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Listen First!

Listen First!.

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Listen First!

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  1. Listen First! • When you select a frequency on which to transmit, the first thing you should always do is listen to determine whether the frequency is busy. If someone is already using the frequency, good amateur practice says you don’t stomp all over them. Besides, it’s just the right thing to do! Release 1.0 – September 2006

  2. Repeater Manners – Calling Another Station • Since most Technicians get their start on repeaters, it is a good idea to know how to call another station on the repeater. For example, how do you call another station on a repeater if you know the station's call sign? It’s simple. Just say the station's call sign and identify your own station. Then wait for the other station to answer. • And guess what? If you want to call another station not on a repeater, you do the same thing - say the station's call sign and then identify your own station. Release 1.0 – September 2006

  3. Just Looking For Some Conversation • Suppose you don’t know anyone on the band, but you just want to talk. How do you indicate you are looking for any station with which to make contact? It’s simple. Just say “CQ” followed by your call sign. CQ means “calling any station” and is the ham’s way of saying I just want to talk with anyone willing to talk. • But be careful about one thing. If you want to talk to anyone who might be listening on a repeater, you don’t want to use “CQ.” By custom, if you want to talk on a repeater, you just transmit your call sign. (Some hams will transmit their call sign followed by the words “listening” or “monitoring.” That’s OK, too, but definitely avoid CQ on the repeater. Release 1.0 – September 2006

  4. Suppose You Hear A CQ • When you hear someone transmitting CQ, and you are willing to talk with them, what should you transmit when responding to that call of CQ? Again, it’s very simple, and the same as calling another station. Transmit the other station's call sign followed by your call sign, and wait for an answer. Release 1.0 – September 2006

  5. Test Transmissions • The FCC says it is perfectly OK to test your transmitter using a brief transmission, but you still must identify yourself. A brief test transmission that does not include any station identification is an illegal unidentified transmission. Always properly identify your station when testing! (See §97.119(a)) • When you test your transmitter, find a frequency, listen, and if it is quiet, give your call sign. And it is a good idea, although not required by rule, to follow your call by the words “test” or “testing.” Release 1.0 – September 2006

  6. How Often To ID When Testing • The requirement to ID when testing is the same as at any other time. The rule says station identification is required at least every ten minutes and at the end of every transmission. Release 1.0 – September 2006

  7. Making Your Call Sign Understood • When conditions are bad, it is sometimes hard to tell the difference between spoken letters when they sound similar. For example, consider that B, C, D, E, G, P, T, V and Z may be easily misunderstood in noisy conditions. Fortunately, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has adopted a phonetic alphabet that is recognized world wide. It substitutes easily understood words for each of the letters of the alphabet. • You don’t have to know this alphabet for the Technician exam, but you do need to remember that these words are internationally recognized substitutes for letters. If you are having trouble being understood, you can give your call sign using these recognized phonetics. For example, KA4PUV becomes “kilo alfa four papa uniform victor.” (See §97.119(b)(2)) Release 1.0 – September 2006

  8. ITU Phonetic Alphabet • Like we said, you do not have to know this alphabet for the test, but just for fun let’s take a look at it. You can learn it once you get your license! • International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Phonetic Alphabet • A Alpha J Juliet S Sierra • B Bravo K Kilo T Tango • C Charlie L Lima U Uniform • D Delta M Mike V Victor • E Echo N November W Whiskey • F Foxtrot O Oscar X X-ray • G Golf P Papa Y Yankee • H Hotel Q QuebecZ Zulu • I India R Romeo Release 1.0 – September 2006

  9. Avoid “Cutesy” Call Signs • Some hams like to use other older phonetic alphabets or invent their own words when giving their call sign phonetically. Other hams invent cute phrases to go with their call signs. None of these are illegal as long as you properly identify by stating your call sign in English as the rule requires. However, you should avoid them. Using non-standard phonetics or cute phrases can be a real problem because they are not easily understood by some operators. Release 1.0 – September 2006

  10. Check-Up Time! Now let’s try the questions from this group. You should make a note of any that you miss for later review.

  11. T3A01 • Which of the following should you do when selecting a frequency on which to transmit? • A. Call CQ to see if anyone is listening • B. Listen to determine if the frequency is busy • C. Transmit on a frequency that allows your signals to be heard • D. Check for maximum power output

  12. T3A01 Answer - B • This is a common sense answer. Before you talk, always listen to see whether someone else is already using the frequency.

