1. Technician License Course Chapter 2
Lesson Plan Module 2 –
Radio Signals and Waves

2. The Basic Radio Station

3. What Happens During Radio Communication?
Transmitting (sending a signal):
Information (voice, data, video, commands, etc.) is converted to electronic form.
The information in electronic form is attached or embedded on a radio wave (a carrier).
The radio wave is sent out from the station antenna into space.

4. What Happens During Radio Communication?
Receiving end:
The radio wave (carrier) with the information is intercepted by the receiving station antenna.
The receiver extracts the information from the carrier wave.
The information is then presented to the user in a format that can be understood (sound, picture, words on a computer screen, response to a command).

5. What Happens During Radio Communication?
This sounds pretty simple, but it in reality is pretty complex.
This complexity is one thing that makes ham radio fun…learning all about how radios work.
Don’t be intimidated. You will be required to only know the basics, but you can learn as much about the “art and science” of radio as you want.

6. Radio Waves are AC
Radio waves (electromagnetic radiation) are ac waves.
Radio waves are used to carry the information you want to convey to someone else.

7. Wave Vocabulary
Before we study radio waves, we need to learn some wave vocabulary.
Amplitude
Frequency
Period
Wavelength
Harmonics
Spend some time with live demonstration to make sure the students are really familiar with the concepts and vocabulary of waves. These demonstrations could include using audio frequency generator connected to a speaker and oscilloscope to allow students to hear a audio sine wave and see the wave. This will allow you to point out the differenced between amplitude and frequency, the relationship between frequency and wavelength, the relationship between frequency and period.

8. Now for a Powerful Demonstration
What happens when you drop a magnet through a non-ferrous conductive pipe?
This is a powerful demonstration that will help your students understand radio waves and perhaps be better able to visualize how radio waves travel. For this demonstration you will need a length of common copper pipe and PVC pipe and a very strong slug magnet. Try as a source of magnets. Their number 10 magnet, a cylinder about 5/8 inch in diameter is a good size. The pipes should be sufficient diameter to allow the magnet to pass through, ¾ inch pipe should work.
Talk with the students about the concept of magnetism and magnetic fields. Talk with the students about electric current. Demonstrate that the magnetic is in fact a magnet by having it stick to a ferrous metal. Demonstrate that the magnet does not stick to the copper or PVC pipe and explain why.
Pose the question. Have the students predict what will happen then have each drop the magnet through the pipe to test their hypothesis. (the magnet falls slowly through the copper pipe, falls right through the PVC) Discuss what the students observe.
What you are demonstrating is the two fundamental principles of electronics:
Any time a magnetic field moves, it causes electrons with the vicinity of the field to move.
Any time an electron moves, it creates a magnetic field.
So what is happening is that the moving magnet (field) causes electrons in the copper to mover. Those moving electrons in the pipe in turn create an opposing magnetic field that prevents the magnet from falling right through. The magnet falls right through the PVC because the PVC is an insulator…no electrons allowed to move therefore no opposing magnetic field.

9. How Radio Waves Travel
You have just witnessed in a way how radio waves travel.
Moving electrons in the antenna create a magnetic field.
This changing magnetic field creates an electric field.
Then back and forth between magnetic and electric fields from point A to point B.

10. Finding Where You are on the Radio Dial
There are two ways to tell someone where to meet you on the radio dial (spectrum).
Band
Frequency

12. Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum
The RF spectrum is the range of wave frequencies which will leave an antenna and travel through space.
The RF spectrum is divided into segments of frequencies that basically have unique behavior.
Each segment division of frequencies will act the same, for instance, short range, reflect off similar surfaces, interact with the ionosphere the same way, etc.

13. Wavelength The distance a radio wave travels during one cycle.
One complete change between magnetic and electric fields.
This is the time to talk about the mathematical relationship between frequency and wavelength. Go over a few practice problems using examples of test questions. Give some problems for homework that are the test questions.

14. Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum
Point out on the diagram where familiar signals are located like AM/FM commercial radio, police and fire channels, TV, satellite TV. Point out how each segment acts differently from adjacent segments. Don’t be afraid to tell them that it isn’t that simple, that the lines between segments sometimes are a little fuzzy, that is part of the fun of radio.

15. What is the name for the distance a radio wave travels during one complete cycle? (T3B01)
A. Wave speed
B. Waveform
C. Wavelength
D. Wave spread

16. What is the name for the distance a radio wave travels during one complete cycle? (T3B01)
A. Wave speed
B. Waveform
C. Wavelength
D. Wave spread

17. How fast does a radio wave travel through free space? (T3B04)
A. At the speed of light
B. At the speed of sound
C. Its speed is inversely proportional to its wavelength
D. Its speed increases as the frequency increases

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

19. How does the wavelength of a radio wave relate to its frequency
How does the wavelength of a radio wave relate to its frequency? (T3B05)
A. The wavelength gets longer as the frequency increases
B. The wavelength gets shorter as the frequency increases
C. There is no relationship between wavelength and frequency
D. The wavelength depends on the bandwidth of the signal

20. How does the wavelength of a radio wave relate to its frequency
How does the wavelength of a radio wave relate to its frequency? (T3B05)
A. The wavelength gets longer as the frequency increases
B. The wavelength gets shorter as the frequency increases
C. There is no relationship between wavelength and frequency
D. The wavelength depends on the bandwidth of the signal

21. What is the formula for converting frequency to wavelength in meters
What is the formula for converting frequency to wavelength in meters? (T3B06)
A. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz multiplied by 300
B. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz divided by 300
C. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in megahertz divided by 300
D. Wavelength in meters equals 300 divided by frequency in megahertz

22. What is the formula for converting frequency to wavelength in meters
What is the formula for converting frequency to wavelength in meters? (T3B06)
A. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz multiplied by 300
B. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz divided by 300
C. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in megahertz divided by 300
D. Wavelength in meters equals 300 divided by frequency in megahertz

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

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

25. What are the frequency limits of the VHF spectrum? (T3B08)
A. 30 to 300 kHz
B. 30 to 300 MHz
C to 3000 kHz
D to 3000 MHz

26. What are the frequency limits of the VHF spectrum? (T3B08)
A. 30 to 300 kHz
B. 30 to 300 MHz
C to 3000 kHz
D to 3000 MHz

27. What are the frequency limits of the UHF spectrum? (T3B09)
A. 30 to 300 kHz
B. 30 to 300 MHz
C to 3000 kHz
D to 3000 MHz

28. What are the frequency limits of the UHF spectrum? (T3B09)
A. 30 to 300 kHz
B. 30 to 300 MHz
C to 3000 kHz
D to 3000 MHz

29. What frequency range is referred to as HF? (T3B10)
A to 3000 MHz
B. 30 to 300 MHz
C. 3 to 30 MHz
D to 3000 kHz

30. What frequency range is referred to as HF? (T3B10)
A to 3000 MHz
B. 30 to 300 MHz
C. 3 to 30 MHz
D to 3000 kHz

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

32. What is the approximate velocity of a radio wave as it travels through free space? (T3B11)
A kilometers per second
B. 300,000,000 meters per second
C. 300,000 miles per hour
D. 186,000 miles per hour

33. What is the unit of frequency? (T5C05)
A. Hertz
B. Henry
C. Farad
D. Telsa

34. What is the unit of frequency? (T5C05)
A. Hertz
B. Henry
C. Farad
D. Telsa

35. What is the abbreviation that refers to radio frequency signals of all types? (T5C06)
A. AF
B. HF
C. RF
D. VHF

36. What is the abbreviation that refers to radio frequency signals of all types? (T5C06)
A. AF
B. HF
C. RF
D. VHF

37. So, Where Am I? Back to how to tell where you are in the spectrum.
Bands identify the segment of the spectrum where you will operate.
Wavelength is used to identify the band.
Frequencies identify specifically where you are within the band.
Give some real examples on how to articulate where to meet someone. I.e., I’ll be on 2 meters this evening, on a frequency of …see you there.
Twenty meters is open to Europe today, listen for the rare station on frequency MHz.

