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THE BEGINNER’S HANDBOOK OF AMATEUR RADIO This page intentionally left blank. FM_Laster 9/25/01 12:46 PM Page iii
THE BEGINNER’S HANDBOOK OF AMATEUR RADIO
Clay Laster, W5ZPV
FOURTH EDITION
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CONTENTS
Preface xv Introduction xvii Acknowledgments xix
Chapter 1 Introduction to Amateur Radio 1
Who Can Become a Ham Radio Operator? 1 New Avenues into Amateur Radio 2 About Amateur Radio 2 A History of Amateur Radio 3 Early pioneers 3 Beginning of amateur radio 5 First licenses for amateur radio operators 7 The death knell for amateur radio 8 The golden age of amateur radio 9 Amateur Radio—A Scientific Hobby 11 Amateur Radio Public Service 12 The Path into Amateur Radio—The Technician Class License 15
Chapter 2 How to Prepare for the FCC Technician Class Examination 19
The Federal Communications Commission 21 The FCC Volunteer Examiner Program 22 FCC Amateur Radio Operating Classes 22 The Amateur Radio Frequency Spectrum 23
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FCC Rules and Regulations 25 Part 97: Amateur Radio Service 25 Amateur Call-Sign Allocations 55 How to Learn International Morse Code 58 What is Morse Code? 58 How code is transmitted 59 Who can learn Morse code? 61 The FCC Written Examinations 67 The VEC question pool 67 Scheduling the examination 69 Taking the examination 69
Chapter 3 Radio Communications Theory 71
Definitions 71 The Radio Circuit—Transmitter to Receiver 73 The Electromagnetic Spectrum 74 Frequency and wavelength 76 The radio frequency spectrum 78 Wave propagation 80 Types of Propagation 80 The Effects of the Ionosphere on Radio Communications 82 Ionospheric layers 83 Sunspots affect the ionosphere 83 High sunspot activity 84 Propagation characteristics of the ionosphere 85 Nighttime propagation conditions 87
Chapter 4 Principles of Electricity and Magnetism 89
Definitions 89 Fundamentals of Electricity 91 Atoms and matter 92 Negative and positive charges 93 Electricity—the flow of electrons 93 Units of voltage and current 94 FM_Laster 9/25/01 12:46 PM Page vii
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Conductors and insulators 95 Resistance and resistors 95 Some Basic Electrical Laws 98 Ohm’s law 99 Resistors in series 100 Resistors in parallel 100 Series-parallel combinations 101 Current flow in series dc circuits 101 IR voltage drops 104 Current flow in parallel dc circuits 105 Magnetism 106 The magnetic field 106 Temporary and permanent magnets 107 Electromagnetism 107 Magnetomotive force (MMF) 108 Electromagnetic induction 109 Alternating current and voltage 109 The ac sine wave 109 ac circuits 111 Capacitors and Capacitance 112 How capacitors work 114 Capacitor voltage ratings 115 Connecting capacitors in parallel 115 Connecting capacitors in series 116 Capacitive reactance 116 Phase angle of capacitors 118 Testing capacitors 118 Inductors and Inductance 119 Inductance 119 Series inductors 121 Parallel inductors 121
Inductive reactance, XL 123 Phase angle of inductors 123 Transformers 124 Basic transformer concepts 125 Testing inductors and transformers with a multimeter 127 FM_Laster 9/25/01 12:46 PM Page viii
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ac Circuit Analysis 128 Impedance and phase angles 128 Resonance and tuned circuits 129 The Q of resonant circuits 131 Power Relationships 131 Power in a dc circuit 132 Power in an ac circuit 132 Maximum power transfer 134 Chapter 5 Tubes and Semiconductors 135 Definitions 137 Vacuum Tubes 139 Thermionic Emission 139 General Types of Vacuum Tubes 141 Diodes 141 The diode as an ac rectifier 143 Triodes 144 How triodes work 145 Triode amplification action 147 Limitations of triodes 148 Tetrodes and Pentodes 149 The tetrode 149 Limitations of the tetrode 150 The pentode 151 The pentode as an amplifier 152 Beam-power tubes 153 Gas-filled tubes 153 Cathode-ray tubes 154 Diodes, Transistors, and Other Semiconductor Devices 154 n-type semiconductor 156 p-type semiconductor 156 How semiconductor devices are made 156 The pn junction 157 How diodes work 160 Reverse bias 161 Diode circuits 162 FM_Laster 9/25/01 12:46 PM Page ix
CONTENTS ix
Special-Purpose Diodes 164 The zener diode 165 The varactor diode 166 Transistors 166 Bipolar transistor construction 169 npn transistor operation 169 pnp transistor operation 171 Common-base amplifying circuits 171 Common-emitter amplifier circuits 174 Common-emitter design considerations 176 Variations in transistor characteristics 179 Voltage gain of common-emitter amplifier circuits 180 Frequency limitations of transistors 181 The common-collector configuration 182 Summary of transistor characteristics 184 Transistor testing 184 Transistor testing with ohmmeters 185 Field-Effect Transistors 187 The junction field-effect transistor 188 Characteristics of junction field-effect transistors 189 JFET circuit configurations 190 Insulated-gate field-effect transistors 192 Depletion-mode IGFET operation 192 Enhancement-mode insulated-gate field-effect transistors 194 Care and handling of insulated-gate semiconductor devices 196 Optoelectronic Devices 197 Photodiodes 198 Light-emitting diodes 199 LCD displays 199 Integrated Circuits 200 Types of integrated circuits 200 A typical IC—the 555 timer 202 Packaging of integrated circuits 202 Linear and digital integrated circuits 202 FM_Laster 9/25/01 12:46 PM Page x
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Chapter 6 Power Supplies 205
Definitions 206 Power-Supply Design Considerations 209 The power transformer 209 Rectifier circuits 210 Filter circuits 213 Electronic voltage regulators 218 A word of caution 223 Chapter 7 Electronic Circuits 227
Definitions 227 Audio- and Radio-Frequency Amplifiers 232 Basic Types of Amplifiers 234 The ideal amplifier 234 The Decibel 236 Voltage and Current Ratios in Decibels 239 Amplifier Power Levels 242 Class-A, -B, -AB, and -C Amplifiers 243 Amplifier Efficiency of Operation 244 Interstage Coupling Techniques 245 Direct coupling 245 Resistance-capacitance (RC) coupling 247 Transformer coupling 247 Impedance coupling 247 Push-Pull Operation 248 Integrated-Circuit Amplifiers 249 An IC Audio Amplifier for the Ham Shack 250 The Oscillator: An Amplifier with Feedback 253 The Basic Oscillator Circuit 254 Oscillator Characteristics 255 The Tuned LC Oscillator 255 Oscillator Circuits 257 Chapter 8 Introduction to Radio Transmitters 269 Definitions 272 The CW Transmitter 275 FM_Laster 9/25/01 12:46 PM Page xi
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The Master Oscillator Power Amplifier Transmitter 276 Amplitude-Modulated Transmitters 280 Conventional AM transmitters 280 AM carrier and sideband signals 282 Single-Sideband Modulation 283 Frequency Modulation 288 FM transmitters 289 Transmitter Performance Tests 290 Transmitter frequency measurements 290 Frequency counters 291 Transmitter power measurements 292 Chapter 9 Introduction to Radio Receivers 295
Definitions 297 Receiver Basics 298 Reception 299 Selection or selectivity 300 Demodulation or detection 301 Reproduction 302 Simple Receivers 302 Tuned radio-frequency (TRF) receivers 302 Direct-conversion receivers 303 The Superheterodyne Receiver 305 RF amplifiers 307 Local oscillators 307 Mixers 309 Regenerative-detector receivers 310 IF amplifiers 310 Detectors and beat-frequency oscillators 312 Automatic gain control 312 S meters 313 Interference and Receiver Limitations 313 Receiver Overload 314 Harmonic Signals 315 Constructing the “Sudden” 160- to 20-Meter Direct Conversion Receiver 315 FM Receivers 319 FM_Laster 9/25/01 12:46 PM Page xii
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Chapter 10 All about Transmission Lines and Antennas 323
Definitions 324 Transmission Line Basics 326 Types of Transmission Lines 327 Twin-lead lines 327 Coaxial transmission lines 328 Standing Waves 329 Standing-wave ratios 329 High-Frequency Antennas 332 Half-wave doublet (or dipole) antenna 333 Safety and other considerations 340 Multiband antennas 347 Vertical antennas 350 Beam antennas 351 Station Wiring Diagrams 355
Chapter 11 RF Radiation Safety and Radio Communications Practices and Procedures 357
Definitions 357 Radio Frequency Environmental Safety Practices 361 Determining Compliance with FCC RF Safety Rules and Regulations 365 General RF safety recommendations 367 Radio Communications Practices 368 Station installation 368 Station layout 369 Station wiring 370 Radio-Frequency Interference (RFI) 371 Elimination of RFI 371 How to Use Test Equipment 373 Meter movements 373 Ammeters 374 Voltmeters 374 Ohmmeters 375 FM_Laster 9/25/01 12:46 PM Page xiii
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The multimeter 377 Wattmeters 377 Operating Procedures 377 Operating courtesy 378 CW or telegraph procedures 379 Q signals 379 The RST signal-reporting system 380 Prosigns and standard abbreviations 380 A Typical Contact on the Technician Bands 380
Appendix A. Element 2—Technician Class Examination Question Pool 385 Answers 481 Appendix B. The W5YI RF Safety Tables 485 Index 491 This page intentionally left blank. FM_Laster 9/25/01 12:46 PM Page xv
PREFACE
