Technician Class Amateur Radio Operator

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