Ch1 Intro Flashcards
What hams do
talk, communicate keyboard to keyboard, send Morse Code (“CW”), build, watch/send videos, respond to emergencies, and community service
Types of personal radio
Citizens Band (CB), Marine VHF, Family Radio Service (FRS) Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)
CB Radio channels, intended use, and range
40 channels, private/business, 10 miles+
Marine VHF channels, intended use, and range
50 channels, maritime, 20 miles+
Family Radio Service (FRS) Radio channels, intended use, and range
22 channels, personal, 2 miles
Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) channels, intended use, and range
5 channels, personal, 5 miles+
ARRL core missions
public service (esp natural disasters through ARES), advocacy for ham operators, education (to recruit new members and promote ham radio in classrooms, technology (promoting technical skills and training), membership, membership magazine
Benefits of licensing
learning the basics of electronics and radios; wider range of radios and activities available when licensed
Technician class exam
exam element 2, 35 questions (26 correct is passing), all VHF and UHF bands with some HF
General class exam
exam element 3, 35 questions (26 correct is passing), all VHF and UHF bands and most HF
Amateur Extra exam
exam element 4, 50 questions (37 correct is passing), all amateur bands
contact lingo
every conversation is a contact, starting a conversation is making a contact; attempting to make contact by transmitting your call sign is making a call
more conversation lingo
once establishing contact, exchange info (signal report) to let them know how well you receive them, give name and location, sign off at the end
ragchew
a long conversation
CQ
making a “come in anybody” call to which anyone can respond is calling CQ (general call)
Ham shorthand
“break” or “breaker” (used to break into a conversation
Q-signals
a worldwide tool developed because people don’t speak the same language; “QTH” means “What is your location?” “QTH Seattle” might be a response.
Some awards and events for amateur technicians
OSCAR Satellite Communications Achievement Award; ARRL VHF/UHF/ Century Club (VUCC), ARRL and CQ VHF Contests, ARRL Field Day, ARRL 10 Meter Contest
SSTV and ATV
slow-scan television (SSTV) sends pictures of regular voice radios; broadcast TV-style video is hooked to an amateur TV (ATV) transmitter
packet radio and broadband hamnet
a data interface called a terminal node controller (TNC) transmits the data from a computer to an unmodified radio, usually on VHF or UHF bands.
automatic packet reporting system (APRS)
integrates GPS position data and other info with packet radio; other users can log in and find the location of anyone sending position data
meteor scatter and EME
hams can make contacts via meteor scatter or Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) reflections