elcome to the world of amateur radio! We (the term “we” applies not Wonly to myself, but to all the pioneering hams who helped to make amateur radio available to everyone) prepared this book with two major objectives in mind. First, we want to introduce you to the exciting world of amateur radio, one of the most interesting and challenging hobbies available today. Once you’re hooked, our second objective is help prepare you for the FCC Technician Class license examinations, including both theory and Morse code. There is also another important objective: enticing the many dedicated electronics and computer experimenters, technicians, engineers, and serious CB enthusiasts throughout the country to join the ranks of amateur radio operators. In no other hobby can one find such a diversity of individual and group endeavors involving scientific study and experimentation. The fields of amateur radio range from basic electronics, voice and data com- munications on a local and world-wide basis, and space and satellite communications to public service (especially during emergencies) and close camaraderie or friendships that last a lifetime. Truly, amateur radio is one of the largest fraternities in the world, open to persons of all ages and nationalities. The No-Code Technician Class license—yes, at last an amateur radio license with no Morse code examination—makes it easy for you to become a ham operator in a minimum of time. Then to earn hf Morse code and single-sideband voice privileges in selected hf bands, you need only to pass a 5 words-per-minute Morse code test. We’ll show you how to study for and pass both the Technician written examination and the Morse code test. This book is designed for either self-study or group use in Technician Class code and theory classes. The only additional material needed is a source of Morse code practice signals (cassettes or CDs) and a telegraph key/code oscillator for generating Morse code signals. Also, excellent PC xv Copyright 2001 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click Here for Terms of Use. FM_Laster 9/25/01 12:46 PM Page xvi
xvi PREFACE
and other home computer educational programs for both Morse code and theory instruction are available. Chapters 1 and 2 provide an introduction to amateur radio, the FCC Part 97 Rules and Regulations for amateur radio, and how to prepare for and take the Technician Class license code and theory examinations. Chapters 3 through 10 form the basis for a “mini-course” in electronics technology, with emphasis on radio communications. Chapter 11 pro- vides specific and technical information on amateur radio operating procedures, rf radiation safety requirements, and advanced amateur radio communications systems involving single sideband, frequency modulation, repeaters, digital and packet communications, and space and satellite communications. The appendices contain the FCC Tech- nician question pool, as well as answers for each question. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? All it takes on your part is a concentrated study effort to prepare for and pass the FCC license examinations. We suggest that you review this book, chapter by chapter, before starting a detailed study of the course material. This will give you an overall perspective on amateur radio and help you develop a study schedule. Finally, review the question pool in Appendix A. One proven study technique is to write each FCC question on a 3-inch ref- erence card, and your answer on the back. Check your answer against the correct answer given in the appendix. The writing of the questions and digging out the correct answers is part of the learning process. As you write each question on the card, you also help to write the question in your memory. To complete this process, review the set of cards until you learn the correct answers to all questions for each required license class examination. Remember, passing the Morse code examination requires a code speed proficiency of at least five words per minute. Build up this code speed before the end of your studies. With these fac- tors in mind, you can develop a realistic schedule for preparing for the FCC Technician code and theory examinations. One final recommendation: contact the local amateur radio club or a neighborhood ham and make arrangements for a volunteer examiner (VE) to administer the FCC Technician Class license examinations. Finding a ham in the neighborhood is easy—just check with the local radio club or the volunteer examiner before taking the examinations. Good luck! Clay Laster FM_Laster 9/25/01 12:46 PM Page xvii
INTRODUCTION
o you want to learn all about amateur radio? How to prepare for Dthe FCC license examinations, all about radio communications and electronics principles, how personal computers can be used to enhance the learning, as well as the operation, of amateur radio comunications, how to assemble and operate an amateur radio “ham” station? This is one of the most comprehensive books for the beginner in amateur radio. It combines theory and practice in a clear and easy- to-understand manner. The many illustrations and photographs make learning all about amateur radio easy and exciting. The book contains complete information on how to study for the Technician Class license examinations and includes all of the FCC test questions and answers. A variety of construction projects, transmitters, receivers, and other electronic equipment are examined to give the beginner practical experience in designing and building amateur radio projects. The book also provides parts and source information for radio components, equipment, and antennas, all typical of current-day technology. This book is unique in that technical information concerning vacuum tubes and associated circuits are covered. Why are these obsolete devices covered in a modern book? Many excellent vacuum-tube amateur receivers, transmitters, and transceivers are to be found at ham swapfests and conventions. Also, many kilowatt final power ampli- fiers for amateur hf service are marketed by amateur suppliers today. Anyone interested in amateur radio—student, electronics or CB enthusiast, personal computer buff, doctor, lawyer, or engineer—will want to explore this worldwide hobby. This book offers you the oppor- tunity to get in on the ground floor of amateur radio.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
he author is grateful for the cooperation and assistance extended by Tindividuals, companies, and amateur organizations during the preparation of this book. Space does not permit listing these entities here. However, an attempt is made to acknowledge these many contributions as each particular item—circuit, device, or equipment— is covered. This approach also provides the beginner in amateur radio with specific information and source(s) concerning amateur parts and equipment. Many thanks are due the author’s wife, Irma, who provided invaluable assistance and encouragement during the preparation of the manuscript. Finally, the publisher’s cooperation and patience for extending the deadline, as well as superb technical expertise in pub- lishing this book, is greatly appreciated.
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CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Amateur Radio
ave you ever listened to an AM or FM radio receiver and wondered Hhow radio waves travel through space? Have you gazed at a televi- sion set and asked how pictures generated on the other side of the earth can be transmitted to your TV receiver? Have you operated a cit- izens band radio and wanted to extend your range of communications worldwide? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be on the road to amateur radio, an exciting and rewarding hobby extend- ing into almost every phase of electronics. Just pass the required Fed- eral Communications Commission (FCC) exams given by authorized amateur radio operators in your neighborhood and you’re ready to become an amateur operator (or “ham”) yourself.
Who Can Become a Ham Radio Operator? Anyone, regardless of age, is eligible to become a ham radio operator in the United States. Persons from less than 10 years to over 80 years of age have become hams. Many disabled individuals have entered the ranks of amateur radio. Operators can apply for special testing provisions if they have physical disabilities. Learning materials are available on video or audio tape or in books to assist in the learning processes. After becom- ing an amateur radio operator, the ham has many radio equipment 1 Copyright 2001 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click Here for Terms of Use. Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 2
2 CHAPTER ONE
options. Many modern amateur radios (receivers, transmitters, etc.) pro- vide voice outputs and can be controlled by computers using voice com- mands. Organizations such as the Courage HANDIHAM System (see Chap. 2) provide a wide variety of services to aid those with disabilities. Aliens, except representatives of foreign governments, are encour- aged to apply for a U.S. ham license if they plan to be in the country for an extended period of time. We’ll tell you how to prepare and apply for your ham license in Chap. 2.
