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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

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

7. FCC Band Plan

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. Questions? Resources ARRL Marin Amateur Radio Club
East Bay Amateur Radio Club
Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club
Silverado Amateur Radio Society
ARRL
Search for local ham clubs – there are just too many to list here