I’ve Got My License, Now What? Quick Start for new SAR Hams Chris Wong N6JGC Dave Hodgson KG6TCJ Randy Jenkins KA6BQF

Overview Radios Systems – Equipment, Transmission Modes Bands – Frequencies, Technician Class License Handheld Radio Operations - Knobs, Buttons, Offsets, Tone Working with repeaters – Input, Output, Encode/Decode Antennas - Base station, Mobile, HT, SWR Power supplies – AC, DC, Regulated, Switching, Car power Batteries - Alkaline, LiON, NiCad, NiMH How to Communicate - Operating courtesy, protocols Nets - NTS, ARES/RACES, Club, Ragchew Ham Communities - Clubs, Public Service, Field Day

Radio Systems Radio equipment varies based on frequencies and mode of transmission but all have basic components Transmitter, Receiver, Line, Antenna Data – analog, digital Transmission Mode, Frequency Band HF (160M to 10M) DX (long range) Long-wire Big Yagi VHF/UHF (6M to 2GHz) Line-of-sight Conventional antenna Microwave (10GHz) Dish, horns, waveguides

Common Transmission Types Analog AM (amplitude modulation) FM (frequency modulation) SSB (single side band) CW (continuous wave) ATV (amateur TV) SSTV (slow scan TV) Digital (commonly tones transmitted over analog - AM, FM, SSB) AMTOR, PACTOR, RTTY PSK31 FSK Packet (AX.25) APRS Applications of radio communication Terrestrial Line-of-site Atmospheric bounce EME (Earth-Moon-Earth) OSCAR (Satellite) QRP (Low Power)

Ham Equipment Voice Modes Digital Modes Visual Mode Internet Ham Radio Handhelds – VHF, UHF Mobile – VHF, UHF, HF Digital Modes Packet – TNC, Sound Cards, Computers APRS – Trackers, TNC, Computers, GPS RTTY/PACTOR/PSK31 – Multimode Controller, HF Radio Visual Mode ATV – Camera, Controller, Transceiver (VHF) SSTV – Camera, Controller, Transceiver (HF, VHF) Internet Ham Radio Echolink, WIRES – HF, VHF, UHF

Technician Class License Bands HF - 80M, 40M, 15M CW only except 10M (SSB) VHF/UHF – 6M and above Generally voice (phone) and data (digital)

FCC Band Plan

Basic Handheld Radio Operations (what, when, how) Power On/Off Button or volume knob Squelch Knob – older style analog Button – usually by accessing menu (combination of keys) Set Frequency Direct entry Rotate dial Set increment Offset (based on bandwidth) VHF standard 600Hz + or – UHF standard 5MHz + or – Encode/Decode Tone (PL) Frequency in Hz Code (Letter/Number) By changing offset Transmit power Function + X (combination of keys) Memory – Store/Recall Reverse Usually a button or combination of keys

Basic Handheld Radio Operations (cont’d) Open Squelch Button Rotate squelch knob Simplex Switch Speaker/Mic jack Adapter sometimes required Push-to-talk (PPT) Keying up – wait before talking Paging Function + X (combination of keys) ARTS LCD display Signal strength Channel/Frequency Battery voltage/health Distance from mic 2 to 4 inches Background noise (wind) Holding radio Body coupling Body signal attenuation Antennas Rubber Duck Whip Efficiency compromises

Using Repeaters Receive on one frequency and retransmit on another (usually within same band) Simultaneous; audio signal transferred Output (what you receive – usually displayed on radio in receive mode) Input (+ or – from your receive freq) Control frequency Offset or split (usually indicated by +/-) Conventions established by bandwidth; coordinated Odd split or manual Encode/Decode Tone (PL) Some repeater will not open up unless the code is correct Repeaters may not always transmit the tone on the output Repeater Components Receiver Transmitter Controller Phone patch Antenna system Duplexer

Using Repeaters (cont’d) Cross band 440/2M Voting receivers Select highest signal strength signal to process Antennas pointed in different directions Multiple receivers (look for different PLs on same frequency pair) Same site Different site Linked repeaters Tied together via links (usually different band – conventional, MW, fiber) Echolink, WIRES Digipeaters Used for digital communications Packet, APRS Receive data, then quickly retransmit Intelligence built into TNC to avoid collisions Open vs. Closed Repeaters

Antennas Antenna types Base station, mobile, handheld Mast mounted Vehicle – hole in roof, magnetic mount, rack mount HT - Rubber ducks, whips, sticks To radiate, you need transmitting leg and a reflecting leg Vertical & ground plane Antenna efficiency (high to low) Base station -> Vehicle -> HT Gain Antenna designed to more efficiently radiate Generally, more gain is better As gain increase, angle of radiation decreases Antenna tuning Efficiency is improved if “reflected” power SWR – Standing Wave Ratio Common Homebrew J-Pole Quarter-wave

Batteries Typical types Characteristics Lead Acid Regular, Deep Cycle Delivers high amperes Useful life 5-7 yrs Can take charge/discharge cycles Can float charge Maintenance of water levels and terminals Hazardous content Gel Cell Reasonable power output for size Less hazard Watch charging rate

Batteries (cont’d) Typical types Characteristics Dry Cell Alkaline Not rechargeable Good shelf life Performance varies Nickel Cadmium – NiCad Memory effect – discharge completely before charging Do not float charge Affected by cold Nickel Metal Hydride - NiMH No or little memory effect Higher capacity than NiCad Maintenance similar to NiCad Lithium Ion – LiON Can deliver high power output for size

Power Supplies AC Automobile 12VDC systems Power Inverters Conventional Switching Automobile 12VDC systems Voltage regulators Noise filters Negative ground Fusing both leads Current (amperes) limited through cigarette lighter plug Power Inverters Convert 12VDC to 120VAC Watch the watts Can drain your battery

How to communicate Clear communication Plain text, clear pronunciation, slow and steady Codes as needed for situation Phonetics as needed Thinking before keying up and talking Plan message in head; write down the facts Efficient with words Avoid the “uhh”, “umm” Protocols Usually start with call – To Call Sign >> From Call Sign Emergency traffic always has priority Don’t be a doofus – How do I get there?, 5min reporting, Side conversations, Net Control syndrome Check in with Net Control/IC periodically, especially if you have been quiet Power Settings FCC requires only using levels needed to reach the other station in order to reduce interference

Common Local Nets Club NTS – National Traffic System Emergency Service Sponsored by ham radio club usually on a club repeater NTS – National Traffic System Radiogram service free of charge Emergency Service Simplex or on club repeater ARES – Sponsored by ARRL RACES – Usually sponsored by County EOS Public Service Support of big events needing communications Bike Rides Marathons Red Cross, Salvation Army Ragchew ID at the appropriate intervals as required by the FCC Don’t monopolize, be courtesy Allow breaks in between transmissions for others wanting to make contacts

Ham Communities (where to go for help) ARRL http://www.arrl.org Ham Radio Clubs/Repeater Clubs Good for meeting new folks Regular meetings, breakfasts Public service activities Field Day Commute nets Internet Yahoo Groups

Questions? Resources ARRL Marin Amateur Radio Club http://www.w6sg.net/ East Bay Amateur Radio Club http://www.eastbayarc.org/ Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club http://www.mdarc.org/ Silverado Amateur Radio Society http://www.napasars.org/ ARRL Search for local ham clubs – there are just too many to list here