New Avenues into Amateur Radio The FCC No-Code Technician License will allow you to enter the ranks of amateur radio and get on the air with a minimum of effort. Yes, that’s right—you can skip the Morse code tests and pass a written test for the new No-Code Tech class license. This license allows you to operate on all amateur bands above 50 megahertz (MHz), including the popular 6-meter and 2-meter bands with exciting local repeater and packet radio operation, 440 MHz for amateur television, satellite and long- range “radio link” operation, and advanced microwave systems. In case the megahertz and meter terms confuse you, just remember that they refer to the bands of frequency for amateur operation. You prob- ably already know that the AM broadcast band covers 540 to 1650 kilo- hertz (kHz) and the FM broadcast band covers 88 to 108 MHz. However, we’ll explain the meaning of these and other terms later. The important thing is that you can talk to other hams, using single sideband (SSB), fre- quency modulation (FM), or packet radio modes of operation. Then later, if you want to get on some of the amateur radio high-frequency bands (i.e., below 50 MHz) for direct long-distance voice or Morse code contacts, you can pass an easy five words per minute (WPM) Morse code test to qualify for the Technician Class license. Finally, you can earn even more amateur operating privileges by passing General and Extra Class license tests. Remember, you can take any of these tests from qualified hams in your area at a time convenient to you and the ham volunteer examiner.
About Amateur Radio We live in a world of fantastic technological developments that affect almost every phase of our daily lives. Space exploration, high-speed Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 3
INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR RADIO 3
jet aircraft, and advanced developments in medicine, digital comput- ers, and worldwide electronic communications are but a few of these achievements. Amateur radio offers a challenging entry into exploring much of the technology involved in many of these fields. Amateur radio operators have made many significant contributions to radio communications and electronics technology. In fact, many scientists, engineers, and even astronauts pursue amateur radio as a rewarding hobby. Many of NASA’s space shuttle craft flights include Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) contacts with amateur radio operators. There are many fascinating aspects to amateur radio—talking to fellow hams, participating in emergency communications during dis- asters, studying electronics technology, or building ham gear and antennas using state-of-the-art electronic components. Many hams use amateur radio as a steppingstone to a rewarding career in electronics. But wait—this marvelous technology is only about 100 years old. Before we get into the details of amateur radio and how to pass the FCC exam for an amateur radio license, let’s look into the fascinating history of amateur radio.
A History of Amateur Radio A history of amateur radio would not be complete without acknowl- edging some of the early discoveries in the field of electricity and magnetism. From the dawn of history, man has been fascinated by the effects of electricity and magnetism produced by nature such as light- ning, static electricity, and magnets.
Early pioneers One of the first major scientific breakthroughs was made by Michael Faraday, an English physicist and the son of a blacksmith, in the early nineteenth century. Although he made many discoveries in several scientific fields, Faraday’s major achievement was the dis- covery of electromagnetic induction and the formulation of the laws of induction. Today we know this as the process where electrons move in a conductor when the conductor is moved through a mag- netic field. This discovery led to the development of the electric gen- erator and motor. Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 4
4 CHAPTER ONE
In 1873 James Clerk Maxwell, a Scottish physicist-astronomer, mathematically proved the existence of electromagnetic (or radio) waves traveling at the speed of light. Now the stage was set to prove the existence of radio waves in the laboratory. About 15 years after Maxwell’s investigation (and 5 years after his death), Heinrich Hertz, a German physicist, demonstrated that radio waves could be generated and transmitted over short distances of up to about 60 feet (or about 20 meters). With his crude laboratory appara- tus, Hertz was able to measure the wavelength of the waves he gener- ated and show that these waves could be reflected, refracted, and polarized just as light waves are. Working in the 150-MHz-and-above radio spectrum, he designed and built spark-gap transmitters, res- onator circuits for receiving radio waves, and directional antennas. As you will see later, 1 MHz is the expression of radio frequency for 1 mil- lion Hertz, or 1 million cycles per second. This frequency of 150 MHz is just above the amateur 2-meter band at 144–148 MHz. In the early 1890s Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian inventor, began to experiment with radio waves using equipment similar to that devel- oped by Hertz and other scientists of the era (Fig. 1.1). Marconi made many improvements and inventions that resulted in extending the range of radio transmissions. He conceived the concept of a vertical radiating antenna, and the Marconi (or vertical) antenna is one of his major accomplishments. Marconi’s first crude equipment was capable of a range of about one-half mile (about 800 meters). In 1896 he moved from Bologna, Italy, to England, where he made substantial improvements that increased the operating range of his equipment to about 4 miles (about 6.5 kilometers). By 1898, he succeeded in transmitting “wireless” sig- nals across the English Channel. A major milestone was reached in 1901 when Marconi and his English associates transmitted radio waves across the Atlantic Ocean from Poldu, England, to Halifax, Newfoundland. Thus born, long-range radio communications would have an impact upon the lives of all people regardless of nationality or position in life. The first major use of the new wireless telegraph sets was to pro- vide for maritime communications. By 1905, spark-gap transmitters and coherer detector receivers were installed on many of the merchant ships and naval vessels on the high seas. For the first time, instant Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 5
INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR RADIO 5
FIGURE 1.1 Guglielmo Marconi with one of his early wireless sets. This photograph, taken in 1902, illustrates the induction spark coil transmitter (right), the “grasshopper” handkey (center), and the receiving apparatus (left).
communications between remote ships and land-based communica- tions centers were feasible. All of this was accomplished without the use of vacuum tubes or transistors—they would be invented later to provide for amplification of the weak radio signals intercepted by the antennas.
Beginning of amateur radio The introduction of commercial wireless telegraph equipment after the turn of the century aroused the imagination and interest of people around the world. Some experimenters were content to build simple crystal detector receivers and monitor the raspy code signals transmit- ted from fixed or rotary spark transmitters at marine or government communications stations. Other experimenters, particularly the rest- less and aggressive youngsters, assembled spark-gap transmitters, as well as crystal detector receivers, and began sending “dots and dashes” between home separated by a few miles (Fig. 1.2). The range of these early “amateur” stations was increased by continual improvements in equipment and higher power output. Amateur wireless organizations Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 6
6 CHAPTER ONE
FIGURE 1.2 Early amateur radio wireless equipment. (a) Early crystal receiver using a 2-side antenna tuning inductor, “Cat Whisper” detector, phone blocking capacitor, and head- phones. (b) 1914 spark-gap transmitter, employing a vibrator-type spark coil, Dubilier fixed capacitor, Bunnel telegraph key (in front), Murdock straight spark gap, and home- made helix coil. These are representative of amateur radios used around 1914. Under favorable conditions, the transmitter could be heard for distances up to about 30 miles. Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 7
INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR RADIO 7
were formed across the country, beginning with the Junior Wireless Club of New York in January 1909. Amateur radio had come of age! During radio’s infancy, no government rules or regulations were in effect to govern the use of wireless operations. Wavelengths, or operat- ing frequencies, in the vicinity of 300 to 1000 meters were selected by the users on the basis of available equipment. The inevitable conflict between commercial and amateur users abruptly surfaced when inter- ference from amateur transmissions threatened the reliability of com- mercial radio communications. The U.S. Navy, which was quickly developing radio communications facilities, addressed some of the administrative problems and began issuing “certificates of skill in radio communications” in lieu of licenses. By late 1910, the Navy had issued some 500 of these certificates, many to amateur operators. By this time, the number of individuals interested in or participat- ing in amateur radio had grown to an estimated 10,000 or more. Ama- teur transmitters with power outputs of several kilowatts could be heard up to 400 miles (about 650 kilometers) away. However, most amateurs could not afford such luxury and had to be content with ranges of about 5 miles (8 kilometers), with occasional contacts up to 100 miles (160 kilometers). Many wireless equipment stores had appeared by this time, selling crystal detectors, spark-gaps, induction coils, and tuners—the basic ingredients of wireless stations.
First licenses for amateur radio operators Beginning in 1902, the U.S. Congress recognized the need for regulat- ing the use of wireless operation. However, it was not until 1910 that the first bill (the Act of June 24, 1910) was passed. This bill required the mandatory use of wireless equipment on certain ocean steamers and did not apply to amateur radio. Some bills were introduced in the Congress that would have given all authority for radio communica- tions to the government. If passed, any of these bills would have abol- ished amateur radio. Fortunately, these bills were defeated and amateur experimentation increased at a rapid rate. Finally in 1912, Congress passed an all-encompassing bill cover- ing all phases of radio communications in the United States. Ama- teur operation was restricted to wavelengths below 200 meters and maximum power levels of 1 kilowatt. The lawmakers believed that Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 8
8 CHAPTER ONE
wavelengths below 200 meters were useless and that this restriction would eventually eliminate the troublesome amateur radio society. This action by the government proved to be a gold mine for the amateur operators. Refinements in electronics technology and the introduction of the new deForest vacuum tube allowed the amateurs to build short-wave equipment capable of spanning distances of hun- dreds of miles with low power. Radio clubs were established in all parts of the country. Amateurs began to send personal messages for other individuals to distant cities and remote locations. Emergency communications during periods of disasters were now emerging as a major contribution by the amateurs. By 1914, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) was formed to promote the concept of national relaying of amateur traffic across the country. Through the dynamic leadership of Hiram Percy Maxim, the ARRL grew to become the largest amateur radio organization in the United States. By late 1914, efficient relay networks were organized over most of the eastern United States and many stations were dedi- cated to handling traffic as a public service. By 1915, the ARRL intro- duced QST, a radio amateur journal devoted solely to the pursuits of amateur radio. Today, the ARRL membership includes over 120,000 in North America and some 12,000 foreign and unlicensed associate members. You’ll want to consider joining the ARRL to support ama- teur radio and to receive the monthly QST. This magazine features construction articles, technical information, news concerning ama- teurs and amateur meetings, etc. For more information, you can con- tact the American Radio Relay League at ARRL, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494; telephone: (860) 594-0200; or on the World Wide Web at: http://www.arrl.org/.
