Class 3

1. Class 3 et198B

2. ET 198BCommercial and Amateur (Ham) RadioFCC license Preparation Course. Bill Croghan WB0KSW PG-15-6818

3. Radio Wave PropagationHow it gets there • Radio waves travel by a number of methods. • 1. Direct, i.e. line of sight • 2. Ground wave • 3. Sky wave • And there are variations on each of the above.

4. Direct waves • Direct waves are typically line of sight. • The line of sight means that the wave travels in a straight line, not necessarily in actual sight. • Line of sight can be increased by reflections from metal buildings, or other objects. • Line of sight is limited by the Horizon, thus altitude increases range.

5. Ground wave • The ground wave signal travels along the surface of the earth and will go beyond the horizon. • Ground wave typically occurs at HF frequencies. • Ground wave has high absorption attenuation. Over water is good, trees are bad.

6. Sky WaveSKIP! • Sky wave occurs when the signal is bent and returned to earth by something above the surface of the earth. • There are many levels and sublevels above the earth • Atmosphere, i.e. Troposphere • Stratosphere • Ionosphere

7. Atmosphere - Troposphere • Signals in the lowest levels of the earth are generally affected by weather conditions. • Absorption • Ducting • Physical reflections from objects • Blocking by mountains, etc. • Usually line of sight.

8. Stratosphere • 10 to 50 KM up (6-30 miles) • Little real affect on propagation. • Airplane skip!!!!

9. Ionosphere • This is where the action is • The ionosphere is usually considered to be from 30 to 400 miles up. • These layers vary by time of day. • The ionosphere consists of layers that are distinct. • The ionosphere is composed of charged particles, IONS, kept active by the heat and particles from the sun’s UV.

10. Some terminology • MUF = Maximum Useable Frequency • Multi Hop = several times between the earth and Ionosphere • Skip zone = the area passed over by an ionosphere bounce • Scatter – random reflections from the Ionosphere or troposphere.

11. The Ionosphere’s layers • The layers of the ionosphere of significance to the Radio waves are; • D From 30-60 miles high • E From 60 to 120 miles up • F1 from 120 to 200 miles up • F2 from 200 miles to 400 miles up • All four exist during the day

12. The ionosphere at night • At night, there is less solar activity shining on the side of the earth facing away from the sun. • The D layer usually disappears completely • The E layer usually disappears or becomes much less dense • The F1 and F2 layers combine into a single F layer between 120 and 400 miles up

13. What does this mean • With higher layers, the skip is longer • With less dense layers, absorption is less • With less dense layers the MUF comes down. • Skip is longer or nonexistent

14. Sunspots • The ionosphere is heavily affected by sunspots. • Denser ionization • More Particles • Greater heat

16. Refraction • Refraction occurs when a wave meets a sharp edge, i.e. a mountain top • Knife edge refraction is another name • illustrate with shadow and hand

17. VHF and UHF propagation • Line of sight • Ducting • Refraction • Reflection

18. Element T4 • Station location • Importance of notifying FCC • Can be fixed or mobile, maritime mobile aeronautical mobile or Portable. • When inside the US and territories, nothing special needs to be done. • When Maritime or aeronautical • -a. International waters/airspace • -b. Another country or it’s harbors and territorial waters.

19. Selecting a station location • Practical considerations • 1. Covenants, deed restrictions, zoning • 2. rent or own • 3. Power lines, telephone cables, Cable TV, Trees. • 4. Airport distance • 5. limited space

20. Antenna heights • IF over 200 Feet, must notify the FCC and receive approval from the FAA. • Within certain distances from an airport, height restrictions apply.

22. Selecting a location mobile • In car but convenient and safe • Antenna should be as high as practical • Mag mounts work • Power can be run directly to battery. Cigar plug works but has problems. • Some cars even have electrical problems when running high power radios. • Keep it safe and fused.

