Transcript Your First Radio

By Joe Seibert, AL1F
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- Base station
-Portable
-HT (handy talkie)
-Repeater
What bands can it work?
MF- 160, 80, 75 40 meters (often referred to as HF!)
HF-30, 20, 17, 15, 12 10 and 6 meters
VHF- 2 meters / 1.25 meters
UHF – 70 centimeters
Microwave- 33 centimeters, 23 centimeters
What transmission modes does it offer?
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FM (wide and narrow)
AM
SSB (upper and lower)
RTTY (usually computer oriented)
FSK (digital), includes PSK31, PSK56, Packet
SSTV
OSCAR satellite
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Transmitter- Uses a microphone to convert
sounds to RF signals.
Receiver- converts RF signals into sounds
which heard through a speaker or headphones.
Transmitter + Receiver= Transceiver
Often interfaced with a computer modem for
input/output when working digital modes
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BE CAREFUL NOT TO PLACE
MICROPHONE TO CLOSE TO SPEAKER.
This will cause audio feedback!!!!
Microphone gain set to high or shouting into
the microphone. It may cause the signal to
become distorted and unreadable.
Always stop and listen BEFORE you transmit.
Make sure a QSO is not in progress and the
frequency you’ve selected.
Tuning up on frequency.
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Most new Technician licensee’s start off a
single or dual band HT (handy talky). The most
popular bands are the 2 meters (144-48 MHz)
or 70 centimeter bands (420 – 450 MHz).
The radio will have a keypad as well as a
variable frequency oscillator (VFO) knob or up
and down pushbuttons. The knob, push
buttons or keypad can be used to select the
operating frequency.
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Additionally, most modern radios have
memory settings that enable you to store the
frequency, frequency offset, CTCS/DTCS tones
(for repeaters) and power settings in the
memory for quick access.
Most mobile radios have controls on the front
of the radio and the microphone. You can use
the up and down buttons on the microphone to
change the frequency or scroll through the
memory channels.
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-”STEP”- sets the tuning rate when changing
frequencies.
“Shift”- Adjusts the offset between the transmit
and receive frequency.
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On 2 meters (144-48 MHz) the standard offset is 600
KHz
On 70 centimeters (420-450 MHz) the standard offset
is 5 MHz.
“FUNCTION”- Also called the “F” key. Selects the
alternate action for some control buttons.
-RIT- Receiver incremental tuning. Used when
operating single side-band mode. Allows you to
fine tune the receiver without moving the transmit
frequency.
-SPLIT- Used mostly on HF radios to transmit on one
frequency and receive on another frequency
farther away.
 -SQUELCH- Is used to quiet the noise when no
signal is being received.
 Noise Blanker- Used to eliminate or reduce
ignition noise when operating mobile. Not found
on HT’s or FM radios, used mostly on HF SSB.
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When operating an HT, it’s always a good idea
to have a spare, charged battery.
The three main types of batteries:
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Lithium-ion- largest capacity, works well in cold
weather
Nickel metal hydride- Second best capacity. Some
memory tolerance
Nickel cadium- Least amount of capacity. Inherent
memory problems
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Inspect for physical damage before attaching to
your HT
Store in a cool & dry location
Maintenance recharge every 6 months
A fourth type of battery was used several years
ago, it was called a carbon-zinc battery and
was not designed to be recharged.
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Although most fully charged AA alkaline
batteries test at 1.5 Volts DC, a fully charged
nickel-cadium battery is 1.2 Volts DC. Don’t
try to overcharge the batteries!
The best was way to get the most amount of
energy from a battery is to draw current from
it at the slowest rate possible.
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Increase battery life by keeping the volume low
Increase battery life by setting to lowest power
output needed
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Use a regulated power supply to protect
equipment from voltage fluctuations
Most HT’s come with slow charger unit (6-8
hours) Fast charging units (2-2.5 hours) are
available as options.
If commercial power is not available connect
your battery to a car’s battery (cigarette lighter
adapter) and run the car’s engine.
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Amplifiers are used to increase the output
power of your radio. For example, most HF
base stations have an output of 100 watts.
Amplifiers are available to boost the output
power up to the legal limit, 1500 watts.
Many hams operate QRP, low power. QRP is
considered 1 – 5 watts. I have worked over 400
QRP stations from Europe, Japan, Australia
and all over the lower 48. More power does not
mean more contacts!
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What is used to convert the sounds from our
voice to radio signals?
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What does a microphone connect to in a basic
amateur radio station?
A. The receiver
 B. The transmitter
 C. The SWR bridge
 D. The balun
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What is used to convert radio signals into
sounds we can hear?
A. Transmitter
 B. Receiver
 C. Microphone
 D.Antenna
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Which piece of electrical equipment converts
electrical signals into sound waves?
A. Frequency coordinator
 B. Frequency discriminator
 C. Speaker
 D. Microphone
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What two devices are combined into one unit
in a transceiver?