The death knell for amateur radio All amateur radio operations were suspended when the United States entered World War I in 1917. The government order suspending all forms of amateur radio required that the aerial wires be lowered to the ground and all radio apparatus for transmitting and receiving be dis- connected from the antennas and rendered inoperative. The U.S. military forces were faced, at the beginning of the war, with virtually no radio operators, instructors, or technical special- ists. The ARRL assisted the government in locating volunteers Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 9
INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR RADIO 9
among the amateur ranks to meet immediate needs in the military. In addition, some of the equipment from the more elaborate amateur stations was released to the government for use by the military. Alto- gether, an estimated 3500 to 4000 amateur radio operators served in the U.S. Armed Forces, contributing their knowledge and expertise in radio communications to the war effort. When the armistice end- ing World War I was signed in November 1918, the amateurs were impatient to resume operation. However, the U.S. Congress was con- sidering legislation that would eliminate all forms of amateur radio activity. This legislation would have granted control of all forms of radio communications to the Navy Department. Fortunately, ama- teur operators, led by ARRL President Maxim, descended upon Con- gress and mounted sufficient opposition to defeat the proposed bill. Control and regulation of radio communications was left to the Commerce Department. The wartime ban on amateur radio activity was finally lifted on November 1, 1919. After 21 2 years of silence, the amateurs were finally permitted to resume operation. There was a rush to obtain licenses and get back on the air. Some of the amateurs dusted off their old spark-gap transmit- ters and crystal-detector receivers for immediate operation. Others began to adapt to the new vacuum tubes for both transmitter and receiver use. Radio parts houses sprang up in all major urban areas and mail-order firms began to advertise regularly in the few available radio publications, such as QST.
The golden age of amateur radio Beginning in the late 1920s, amateur radio experienced phenomenal growth in the numbers of operators and in radio communications tech- nology. This growth continued until the United States entered World War II in 1941 and the amateurs were forced to cease operation for the duration of the war. During this period, the number of amateurs had increased from almost 17,000 in 1929 to over 54,000 in 1941. The typical ham of the 1930s was a young high-school or trade- school graduate with little or no extra money with which to buy radio equipment. Fortunately, the coming of age of the commercial radio broadcasting field brought a bonanza of radio parts that could be adapted to amateur radio uses. Used AM broadcast receiving tubes were readily available at little cost for the amateur-built receivers and Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 10
10 CHAPTER ONE
transmitters. The typical amateur transmitter consisted of a single-tube oscillator circuit. The power output of this simple rig varied from about 1 to 2 watts, depending on the power supply and the type of tube. A two-tube receiver with a regenerative detector and audio amplifier was used by most amateurs in the early 1930s. Dry-cell batteries or a junk- box “battery-eliminator” power supply normally served to power the transmitter and receiver. Today, you can build and use simple short- wave receivers and QRP (low-power) transmitters for contacts with other hams over distances of thousands of miles (Fig. 1.3). These easy- to-build radios are described in Chaps. 8 and 9. This period of amateur radio saw many important technological advances. In fact, most of the techniques and tools used by the modern amateur were developed and tested during this time period. These developments included the superheterodyne receiver, single-sideband
FIGURE 1.3 The MFJ enterprised low-power CW “QRP” 20-meter amateur radio station. (a) The MFJ-0120 20-meter trans- ceiver, MFJ-971 antenna tuner and MFJ-4114 power pack. (b) The MFJ-1772-20 meter folded dipole antenna for fixed or portable operation. This compact ham station is capable of 4 watts output for virtually worldwide contacts. Other similar MFJ transceivers and antennas are available for 40-, 30-, and 17-, and 15-meter oper- ations. [MFJ Enterprises, Inc., Box 494, Mississippi State, MS 39762, Telephone (601) 323-5869] Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 11
INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR RADIO 11
modulation, frequency modulation, high-gain beam antennas, and vhf communications techniques. Amateur experimentation ranged from improving simple transmitters and receivers to pioneering develop- ments in radio astronomy. The old raspy sounds of the spark-gap transmitters had been replaced by the clear, crisp signals of continuous-wave (cw) transmit- ters and voice-modulated rigs. Amateur radio had become a perma- nent part of the American way of life.
Amateur Radio—A Scientific Hobby Amateur radio today is a highly specialized hobby involving almost all phases of electronics. There are about 500,000 ham radio operators in the United States. Worldwide, there are some 700,000 amateurs, and almost all countries authorize some form of amateur radio. Hams come from all walks of life: for example, students, salesmen, plumbers, doc- tors, lawyers, engineers, seamen, and the handicapped. The FCC, which administers and regulates all radio activity in the United States, defines the Amateur Radio Service as one of self-train- ing, intercommunication, and technical investigation carried on by amateur radio operators. The great appeal of amateur radio is centered on the incredible abil- ity to communicate person-to-person worldwide and a fascination with the marvels of electronics. Hams constantly keep abreast of tech- nical advances in electronics, and in some cases it is the ham who pio- neers the development of some phase of radio or electronics. Amateur radio activity today ranges from high-frequency (80 to 100 meters) communications [involving cw, single-sideband voice, data (computer-to-computer and teletypewriter), and slow-scan tele- vision] to amateur communications satellites operating on frequen- cies from 28 MHz to 435 MHz and microwave frequencies (Figs. 1.4 and 1.5). Another space-age development is that of moon-bounce communications using the moon as a passive reflector for communi- cations signals in the 144-MHz to 2450-MHz frequency bands. A recent development in the electronics field—digital microelectron- ics—is being adapted to amateur radio with increasing applications. The integrated-circuit (IC) chips containing logic gates, flip-flops, and even a complete “computer-on-a-chip” or digital processor, are Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 12
12 CHAPTER ONE
available to hams at bargain-basement prices. A typical IC chip—containing up to a hundred or more transistors, diodes, and resistors and forming many digital circuits—will cost the ham a mere $0.50 to several dollars each. Hams have adapted these chips to digital circuits ranging from electronic keyers to Morse code translators. Many ham “shacks” include a personal computer (PC) for maintaining station log records, propaga- tion analysis, packet radio, locations of amateur satellites, and even automatic tracking of the station antennas for satel- lite communications. By the way, don’t be alarmed by the subjects mentioned above—we’ll cover all of them in this book. Another exciting aspect of microelec- tronic circuits is the operational amplifier (op-amp) and related types of “analog” IC chips. The availability of the op-amp has FIGURE 1.4 allowed the amateur to design and build The OSCAR 10 radio communications satellite. One of active filters for cw (Morse code) applica- a series of amateur satellites, OSCAR 10 was launched tions with bandwidths of less than 100 Hz. in June 1983. Amateurs on a worldwide basis are able to extend their communications using these satellites. Other linear-circuit ICs containing many Additional information can be obtained from AMSAT- transistors are used as basic building NA, 850 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910-4703; blocks for receivers, modulators, and low- telephone: (301) 589-6062. power transmitters. We will examine some of these devices in subsequent chapters and show you how you can build a complete ham station with a minimum of cost and effort.
