1. Technician License Course Module Fifteen Communicating with other hams
Special Modes and Techniques
This is another lesson that would benefit from lots of demonstrations. It might be difficult to come up with demonstrations of all the latest and greatest things that ham radio has to offer. Usually someone in the area is passionate about one of the operating modes and you can tap them as a demonstration resource. You goal here is not to make the students experts in each of the modes, your goal is to briefly introduce them to the wide variety of modes available in the hopes that maybe sometime during their ham careers that they will explore these alternatives. 1

2. Awards
DXCC
Contacting 100 different countries and/or entities
WAS
Contacting 50 states
VUCC
Contacting 100 grid squares on VHF/UHF
Bring in your awards for show and tell. These are just a few of the major operating awards that are available. Discuss with the students that awards usually require QSL card confirmation of the contact. Also introduce the students to the Logbook of the World as an alternative to QSL cards. Bring in a stack of QSL cards to show the students. Hand out your own QSL card for the students to keep start their collection.
One post class activity that you can do related to QSLing is to make first contacts with the students after they get their licenses. Make it a big deal. Have the class reassemble as a group and pass around an HT for their first contacts. At the end of the class, present QSL cards and First Contact Certificates to each participant as a memento. 2

3. Special Events
Special Event stations are set up to commemorate some significant local event
Usually stations are demonstration stations set up for public display
Commemorative certificates are awarded for contacting the stations
Bring in some of the special event certificates that you have on hand for show and tell. Bring in the latest QST listing of special event stations to illustrate the variety of special event themes and the number of special events available each weekend. 3

4. Contests Field Day Sweep Stakes QSO Parties CQ DX Contest
Contest Corral
Yes, Field Day is not technically a contest, but it is treated as such by most ham operators.
The object of a radio contest is to contact as many different stations in a defined period of time, using specific frequencies and modes, and exchange some information. Points are awarded and standings published for the major contests. Contests test operator radio operating skills as well as technical skills.
Point out that there are usually at least one contest opportunity each weekend and how to find out about up-coming contests. QST score postings would be helpful to illustrate the popularity of contesting in the hobby. 4

5. Amateur Satellites OSCAR Modes International Space Station
Orbiting Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio
Modes FM
Analog (SSB and CW)
Digital
International Space Station
Satellite operating might interest some hams of the hams. Briefly describe the station equipment required to effectively operate through a satellite and the type of satellite modes available. Discuss some of the technical challenges that have to be considered to operate satellites; finding and tracking the satellite, Doppler compensation, working with transponder equipment, etc.
Also mention that frequently astronauts on the International Space Station are hams and they will get on the air and make contacts during their off duty time while in orbit. 5

6. What satellite contacts sound like
FM contact
SSB contact
ISS contact
Click the mouse button to hear examples of the three satellite contacts. 6

7. Digital Techniques Radio Teletype (RTTY) AMTOR and PACTOR
Single letters sent as they are typed
AMTOR and PACTOR
Small grouping of letters sent with error correction
Packet and Packet Networks
Groups (packets) of collected data sent with error correction and automatic forwarding
PSK31
Different modulation technique
Discuss with the students that digital techniques are basically sending information via computer keyboard. There are numerous modes within the digital techniques, briefly describe the major modes and the virtues of each. 7

8. What Digital sounds like
RTTY
AMTOR
PACTOR
PACKET
PSK31

9. Digital Mode Modulation Techniques
Digital means two states: ON and OFF
Digital code is a sequence of ON and OFF states or 1’s and 0’s
The letter “A” is (65 decimal)
When two audio tones are used to represent the ON and OFF states it is called Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)
When changing phase states are used to represent ON and OFF states it is calls Phase Shift Keying (PSK)

10. Communicating Digitally
Keyboard-to-keyboard
Live exchange using computer keyboards
Digipeaters extend range
Message store and forward using networks
Packet networks and bulletin boards
Digipeaters make up the backbone of packet networks
Internet-Radio connections
WinLink
Radio connections are Internet Gateways
Discuss the various techniques, use care not to go into too much detail that will overwhelm the student. 10

