Technician Licensing Class These Power Point presentations are available to individuals who register with The W5YI Group’s HamInstructor.com program. The presentations are provided by Master Publishing and The W5YI Group and include material that is covered by U.S. and International copyrights. They are intended solely for the use of Registered Instructors using the Gordon West, WB6NOA, Technician Class, General Class, and Extra Class study manuals to teach FCC Amateur Radio Licensing Classes. Registration through HamInstructor.com constitutes a Licensing Agreement between The W5YI Group and the registered instructor under which the instructor agrees not to copy or distribute the Power Point presentations to unauthorized users. 1

Technician Licensing Class Tech Frequencies Valid July 1, 2014 Through June 30, 2018 2

Amateur Radio Technician Class Element 2 Course Presentation ELEMENT 2 SUB-ELEMENTS (Groupings) About Ham Radio Call Signs Control Mind the Rules Tech Frequencies Your First Radio Going Solo Repeaters Emergency! Weak Signal Propagation 3

Amateur Radio Technician Class Element 2 Course Presentation ELEMENT 2 SUB-ELEMENTS (Groupings) Talk to Outer Space! Your Computer Goes Ham Digital! Multi-Mode Radio Excitement Run Some Interference Protection Electrons – Go With the Flow! It’s the Law, per Mr. Ohm! Go Picture These! Antennas Feed Me With Some Good Coax! Safety First! 4

Tech Frequencies T5C06 The term “RF” refers to radio frequency. If a unit transmits, it puts out a radio frequency. A wireless hot spot has a radio frequency. Your cell phone has a radio frequency output. Your new Technician Class transceiver has a radio frequency output, as soon as you push the transmit button. 5

Tech Frequencies T3A07 Radio waves contain both electrical and magnetic energy in fields that are at right angles to each other. The combination of both electrical and magnetic energy is called “electromagnetic energy.” That is a radio wave! T3B03 The electric and magnetic fields of a radio wave are at right angles to each other, and together they are called “electromagnetic” radio waves.

Tech Frequencies T3B04 The velocity of a radio wave is the same as the speed of light: 300,000,000 meters per second. 300 million meters per second is the same velocity as the speed of light in a vacuum. Oh yeah, radio waves slow down a bit as they go through the ionosphere, clouds, and our smog layers, or travel along the surface of the Earth . This slowing down is very slight, but contributes to a large number of very important radio behaviors you will observe, like knife edge diffraction. T3B11 The velocity of radio waves through space is 300,000,000 meters per second – 300 hundred million meters per second.

Tech Frequencies T5A12 When we measure frequency, we count the number of times per second that current flows back and forth. And do you remember the definition of the word frequency? Cycles per second, which we officially call hertz, abbreviated Hz. Don’t forget the capital H! 8

Tech Frequencies T5C05 The basic unit of frequency is the hertz, abbreviated Hz. T5B07 Move the decimal point 3 places to the right to convert MHz to kHz. 3.525 MHz is 3,525 kHz. Most HF radios display frequency in kilohertz. 9

Tech Frequencies T3B01 The key word here is distance that a radio wave travels over one complete cycle. We measure the distance radio signals travel as wavelength. Keywords are distance and wavelength. 10

Tech Frequencies T3B07 When we want to meet a pal on a specific ham band, we usually say which band it is in meters. The most popular ham band for Technician Class operators is the 2-meter band. Your pal says that she has a 2-meter radio, so the next question is, what exact frequency? So it’s really a tossup on whether or not you want to tell someone to meet you at a specific frequency, or ask them whether or not they have a 2-meter radio, which describes the wavelength of the band on which you plan to operate. So if you asked me, I would first determine what wavelength band we were going to operate on, and then indicate the specific frequency we should try to make contact on. T3B05 The higher we go in frequency, the shorter the distance between each wave. The lower we go in frequency, the longer the distance between each wave. Now say this out loud – LOWER LONGER, HIGHER SHORTER. Got it? Now look around and see who is staring at you wondering what in the world you are talking about! 11

Tech Frequencies T3B06 Frequency in MHz and wavelength in meters are inversely proportional. The root number to remember is 300! Wavelength is the distance a wave travels in the time of one cycle. Wavelength usually is stated in meters or centimeters. Frequency in Hertz is the number of cycles of the wave occurring in one second. F (in MHz) = 300 ÷ wavelength (in meters) Wavelength (in meters) = 300 ÷ F (MHz) On your upcoming Technician Class examination, the above 4 answers on the test will be identical to these, and they read somewhat similar. Just remember: 300 ÷ frequency in MHz. This correct answer is the only answer that ends with the word “megahertz.” 12