Amateur Radio Public Service One of the most important aspects of amateur radio is that of public service. The FCC states that one justification for the Amateur Radio Service is the recognition and enhancement of the value of the ama- teur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communi- Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 13
INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR RADIO 13
FIGURE 1.5 The Kenwood TS-50S/60S hf transceiver with 6-meter capability. The TS-50S/60 is one of the smallest and hottest hf mobile radios available today. Featuring most of the capabilities of the “big brother” hf radios, this compact mobile rig provides 100 watts power output, 100 memory channels, dual VFOs, split operation and a power menu sys- tem. [Kenwood Communications Corporation, Amateur Radio Products, P.O. Box 22745, 2201 E. Dominguez St., Long Beach, CA 90801-5745; telephone: (310) 639-5300; Internet address: http://www.kenwood.net/.]
cations service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. One of the first disasters for which amateurs provided emergency communications was the heavy sleet storm that hit western and north- ern New York State in December 1929. The storm tore down telephone and power lines and isolated many cities in the area. Hams assisted telephone and power companies and the railroads in establishing emergency communications. Since that time, hams have been instrumental in establishing emer- gency communications during natural disasters such as floods, earth- quakes, fires, storms, explosions, train wrecks, and plane crashes. Although space does not permit a complete summary of these activities, some of the major disasters during which hams provided emergency communications were Hurricane Carla in Texas (September 1961), Hur- ricane Hugo in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico (September 1989), and the Loma Prieta earthquake (October 1989). In addition to major disasters, hams have continually been in the forefront in providing communications in the event of personal Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 14
14 CHAPTER ONE
emergencies such as a lost child, an automobile accident, or partici- pation in an eye transplant bank. Hams are organized in almost all communities to provide commu- nications service to the public. Each year, hams participate in Field Day exercises during which they set up simulated emergency field commu- nications centers powered by portable gasoline or diesel generators (Fig. 1.6). In addition to Field Day, hams across the country practice sending emergency traffic on Simulated Emergency Traffic (SET) Day. The radio amateur’s contribution to the country during war has been outstanding. In World War I, some 4000 hams served in the Armed Forces. Again in World War II, more than 24,000 hams served in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps, con- tributing their skills and talent to the war effort. Countless numbers of other hams were engaged in electronics research and manufacturing activities supporting the war effort. During the Korean and Vietnam
FIGURE 1.6 Typical amateur Field Day activity. Hams across the country participate in Field Day, held each year during the summer. The purpose is to develop and test emergency com- munications techniques for disasters such as floods, storms, or power blackouts. Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 15
INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR RADIO 15
conflicts, amateurs relayed many messages from service personnel overseas to their families and friends in the States. These traffic nets handled personal messages via relay stations located mostly on the West Coast. In many cases, the service personnel were able to talk directly to their loved ones in the United States using telephone patches established by the amateurs. Another important area of public service by the amateur is in pro- viding communications for expeditions to remote areas such as the Arctic and Antarctic. In 1923, Con Mix, 1TS (early call signs did not have a W, K, A, or N prefix) accompanied MacMillan to the Arctic aboard the schooner Bowdoin. Hams in Canada and the United States provided home contacts for the explorers. Since that time, amateurs have assisted some 200 expeditions. At present, amateurs provide much of the personal communications for the personnel at the Antarc- tic research stations.
The Path into Amateur Radio—The Technician Class License Prior to April 15, 2000, the beginner in amateur radio could select the Novice Class, Technician (Tech-Plus) Class, or the No-Code Techni- cian Class License. Today, the entry-level license is the Technician Class, which requires only a 35-question written examination. The operating privileges for the Technician cover all amateur bands above 50 MHz. This includes the 6-meter band (50–54 MHz), the 2-meter band (144–148 MHz), and the 70-cm band (420–450 MHz). Additional hf operating frequencies are available when the Technician Class ama- teur operator passes the 5-WPM Morse code test. Tables 1.1 and 1.2 present the key information on these Technician operating bands. With this preliminary background, let’s get started on the basics of amateur radio. We want you to learn the theory of ham radio as well as a good proficiency in Morse code as soon as possible. In this way, you can schedule and pass the Technician examination in a minimum of time. Good luck and good contacts! Ch01_Laster 9/25/0112:47PMPage16 16
TABLE 1.1 Technician Operating Bands, Privileges, and Normal Communications Capability Operating Band Frequencies and Operating Privileges Communications Capability 6 meters 50–54 MHz: Morse code (cw), single sideband This band features almost all modes of propagation as it voice (SSB), frequency modulation voice (SSB), is situated between the hf and vhf frequency bands. Dur- radio printer (RTTY), FM repeaters, radio control ing times of high sunspot activity, daytime contacts of (RC), experimental modes and signal beacons up to 3200 km (2000 miles) are possible via skywave propagation. Routine contacts of up to 500 km (300 miles) are possible with high-power transmitters and high-gain antennas. Sporadic E-layer propagation is a favorite of 6-meter hams, providing short band openings at distances of up to about 3000 km (1200 miles). 2 meters 144–148 MHz: Most of the above privileges plus: Most hams use the 2-meter band for local repeater oper- amateur satellite operation, earth-moon-earth ation. Most metropolitan areas will have literally dozens (EME or “moon bounce”), packet (digital) radio of 2-meter repeaters. The higher frequencies permit smaller antennas and inexpensive repeater equipment. The 2-meter mobile for automobiles (and even airplanes and boats) and hand-held (HT, or walkie-talkies) permit new hams to get on the air with a minimum of equip- ment and small, inexpensive antennas. Some hams do build elaborate 2-meter stations that can provide long- range contacts of up to about 2000 km (1200 miles) via sporadic E-layer propagation and tropospheric ducting. Finally, the “line of sight” propagation mode of 2-meter frequency signals is used extensively in amateur ratio satellite and earth-moon-earth (EME) operations. Ch01_Laster 9/25/0112:47PMPage17
135 centimeters 222–225 MHz: Same privileges as 2-meter Propagation modes via the 135-centimeter band are simi band above lar to those via the above 2-meter band. 70 centimeters 420–450 MHz: Most of the above privileges plus: As with 2 meters, the 70-centimeter band is very popular amateur television (ATV) for amateur radio repeater, satellite, and EME operation. The small size of 70-centimeter radios and antennas per- mits installation of 70-centimeter radios almost any- where. More elaborate 70-centimeter stations can also permit long-range contacts between “earth-bound” hams over distance of up to about 2000 km (1200 miles). Prop- agation in these cases includes ionospheric modes and meteor scatter. 35 centimeters 902–928 MHz: Most of above privileges plus: The 35-centimeter and 23-centimeter bands represent digital communications and wideband ATV the amateur’s entry into the microwave frequencies. Here, the assembly and construction of ham microwave equip- ment are much different than those in the lower frequency bands. A short length of wire—say 2.5 to 7 cm (1 to 3 inches)—may act as an inductor or a filter, or even as an antenna! Small and compact is the name of the game. Also, propagation of microwave signals is very similar to that of optical or light signals. Much amateur operation in these bands is accomplished in the “line of sight” mode. However, more elaborate amateur stations can accomplish long-range contacts from 50 to 500 miles or more. Amateur bands above the 902- to 928-MHz band extend up to 300 GHz. Much of this part of the radio frequency spectrum is still undeveloped, with little equipment available for amateur use. Considerable research and development, some by amateur radio spe- cialists, is being accomplished to develop new equipment and investigate propagation techniques in these higher frequency bands. 17 Ch01_Laster 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 18
18 CHAPTER ONE
TABLE 1.2 Technician HF Operating Bands, Privileges and Normal Communications Capability. Operating Band Frequencies and Operating Privileges Communications Capability 80 meters 3.675–3.725 MHz: Morse code (cw) Day: Reliable communications up to 250 km (150 miles) to about 400 km (250 miles). Range will increase during early morning and evening hours. Night: Reli- able communications up to about 800 km (500 miles) to about 2400 km (1500 miles). Possible contacts to 4000 km (2500 miles) and beyond. 40 meters 7.100–7.150 MHz: Morse code (cw) Day: Reliable communications to about 1100 km (700 miles) and beyond. Range will decrease at midday and early after- noon hours. Night: Reliable communica- tions up to about 16,000 km (10,000 miles). 15 meters 21.100–21.150 MHz: Morse code (cw) Day: Communication distances vary with sunspot activity. During maximum sunspot activity, worldwide communica- tion is possible. During minimum sunspot activity, limited daytime con- tacts during “band openings” are possi- ble. Night: Virtually no nighttime contacts are possible during minimal sunspot activity, except for ground-wave communications up to about 30 km (20 miles). 10 meters 28.100—28.300 MHz: Morse code (cw), Similar to 15 meters, above. RTTY, and data; 28.300–28.500 MHz: SSB voice and cw
NOTE: Technician Class Operator must have passed the 5 WPM Morse code test to qualify for these privileges. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 19
CHAPTER 2 How to Prepare for the FCC Technician Class Examination The Entrance to the World of Amateur Radio Is Easy The FCC has established the Technician license for the beginner in amateur radio. Furthermore, the FCC authorizes local volunteer exam- iners to administer the examinations for the Technician Class license and higher class licenses such as the General Class and Extra Class licenses. As stated in Chap. 1, the Technician Class license provides for all amateur radio operating privileges above 50 MHz. To qualify for selected operating privileges in the amateur HF bands, you must pass a 5 words per minute (WPM) Morse code test. The Technician Class license examination has 35 questions, and passing requires a minimum of 75 percent (or a total of 27) correct answers. This written examination covers radio theory, FCC rules and regulations, and operating procedures—all the knowledge you will need to set up and operate your ham station. As a general rule, you can master the requirements for the Technician Class license with two or three months of dedicated study. Considerable less time (six to eight weeks) will be sufficient if you are fortunate to enroll in local “Code and Theory” classes handled by amateur radio clubs or civic organizations. To prepare for the Technician examination, the beginner in amateur radio can obtain any necessary help from a variety of sources. One of the more successful approaches is to enroll in a Technician class sponsored by a local ham club or other organizations, such as the YMCA or a church group. These courses give you the advantage of studying with 19 Copyright 2001 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click Here for Terms of Use. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 20
20 CHAPTER TWO
your peers in an educational environment. Most of these courses will run for about 7 to 10 weeks with one or two class periods per week. Each period may last for about 2 to 4 hours. The final class period is usually a test session whereby the volunteer examiner (VE) team is scheduled to hold an open test session. Classes sponsored by the local ham club are usually very inexpensive, sometimes only the cost of the course text and a year’s club membership dues. If no local ham course is available, the neighborhood ham (or “Elmer” as they are affectionately called) will be pleased to help you prepare for your Technician exam. Self-study is another approach for learning the material required for the Technician examination. This book covers all of the material con- tained in the Technician examination—namely, FCC rules and regula- tions, electronics theory, ham receivers and transmitters, antennas and propagation, and radio communications practices and operating proce- dures. Furthermore, this book contains the actual FCC question pool from which the 35 Technician examination questions are taken. Yes, you actually have access to the Technician question pool, and answers to each question are available at the end of this book (see Appendix A). Additional study guides for amateur radio examinations are avail- able from various sources. For example, the amateur radio organiza- tions listed below offer study texts, videotapes, and computer software packages designed to make learning the required material more effi- cient (Fig. 2.1).