11. Talk the students through this illustration of WinLink to help them understand the basics of the system and how they can access it. 11

12. APRS Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)
Packet based Global Positioning System (GPS) position reporting
Uses a packet-like digipeater system to create an APRS network (also Internet connected)

14. Other Special Modes Video What SSTV sounds like: Slow Scan TV (SSTV)
Sending snap-shot pictures
Amateur TV (ATV)
Similar to commercial TV imagery
What SSTV sounds like:
Click on the slide to hear an SSTV signal 14

15. Other Special Modes Meteor Scatter Moon-bounce
Reflecting radio signals off of the ionized trail left by meteors
Moon-bounce
Reflecting radio signals off the surface of the moon

16. Other Special Modes
Radio Control (RC)
Telecommand
50 MHz band

17. VEC Question Pool
Module Fifteen

18. T8B01
Who may be the control operator of a station communicating through an amateur satellite or space station?
A. Only an Amateur Extra Class operator
B. A General Class licensee or higher licensee who has a satellite operator certification
C. Only an Amateur Extra Class operator who is also an AMSAT member
D. Any amateur whose license privileges allow them to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency

19. T8B01 (D)
Who may be the control operator of a station communicating through an amateur satellite or space station?
A. Only an Amateur Extra Class operator
B. A General Class licensee or higher licensee who has a satellite operator certification
C. Only an Amateur Extra Class operator who is also an AMSAT member
D. Any amateur whose license privileges allow them to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency

20. T8B03
Which of the following are provided by satellite tracking programs?
A. Maps showing the real-time position of the satellite track over the earth
B. The time, azimuth, and elevation of the start, maximum altitude, and end of a pass
C. The apparent frequency of the satellite transmission, including effects of Doppler shift
D. All of these answers are correct

21. T8B03 (D)
Which of the following are provided by satellite tracking programs?
A. Maps showing the real-time position of the satellite track over the earth
B. The time, azimuth, and elevation of the start, maximum altitude, and end of a pass
C. The apparent frequency of the satellite transmission, including effects of Doppler shift
D. All of these answers are correct

22. T8B04
Which amateur stations may make contact with an amateur station on the International Space Station using 2 meter and 70 cm band amateur radio frequencies?
A. Only members of amateur radio clubs at NASA facilities
B. Any amateur holding a Technician or higher class license
C. Only the astronaut's family members who are hams
D. You cannot talk to the ISS on amateur radio frequencies

23. T8B04 (B)
Which amateur stations may make contact with an amateur station on the International Space Station using 2 meter and 70 cm band amateur radio frequencies?
A. Only members of amateur radio clubs at NASA facilities
B. Any amateur holding a Technician or higher class license
C. Only the astronaut's family members who are hams
D. You cannot talk to the ISS on amateur radio frequencies

24. T8B05 What is a satellite beacon?
A. The primary transmit antenna on the satellite
B. An indicator light that that shows where to point your antenna
C. A reflective surface on the satellite
D. A transmission from a space station that contains information about a satellite

25. T8B05 (D) What is a satellite beacon?
A. The primary transmit antenna on the satellite
B. An indicator light that that shows where to point your antenna
C. A reflective surface on the satellite
D. A transmission from a space station that contains information about a satellite

26. T8B06
Which of the following are inputs to a satellite tracking program?
A. The weight of the satellite
B. The Keplerian elements
C. The last observed time of zero Doppler shift
D. All of these answers are correct

27. T8B06 (B)
Which of the following are inputs to a satellite tracking program?
A. The weight of the satellite
B. The Keplerian elements
C. The last observed time of zero Doppler shift
D. All of these answers are correct

28. T8B07 With regard to satellite communications, what is Doppler shift?
A. A change in the satellite orbit
B. A mode where the satellite receives signals on one band and transmits on another
C. An observed change in signal frequency caused by relative motion between the satellite and the earth station
D. A special digital communications mode for some satellites

