Transcript I`ve Got My License, Now What_v3

I’ve Got My License,
Now What?
Quick Start for new SAR Hams
Chris Wong N6JGC
Dave Hodgson KG6TCJ
Randy Jenkins KA6BQF
Overview
Radios Systems – Equipment, Transmission Modes
► Bands – Frequencies, Technician Class License
► Handheld Radio Operations - Knobs, Buttons, Offsets, Tone
► Working with repeaters – Input, Output, Encode/Decode
► Antennas - Base station, Mobile, HT, SWR
► Power supplies – AC, DC, Regulated, Switching, Car power
► Batteries - Alkaline, LiON, NiCad, NiMH
► How to Communicate - Operating courtesy, protocols
► Nets - NTS, ARES/RACES, Club, Ragchew
► Ham Communities - Clubs, Public Service, Field Day
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Radio Systems
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Radio equipment varies based on frequencies and mode of
transmission but all have basic components
 Transmitter, Receiver, Line, Antenna
 Data – analog, digital
 Transmission Mode, Frequency Band
HF (160M to 10M)
DX (long range)
Long-wire
Big Yagi
VHF/UHF (6M to 2GHz)
Line-of-sight
Conventional antenna
Microwave (10GHz)
Line-of-sight
Dish, horns,
waveguides
Common Transmission Types
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Analog
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AM (amplitude modulation)
FM (frequency modulation)
SSB (single side band)
CW (continuous wave)
ATV (amateur TV)
SSTV (slow scan TV)
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AMTOR, PACTOR, RTTY
PSK31
FSK
Packet (AX.25)
APRS
Digital (commonly tones transmitted over analog - AM, FM, SSB)
Applications of radio communication
 Terrestrial
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Line-of-site
Atmospheric bounce
 EME (Earth-Moon-Earth)
 OSCAR (Satellite)
 QRP (Low Power)
Ham Equipment
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Voice Modes
 Handhelds – VHF, UHF
 Mobile – VHF, UHF, HF
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Digital Modes
 Packet – TNC, Sound Cards, Computers
 APRS – Trackers, TNC, Computers, GPS
 RTTY/PACTOR/PSK31 – Multimode Controller, HF Radio
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Visual Mode
 ATV – Camera, Controller, Transceiver (VHF)
 SSTV – Camera, Controller, Transceiver (HF, VHF)
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Internet Ham Radio
 Echolink, WIRES – HF, VHF, UHF
Technician Class License
► Bands
 HF - 80M, 40M, 15M
►CW
only except 10M (SSB)
 VHF/UHF – 6M and above
►Generally
voice (phone)
and data (digital)
FCC Band Plan
Basic Handheld Radio Operations
(what, when, how)
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Power On/Off
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 Button or volume knob
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Offset (based on bandwidth)
 VHF standard 600Hz + or –
 UHF standard 5MHz + or –
Transmit power
 Function + X (combination of
keys)
Set Frequency
 Direct entry
 Rotate dial
 Set increment
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 Frequency in Hz
 Code (Letter/Number)
 By changing offset
Squelch
 Knob – older style analog
 Button – usually by accessing
menu (combination of keys)
Encode/Decode Tone (PL)
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Memory – Store/Recall
 Function + X (combination of
keys)
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Reverse
 Usually a button or combination
of keys
Basic Handheld Radio Operations
(cont’d)
Open Squelch
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 Button
 Rotate squelch knob Simplex
 Switch
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Speaker/Mic jack
 Signal strength
 Channel/Frequency
 Battery voltage/health
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 Adapter sometimes required
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ARTS
 Function + X (combination of
keys)
Holding radio
 Body coupling
 Body signal attenuation
Paging
 Function + X (combination of
keys)
Distance from mic
 2 to 4 inches
 Background noise (wind)
Push-to-talk (PPT)
 Keying up – wait before talking
LCD display
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Antennas
 Rubber Duck
 Whip
 Efficiency compromises
Using Repeaters
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Receive on one frequency and retransmit on another (usually within
same band)
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Simultaneous; audio signal transferred
Output (what you receive – usually displayed on radio in receive mode)
Input (+ or – from your receive freq)
Control frequency
Offset or split (usually indicated by +/-)
 Conventions established by bandwidth; coordinated
 Odd split or manual
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Encode/Decode Tone (PL)
 Some repeater will not open up unless the code is correct
 Repeaters may not always transmit the tone on the output
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Repeater Components
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Receiver
Transmitter
Controller
Phone patch
Antenna system
Duplexer
Using Repeaters (cont’d)
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Cross band
