1. Technician License Course Chapter 6 Communicating with other hams Lesson Plan Module 13: Contact Basics; Band Plans; Making Contacts; Using Repeaters

2. The Typical Telephone Conversation Greeting. Identify who is participating. Exchange information, generally taking turns. Salutations. End the conversation.

3. The Typical Ham Contact (QSO) Greeting. Identify who is participating. Exchange information, generally taking turns. Salutations. End the conversation.

4. Radio Manners Speak clearly and distinctly Giant party line – choose topics accordingly Shared use of frequencies

5. Radio Manners Use of phonetics. Station identification (FCC 10 minute rule) Schedules with other stations

6. Radio Manners Signal Reports Power level Location RST –Readability (1-5) –Strength (1-9) –Tone (CW only 1-9) –“Your signal is 58”

7. Radio Manners Ham radio is self-regulated. –ARRL Official Observers. Logging contacts – on paper or computer QSLs –Awards Programs

8. Band Plans A band plan is a way of organizing the use of radio frequencies. –Formal and legal plan. –Informal – gentleman's agreement.

9. What is the term used to describe an amateur station that is transmitting and receiving on the same frequency? (T2B01) A. Full duplex communication B. Diplex communication C. Simplex communication D. Half duplex communication

10. What is the term used to describe an amateur station that is transmitting and receiving on the same frequency? (T2B01) A. Full duplex communication B. Diplex communication C. Simplex communication D. Half duplex communication

11. What is the “Q” signal used to indicate that you are receiving interference from other stations? (T2B10) A. QRM B. QRN C. QTH D. QSB

12. What is the “Q” signal used to indicate that you are receiving interference from other stations? (T2B10) A. QRM B. QRN C. QTH D. QSB

13. What is the “Q” signal used to indicate that you are changing frequency? (T2B11) A. QRU B. QSY C. QSL D. QRZ

14. What is the “Q” signal used to indicate that you are changing frequency? (T2B11) A. QRU B. QSY C. QSL D. QRZ

15. What is a grid locator? (T8C05) A. A letter-number designator assigned to a geographic location B. A letter-number designator assigned to an azimuth and elevation C. An instrument for neutralizing a final amplifier D. An instrument for radio direction finding

16. What is a grid locator? (T8C05) A. A letter-number designator assigned to a geographic location B. A letter-number designator assigned to an azimuth and elevation C. An instrument for neutralizing a final amplifier D. An instrument for radio direction finding

17. Making Contacts On repeaters: Simply say your call to establish contact On HF, call CQ – I am calling any station Practice using your radio Off frequency, low batteries or a bad location can cause problems

18. Making Contacts Taking turns and breaking-in. Nets – groups of operators gathered on a specific frequency for a common interest or purpose. Using simplex – 146.52 MHz and 446.0 MHz

19. What is the national calling frequency for FM simplex operations in the 70 cm band? (T2A02) A. 146.520 MHz B. 145.000 MHz C. 432.100 MHz D. 446.000 MHz

20. What is the national calling frequency for FM simplex operations in the 70 cm band? (T2A02) A. 146.520 MHz B. 145.000 MHz C. 432.100 MHz D. 446.000 MHz

21. What is an appropriate way to call another station on a repeater if you know the other station’s call sign? (T2A04) A. Say “break, break” then say the station’s call sign B. Say the station’s call sign then identify with your call sign C. Say “CQ” three times then the other station’s call sign D. Wait for the station to call “CQ” then answer it

22. What is an appropriate way to call another station on a repeater if you know the other station’s call sign? (T2A04) A. Say “break, break” then say the station’s call sign B. Say the station’s call sign then identify with your call sign C. Say “CQ” three times then the other station’s call sign D. Wait for the station to call “CQ” then answer it

23. What should you transmit when responding to a call of CQ? (T2A05) A. CQ followed by the other station’s call sign B. Your call sign followed by the other station’s call sign C. The other station’s call sign followed by your call sign D. A signal report followed by your call sign

24. What should you transmit when responding to a call of CQ? (T2A05) A. CQ followed by the other station’s call sign B. Your call sign followed by the other station’s call sign C. The other station’s call sign followed by your call sign D. A signal report followed by your call sign

25. What is the meaning of the procedural signal “CQ?” (T2A08) A. Call on the quarter hour B. A new antenna is being tested (no station should answer) C. Only the called station should transmit D. Calling any station

26. What is the meaning of the procedural signal “CQ?” (T2A08) A. Call on the quarter hour B. A new antenna is being tested (no station should answer) C. Only the called station should transmit D. Calling any station

27. What brief statement is often used in place of “CQ” to indicate that you are listening on a repeater? (T2A09) A. Say “Hello test” followed by your call sign B. Say your call sign C. Say the repeater call sign followed by your call sign D. Say the letters “QSY” followed by your call sign

28. What brief statement is often used in place of “CQ” to indicate that you are listening on a repeater? (T2A09) A. Say “Hello test” followed by your call sign B. Say your call sign C. Say the repeater call sign followed by your call sign D. Say the letters “QSY” followed by your call sign

29. What might be the problem if you receive a report that your audio signal through the repeater is distorted or unintelligible? (T7B10) A. Your transmitter might be slightly off frequency B. Your batteries might be running low C. You could be in a bad location D. All of these choices are correct

30. What might be the problem if you receive a report that your audio signal through the repeater is distorted or unintelligible? (T7B10) A. Your transmitter might be slightly off frequency B. Your batteries might be running low C. You could be in a bad location D. All of these choices are correct

31. What is a Repeater? Specialized transmitter/receiver interconnected by computer controller. Generally located at a high place. Receives your signal and simultaneously retransmits your signal on a different frequency. Dramatically extends line-of-sight range. –If both users can see the repeater site.