A. receiver, transmitter
B. Receiver, transformer
C. Receiver, transistor
D. Transmitter, deceiver
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What could you use in a noisy area, instead of
a speaker, to help you copy signals?
A. A video display
B. A low pass filter
C. A set of headphones
D. A boom microphone
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What is the term used to describe what
happens when a microphone and a speaker are
placed to close together?
A. Excessive wind noise
 B. Audio feedback
 C. Inverted signal patterns
 D. Poor electrical grounding
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What will happen if a transmitter is operated
with the microphone gain set to high?
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A. The output power will be to high
B. It may cause the signal to become distorted and
unreadable
C. The frequency will vary
D. The SWR will increase
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What is one way on which to select a frequency
on which to operate?
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A. Use the keypad or VFO knob to enter the correct
frequency
B. Turn on the CTCSS encoder
C. Adjust the power supply ripple frequency
D. All of these answers are correct
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What is a way to enable quick access to a
favorite frequency on your HT?
A. Enable the CTCSS tones
 B. Store the frequency in a memory channel
 C. Disable the CTCSS tones
 D. Use the scan mode to select the desired frequency.
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What kind of information may a VHF/UHF
transceiver store in it’s memory?
A. Transmit and receive frequency
B. CTCSS tone frequency
C. Transmit power level
D. All of these answers are correct
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What is the purpose of the buttons labeled
“up” and “down” on many microphones?
A. To allow easy frequency or memory selection
 B. To raise or lower the internal antenna
 C. To set the battery charge rate
 D. To upload or download messages
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What is the purpose of the “step” function
found on many transceivers?
A. It adjusts the transmitter power output level
 B. It adjusts the modulation level
 C. It sets the earphone volume
 D. It sets the tuning rate when changing frequencies
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What is the purpose of the “shift” control?
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A. It adjusts the transmitter power level
B. Changes the bands
C. Adjusts the offset between transmit and receive
frequencies
D. Changes the modes
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What is the purpose of the “Function” or “F”
key found on many radios?
A. It turns the power on and off
 B. It selects an autopatch access code
 C. It selects an alternate action for some of the
control buttons
 D. It control access to the memory scrambler
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What is the purpose of the squelch control?
A. It is used to select the highest level of volume
desired
 B. It is used to set the transmitter power level
 C. It is used to adjust the antenna polarization
 D. It is used to quiet the noise when no signal is
being received
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What does RIT mean?
A. Receiver input tone
 B. Receiver Incremental tuning
 C. Rectifier Inverter Test
 D. Remote Input transmitter
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What might you do to improve the situation if
the station you’re listening to is hard to copy
because of noise?
A. Increase you’re transmitter power
 B. Decrease the squelch setting
 C. Turn on the noise blanker
 D. Use the RIT control
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What is a good thing to have when operating a
handheld transceiver when away from home?
A. A selection of spare parts
 B. A programming cable to load new channels
 C. One or more fully charged spare battery backs
 D. A dummy load
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Which type of battery offers the longest life
when used with a handheld radio, assuming
each battery is the same physical size?
A. Lead-acid
 B. Alkaline
 C. Nickel-cadmium
 D. Lithiom-ion
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What is required to keep rechargeable batteries
in good condition and ready for emergencies?
A. They must be inspected for damage and replaced
if necessary
 B. They should be stored in a cool and dry location.
 C. The must be given a maintenance charge at least
every 6 months.
 D. All of these answers are correct
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What type of battery is not designed to be
recharged?
A. Nickel-cadimum
 B. Carbon-zinc
 C. Lead-acid
 D. Lithium-ion
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What is the nominal voltage per cell of a fully
charged nickel-cadimum battery?
A. 1.0 volts
 B. 1.2 volts
 C. 1.5 volts
 D. 2.2 volts
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What is the best way to get the most amount of
energy from a battery?
A. Draw current from the battery as rapidly as
possible
 B. Draw current from the battery at the slowest rate
needed
 C. Reverse the leads when the battery reaches the ½
charge level
 D. Charge the battery as frequently as possible
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What is one way to recharge a 12 volt battery is
the commercial power is out?
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A. You cannot recharge a battery pack unless the
power is back on
B. Add water to the battery
C. Connect the battery to a car’s battery and run the
engine
D. Take your battery to the utility company for a
recharge
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What is a good reason for using a regulated
power supply for communications equipment?
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A. To protect the equipment from voltage
regulations
B. A regulated power supply has FCC approval
C.A fuse or circuit breaker regulates the power
D. Regulated power supplies are less expensive
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What device is used to increase the output of a
10 watt radio to 100 watts?
A. Amplifier
 B. Power supply
 C. Antenna
 D. Attenuator
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That’s
all folks!
Remember to go to
eham.net and take the
practice quiz each
day!