QST. A monthly magazine published as the official journal of the American Radio Relay League, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494. For more information call (800) 326-3942, or e-mail: [email protected]. Web page: http://www.arrl.org 73 Amateur Radio Today. A monthly magazine published by 73 Mag- azine, 70 N202, Peterborough, NH 03458-1107. For more informa- tion call (603) 924-0058. Web page: www.waynegreen.com The W5YI Group, Inc. Offers ham test prep tapes, books, software, and videos. Contact the W5YI Group at P.O. Box 565101, Dallas, TX 75356, or call toll-free 1-800-669-9594. Web page: www.w5yI.org The HANDIHAM World. Published three times annually by the Courage HANDIHAM System, an organization devoted since 1967 to amateur radio for persons with physical disabilities and sensory impairments. 3915 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN 55422. Telephone: Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 21
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE FCC TECHNICIAN CLASS EXAMINATION 21
(763) 520-0511 (voice), (763) 520-0577 (fax), or e-mail: [email protected]. Additional information may be obtained from the HANDIHAM Web site: http://www.handiham.org
When you are ready to take the Techni- cian (or higher) Class license examination, a local VE team consisting primarily of EXTRA Class hams, will be available to schedule the examination. Most VE teams regularly schedule VE examinations on a monthly or semimonthly basis. For further information on the VE test teams, contact the local amateur radio club or ARRL at the above address. Practically everyone in the United States, regardless of age, is eli- gible to take the FCC amateur radio exami- nations. This includes aliens who have a FIGURE 2.1 valid U.S. address and are not representa- The W5YI Computer Aided Instruction Software Pack- tives of a foreign government. age for all Amateur Radio Morse code and written elements, including Technician and up to Extra Class. Probably the fastest way to learn Morse code, and The Federal Communications study all of the questions that appear on the various ham radio written tests, is with a personal computer. Commission This Ham Operator software package contains mater- ial that covers everything, including teaching code The FCC, established by the Communica- and all questions in every question pool. tions Act of 1934, regulates and licenses all radio transmitters in the United States and aboard all U.S.-registered ships and aircraft. Unlike many other countries, the U.S. does not license the possession of radio receivers. The “bible” of radio laws that governs all FCC activity contains some 40 parts. The Amateur Radio Service is covered in Part 97, Rules and Regulations. A copy of Part 97 can be obtained from the ARRL, local ham radio and book stores, or the FCC. Also, Part 97 can be downloaded from the Government Printing Office at www.gpo.gov. The structure of the FCC includes a headquarters located in Wash- ington, DC, a license and call-sign processing facility in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, some 16 radio districts or field offices, and some 13 FCC monitoring stations. For more information concerning any FCC radio Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 22
22 CHAPTER TWO
district or monitoring station, contact the Public Service Division, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW, Washing- ton, DC 20554 [telephone: (202) 418-0200, fax: (202) 418-2555].
The FCC Volunteer Examiner Program The FCC has “deregulated” the amateur radio service in terms of ama- teur radio license examinations. In effect, the responsibility for admin- istering all examinations for amateur radio licenses has been transferred to the amateur radio community. The chances are good that any local ham club will be affiliated with the ARRL and will be autho- rized by the ARRL to administer all amateur radio license examina- tions, including the Technician Class exam. Examinations for the Technician and higher-class (General and Extra) amateur radio licenses are administered by amateur radio VE teams. Each VE team consist of a minimum of three qualified volunteer examiners, certified by a volunteer examiner coordinator (VEC) autho- rized by the FCC. The ARRL and the W5YI Group are representative of the VECs. Each VEC must maintain a question pool (available to the public), prepare and administer license examinations, make public announcements for examination schedules, and qualify VE personnel. The VEC entity must be organized, at least partially, for the purpose of furthering amateur radio, and agree not to accept any compensation from any source for its services. However, in order to defray the expense of preparing and administering tests, the VEC is authorized to charge a maximum fee (on the order of $6) for each applicant.
FCC Amateur Radio Operating Classes There are currently five classes of amateur radio licenses, which pro- vide increasing privileges at each step forward. However, the recent FCC changes to the amateur license structure call for the eventual elimination of the Novice and Advanced Class Licenses. Current licensed Novice and Advanced amateur operators may continue to operate on the authorized amateur frequency bands or elect to upgrade to higher-class licenses. No new FCC examinations for the Novice and Advanced class licenses will be permitted. The Technician Class license is now the entry level into amateur radio. As a Technician Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 23
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE FCC TECHNICIAN CLASS EXAMINATION 23
Class amateur operator, you will enjoy all amateur privileges above 50 MHz. No Morse code test is required for the Technician Class license. However, you must pass a 35-question written examination (Element 2) to receive this license. Technician Class privileges can be expanded to selected portions of the HF bands by passing the Element 1, a 5-WPM Morse code test. The second step in amateur radio is the General Class license. This license requires that you pass a second 35-question written exam (Ele- ment 3) and have credit for the 5-WPM Morse code test (Element 1). In return, you will receive operating privileges for all or portions of all ama- teur bands. This includes the exciting hf bands between 3 and 30 MHz. The top amateur license, the Amateur Extra Class, requires passing a 50-question written exam (Element 4) on advanced topics. This “top prize” in amateur radio gives you all the operating privileges in all amateur bands. Keep this goal in mind as you progress through the ranks of amateur radio. A summary of the amateur radio license requirements and privi- leges is given in Table 2.1. Note that the Technician Class license per- mits the beginner to obtain valuable experience in virtually all types of amateur radio communications.
