T4A01 (B)

24. What could be used in place of a regular speaker to help you copy signals in a noisy area? • A. A video display • B. A low pass filter • C. A set of headphones • D. A boom microphone T4A02 (C)

25. Which is a good reason to use a regulated power supply for communications equipment? • A. It prevents voltage fluctuations from reaching sensitive circuits • B. A regulated power supply has FCC approval • C. A fuse or circuit breaker regulates the power • D. Power consumption is independent of load T4A03 (A)

26. Which of the following would be connected between a transceiver and computer in a packet radio station? • A. Transmatch • B. Mixer • C. Terminal node controller • D. Antenna T4A06 (C)

27. How is the computer’s sound card used when conducting digital communications using a computer? • A. The sound card communicates between the computer CPU and the video display • B. The sound card records the audio frequency for video display • C. The sound card provides audio to the microphone input and converts received audio to digital form • D. All of these choices are correct T4A07 (C)

28. Batteries • Create current through a chemical reaction. • Made up of individual cells (typically 1.2 to 1.5 volts per cell depending on type) connected in series or parallel. • Battery types. • Disposable (Carbon-Zinc, Alkaline, Lithium). • Rechargeable (NiCd, NiMH, Li-Ion). • Storage (Lead Acid, usually 12-14 volts). • Power capabilities rated in Ampere-hours. • Amps x time.

29. Battery Charging • Some batteries can be recharged, some cannot. • Use the proper charger for the battery being charged. • Batteries will wear out over time. • Best if batteries are maintained fully charged. • Over-charging will cause heating and could damage the battery. • Some batteries (lead-acid) will release toxic fumes during charging so require ventilation.

30. What is the nominal voltage of a fully charged nickel-cadmium cell? • A. 1.0 volts • B. 1.2 volts • C. 1.5 volts • D. 2.2 volts T6A10 (B)

31. Which battery type is not rechargeable? • A. Nickel-cadmium • B. Carbon-zinc • C. Lead-acid • D. Lithium-ion T6A11 (B)

32. How much voltage does a mobile transceiver usually require? • A. About 12 volts • B. About 30 volts • C. About 120 volts • D. About 240 volts T5A06 (A)

33. Basic Electricity

34. Basic Characteristics of Electricity • There are three characteristics to electricity: • Voltage (aka Electromotive Force) • Current • Resistance • All three must be present for electrons to flow.

35. Ohm’s Law • E is voltage • Units - volts • I is current • Units - amperes • R is resistance • Units - ohms • R = E/I • I = E/R • E = I x R

36. Two Basic Kinds of Current • When current flows in only one direction, it is called direct current (dc). • Batteries are a common source of dc. • Most electronic devices are powered by dc. • When current flows alternatively in one direction then in the opposite direction, it is called alternating current (ac). • Your household current is ac.

37. Electrical current is measured in which of the following units? • A. Volts • B. Watts • C. Ohms • D. Amperes T5A01 (D)

38. What is the name for the flow of electrons in an electric circuit? • A. Voltage • B. Resistance • C. Capacitance • D. Current T5A03 (D)

39. 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 T5A04 (B)

40. 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 T5A09 (A)

41. What is the electrical term for the electromotive force (EMF) that causes electron flow? • A. Voltage • B. Ampere-hours • C. Capacitance • D. Inductance T5A05 (A)

42. What is the basic unit of electromotive force? • A. The volt • B. The watt • C. The ampere • D. The ohm T5A11 (A)

43. Which of the following is a good electrical conductor? • A. Glass • B. Wood • C. Copper • D. Rubber T5A07 (C)

44. Which of the following is a good electrical insulator? • A. Copper • B. Glass • C. Aluminum • D. Mercury T5A08 (B)

45. What electrical component is used to oppose the flow of current in a DC circuit? • A. Inductor • B. Resistor • C. Voltmeter • D. Transformer T6A01 (B)

46. What type of component is often used as an adjustable volume control? • A. Fixed resistor • B. Power resistor • C. Potentiometer • D. Transformer T6A02 (C)

47. What electrical parameter is controlled by a potentiometer? • A. Inductance • B. Resistance • C. Capacitance • D. Field strength T6A03 (B)

48. What formula is used to calculate current in a circuit? • A. Current (I) equals voltage (E) multiplied by resistance (R) • B. Current (I) equals voltage (E) divided by resistance (R) • C. Current (I) equals voltage (E) added to resistance (R) • D. Current (I) equals voltage (E) minus resistance (R) T5D01 (B)

49. What formula is used to calculate voltage in a circuit? • A. Voltage (E) equals current (I) multiplied by resistance (R) • B. Voltage (E) equals current (I) divided by resistance (R) • C. Voltage (E) equals current (I) added to resistance (R) • D. Voltage (E) equals current (I) minus resistance (R) T5D02 (A)

50. What formula is used to calculate resistance in a circuit? • A. Resistance (R) equals voltage (E) multiplied by current (I) • B. Resistance (R) equals voltage (E) divided by current (I) • C. Resistance (R) equals voltage (E) added to current (I) • D. Resistance (R) equals voltage (E) minus current (I) T5D03 (B)