38. Another Use for Frequency and Wavelength
For the station antenna to efficiently send the radio wave out into space, the antenna must be designed for the specific operating frequency.
The antenna length needs to closely match the wavelength of the frequency to be used.
Any mismatch between antenna length and frequency wavelength will result in radio frequency energy being reflected back to the transmitter, not going (being emitted) into space.
Note that this statement is a generalization and there are a million exceptions. Just go with it for instructional purposes and point out that in the beginning, many over generalizations must be made to facilitate understanding. Once the student understands the basic concepts, then the true complexity of radio and in particular antenna theory can be explored.

39. Adding Information - Modulation
When we imprint some information on the radio wave, we modulate the wave.
Turn the wave on and off
Voice -- AM and FM
Data
Different modulation techniques are called modes.
You now need to make the jump from the discussion of radio spectrum and antenna resonance to the concept of modulation. The important concept here is understanding that modulation is imprinting information on the carrier radio wave. There are different ways to do this imprinting; those different ways are called modes.

40. CW - Morse Code – On and Off

41. Amplitude Modulation (AM)
In AM, the amplitude of the carrier wave is modified in step with the waveform of the information (voice).
The ARRL modulation board is an excellent resource that can be used to demonstrate the concept of modulation. This board uses amplitude modulation and demodulation circuits along with an oscilloscope to visually depict what happens during modulation.

42. Characteristics of Voice AM
AM signals consist of three components:
Carrier
Lower sideband
Upper sideband
Voice bandwidth is from 300 Hz to 3 kHz.
AM bandwidth is twice the voice bandwidth.

43. Characteristics of Voice
Sound waves that make up your voice are a complex mixture of multiple frequencies.
When this complex mixture is embedded on a carrier, two sidebands are created that are mirror images.

44. Single Sideband Modulation (SSB)
Since voice is made up of identical mirror image sidebands:
We can improve efficiency of transmission by transmitting only one sideband and then reconstruct the missing sideband at the receiver.

45. Frequency Modulation (FM)
Instead of varying amplitude, if we vary the frequency in step with the information waveform – FM is produced.
FM signals are much more resistant to the effects of noise but require more bandwidth.
FM bandwidth (for voice) is between 5 and 15 kHz.
Discuss the concept of deviation, the amount of frequency change from the center frequency determines the volume of the transmitted information (percent modulation). Discuss what happens if you over deviate. Also discuss that FM can also be produced by varying the phase of the carrier, but this it is hard to distinguish between PM and FM so it isn’t particularly important for the new ham.
Here is a good place to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the different forms of modulation.

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

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

48. What determines the amount of deviation of an FM signal? (T2B05)
A. Both the frequency and amplitude of the modulating signal
B. The frequency of the modulating signal
C. The amplitude of the modulating signal
D. The relative phase of the modulating signal and the carrier

49. What determines the amount of deviation of an FM signal? (T2B05)
A. Both the frequency and amplitude of the modulating signal
B. The frequency of the modulating signal
C. The amplitude of the modulating signal
D. The relative phase of the modulating signal and the carrier

50. What happens when the deviation of an FM transmitter is increased
What happens when the deviation of an FM transmitter is increased? (T2B06)
A. Its signal occupies more bandwidth
B. Its output power increases
C. Its output power and bandwidth increases
D. Asymmetric modulation occurs

51. What happens when the deviation of an FM transmitter is increased
What happens when the deviation of an FM transmitter is increased? (T2B06)
A. Its signal occupies more bandwidth
B. Its output power increases
C. Its output power and bandwidth increases
D. Asymmetric modulation occurs

52. Which of the following is a form of amplitude modulation? (T8A01)
A. Spread-spectrum
B. Packet radio
C. Single sideband
D. Phase shift keying

