1. Technician License Course Module Nine Operating Station Equipment
Transmitters, Receivers and Transceivers

2. Generalized Transceiver Categories
Single Band VHF or UHF FM
Dual Band VHF/UHF FM
Multi-mode VHF/UHF
Multi-band HF and VHF/UHF
Hand-held (HT)
In this lesson you will be comparing and contrasting the different kinds of equipment available. You can adjust these categories to meet your personal preferences and experiences. It would be a good idea to have examples of the different kinds of equipment. Catalogs from the major equipment retailers would be helpful to give an idea of the level of costs. Go ahead and deviate from any kind of lesson script during this lesson but keep in mind the time and keep from spending too much time on this topic. 2

3. Single Band Transceiver
Probably the most common starter rig
Operated from 12 volts DC, will require external power supply
Will require an external antenna
Can be operated mobile or as a base station
Limited to frequency modulation (FM) and either 2 meters or 70 cm bands
Up to approximately 50 watts output
Let students know that the term rig refers to the equipment being used, the specific equipment referenced comes from the context in which the word is used. 3

4. Dual Band Transceiver
Same as the single band transceiver but includes additional band(s)
Most common 2 m and 70 cm bands
Could be tri-bander
Depending on antenna connectors, might require separate coax for each band or duplexer for single coax
You will have to explain how a single coax can be used for two bands in this rig and the possible complication of dealing with single antennas, dual band antennas, how duplexers are used etc. 4

5. Multi-mode Transceiver
Can be single or dual band
Main difference is that these rigs can operate on all major modes SSB/AM/FM, CW, Data, RTTY etc.
More features add complexity and cost
Most flexible of the rigs that will allow you to explore new modes as you gain experience

6. Multi-band Transceiver
Covers all bands – can be limited to HF or can be HF/VHF/UHF
Also covers all modes
Frequently 100 watts on HF, some power limitations on high bands (50 watts)
Larger units have internal power supplies, smaller units require external power (12 V)

7. Hand-held (HT) Transceiver
Small hand-held FM units
Can be single band or dual band
Limited power (usually 5 watts or less)
Includes power (battery) and antenna in one package
An attractive first starter rig – but make sure it is what you want
The HT is probably the most attractive starter rig for new hams. Spend some time discussing the advantages and limitations of the HT, particularly for your area of operation. I emphasize caution in having the HT as the starter rig because of the sometimes disappointing performance in remote or sparsely repeater populated areas. I encourage hams to consider the HT as the secondary radio and steer them toward the single band transceiver as their first rig. 7

8. Rig Vocabulary
We will now go through some jargon and vocabulary specific to the functions and controls of a transmitter and receiver
This is a way to discuss how to operate a transceiver
These controls, though separate, are combined in a transceiver
The following presentation serves a dual purpose. It will allow you to focus on vocabulary that might show up in the examination and also allow you to discuss with the students how you operate a transmitter and a receiver. 8

9. Transmitter Controls and Functions
Main tuning dial (both TX and RX)
Controls the frequency selection via the Variable Frequency Oscillator (VFO)
Could be an actual dial or key pad or programmed channels
Variable frequency step size (tuning rate, resolution)
Could have more than one VFO ( control more that one frequency at a time)

10. Transmitter Controls and Functions
Mode Selector (both TX and RX multi-mode rigs)
AM/FM/SSB (LSB or USB) CW
Data (RTTY)
Could be automatic based on recognized band-plan

11. Transmitter Controls and Functions
Microphone controls
Gain
How loudly you need to talk to be heard
Speech Compressor or Speech Processor
Compacting your speech into a narrow frequency range to enhance “punch”
Too much gain or compression can cause problems
Splatter
Over-deviation
Over-modulation

12. Transmitter Controls and Functions
Automatic Level Control (ALC)
Automatically limits transmitter drive (output level) to prevent problems associated with too much gain or compression
Also can control external power amplifier operation

13. Transmitter Controls and Functions
Transmitter on/off
Push-to-Talk (PTT)
Voice-Operated Transmission (VOX)
VOX Gain
VOX Delay
Anti-VOX
Key Jack
Spend some time here explaining the various VOX controls and how they affect the control of the transceiver 13

14. Transmitter Controls and Functions
Microphones
Hand mikes
Desk mikes
Pre-amplified desk mikes
Speaker-mikes
Headsets or boom-sets
Internal mikes
Speak across the mike, not into the mike
As you talk about microphones, give the students some techniques on how close to hold the mike to their mouth, how to speak into the mike (clearly and distinctly), and speak across the mike not directly into the mike (to prevent lip smacking and spitting sounds) 14