23. Maritime mobile • Use boats stays, mast or other lines where possible • Must be separate from licensed maritime commercial radio systems • Ground into water, but be careful of materials. Electrolysis can eat away many metals. • Only with the approval of the ship’s master

24. Aircraft • Anything permanently attached to the aircraft must be done by person with an FAA Air Frame and Power plant license. Antennas can affect weight and balance of aircraft. • Many airplanes are 24 – 28 volts. • Must not interfere with safety and navigation radios. • Must be operated only with the permission of the pilot in command.

25. Remote base • A station located remotely from the operator with an immediate remote control circuit. • Often used when antenna restrictions limit operation at home. • Can be as simple as a link to an HF rig I the car.

26. Control Operator • Every station must have a control operator responsible for the proper operation of the station at all times. • There must be a control point • The FCC can inspect your station at any time. No search warrant or warning need be given. • Disconnect the mic to keep unauthorized persons from using the radio.

27. Public Service, Disaster And Emergency Comms. • You are allowed to use whatever means, frequencies etc. you can to help in a life or property threatening situation. • Emergency calls take priority over all other communications. • A voice emergency is announced by saying MAYDAY three times, then describe the location and nature of the emergency. If on a vessel, give the name of the vessel.

28. State Of Communications Emergency • The FCC may declare a state of communications emergency and define and area and group of frequencies. • The only communications permitted are those that are necessary to essential communications needs and facilitate relief. • This would include Health and Welfare Traffic

29. Operations procedures • The proper way to interrupt a repeater conversation to signal a distress call is to say break and then your call sign. • Use of tactical call signs IN ADDITION TO YOUR AMATEUR call signs in an emergency is more efficient and in line with Incident command procedures.

30. Good emergency practices • Always have spare batteries for your handhelds. Alkaline are best • For HF a simple dipole can be erected easily and is most useful. • Provide for yourself so you do not become a burden on the disaster relief people. • Bring food, water, clothing, shelter etc. • Be careful of fatigue

31. RACES / ARES • RACES -Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service – officially recognized by the FCC and Homeland Security service.. • ARES- Amateur Radio Emergency Services. An unofficial service for public service. • In most areas these are the same.

32. RACES • Recognized by local emergency management, the FCC and Homeland Security. • May be the only ones authorized to operate. • Each operator must be trained and registered with the local authorities. • During Drills, you must identify as drill or test messages.

33. Determining operating privileges • The operating privileges are the maximum of the control operators even when the station is licensed to a higher class operator. • If you permit someone else to operate your station you are BOTH responsible for the proper operations, even if you are not present.

34. Other Operatorscont. • If a station is being controlled by a person with a higher class license than the station owner, they may operate to their privileges providing proper ID is done. • To ID such a station give the higher class callsign followed by the station owners call sign. • If within the owners privileges, only the owners call need be given.

35. Other • Certain stations may be automatically controlled, i.e. repeaters, satellites, certain remote bases. • All other stations must have a control operator at the control point. • When you operate a repeater, you become the control operator • Both you and the repeater licensee are responsible.

36. Automatic control • Automatic control includes such things as time out timers, power limiting circuits, Alarms and methods to notify a control operator when things go bad. • Remote control must be at a frequency higher that 222 MHz and may not be on the repeater input frequency.

37. But what about cross band mobiles? • If you set up your mobile in the car to be a cross band repeater, then go inside your home to operate from a handheld, • YOU MUST HAVE A CONTROL OPERATOR AT THE CONTROL POINT WHICH WILL PROBABLY BE IN THE CAR. • IF there is sufficient remote control meeting the requirements, then you could be the control operator.

38. ID • All amateur stations must give their callsigns at the end and every ten minutes during a series of calls. • It is not necessary to ID the other station, unless you are carrying third party traffic to another country. • Callsigns must be given in plain language, internationally recognized Phonetics, or CW.

39. More ID • The station ID shall be given in English • An amateur station used to telecommand (remotely control) a model airplane or boat need not Identify if the transmitter is clearly labeled with the licensee’s name address and callsign.

40. Homework • Read though chapter five in NYT • Take test questions through T5b03. Grade yourself. If you still have any questions, bring then to class.