 440/2M
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Voting receivers
 Select highest signal strength signal to process
 Antennas pointed in different directions
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Multiple receivers (look for different PLs on same frequency pair)
 Same site
 Different site
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Linked repeaters
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Tied together via links (usually different band – conventional, MW, fiber)
Echolink, WIRES
Digipeaters
 Used for digital communications
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Packet, APRS
 Receive data, then quickly retransmit
 Intelligence built into TNC to avoid collisions
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Open vs. Closed Repeaters
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Antenna types
Antennas
 Base station, mobile, handheld
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Mast mounted
Vehicle – hole in roof, magnetic mount, rack mount
HT - Rubber ducks, whips, sticks
To radiate, you need transmitting leg and a reflecting leg
 Vertical & ground plane
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Antenna efficiency (high to low)
 Base station -> Vehicle -> HT
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Gain
 Antenna designed to more efficiently radiate
 Generally, more gain is better
 As gain increase, angle of radiation decreases
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Antenna tuning
 Efficiency is improved if “reflected” power
 SWR – Standing Wave Ratio
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Common Homebrew
 J-Pole
 Quarter-wave
Batteries
Typical types
Characteristics
Lead Acid
Regular, Deep Cycle
Delivers high amperes
Useful life 5-7 yrs
Can take charge/discharge cycles
Can float charge
Maintenance of water levels and
terminals
Hazardous content
Gel Cell
Reasonable power output for size
Less hazard
Can float charge
Watch charging rate
Batteries (cont’d)
Typical types
Characteristics
Dry Cell
Alkaline
Not rechargeable
Good shelf life
Performance varies
Nickel Cadmium – NiCad
Memory effect – discharge completely
before charging
Do not float charge
Affected by cold
Nickel Metal Hydride - NiMH
No or little memory effect
Higher capacity than NiCad
Maintenance similar to NiCad
Lithium Ion – LiON
No or little memory effect
Can deliver high power output for size
Power Supplies
► AC
 Conventional
 Switching
► Automobile
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12VDC systems
Voltage regulators
Noise filters
Negative ground
Fusing both leads
Current (amperes) limited through cigarette lighter plug
► Power
Inverters
 Convert 12VDC to 120VAC
 Watch the watts
 Can drain your battery
How to communicate
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Clear communication
 Plain text, clear pronunciation, slow and steady
 Codes as needed for situation
 Phonetics as needed
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Thinking before keying up and talking
 Plan message in head; write down the facts
 Efficient with words
 Avoid the “uhh”, “umm”
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Protocols
 Usually start with call – To Call Sign >> From Call Sign
 Emergency traffic always has priority
 Don’t be a doofus – How do I get there?, 5min reporting, Side
conversations, Net Control syndrome
 Check in with Net Control/IC periodically, especially if you have been quiet
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Power Settings
 FCC requires only using levels needed to reach the other station in order to
reduce interference
Common Local Nets
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Club
 Sponsored by ham radio club usually on a club repeater
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NTS – National Traffic System
 Radiogram service free of charge
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Emergency Service
 Simplex or on club repeater
 ARES – Sponsored by ARRL
 RACES – Usually sponsored by County EOS
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Public Service
 Support of big events needing communications
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Bike Rides
Marathons
 Red Cross, Salvation Army
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Ragchew
 ID at the appropriate intervals as required by the FCC
 Don’t monopolize, be courtesy
 Allow breaks in between transmissions for others wanting to make contacts
Ham Communities
(where to go for help)
► ARRL
 http://www.arrl.org
► Ham
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Radio Clubs/Repeater Clubs
Good for meeting new folks
Regular meetings, breakfasts
Public service activities
Field Day
Commute nets
► Internet
 Yahoo Groups
Questions?
► Resources
 Marin Amateur Radio Club
► http://www.w6sg.net/
 East Bay Amateur Radio Club
► http://www.eastbayarc.org/
 Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club
► http://www.mdarc.org/
 Silverado Amateur Radio Society
► http://www.napasars.org/
► ARRL
 Search for local ham clubs – there are just too many to
list here