Welcome to amateur radio Background Radio Spectrum Frequencies Modes Release: v1.2 hamtrain.co.uk

Foundation, Intermediate and Full What is Amateur Radio? Amateur Radio is for self-training and experimentation It is non-commercial (no advertising) Amateur Radio is a recreational activity that promotes: Technical Innovation Development of Skills International Friendship The Foundation Licence is the first of three UK levels: Foundation, Intermediate and Full

History of Amateur Radio Dates back over 100 years Amateurs were heavily involved with reception of enemy messages in World War II Originally used Morse code, followed by voice Used to save lives in the 1953 floods Played an important part in the 1982 Falklands War

Amateur Radio Today Over 2.5 million licenced amateurs worldwide The top countries are Japan, the US, Germany and the UK Amateurs use voice, Morse code, data, images and video, plus Internet links Worldwide activities such as contests, Dxpeditions and JOTA (Scouts) Emergency services (RAYNET) Access to space with amateur satellites and the International Space Station

Amateur Radio Activities Making friends Experimentation Field Days Contests & Competitions Collecting QSL Cards Rallies ‘Nets Training

The Radio Spectrum Broadcast radio and TV Mobile phones Emergency services Military Aviation Maritime Space exploration Businesses / Taxis Satellites / GPS Wi-fi and Bluetooth Baby monitors Cordless phones CCTV / Security systems PMR / Walkie-talkies

Frequency Allocation HF: 3MHz to 30MHz VHF: 30MHz to 300MHz UHF: 300MHz to 3000MHz Source: National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Amateur Allocation Amateurs have several frequency bands that we are allowed to use The table is published in “Foundation Licence Now” (and with the exam) Some frequencies are shared with “Primary users” We cannot cause interference with other services Example-only

Example: VHF Band Generally used for “local” communications We share the VHF band with many other users The Foundation allocation is 144 to 146MHz Refer to the table in your “Foundation Licence Now” book

Frequency & Wavelength Amateurs refer to bands by frequencies and wavelength A VHF frequency of 145MHz has a wavelength of 2 metres

Frequency & Wavelength (2) As the frequency rises, the wavelength is reduced

Frequency & Wavelength (3) HF: 7MHz = 40m 14MHz = 20m VHF: 145MHz = 2m UHF: 430MHz = 70cms

Modes and Modulation FM AM CW (Continuous Wave) SSB (Single Sideband) Voice Morse (CW) Data SSTV FM AM CW (Continuous Wave) SSB (Single Sideband) Digital Voice PSK31 / RTTY

Summary Bands HF: 3 to 30MHz VHF: 30 to 300MHz UHF: 300MHz to 3,000MHz Spectrum We have to share frequencies Use the tables provided! Frequency and Wavelength The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength Use the conversion chart provided!

Welcome to amateur radio Any questions? HamTrain.co.uk © EssexHam.co.uk