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Amateur Radio on Board

Amateur Radio on Board. Scott Honaker – N7SS. Local Communications. Marine VHF – 25 watt power limit Not to be used ashore CB - 4 watt limit / 40 channels Overrun with illegal high power stations FRS - ½ watt power limit / 14 channels Limited range and can be very crowded

Thomas
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Amateur Radio on Board

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  1. Amateur Radio on Board Scott Honaker – N7SS

  2. Local Communications • Marine VHF– 25 watt power limit • Not to be used ashore • CB - 4 watt limit / 40 channels • Overrun with illegal high power stations • FRS - ½ watt power limit / 14 channels • Limited range and can be very crowded • GMRS- 5 watt limit / 23 channels • Requires $75 license Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  3. Long-Distance Communications • Cellular Phone– ½ watt limit • Limited coverage and support outside US • Roaming charges can be huge (internationally) • May support data • Satellite– International coverage • Expensive (large) equipment and connect charges • Allows data transmissions for additional $$$ • Marine HF SSB – International coverage • Requires $155 station license and $55 operator license • Supports Sailmail at $250 per year Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  4. Why Amateur Radio? • Reliable, versatile communications • Low cost • Several technologies of interest • HF SSB – Long distance voice • HTs - High power portable radios • Autopatch – Telephone connectivity • IRLP/Echolink – Voice repeaters connected via the Internet • APRS – Amateur Position Reporting System • Winlink – Email via HF/VHF Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  5. Amateur HF SSB • More spectrum/bands available • More power – 1500 watts! • Most nets on amateur frequencies • Voice and data modes Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  6. Amateur HTs • Up to 7 watts available • 100s of “channels” on several bands • Repeaters extend range • Better antennas available • Can be used anywhere • Repeater-based nets X Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  7. Amateur Autopatch • Adds access to phone lines • Must “subscribe” to repeater • Generally inexpensive $15-$50 per year • No business messages • 911 available on most machines without membership Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  8. IRLP / Echolink • Links repeaters via the Internet • Allows “worldwide” coverage on VHF • Thousands of nodes available • Echolink allows connecting via computer directly – no radio required • More information at • http://www.echolink.org/ • http://www.irlp.net/ Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  9. Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) • Beacons position every few minutes • Allows status text (“Off to Nanaimo”) • Supports outbound 1-liner Emails • NWS weather warnings • Location available via radio or Internet almost instantaneously • http://map.findu.com/callsign Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  10. APRS Continued • Real-time weather from local stations • Supported on multiple computer platforms • Available via satellite/ISS and HF • More information at • http://www.aprs.org • http://nwaprs.info Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  11. APRS Map from APRSPoint Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  12. APRS Weather on FindU.com Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  13. Winlink 2000 • Designed as HF Email system for boaters • Similar to subscription Sailmail service • Longer daily transmission time-limit than Sailmail • No service fees required but no business traffic allowed • Includes APRS-style position reporting • Downloadable “bulletins” with weather, news, instructions, piracy information, etc. • Worldwide coverage Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  14. Winlink 2000 Mailbox Nodes Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  15. Winlink 2000 - Continued • Uses Airmail Email client software or pipe messages to Outlook/Outlook Express • Can also be used with dial-up or direct Internet connection in port • Allows binary attachments • Best performance requires SCS radio modem at nearly $1000 Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  16. Winlink Station Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  17. Emergency Communications • Aircraft Radios (121.5 MHz) • Monitored by aircraft and satellites • EPIRBs (406/121.5 Mhz) • VHF Channel 16 (Channel 70 with DSC) • HF SSB 2182kHz • Amateur Radio • “Multimode” rigs – very versatile • APRS – Emergency mode can send position • Autopatch allows 911 access Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  18. How to Get Licensed • Three license classes – Technician, General and Amateur Extra • Technician license allows VHF/UHF bands • General class license required for access to HF bands • Written test required for each license class • Tests administered locally with Volunteer Examiners (VEs) for $14 fee • License valid for 10 years before renewal Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  19. Exam Topics • FCC Rules and Regulations • Modulation Techniques (AM, FM, SSB, CW) • Radio Propagation • Basic Electronics • Transmitter/Receiver Components • Repeater/Satellite Operations • RF Safety Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  20. Exam Info • Published multiple choice question pool • 35 of 525 questions for Technician • 35 of 438 questions for General • 50 of 818 questions for Extra • Technician valid until 6/30/2006 • May get a little easier • General valid until 6/30/2007 • Will get more difficult with removal of code requirement Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  21. Exam Preparation Materials • Books from ARRL, W5YI (Gordon West), even Ham Radio for Dummies • http://www.arrl.org • http://www.w5yi.org • Practice exams on http://www.qrz.com • Ham University software from http://hamuniversity.com/ • Study guides and band plans on http://www.microhams.com Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  22. Amateur Classes/Testing • ARRL • Microhams • http://www.Microhams.com • Radio Club of Tacoma • http://www.w7dk.org • Mount Baker Amateur Radio Club • http://www.qsl.net/k7skw • Tests available somewhere every week • http://www.mikeandkey.org/education.htm Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

  23. We’ll be listening for you… Amateur Radio on Board - N7SS

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