  13. T3A02 • How do you call another station on a repeater if you know the station's call sign? • A. Say "break, break" then say the station's call sign • B. Say the station's call sign then identify your own station • C. Say "CQ" three times then the other station's call sign • D. Wait for the station to call "CQ" then answer it

  14. T3A02 Answer - B • Call the other station by saying the other station’s call sign first, followed by your own.

  15. T3A03 • How do you indicate you are looking for any station with which to make contact? • A. CQ followed by your callsign • B. RST followed by your callsign • C. QST followed by your callsign • D. SK followed by your callsign

  16. T3A03 Answer - A • To invite any station listening to answer your call, always call “CQ.”

  17. T3A04 • What should you transmit when responding to a call of CQ? • A. Your own CQ followed by the other station's callsign • B. Your callsign followed by the other station's callsign • C. The other station's callsign followed by your callsign • D. A signal report followed by your callsign

  18. T3A04 Answer - C • When answering a station, the procedure is the same as calling the station... Give their call sign first, followed by your own.

  19. T3A05 • What term describes a brief test transmission that does not include any station identification? • A. A test emission with no identification required • B. An illegal un-modulated transmission • C. An illegal unidentified transmission • D. A non-voice ID transmission

  20. T3A05 Answer - C • Any time an operator transmits, that operator must identify by giving his or her call sign at least every ten minutes and at the end of the transmission. It is illegal not to identify, so this would be an illegal unidentified transmission.

  21. T3A06 • What must an amateur do when making a transmission to test equipment or antennas? • A. Properly identify the station • B. Make test transmissions only after 10:00 PM local time • C. Notify the FCC of the test transmission • D. State the purpose of the test during the test procedure

  22. T3A06 Answer - A • Regardless of why the operator is transmitting, he or she must always properly identify the station. There are no special identification procedures for testing equipment.

  23. T3A07 • Which of the following is true when making a test transmission? • A. Station identification is not required if the transmission is less than 15 seconds • B. Station identification is not required if the transmission is less than 1 watt • C. Station identification is required only if your station can be heard • D. Station identification is required at least every ten minutes and at the end of every transmission.

  24. T3A07 Answer - D • There are no special identification procedures for testing equipment. The identification requirements are the same as for any other type of transmission - at least every ten minutes and at the end of every transmission.

  25. T3A08 • What is the meaning of the procedural signal "CQ"? • A. Call on the quarter hour • B. New antenna is being tested (no station should answer) • C. Only the called station should transmit • D. Calling any station

  26. T3A08 Answer - D • “CQ” means calling any station. When you call CQ, you are inviting any ham who is listening to contact you.

  27. T3A09 • Why should you avoid using cute phrases or word combinations to identify your station? • A. They are not easily understood by some operators • B. They might offend some operators • C. They do not meet FCC identification requirements • D. They might be interpreted as codes or ciphers intended to obscure your identification

  28. T3A09 Answer - A • §97.119(b)(2) • (b) The call sign must be transmitted with an emission authorized for the transmitting channel in one of the following ways: • *** • (2) By a phone emission in the English language. Use of a standard phonetic alphabet as an aid for correct station identification is encouraged; • When an operator makes up his or her own phonetics (which is not illegal), the phonetics are not always readily understood by others. You should learn the standard phonetic alphabet used by radio operators.

  29. T3A10 • What brief statement is often used in place of "CQ" to indicate that you are listening for calls on a repeater? • A. Say "Hello test" followed by your call sign • B. Say your call sign • C. Say the repeater call sign followed by your call sign • D. Say the letters "QSY" followed by your call sign

  30. T3A10 Answer - B • On a repeater, it is generally considered bad manners to call CQ. When using a repeater to invite a conversation, the generally accepted procedure is to simply state your call sign. That is enough to let others know you are available for a contact.

  31. T3A11 • Why should you use the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) phonetic alphabet when identifying your station? • A. The words are internationally recognized substitutes for letters • B. There is no advantage • C. The words have been chosen to represent amateur radio terms • D. It preserves traditions begun in the early days of amateur radio

  32. T3A11 Answer - A • §97.119(b)(2) • The FCC encourages the use of these phonetics. They are used by radio operators, pilots, mariners and the military services of many countries around the world, so they are widely recognized, even among non-English speaking people.

  33. Group T3B Group T3B covers the importance of the use of minimum power and amateur radio band plans. It also covers repeater coordination and certain sub-bands with restricted modes.