Tech Frequencies 13

Tech Frequencies T3B10 High frequency, called HF, extends from 3 to 30 MHz. As a new Technician Class operator, you have privileges on 4 bands of high frequency operation. HF offers exciting daytime and nighttime sky wave “skip” conditions. There is no longer a Morse code test required to operate on your 4 Technician Class high frequency sub-bands. You will need to know Morse code to take advantage of your Morse-code-only privileges on HF 80-, 40-, 15- and 10 meter bands. But good news – on 10 meters, you have single sideband voice privileges from 28.3 to 28.5 MHz, and during the summertime we get plenty of daytime and late afternoon skip, letting you yak with fellow operators all over the country! Although we are beyond the peak of solar cycle 24, sporadic E contacts are independent of solar cycles, and summertime E skip will still give us plenty of DX to all of the U.S. and sometimes multiple hops to Europe, South America, Alaska, and Asia! (cont next slide) 14

Tech Frequencies T3B10 (cont) HF propagation is highly dependent on the 11-year solar cycle. We are just past the peak of Solar Cycle 24, but there is still a lot of great HF excitement in store. Even during “dead” times, sporadic E can give surprising long-distance communications on 6 and 10 meters. As a brand new Technician Class operator, you may own and operate a large, high-frequency ham radio station, including a major-sized directional antenna system, too! T3B08 The VHF spectrum extends from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. 15

Tech Frequencies T3B09 The UHF spectrum extends from 300 MHz to 3000 MHz. Watch out for answer C – this incorrectly lists kHz, not MHz!

Tech Frequencies T1B03 52.525 MHz is right in the middle of our 6-meter band, which extends from 50 to 54 MHz. T1B04 146.52 MHz is right in the middle of our 2-meter band, which extends from 144 to 148 MHz. Let’s do the math: 300 ÷ 146.52 = 2.047502 meters, with 2 meters being the closest answer. Remember, the band refers to an approximate wavelength, and incorrect answers will always be a really wrong other band! 17

Tech Frequencies T1B10 The three bands that have sub-band restrictions to designated modes of operation are the 6-meter, 2-meter, and the 1.25-meter bands. The term “mode restricted sub-band” means no handheld or mobile FM radio transmitting here! 6 meters 50.0 - 50.1 MHz – No FM! 2 meters 144.0 - 144.10 MHz – No FM! 1.25 meters 222.0 - 222.34 – No FM! Go with answer C for the examination, but understand that each and every ham band has certain areas where handheld, base, and mobile FM (frequency modulation) is discouraged. This is why I always recommend getting your new multi-band mobile or handheld transceiver pre-programmed by the dealer or your local club technical officer who knows how to “clone” a full set of FM frequencies, leaving mode-restricted frequencies out of your FM lineup. This is a great incentive to learn Morse Code as well, as there is plenty of weak signal activity in the CW sections of these bands. 18

Tech Frequencies T1B11 The term “sub-band” refers to an area within each of these two ham bands that is restricted to very narrow bandwidth emission types, specifically Morse code. Morse code is abbreviated CW, for continuous wave. 50.0 - 50.1 MHz on the bottom of the 6-meter band, and 144.0 - 144.1 MHz on the bottom of the 2-meter band are areas reserved for CW only. RTTY is radio teleprinter – too wide – and same thing for SSB, single sideband, too wide. CW only on these two sub-bands. 19

Tech Frequencies T1B07 The 223 MHz band is more commonly called 1.25 meters and sometimes 1-1/4 meters. Check this out by dividing 300 by the frequency in MHz. The calculator keystrokes are: Clear Clear 300 ÷ 223.50 = . The closest choice will be 1.25 meters. Remember that BAND refers to an approximate wavelength or frequency. On all FCC questions on this topic, the wrong answers will be very wrong! 20