15. Transmitter Controls and Functions
Morse Keys
Straight
Semi-automatic (Bug)
Electronic keyer, paddle

16. Receiver Controls and Functions
AF Gain or Volume
Controls the audio level to the speaker or headphones
RF Gain
Controls the strength of radio signal entering the receiver
Used to limit (attenuate) very strong local signals
Usually operated in the full-open position

17. Receiver Controls and Functions
Automatic Gain Control (AGC)
Automatically limits the incoming signals during signal (voice) peaks
Prevents peaks from capturing the receiver and limiting reception of lower level portions of the incoming signal
Fast setting for CW
Slow settings for SSB and AM
Not used for FM

18. Receiver Controls and Functions
Squelch
Turns off audio to speaker when signal is not present
Used in FM primarily
Open – allows very weak signals to pass through (along with noise)
Tight – allows only the strongest signals to pass through
Advance the squelch control until the noise just disappears

19. Receiver Controls and Functions
Filters
Band-pass filter
Used to narrow the width of signal that is passed
Can attenuate adjacent interference
Notch filter
Very narrow filter that can be moved over an interfering signal to attenuate it
Noise blanker or limiter
Limits signal spikes that are frequently associated with random naturally generated noise

20. Receiver Controls and Functions
Reception and Transmission Meter
In transmit indicates output power or ALC or other functions as selected by switch setting
In receive indicates signal strength
In “S” units S1 through S9 – S9 is strongest
Also have dB over S9 to cover very strong signals

21. Receiver Controls and Functions
Receivers can be limited to ham bands or can cover other parts of the spectrum
General coverage receivers cover a wide area of the spectrum and can be used for short-wave listening (SWL)

22. VEC Question Pool
Module Nine

23. T2B03
Which of the following describes the muting of receiver audio controlled solely by the presence or absence of an RF signal?
A. Tone squelch
B. Carrier squelch
C. CTCSS
D. Modulated carrier

24. T2B03 (B)
Which of the following describes the muting of receiver audio controlled solely by the presence or absence of an RF signal?
A. Tone squelch
B. Carrier squelch
C. CTCSS
D. Modulated carrier

25. T4A01
Which of the following is true concerning the microphone connectors on amateur transceivers?
A. All transceivers use the same microphone connector type
B. Some connectors include push-to-talk and voltages for powering the microphone
C. All transceivers using the same connector type are wired identically
D. Un-keyed connectors allow any microphone to be connected

26. T4A01 (B)
Which of the following is true concerning the microphone connectors on amateur transceivers?
A. All transceivers use the same microphone connector type
B. Some connectors include push-to-talk and voltages for powering the microphone
C. All transceivers using the same connector type are wired identically
D. Un-keyed connectors allow any microphone to be connected

27. T4B01
What may happen if a transmitter is operated with the microphone gain set too high?
A. The output power might be too high
B. The output signal might become distorted
C. The frequency might vary
D. The SWR might increase

28. T4B01 (B)
What may happen if a transmitter is operated with the microphone gain set too high?
A. The output power might be too high
B. The output signal might become distorted
C. The frequency might vary
D. The SWR might increase

29. T4B02
Which of the following can be used to enter the operating frequency on a modern transceiver?
A. The keypad or VFO knob
B. The CTCSS or DTMF encoder
C. The Automatic Frequency Control
D. All of these choices are correct

30. T4B02 (A)
Which of the following can be used to enter the operating frequency on a modern transceiver?
A. The keypad or VFO knob
B. The CTCSS or DTMF encoder
C. The Automatic Frequency Control
D. All of these choices are correct

31. T4B03 What is the purpose of the squelch control on a transceiver?
A. To set the highest level of volume desired
B. To set the transmitter power level
C. To adjust the automatic gain control
D. To mute receiver output noise when no signal is being received

32. T4B03 (D) What is the purpose of the squelch control on a transceiver?
A. To set the highest level of volume desired
B. To set the transmitter power level
C. To adjust the automatic gain control
D. To mute receiver output noise when no signal is being received

33. T4B04
What is a way to enable quick access to a favorite frequency on your transceiver?
A. Enable the CTCSS tones
B. Store the frequency in a memory channel
C. Disable the CTCSS tones
D. Use the scan mode to select the desired frequency

34. T4B04 (B)
What is a way to enable quick access to a favorite frequency on your transceiver?
A. Enable the CTCSS tones
B. Store the frequency in a memory channel
C. Disable the CTCSS tones
D. Use the scan mode to select the desired frequency

35. T4B05
Which of the following would reduce ignition interference to a receiver?
A. Change frequency slightly
B. Decrease the squelch setting
C. Turn on the noise blanker
D. Use the RIT control

36. T4B05 (C)
Which of the following would reduce ignition interference to a receiver?
A. Change frequency slightly
B. Decrease the squelch setting
C. Turn on the noise blanker
D. Use the RIT control