  34. Band Plans • The FCC has established the amateur radio bands and has divided the bands up into sub-bands for different types of operation. Sometimes that isn’t enough, since there are several different modes using the use digital or data frequencies, and these modes could conflict with each other. • For that reason, the amateur community has come up with a number of band plans. A band plan is a voluntary guideline, beyond the divisions established by the FCC for using different operating modes within an amateur band. It is a sort of “gentlemen’s agreement” that lets several modes share limited frequencies. Band plans are voluntary. No rule makes them mandatory. Release 1.0 – September 2006

  35. Repeater Band Plans • Repeaters almost always transmit on one frequency and receive on another. We call this split frequency operation. To make the best use of the frequencies available for repeaters,each area has a recognized frequency coordination body responsible for repeater band plans. For example, in the southeastern U.S., this body is SERA, or the Southeastern Repeater Association. Release 1.0 – September 2006

  36. Repeater Coordination • These recognized frequency coordination organizations perform a valuable service by coordinating repeaters. Basically, a person or group that wants to put up a repeater furnishes information about the repeater location, power, antenna height and other data, and the local frequency coordinator assigned the repeater a frequency pair. The frequency pair is chosen to avoid interfering with other repeaters. This process is called “repeater coordination.” The main purpose of repeater coordination is to reduce interference and promote proper use of the available frequency spectrum. Release 1.0 – September 2006

  37. Who Is Responsible? • Recall that repeaters are automatically controlled, so the repeater control operator is generally not required to be at the control point all the time. Suppose a ham begins using the repeater and starts using obscene language? Who is accountable if a repeater station inadvertently retransmits such communications that violate FCC rules? Since the repeater control operator is not required to be there all the time, the FCC says it is the transmitting station that will be held accountable. (See §97.205(g)) Release 1.0 – September 2006

  38. How Much Power Should You Use? • The FCC says that an amateur must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communication. (See §97.313(a)) • The maximum power level allowed to hams is quite high, but the FCC has made it clear that hams must use only the power needed. Using excess power may create unnecessary interference and should be avoided. Release 1.0 – September 2006

  39. More Memory Work • Some amateur bands are divided by the FCC into mode restricted sub bands. When a sub band is restricted by mode, only certain modes can be used on that portion of the band. The following bands available to Technician class licensees have mode restricted sub-bands: the 6-meter, 2-meter, and 1 1/4-meter bands. You need to remember this. (See §97.305(c)) Release 1.0 – September 2006

  40. And Still More Memory Work • Recall that the 6 meter band extends from 50 megahertz to 54 megahertz. The only emission mode permitted in the 50 to 50.1 megahertz sub band is CW (also known as “continuous wave” and used for Morse code). • Also recall that the 2 meter band goes from 144 megahertz to 148 megahertz. Likewise, the only emission mode permitted in the restricted sub-band at 144.0 to 144.1 megahertz is also CW. • Remember both of these as well. • (See §97.305 (a)&(c)) Release 1.0 – September 2006

  41. Check-Up Time! Now let’s try the questions from this group. You should make a note of any that you miss for later review.

  42. T3B01 • What is a band plan? • A. A voluntary guideline, beyond the divisions established by the FCC for using different operating modes within an amateur band • B. A guideline from the FCC for making amateur frequency band allocations • C. A guideline for operating schedules within an amateur band published by the FCC • D. A plan devised by a local group

  43. T3B01 Answer - A • Band plans are voluntary, and are developed by groups such as the ARRL and others working together. They help keep some order on the bands by suggesting frequencies for different modes of operation, thus minimizing interference.

  44. T3B02 • Which of the following statements is true of band plans? • A. They are mandated by the FCC to regulate spectrum use • B. They are mandated by the ITU • C. They are voluntary guidelines for efficient use of the radio spectrum • D. They are mandatory only in the US

  45. T3B02 Answer - C • The key word to remember about band plans is “voluntary.” A ham can not follow the band plan and still be arguably “legal.” However, disregarding band plans when operating is not “good amateur practice.” See §97.101(a).

  46. T3B03 • Who developed the band plans used by amateur radio operators? • A. The US Congress • B. The FCC • C. The amateur community • D. The Interstate Commerce Commission

  47. T3B02 Answer - C • The amateur community is all of us as represented by various clubs and amateur organizations such as the ARRL.

  48. T3B04 • Who is in charge of the repeater frequency band plan in your local area? • A. The local FCC field office • B. RACES and FEMA • C. The recognized frequency coordination body • D. Repeater Council of America

  49. T3B04 Answer - C • Having groups to coordinate repeaters results in less interference between repeaters and better communications for all amateurs. In the southeast U.S., the Southeast Repeater Association (SERA) coordinates repeater frequencies through volunteers who used sophisticated software and solid engineering practices to assign repeater frequencies.

  50. T3B05 • What is the main purpose of repeater coordination? • A. To reduce interference and promote proper use of spectrum • B. To coordinate as many repeaters as possible in a small area • C. To coordinate all possible frequencies available for repeater use • D. To promote and encourage use of simplex frequencies

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