53. Which of the following is a form of amplitude modulation? (T8A01)
A. Spread-spectrum
B. Packet radio
C. Single sideband
D. Phase shift keying

54. What type of modulation is most commonly used for VHF packet radio transmission? (T8A02)
A. FM
B. SSB
C. AM
D. Spread Spectrum

55. What type of modulation is most commonly used for VHF packet radio transmission? (T8A02)
A. FM
B. SSB
C. AM
D. Spread Spectrum

56. Which type of voice modulation is most often used for long-distance or weak signal contacts on the VHF and UHF bands? (T8A03)
A. FM
B. FM
C. SSB
D. PM

57. Which type of voice modulation is most often used for long-distance or weak signal contacts on the VHF and UHF bands? (T8A03)
A. FM
B. FM
C. SSB
D. PM

58. Which type of modulation is most commonly used for VHF and UHF voice repeaters? (T8A04)
A. AM
B. SSB
C. PSK
D. FM

59. Which type of modulation is most commonly used for VHF and UHF voice repeaters? (T8A04)
A. AM
B. SSB
C. PSK
D. FM

60. Which of the following types of emission has the narrowest bandwidth
Which of the following types of emission has the narrowest bandwidth? (T8A05)
A. FM voice
B. SSB voice
C. CW
D. Slow-scan TV

61. Which of the following types of emission has the narrowest bandwidth
Which of the following types of emission has the narrowest bandwidth? (T8A05)
A. FM voice
B. SSB voice
C. CW
D. Slow-scan TV

62. Which sideband is normally used for 10 meter HF, VHF and UHF single-sideband communications? (T8A06)
A. Upper sideband
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Inverted sideband

63. Which sideband is normally used for 10 meter HF, VHF and UHF single-sideband communications? (T8A06)
A. Upper sideband
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Inverted sideband

64. What is the primary advantage of single sideband over FM for voice transmissions? (T8A07)
A. SSB signals are easier to tune
B. SSB signals are less susceptible to interference
C. SSB signals have narrower bandwidth
D. All of the choices are correct

65. What is the primary advantage of single sideband over FM for voice transmissions? (T8A07)
A. SSB signals are easier to tune
B. SSB signals are less susceptible to interference
C. SSB signals have narrower bandwidth
D. All of the choices are correct

66. What is the approximate bandwidth of a single sideband voice signal
What is the approximate bandwidth of a single sideband voice signal? (T8A08)
A. 1 kHz
B. 3 kHz
C. 6 kHz
D. 15 kHz

67. What is the approximate bandwidth of a single sideband voice signal
What is the approximate bandwidth of a single sideband voice signal? (T8A08)
A. 1 kHz
B. 3 kHz
C. 6 kHz
D. 15 kHz

68. What is the approximate bandwidth of a VHF repeater FM phone signal
What is the approximate bandwidth of a VHF repeater FM phone signal? (T8A09)
A. Less than 500 Hz
B. About 150 kHz
C. Between 5 and 15 kHz
D. Between 50 and 125 kHz

69. What is the approximate bandwidth of a VHF repeater FM phone signal
What is the approximate bandwidth of a VHF repeater FM phone signal? (T8A09)
A. Less than 500 Hz
B. About 150 kHz
C. Between 5 and 15 kHz
D. Between 50 and 125 kHz

70. What is the typical bandwidth of analog fast-scan TV transmissions on the 70 cm band? (T8A10)
A. More than 10 MHz
B. About 6 MHz
C. About 3 MHz
D. About 1 MHz

71. What is the typical bandwidth of analog fast-scan TV transmissions on the 70 cm band? (T8A10)
A. More than 10 MHz
B. About 6 MHz
C. About 3 MHz
D. About 1 MHz

72. What is the approximate maximum bandwidth required to transmit a CW signal? (T8A11)
A kHz
B Hz
C Hz
D. 15 kHz

73. What is the approximate maximum bandwidth required to transmit a CW signal? (T8A11)
A kHz
B Hz
C Hz
D. 15 kHz