The Amateur Radio Frequency Spectrum The amateur radio frequency begins just above the AM broadcast band (540–1650 kHz) at 1800 kHz and contains small “chunks” of band- width or bands of frequencies up to 300 GHz and beyond. At this time, the amateur portion of the radio frequency spectrum is probably the largest of any single user organization. However, as electronic tech- niques and development of communications equipment for the higher frequency bands advance, commercial and government organizations will find ways to use these bands. One of the strengths of amateur radio that attracts so many people is the abundance and diverse nature of the frequency spectrum allo- cated to amateur radio operators. Amateurs can build and/or experi- ment with a wide variety of antennas, radio receivers, radio transmitters, computers, and other communications systems that oper- ate from the 1800–2000 kHz band to the microwave frequency bands (tens of thousands of megahertz near the optical frequencies of light). Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 24
24 CHAPTER TWO
TABLE 2.1 FCC Amateur Radio Licenses, Examination Requirements, and Operating Privileges Operator license Morse code Written Operating class examination examination privileges Technician (entry level) None Element 2 All amateur privileges above 50 (35 questions) MHz. This includes specific fre- quency bands up to 300 GHz and beyond Technician with Element 1 Element 2 All privileges above 50 MHz and Morse code 5-WPM test (35 questions) privileges on portions of selected amateur HF bands below 30 MHz. General Element 1 Element 3 All privileges above 50 MHz and 5-WPM test (35 questions) privileges on portions of all ama- teur HF bands below 30 MHz. Amateur Extra Note 1 Element 4 All privileges on all amateur bands. (50 questions)
Each amateur radio band exhibits a unique set of characteristics, requiring special techniques for designing and building antennas, transmission lines, transmitters, and receivers. Some amateur radio bands permit reliable communications on a worldwide basis, while others are limited primarily to “line-of-sight” propagation. Some amateurs specialize in the HF bands (3–30 MHz) for long-range DX contacts involving single sideband (SSB) voice, Morse code (CW) communications, or amateur slow-scan television. Some of these amateurs use low-power “QRP rigs” of only a few watts to work with other amateurs over long distances. Many of these QRP rigs are eas- ily built and tested. Other amateurs experiment with digital data transmissions involving computer-to-computer operation and slow- scan television systems in the VHF and UHF frequency bands. You will probably want to investigate many of these exciting aspects of ham radio. Figure 2.2 shows the total amateur radio frequency spectrum, including the Technician Class license operating privileges. Many of the amateur bands are assigned on approximate octave intervals throughout the spectrum. For example, the 40-meter band is approxi- Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 25
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE FCC TECHNICIAN CLASS EXAMINATION 25
mately twice the frequency of the 80-meter band. In many instances, this octave relationship aids in the design and construction of multi- band radio transmitters, receivers, and even antennas. Additional information concerning the methods of modulation and propagation characteristics is discussed in Chap. 3. For a more detailed and up-to- date listing of amateur frequencies and operating privileges, refer to the current edition of the ARRL Handbook for the Radio Amateur.
FCC Rules and Regulations
Part 97: Amateur Radio Service Basic law comprising rules and regulations essential to the operation of amateur radio stations is contained in the Rules and Regulations of the FCC, Part 97: Amateur Radio Service. As stated earlier, a copy of Part 97 may be obtained from the U.S. Printing Office or directly from the FCC. You are encouraged to obtain a copy of this document. We will review Part 97 in terms of the Technician Class license examination and subsequent Technician station operation, and pro- vide selected portions of Part 97. You should become completely familiar with these rules and regulations prior to taking the written examination. Virtually all the FCC rules presented here relate to ques- tions that will appear on the Element 2 exam.
BASIS AND PURPOSE. This section expresses the justification for the existence of the Ama- teur Radio Service. You may have wondered why the Amateur Radio Service controls so much of the valuable radio frequency spectrum. This justification is based on the following five functions of amateur radio.
97.1 Basis and purpose. The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles:
(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur radio service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial service partic- ularly with respect to providing emergency communications. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 26
26 CHAPTER TWO
Amateur radio spectrum HF band privileges 1800 2000
All modes Gen
All modes Adv
All modes Ext
160 = Meter band (No novice-tech privileges)
3675 3725
CW Nov 3525CW 3750 3850 4000 Tech-P
CW, Data 3775 All modes Gen
3500 CW, Data All modes Adv
CW, Data All modes Ext
75–80 = Meter band
7100 7150
CW Nov 7025 CW 7225 7300 Tech-P
CW, Data All modes Gen
7000 CW, Data All modes Adv
CW, Data All modes Ext
40 = Meter band FIGURE 2.2A
Amateur radio frequency spectrum and operating privileges. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 27
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE FCC TECHNICIAN CLASS EXAMINATION 27
10,100 10,150
CW, 200 Watts only Gen
CW, 200 Watts only Adv
CW, 200 Watts only Ext
30 = Meter band (No novice-tech privileges)
14,025 14,150 14,225 14,350
CW, Data 14,175 All modes Gen
14,000 CW, Data All modes Adv
CW, Data All modes Ext
20 = Meter band (No novice-tech privileges)
18,068 18,16818,110
CW, Data All modes Gen
CW, Data All modes Adv
CW, Data All modes Ext
17 = Meter band (No novice-tech privileges)
21,100 21,200
CW Nov 21,025 CW 21,300 Tech-P
CW, Data 21,225 All modes Gen
21,000 CW, Data All modes Adv
CW, Data All modes Ext 15 = Meter band FIGURE 2.2B
Amateur radio frequency spectrum and operating privileges. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 28
24,890 24,930 24,990
CW, Data All modes Gen
CW, Data All modes Adv
CW, Data All modes Ext
12 = Meter band (No novice-tech privileges)
28,100 28,300 28,500
CW, Data CW, SSB voice Nov
28,000 CW, Data CW, SSB voice 29,700 Tech-P
CW, Data All modes Gen
CW, Data All modes Adv
CW, Data All modes Ext
10 = Meter band Remaining amateur radio bands (Technicians and higher classes have full privileges on all these bands.) Very High Frequencies (VHF): Super High Frequencies (SHF):
50 – 54 MHz 3300 – 3500 MHz 144 – 148 MHz 5650 – 5925 MHz 222 – 225 MHz 10,000 – 10,500 MHz (Novice: 222.1 – 223.91 MHz) 24,000 – 24,250 MHz Ultra High Frequencies (UHF): Extremely High Frequencies (EHF):
420 – 450 MHz 47,000 – 47,200 MHz 902 – 928 MHz 75,500 – 81,000 MHz 1240 – 1300 MHz 119,980 – 120,020 MHz (Novice: 1270 – 1295 MHz) 142,000 – 149,000 MHz 2300 – 2310 MHz 241,000 – 250,000 MHz 2390 – 2450 MHz All frequencies above 300,00 MHz 2300 – 2450 MHz NOTES: 1. Operator class designators: Nov – Novice class Gen – General class Tech-P – Technician plus codes Adv – Advanced class Tech-NC – Technician no-code Ext – Extra class 2. Frequency is given in kilohertz unless specified.
2. Data modes may include radio printer via packet, ASCII coding, AMTOR, SSTV (slow scan television) and other advanced forms of data communications.
3. All modes may include CW (Morse code), voice (AM, SSB, and/or FM, as specified) as well as the above data modes. FIGURE 2.2C
Amateur radio frequency spectrum and operating privileges. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 29
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(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur’s proven ability to con- tribute to the advancement of the radio art. (c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur radio service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the com- munication and technical phases of the art. (d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio ser- vice of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. (e) Continuation and extension of the amateur’s unique ability to enhance international good will.
DEFINITIONS The definitions of terms essential to the operation of amateur radio sta- tions are contained in Part 97.3. Almost all Technician examinations will include one or more of these definitions.