33. A Little Vocabulary First Simplex –Transmitting and receiving on the same frequency. –Each user takes turns to transmit. –Is the preferred method if it works.

34. A Little Vocabulary First Duplex –Transmitting on one frequency while simultaneously listening on a different frequency. –Repeaters use duplex. –Output frequency – the frequency the repeater transmits on and you listen to. –Input frequency – the frequency the repeater listens to and you transmit on.

35. Things to Know to Use a Repeater Output frequency. Frequency split. –and therefore the input frequency. Repeater access tones (if any).

36. Repeater Output Frequency Repeaters are frequently identified by their output frequency. –“Meet you on the 443.50 machine.” Here the specific frequency is used. –“Let’s go to 94.” Here an abbreviation for a standard repeater channel is used meaning 146.94 MHz. –“How about the NARL repeater?” Here the repeater is referenced by the sponsoring club name.

37. Repeater Frequency Split The split, shifts, or offset frequencies are standardized to help facilitate repeater use. There are + and – shifts depending on the plan. Different bands have different standardized amounts of shift.

38. Repeater Access Tones Sometimes multiple repeaters can be accessed at the same time unintentionally. To preclude unintentional access, some repeaters require a special subaudible tone to be present before the repeater controller will recognize the signal as a valid signal and turn on the repeater. These tones are called by various names (depending on equipment manufacturer). –CTCSS (continuous tone coded squelch system) –PL (a Motorola trade name for CTCSS) –Privacy codes or tones –DCS (digital coded squelch)

39. Repeater Access Tones Access tones are usually published along with repeater frequencies. Could also be announced when the repeater identifies. –“PL is 123.0” Tones are generally programmed into the radio along with frequency and offset.

40. Repeater Controller Computer that controls the repeater operation. –Station identification (Morse code or synthesized voice). Same ID requirements as you have. –Time-out protection. Sometimes called the alligator. Protects against continuous transmission in the event of a stuck PTT or long winded hams. –Courtesy tone – repeater time-out timer reset.

41. Which of the following stations transmits signals over the air from a remote receive site to a repeater for retransmission? (T1A11) A. Beacon station B. Relay station C. Auxiliary station D. Message forwarding station

42. Which of the following stations transmits signals over the air from a remote receive site to a repeater for retransmission? (T1A11) A. Beacon station B. Relay station C. Auxiliary station D. Message forwarding station

43. What is the most common repeater frequency offset in the 2 meter band? (T2A01) A. Plus 500 kHz B. Plus or minus 600 kHz C. Minus 500 kHz D. Only plus 600 kHz

44. What is the most common repeater frequency offset in the 2 meter band? (T2A01) A. Plus 500 kHz B. Plus or minus 600 kHz C. Minus 500 kHz D. Only plus 600 kHz

45. What is a common repeater frequency offset in the 70 cm band? (T2A03) A. Plus or minus 5 MHz B. Plus or minus 600 kHz C. Minus 600 kHz D. Plus 600 kHz

46. What is a common repeater frequency offset in the 70 cm band? (T2A03) A. Plus or minus 5 MHz B. Plus or minus 600 kHz C. Minus 600 kHz D. Plus 600 kHz

47. What term is used to describe the use of a sub- audible tone transmitted with normal voice audio to open the squelch of a receiver? (T2B02) A. Carrier squelch B. Tone burst C. DTMF D. CTCSS

48. What term is used to describe the use of a sub- audible tone transmitted with normal voice audio to open the squelch of a receiver? (T2B02) A. Carrier squelch B. Tone burst C. DTMF D. CTCSS

49. Which of the following common problems might cause you to be able to hear but not access a repeater even when transmitting with the proper offset? (T2B04) A. The repeater receiver requires audio tone burst for access B. The repeater receiver requires a CTCSS tone for access C. The repeater receiver may require a DCS tone sequence for access D. All of these choices are correct

50. Which of the following common problems might cause you to be able to hear but not access a repeater even when transmitting with the proper offset? (T2B04) A. The repeater receiver requires audio tone burst for access B. The repeater receiver requires a CTCSS tone for access C. The repeater receiver may require a DCS tone sequence for access D. All of these choices are correct

51. Which of the following describes the common meaning of the term “repeater offset?” (T4B11) A. The distance between the repeater’s transmit and receive antennas B. The time delay before the repeater timer resets C. The difference between the repeater’s transmit and receive frequencies D. The maximum frequency deviation permitted on the repeater’s input signal

52. Which of the following describes the common meaning of the term “repeater offset?” (T4B11) A. The distance between the repeater’s transmit and receive antennas B. The time delay before the repeater timer resets C. The difference between the repeater’s transmit and receive frequencies D. The maximum frequency deviation permitted on the repeater’s input signal

53. How might you obtain a list of active nodes that use VoIP? (T8C09) A. From the FCC rulebook B. From you local emergency coordinator C. From a repeater directory D. From the local repeater frequency coordinator

54. How might you obtain a list of active nodes that use VoIP? (T8C09) A. From the FCC rulebook B. From you local emergency coordinator C. From a repeater directory D. From the local repeater frequency coordinator

55. How do you select a specific IRLP node when using a portable transceiver? (T8C10) A. Choose a specific CTCSS tone B. Choose the correct DSC tone C. Access the repeater autopatch D. Use the keypad to transmit the IRLP node ID

56. How do you select a specific IRLP node when using a portable transceiver? (T8C10) A. Choose a specific CTCSS tone B. Choose the correct DSC tone C. Access the repeater autopatch D. Use the keypad to transmit the IRLP node ID