Technician Licensing Class “T5”

1. Technician Licensing Class“T5” Our thanks to the Plano Amateur Radio Club, Plano, Texas

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.

4. Station setup and operation T5A • 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.

5. Station setup and operation T5A • Station hookup – microphone, speaker, headphones, filters, power source, connecting a computer (cont) • 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.

6. Station setup and operation T5A • Station hookup – microphone, speaker, headphones, filters, power source, connecting a computer (cont) • A Terminal Node Controller is connected between the transceiver and computer terminal in a packet radio station. Packet TNC Transceiver Computer

7. 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 level All 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. Station setup and operation T5B • 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.

9. Station setup and operation T5B • Operating controls (cont) • 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)

10. NB & RIT Noise blanker RIT – Receiver Incremental Tuning

11. Station setup and operation T5B • Operating controls (cont) • 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.

12. 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.

13. Station setup and operation T5C • 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.

14. A repeater is a device used to retransmit amateur radio signals. 2-meter band Offset + 600 kHz Output Freq 147.18 MHz Input Freq 147.78 MHz 60 miles

15. A repeater is a device used to retransmit amateur radio signals. 70-centimeter band Offset + 5.0 mHz Output Freq 442.275 MHz Input Freq 447.275 MHz 50 miles

16. Station setup and operation T5C • Repeaters; repeater and simplex operating techniques, offsets, selective squelch, open and closed repeaters, linked repeaters(cont) • 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.

17. Offsets The repeater listings show the repeaters' output frequencies.   Repeaters have standard input frequency offsets as shown in the table.

18. Station setup and operation T5C • Repeaters; repeater and simplex operating techniques, offsets, selective squelch, open and closed repeaters, linked repeaters(cont) • 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.

19. Station setup and operation T5C • Repeaters; repeater and simplex operating techniques, offsets, selective squelch, open and closed repeaters, linked repeaters (cont) • 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.

20. 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 filters • All of these answers are correct

21. Station setup and operation T5D • 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. • 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.

22. Station setup and operation T5D • Recognition and correction of problems(cont) • 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. • If a "Part 15" device in your neighbor’s home is causing harmful interference…..

23. Station setup and operation T5D • Recognition and correction of problems(cont) • 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

24. Station setup and operation T5D • 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.

25. Station setup and operation T5D • 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 location All of these answers are correct

26. Station setup and operation T5D • 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.

27. Station setup and operation T5D • 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.

28. Take aways • Microphone … transmitter • Speaker … receiver • Mic/speaker too close … feedback • Noisy area, use headphones • Regulated power supply … voltage fluctuations

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. Element 2 Technician Class Question PoolT5 Valid July 1, 2006 Through June 30, 2010

37. T5A01 What does a microphone connect to in a basic amateur radio station? • The receiver • The transmitter • The SWR Bridge • The Balun

38. T5A02 Which piece of station equipment converts electrical signals to sound waves? • Frequency coordinator • Frequency discriminator • Speaker • Microphone

39. T5A03 What is the term used to describe what happens when a microphone and speaker are too close to each other? • Excessive wind noise • Audio feedback • Inverted signal patterns • Poor electrical grounding

40. T5A04 What could you use in place of a regular speaker to help you copy signals in a noisy area? • A video display • A low pass filter • A set of headphones • A boom microphone

41. T5A05What is a good reason for using a regulated power supply for communications equipment? • To protect equipment from voltage fluctuations • A regulated power supply has FCC approval • A fuse or circuit breaker regulates the power • Regulated supplies are less expensive

42. T5A06 Where must a filter be installed to reduce spurious emissions? • At the transmitter • At the receiver • At the station power supply • At the microphone

43. T5A07What 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? • Low-pass filter • High-pass filter • Band pass filter • Notch filter

44. T5A08What is connected between the transceiver and computer terminal in a packet radio station? • Transmatch • Mixer • Terminal Node Controller • Antenna

45. T5A09 Which of these items is not required for a packet radio station? • Antenna • Transceiver • Power source • Microphone

46. T5A10 What can be used to connect a radio with a computer for data transmission? • Balun • Sound Card • Impedance matcher • Autopatch

47. T5B01 What may happen if a transmitter is operated with the microphone gain set too high? • The output power will be too high • It may cause the signal to become distorted and unreadable • The frequency will vary • The SWR will increase

48. T5B02 What kind of information may a VHF/UHF transceiver be capable of storing in memory? • Transmit and receive operating frequency • CTCSS tone frequency • Transmit power level • All of these answers are correct

49. T5B03 What is one way to select a frequency on which to operate? • Use the keypad or VFO knob to enter the correct frequency • Turn on the CTCSS encoder • Adjust the power supply ripple frequency • All of these answers are correct

50. T5B04 What is the purpose of the squelch control on a transceiver? • It is used to set the highest level of volume desired • It is used to set the transmitter power level • It is used to adjust the antenna polarization • It is used to quiet noise when no signal is being received