Tech Frequencies T1B13 Use it or lose it! In years past, our 1-1/4-meter band was 5-MHz wide, extending from 220 to 225 MHz. Due to perceived inactivity by the FCC on our use of the lower portion of the band, WE LOST 220-222 MHz. But we did recover 1 MHz of prime “radio real estate” at 219 to 220 MHz, used for point-to-point digital message forwarding. This is the “backbone” of many digital wireless links in most areas of the country, except in the Mississippi River region, where river navigation traffic has priority use of this band. T1B05 443.350 MHz is right in the middle of the 70 cm band, where our privileges extend from 420 up to 450 MHz. 21

Tech Frequencies T2A02 The national FM simplex calling frequency on the 70 cm band, referred to as the 440 MHz band, is 446.000 MHz. Watch out for answer A, that’s the national simplex calling frequency for the 2 meter band. Go with 446.000 MHz. 22

Tech Frequencies T1B06 The 23-cm band extends from 1240 to 1300 MHz, and is a good one for amateur television, repeater operation, and point-to-point simplex where there is plenty of ready-made equipment for this band. If you buy a “tri-band” transceiver, chances are it will have 2 meters, 440 MHz, and full capabilities for the 23-cm band from 1240 to 1300 MHz. Let’s practice you math skills: 300 ÷ 0.23 = 1304, with 1296 MHz the closest answer. To convert centimeters to meters, move the decimal point two places to the left. 23 cm = 0.23 meters. 23

Tech Frequencies T1A14 While this may be a rare occurrence, FM phone communications on the 23-cm band could cause interference to a radiolocation station outside of the United States. If you are informed you are causing interference, you should stop operating immediately. T2A10 Every amateur radio band is sliced up into specific operating band plans. Many of the band plans are voluntary guidelines that hams have established designating frequencies for specific data signals, voice operation, automatic position reporting system operation, weak signal work, DXing, slow-scan amateur television, propagation beacons, and specific areas for working satellites and the International Space Station. 24

Tech Frequencies

Tech Frequencies T1B08 We share the 900-MHz band with the vehicle locator service, which is the primary user of the frequencies. We share 70 cm with the Air Force radio navigation service, and they are primary! Same thing with 900 MHz and 1.2 GHz; we must avoid interference with primary military users. Likewise with 70 cm – we share it with military radio location services. They have first rights to these frequencies. 26

Tech Frequencies T1B09 You wouldn’t sit on a roof ledge 100 stories up, would you? Same thing with ham radio operation – we don’t operate on the edge of a ham radio band. Since none of our radio emissions are allowed beyond the ham band upper or lower limit, we stay well within band edges in case our signals should drift, or some of our signal extends beyond the band edge, or maybe our radio was not properly calibrated. Never operate right on the edge of a ham band! 27

Element 2 Technician Class Question Pool Tech Frequencies Valid July 1, 2014 Through June 30, 2018

T5C06 What does the abbreviation “RF” refer to? Radio frequency signals of all types The resonant frequency of a tuned circuit The real frequency transmitted as opposed to the apparent frequency Reflective force in antenna transmission lines

T3A07. What type of wave carries radio signals between T3A07 What type of wave carries radio signals between transmitting and receiving stations? Electromagnetic Electrostatic Surface acoustic Magnetostrictive

T3B03 What are the two components of a radio wave? AC and DC Voltage and current Electric and magnetic fields Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation

T3B04 How fast does a radio wave travel through free space? At the speed of light At the speed of sound Its speed is inversely proportional to its wavelength Its speed increases as the frequency increases

T3B11. What is the approximate velocity of a. radio wave T3B11 What is the approximate velocity of a radio wave as it travels through free space? 3000 kilometers per second 300,000,000 meters per second 300,000 miles per hour 186,000 miles per hour

T5A12. What term describes the number of times per T5A12 What term describes the number of times per second that an alternating current reverses direction? Pulse rate Speed Wavelength Frequency

T5C05 What is the unit of frequency? Hertz Henry Farad Tesla

T5B07. If a frequency readout calibrated in megahertz shows T5B07 If a frequency readout calibrated in megahertz shows a reading of 3.525 MHz, what would it show if it were calibrated in kilohertz? 0.003525 kHz 35.25 kHz 3525 kHz 3,525,000 kHz

T3B01. What is the name for the distance a radio wave T3B01 What is the name for the distance a radio wave travels during one complete cycle? Wave speed Waveform Wavelength Wave spread

