Propagation

Question 1

Who must you notify if you change your name, or your main station address

Answer 1

Ofcom

Question 2

How often must you validate your licence?

Answer 2

You must validate your licence at least once every 5 years, recommended to do this yearly. Just log on to ofcom website aund confirm your details are correct

Question 3

What are the three levels of UK call signs?

Answer 3

Licence Level Callsign Max power Other callsigns

Foundation M7ABC 10 watts M3, M6
Intermediate 2E0ABC 50 watts 2E1
Full M0ABC 400 watts G0, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, M1, M5

Question 4

What is radio propagation?

Answer 4

Radio propagation is the behavior of radio waves as they travel, or are propagated, from one point to another, or into various parts of the atmosphere.

Question 5

When transmitting, what affects distance?

Answer 5

Distance depends on:
Antenna
Frequency
Power
Obstructions
Conditions (e.g. weather)

Question 6

What is the ionosphere?

Answer 6

Layer of conductive gases that lie between 70km and 400km above the earth

Question 7

What is ionisation and what causes it?

Answer 7

Ionisation is the affect on gases which in turn affect radio waves, mainly caused by ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Question 8

Which frequencies pass through the ionosphere?

Answer 8

VHF and UHF

Question 9

Which frequency is refracted back by the ionosphere?

Answer 9

HF

The refraction allows world-wide contacts beyond line of sight

Question 10

Is VHF and UHF range more or less than HF?

Answer 10

less

Question 11

The range of VHF and UHF is dependant on what 4 things?

Answer 11

Antenna height
Antenna gain (using a beam antenna)
A clear path
Transmitter power

Question 12

What atmospheric conditions can extend the range of VHF/UHF?

Answer 12

Propagation can occur in the Troposphere (which is below the ionosphere)
Two ways to extend the range are:
Sporadic E
Atmospheric Ducting

Question 13

What are the regional identifier letters for these regions? 
(they are all the letter M then regional letter...)
Scotland			
Wales								
Northern Ireland					
Isle of Man							
Jersey							
Guernsey

Answer 13

Scotland		M		
Wales			W					
Northern Ireland	I				
Isle of Man		D					
Jersey			J				
Guernsey             U

Question 14

What do these callsign suffixes indicate?
/M
/A
/P
/MM

Answer 14

/M Mobile: Car, Pedestrian, a vessel in inland waters
/A Alternative postal address (e.g. friend’s house, hotel)
/P Temporary location with no postcode (e.g. a field)
/MM Maritime Mobile (Vessel at sea - Full licence only)

Question 15

What is a band plan?

Answer 15

Amateurs make use of band plans to divide up each band. These ensure that the amateur bands are split fairly.

“Telegraphy” (Morse code) and “Data” modes are normally at the top of a printed band plan.