29. T8B07 (C)
With regard to satellite communications, what is Doppler shift?
A. A change in the satellite orbit
B. A mode where the satellite receives signals on one band and transmits on another
C. An observed change in signal frequency caused by relative motion between the satellite and the earth station
D. A special digital communications mode for some satellites

30. T8B08
What is meant by the statement that a satellite is operating in mode U/V?
A. The satellite uplink is in the 15 meter band and the downlink is in the 10 meter band
B. The satellite uplink is in the 70 cm band and the downlink is in the 2 meter band
C. The satellite operates using ultraviolet frequencies
D. The satellite frequencies are usually variable

31. T8B08 (B)
What is meant by the statement that a satellite is operating in mode U/V?
A. The satellite uplink is in the 15 meter band and the downlink is in the 10 meter band
B. The satellite uplink is in the 70 cm band and the downlink is in the 2 meter band
C. The satellite operates using ultraviolet frequencies
D. The satellite frequencies are usually variable

32. T8B09 What causes spin fading when referring to satellite signals?
A. Circular polarized noise interference radiated from the sun
B. Rotation of the satellite and its antennas
C. Doppler shift of the received signal
D. Interfering signals within the satellite uplink band

33. T8B09 (B) What causes spin fading when referring to satellite signals?
A. Circular polarized noise interference radiated from the sun
B. Rotation of the satellite and its antennas
C. Doppler shift of the received signal
D. Interfering signals within the satellite uplink band

34. T8B10 What do the initials LEO tell you about an amateur satellite?
A. The satellite battery is in Low Energy Operation mode
B. The satellite is performing a Lunar Ejection Orbit maneuver
C. The satellite is in a Low Earth Orbit
D. The satellite uses Light Emitting Optics

35. T8B10 (C)
What do the initials LEO tell you about an amateur satellite?
A. The satellite battery is in Low Energy Operation mode
B. The satellite is performing a Lunar Ejection Orbit maneuver
C. The satellite is in a Low Earth Orbit
D. The satellite uses Light Emitting Optics

36. T8B11
What is a commonly used method of sending signals to and from a digital satellite?
A. USB AFSK
B. PSK31
C. FM Packet
D. WSJT

37. T8B11 (C)
What is a commonly used method of sending signals to and from a digital satellite?
A. USB AFSK
B. PSK31
C. FM Packet
D. WSJT

38. T8C02
Which of these items would be useful for a hidden transmitter hunt?
A. Calibrated SWR meter
B. A directional antenna
C. A calibrated noise bridge
D. All of these choices are correct

39. T8C02 (B)
Which of these items would be useful for a hidden transmitter hunt?
A. Calibrated SWR meter
B. A directional antenna
C. A calibrated noise bridge
D. All of these choices are correct

40. T8C03
What popular operating activity involves contacting as many stations as possible during a specified period of time?
A. Contesting
B. Net operations
C. Public service events
D. Simulated emergency exercises

41. T8C03 (A)
What popular operating activity involves contacting as many stations as possible during a specified period of time?
A. Contesting
B. Net operations
C. Public service events
D. Simulated emergency exercises

42. T8C04
Which of the following is good procedure when contacting another station in a radio contest?
A. Be sure to sign only the last two letters of your call if there is a pileup calling the station
B. Work the station twice to be sure that you are in his log
C. Send only the minimum information needed for proper identification and the contest exchange
D. All of these choices are correct

43. T8C04 (C)
Which of the following is good procedure when contacting another station in a radio contest?
A. Be sure to sign only the last two letters of your call if there is a pileup calling the station
B. Work the station twice to be sure that you are in his log
C. Send only the minimum information needed for proper identification and the contest exchange
D. All of these choices are correct

44. T8C07
What is the maximum power allowed when transmitting telecommand signals to radio controlled models?
A. 500 milliwatts
B. 1 watt
C. 25 watts
D watts