T3B07. What property of radio waves is often used to T3B07 What property of radio waves is often used to identify the different frequency bands? The approximate wavelength The magnetic intensity of waves The time it takes for waves to travel one mile The voltage standing wave ratio of waves

T3B05 How does the wavelength of a radio wave relate to its frequency? The wavelength gets longer as the frequency increases The wavelength gets shorter as the frequency increases There is no relationship between wavelength and frequency The wavelength depends on the bandwidth of the signal

T3B06. What is the formula for converting frequency to T3B06 What is the formula for converting frequency to approximate wavelength in meters? Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz multiplied by 300 Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz divided by 300 Wavelength in meters equals frequency in megahertz divided by 300 Wavelength in meters equals 300 divided by frequency in megahertz

T3B10 What frequency range is referred to as HF? 300 to 3000 MHz 30 to 300 MHz 3 to 30 MHz 300 to 3000 kHz

T3B08 What are the frequency limits of the VHF spectrum? 30 to 300 kHz 30 to 300 MHz 300 to 3000 kHz 300 to 3000 MHz

T3B09 What are the frequency limits of the UHF spectrum? 30 to 300 kHz 30 to 300 MHz 300 to 3000 kHz 300 to 3000 MHz

T1B03 Which frequency is within the 6 meter band? 49.00 MHz 52.525 MHz 28.50 MHz 222.15 MHz

T1B04. Which amateur band are you using when your T1B04 Which amateur band are you using when your station is transmitting on 146.52 MHz? 2 meter band 20 meter band 14 meter band 6 meter band

T1B10. Which of the bands above 30 MHz that are T1B10 Which of the bands above 30 MHz that are available to Technician Class operators have mode-restricted sub-bands? The 6 meter, 2 meter, and 70 cm bands The 2 meter and 13 cm bands The 6 meter, 2 meter, and 1.25 meter bands The 2 meter and 70 cm bands

T1B11. What emission modes are permitted in the mode- T1B11 What emission modes are permitted in the mode- restricted sub-bands at 50.0 to 50.1 MHz and 144.0 to 144.1 MHz? CW only CW and RTTY SSB only CW and SSB

T1B07. What amateur band are you using if you are. transmitting on 223 T1B07 What amateur band are you using if you are transmitting on 223.50 MHz? 15 meter band 10 meter band 2 meter band 1.25 meter band

T1B13 Which emission may be used between 219 and 220 MHz? Spread spectrum Data SSB voice Fast-scan television

T1B05. Which 70 cm frequency is authorized to a T1B05 Which 70 cm frequency is authorized to a Technician Class license holder operating in ITU Region 2? 53.350 MHz 146.520 MHz 443.350 MHz 222.520 MHz

T2A02. What is the national calling frequency for FM T2A02 What is the national calling frequency for FM simplex operations in the 70 cm band? 146.520 MHz 145.000 MHz 432.100 MHz 446.000 MHz

T1B06. Which 23 cm frequency is authorized to a T1B06 Which 23 cm frequency is authorized to a Technician Class operator license? 2315 MHz 1296 MHz 3390 MHz 146.52 MHz

T1A14. What must you do if you are operating on the 23 T1A14 What must you do if you are operating on the 23 cm band and learn that you are interfering with a radiolocation station outside the United States ? Stop operating or take steps to eliminate the harmful interference Nothing, because this band is allocated exclusively to the amateur service Establish contact with the radiolocation station and ask them to change frequency Change to CW mode, because this would not likely cause interference

T2A10. What is a band plan, beyond the privileges T2A10 What is a band plan, beyond the privileges established by the FCC? A voluntary guideline for using different modes or activities within an amateur band A mandated list of operating schedules A list of scheduled net frequencies A plan devised by a club to indicate frequency band usage

T1B08. Which of the following is a result of the fact. that T1B08 Which of the following is a result of the fact that the amateur service is secondary in some portions of the 70 cm band? U.S. amateurs may find non-amateur stations in the bands and must avoid interfering with them U.S. amateurs must give foreign amateur stations priority in those portions International communications is not permitted on 70 cm Digital transmission are not permitted on 70 cm

T1B09. Why should you not set your transmit frequency T1B09 Why should you not set your transmit frequency to be exactly at the edge of an amateur band or sub-band? To allow for calibration error in the transmitter frequency display So that modulation sidebands do not extend beyond the band edge To allow for transmitter frequency drift All of these choices are correct