37. T4B06
Which of the following controls could be used if the voice pitch of a single-sideband signal seems too high or low?
A. The AGC or limiter
B. The bandwidth selection
C. The tone squelch
D. The receiver RIT or clarifier

38. T4B06 (D)
Which of the following controls could be used if the voice pitch of a single-sideband signal seems too high or low?
A. The AGC or limiter
B. The bandwidth selection
C. The tone squelch
D. The receiver RIT or clarifier

39. T4B07 What does the term "RIT" mean? A. Receiver Input Tone
B. Receiver Incremental Tuning
C. Rectifier Inverter Test
D. Remote Input Transmitter

40. T4B07 (B) What does the term "RIT" mean? A. Receiver Input Tone
B. Receiver Incremental Tuning
C. Rectifier Inverter Test
D. Remote Input Transmitter

41. T4B08
What is the advantage of having multiple receive bandwidth choices on a multimode transceiver?
A. Permits monitoring several modes at once
B. Permits noise or interference reduction by selecting a bandwidth matching the mode
C. Increases the number of frequencies that can be stored in memory
D. Increases the amount of offset between receive and transmit frequencies

42. T4B08 (B)
What is the advantage of having multiple receive bandwidth choices on a multimode transceiver?
A. Permits monitoring several modes at once
B. Permits noise or interference reduction by selecting a bandwidth matching the mode
C. Increases the number of frequencies that can be stored in memory
D. Increases the amount of offset between receive and transmit frequencies

43. T4B09
Which of the following is an appropriate receive filter bandwidth to select in order to minimize noise and interference for SSB reception?
A. 500 Hz
B Hz
C Hz
D Hz

44. T4B09 (C)
Which of the following is an appropriate receive filter bandwidth to select in order to minimize noise and interference for SSB reception?
A. 500 Hz
B Hz
C Hz
D Hz

45. T4B10
Which of the following is an appropriate receive filter bandwidth to select in order to minimize noise and interference for CW reception?
A. 500 Hz
B Hz
C Hz
D Hz

46. T4B10 (A)
Which of the following is an appropriate receive filter bandwidth to select in order to minimize noise and interference for CW reception?
A. 500 Hz
B Hz
C Hz
D Hz

47. T4B12 What is the function of automatic gain control or AGC?
A. To keep received audio relatively constant
B. To protect an antenna from lightning
C. To eliminate RF on the station cabling
D. An asymmetric goniometer control used for antenna matching

48. T4B12 (A) What is the function of automatic gain control or AGC?
A. To keep received audio relatively constant
B. To protect an antenna from lightning
C. To eliminate RF on the station cabling
D. An asymmetric goniometer control used for antenna matching

49. T7A07 What is meant by term "PTT"?
A. Pre-transmission tuning to reduce transmitter harmonic emission
B. Precise tone transmissions used to limit repeater access to only certain signals
C. A primary transformer tuner use to match antennas
D. The push to talk function which switches between receive and transmit

50. T7A07 (D) What is meant by term "PTT"?
A. Pre-transmission tuning to reduce transmitter harmonic emission
B. Precise tone transmissions used to limit repeater access to only certain signals
C. A primary transformer tuner use to match antennas
D. The push to talk function which switches between receive and transmit

51. T7B11
What is a symptom of RF feedback in a transmitter or transceiver?
A. Excessive SWR at the antenna connection
B. The transmitter will not stay on the desired frequency
C. Reports of garbled, distorted, or unintelligible transmissions
D. Frequent blowing of power supply fuses

52. T7B11 (C)
What is a symptom of RF feedback in a transmitter or transceiver?
A. Excessive SWR at the antenna connection
B. The transmitter will not stay on the desired frequency
C. Reports of garbled, distorted, or unintelligible transmissions
D. Frequent blowing of power supply fuses

53. T7C01 What is the primary purpose of a dummy load?
A. To prevent the radiation of signals when making tests
B. To prevent over-modulation of your transmitter
C. To improve the radiation from your antenna
D. To improve the signal to noise ratio of your receiver

54. T7C01 (A) What is the primary purpose of a dummy load?
A. To prevent the radiation of signals when making tests
B. To prevent over-modulation of your transmitter
C. To improve the radiation from your antenna
D. To improve the signal to noise ratio of your receiver

55. T7C13 What does a dummy load consist of?
A. A high-gain amplifier and a TR switch
B. A non-inductive resistor and a heat sink
C. A low voltage power supply and a DC relay
D. A 50 ohm reactance used to terminate a transmission line

56. T7C13 (B) What does a dummy load consist of?
A. A high-gain amplifier and a TR switch
B. A non-inductive resistor and a heat sink
C. A low voltage power supply and a DC relay
D. A 50 ohm reactance used to terminate a transmission line

57. End
Module Nine