45. T8C07 (B)
What is the maximum power allowed when transmitting telecommand signals to radio controlled models?
A. 500 milliwatts
B. 1 watt
C. 25 watts
D watts

46. T8C08
What is required in place of on-air station identification when sending signals to a radio control model using amateur frequencies?
A. Voice identification must be transmitted every 10 minutes
B. Morse code ID must be sent once per hour
C. A label indicating the licensee's name, call sign and address must be affixed to the transmitter
D. A flag must be affixed to the transmitter antenna with the station call sign in 1 inch high letters or larger

47. T8C08 (C)
What is required in place of on-air station identification when sending signals to a radio control model using amateur frequencies?
A. Voice identification must be transmitted every 10 minutes
B. Morse code ID must be sent once per hour
C. A label indicating the licensee's name, call sign and address must be affixed to the transmitter
D. A flag must be affixed to the transmitter antenna with the station call sign in 1 inch high letters or larger

48. T8D01
Which of the following is an example of a digital communications method?
A. Packet
B. PSK31
C. MFSK
D. All of these choices are correct

49. T8D01 (D)
Which of the following is an example of a digital communications method?
A. Packet
B. PSK31
C. MFSK
D. All of these choices are correct

50. T8D03
Which of the following devices provides data to the transmitter when sending automatic position reports from a mobile amateur radio station?
A. The vehicle speedometer
B. A WWV receiver
C. A connection to a broadcast FM sub-carrier receiver
D. A Global Positioning System receiver

51. T8D03 (D)
Which of the following devices provides data to the transmitter when sending automatic position reports from a mobile amateur radio station?
A. The vehicle speedometer
B. A WWV receiver
C. A connection to a broadcast FM sub-carrier receiver
D. A Global Positioning System receiver

52. T8D04 What type of transmission is indicated by the term NTSC?
A. A Normal Transmission mode in Static Circuit
B. A special mode for earth satellite uplink
C. An analog fast scan color TV signal
D. A frame compression scheme for TV signals

53. T8D04 (C) What type of transmission is indicated by the term NTSC?
A. A Normal Transmission mode in Static Circuit
B. A special mode for earth satellite uplink
C. An analog fast scan color TV signal
D. A frame compression scheme for TV signals

54. T8D06 What does the abbreviation PSK mean? A. Pulse Shift Keying
B. Phase Shift Keying
C. Packet Short Keying
D. Phased Slide Keying

55. T8D06 (B) What does the abbreviation PSK mean? A. Pulse Shift Keying
B. Phase Shift Keying
C. Packet Short Keying
D. Phased Slide Keying

56. T8D07 What is PSK31? A. A high-rate data transmission mode
B. A method of reducing noise interference to FM signals
C. A method of compressing digital television signals
D. A low-rate data transmission mode

57. T8D07 (D) What is PSK31? A. A high-rate data transmission mode
B. A method of reducing noise interference to FM signals
C. A method of compressing digital television signals
D. A low-rate data transmission mode

58. T8D08 Which of the following may be included in packet transmissions?
A. A check sum which permits error detection
B. A header which contains the call sign of the station to which the information is being sent
C. Automatic repeat request in case of error
D. All of these choices are correct

59. T8D08 (D)
Which of the following may be included in packet transmissions?
A. A check sum which permits error detection
B. A header which contains the call sign of the station to which the information is being sent
C. Automatic repeat request in case of error
D. All of these choices are correct

60. T8D11 What is an ARQ transmission system?
A. A special transmission format limited to video signals
B. A system used to encrypt command signals to an amateur radio satellite
C. A digital scheme whereby the receiving station detects errors and sends a request to the sending station to retransmit the information
D. A method of compressing the data in a message so more information can be sent in a shorter time

61. T8D11 (C) What is an ARQ transmission system?
A. A special transmission format limited to video signals
B. A system used to encrypt command signals to an amateur radio satellite
C. A digital scheme whereby the receiving station detects errors and sends a request to the sending station to retransmit the information
D. A method of compressing the data in a message so more information can be sent in a shorter time

62. End
Module Fifteen