97.3 Definitions.
(a) The definitions of terms used in Part 97 are: (1) Amateur operator. A person holding a written authorization to be the control operator of an amateur station. (2) Amateur radio service. The amateur service, the amateur- satellite service and the radio amateur civil emergency ser- vice (RACES). (3) Amateur-satellite service. A radiocommunications service using stations on Earth satellites for the same purpose as those of the amateur service. (4) Amateur service. A radiocommunications service for the purpose of self training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, duly autho- rized persons interested in radio technique solely with a per- sonal aim and without pecuniary interest. (5) Amateur station. A station in an amateur radio service con- sisting of the apparatus necessary for carrying on radio com- munications. (6) Automatic control. The use of devices and procedures for control of a station when it is transmitting so that compli- ance with the FCC Rules is achieved without the control operator being present at a control point. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 30
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(7) Auxiliary station. An amateur station, other than in a message forwarding system, that is transmitting communications point- to-point within a system of cooperating amateur stations. (8) Bandwidth. The width of a frequency band outside of which the mean power of the transmitted signal is attenuated at least 26 dB below the mean power of the transmitted signal within the band. (9) Beacon. An amateur station transmitting communications for the observation of propagation and reception or other related experimental activities. (10) Broadcasting. Transmissions intended for reception by the general public, either direct or relayed. ———————————————————————- (12) Control Operator. An amateur operator designated by the licensee of a station to be responsible for the transmissions from that station to assure compliance with the FCC Rules. (13) Control Point. The location at which the control operator function is performed. (14) CSCE. Certificate of successful completion of an examination. ———————————————————————- (16) Earth Station. An amateur station located on or within 50 km of the Earth’s surface intended for communications with space stations or with other Earth stations by means of one or more objects in space. (17) EIC. Engineer in Charge of an FCC Field Facility. ———————————————————————- (20) FAA. Federal Aviation Administration ———————————————————————- (22) Frequency coordinator. An entity, recognized in a local or regional area by amateur operators whose stations are eligi- ble to be auxiliary or repeater stations, that recommends transmitter/receive channels and associated operating and technical parameters for such stations in order to avoid or minimize potential interference. (23) Harmful interference. Interference which endangers the functioning of a radionavigation service or other safety ser- vices or seriously degrades, obstructs, or repeatedly inter- rupts a radiocommunication service operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 31
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(24) Indicator. Words, letters or numerals appended to and separated from the call sign during the station identifica- tion. (25) Information bulletin. A message directed only to amateur operators consisting solely of subject matter of direct interest to the amateur service. (26) International Morse Code. A dot-dash code as defined in International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Com- mittee (CCITT) Recommendation F.1 (1984), Division B.I. Morse Code. (27) IARP. International Amateur Radio Permit ———————————————————————- (30) Local control. The use of a control operator who directly manipulates the operating adjustments in the station to achieve compliance with the FCC Rules. ————————————————————————- (37) RACES (radio amateur civil emergency service). A radio ser- vice using amateur stations for civil defense communica- tions during periods of local, regional, or national civil emergencies. (38) Remote control. The use of a control operator who indirectly manipulates the operating adjustments in the station through a control link to achieve compliance with the FCC Rules. (39) Repeater. An amateur station that simultaneously retrans- mits the transmission of another amateur station on a differ- ent channel or channels. (40) Space station. An amateur station located more than 50 km above the Earth’s surface. —————————————————————————- (42) Spurious emission. An emission, on frequencies outside the necessary bandwidth of a transmission, the level of which may be reduced without affecting the information being transmitted. —————————————————————————— (46) Third-party communications. A message from the control operator (first party) of an amateur station to another ama- teur station control operator (second party) on behalf of another person (third party). Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 32
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(47) ULS (Universal Licensing System). The (FCC) consolidated database, application filing system, and processing system for all Wireless Telecommunications Services. (48) VE. Volunteer examiner. (49) VEC. Volunteer-examiner coordinator. (b) The definition of technical symbols used in this Part are: (1) EHF (extremely high frequency). The frequency range of 30–300 GHz.1 (2) HF (high frequency). The frequency range 3–30 MHz (3) Hz. Hertz (4) m. Meters (5) MF. (medium frequency). The frequency range 300–3000 kHz. (6) PEP (peak envelope power). The average power supplied to the antenna transmission line by a transmitter during one RF cycle at the crest of the modulation envelope taken under normal operating conditions. (7) RF. Radio frequency (8) SHF (super-high frequency). The frequency range is 3–30 GHz. (9) UHF. (ultra-high frequency). The frequency range is 300–3000 MHz. (10) VHF (very high frequency). The frequency range is 30–300 MHz. (11) W. (watt)2
1The frequency of 1 Hertz (Hz) is defined as one cycle per second. Voice, music, radio transmission, AC power lines, and other signals are usually given in terms of operating frequencies. For example, voice frequencies normally range from about 300 Hz to 3000 Hz. Power-line frequency in the United States is 60 Hz while those in countries such as England and France are 50 Hz. You need to learn the frequency range definitions to help you pass the FCC written examinations as well as their use during amateur oper- ations. You will find that the frequencies of amateur bands can be expressed in kilo- hertz (kHz), megahertz (MHz), or gigahertz (GHz), depending on the particular amateur band. 1 kHz 1000 Hz. 1 MHz 1000 KHz 1,000,000 Hz. 1 GHz 1000 MHz 1,000,000,000 Hz. 2The watt is a unit of electrical power. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 33
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Part 97.3(c) defines the standard terms used to describe signal emis- sion types from amateur radio transmitters. The signal types autho- rized for Technicians are given as follows:
1. CW. Sometimes referred to as “continuous wave,” CW is defined as the International Morse Code telegraphy, usually transmitted from a radio transmitter via an operator using a hand key or automatic keying device, sometimes generated by a computer. 2. RTTY. RTTY or radioteletypewriter direct-printing telegraph emis- sions provide for transmission of mostly textual information. Older mechanical teletypewriter equipment has a typewriter-like key- board to generate messages composed primarily of alpha and numeric characters along with generation of punctuation symbols and end-of-line and line-feed control characters. RTTY electrical signals, generated by the keyboards and connected to a printer to print messages, consist of digital codes representing characters such as letters or numbers. Only FCC specified codes (such as the old 5-unit Baudot or the 7-unit ASCII codes) can be used for trans- mitting RTTY signals. The newer personal computers can be used to generate and receive RTTY signals. We’ll cover more on this sub- ject in Chap. 11. 3. Data. Data represents a broad class of telemetry, telecommand, or computer communications emissions. Here’s where the Technician operators can use their PCs for such exciting transmission modes as Packet and AMTOR. In general, the amateur operator is restricted to the use of FCC-approved digital codes. 4. Phone. Phone, or voice communications, allows the Technician operator to talk to other hams via local or long-distance contacts. The Technician with 5 WPM certification, for example, can use sin- gle-sideband voice on specified frequencies in the 10-meter band and all voice modes on all amateur bands above 50 MHz. 5. Image. Image emission types include facsimile and television sig- nals. Technician operators can experiment with these modes of emission on all amateur bands above 50 MHz. 6. Spread spectrum. Spread-spectrum emissions involving “fre- quency hopping” over a wide band of frequencies are authorized on Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 34
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some of the higher UHF bands. This is a relatively new technology for amateur operation.
AMATEUR STATION/OPERATOR LICENSE REGULATIONS Part 97 contains the following FCC regulations concerning amateur operator and station license requirements. You will find that the FCC Amateur Radio License actually covers the operator privileges and the station authorization—two separate licenses on one slip of paper! The operator portion authorizes you to be the “control operator” of your amateur station or another amateur’s station provided the station owner gives you permission. The combination FCC amateur license also authorizes you to have your own amateur radio station.
Part 97.5 Station license required.
(a) The station apparatus must be under the physical control of a per- son named in an amateur station license grant on the ULS consol- idated license database or a person authorized for alien reciprocal operation by Part 97.107 of this part, before the station may trans- mit on any amateur service frequency from any place that is: (1) Within 50 km of the Earth’s surface and at a place where the amateur service is regulated by the FCC; (2) Within 50 km of the Earth’s surface and aboard any vessel or craft that is documented or registered in the United States; or (3) More than 50 km above the Earth’s surface aboard any craft that is documented or registered in the United States. (b) The types of station license grants are: (1) An operator/primary station license grant. One, but only one, operator/primary station license grant may be held by any one person. The primary station license is granted together with the amateur operator license. Except for a representative of a foreign government, any person who qualifies by exami- nation is eligible to apply for an operator/primary station license grant. (2) A club station license grant. A club station license grant may be held only by the person who is the license trustee desig- Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 35
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE FCC TECHNICIAN CLASS EXAMINATION 35
nated by an officer of the club. The trustee must be a person who holds an Amateur Extra, Advanced, General, Techni- cian Plus, or Technician operator license grant. The club must be composed of at least four persons and must have a name, a document of organization, management, and a pri- mary purpose devoted to amateur service activities consis- tent with this part. (3) A military recreation station license grant. A military recre- ation station grant may be held only by the person who is the license custodian designated by the official in charge of the United States military recreation premises where the station is situated. The person must not be a representative of a for- eign government. The person need not hold an amateur license grant. (4) A RACES station grant license. A RACES station license grant may be held only by the person who is the license cus- todian designated by the official responsible for the govern- ment agency served by that civil defense organization. The custodian must be the civil defense official responsible for coordination of all civil defense activities in the area con- cerned. The custodian must not be a representative of a for- eign government. The custodian need not hold an amateur operator license grant.
Part 97.7 Control operation required. When transmitting, each amateur station must have a control operator. The control operator must be a person:
(a) For whom the amateur operator/primary station license grant appears on the ULS consolidated license database, or (b) Who is authorized for alien reciprocal operation by Part 97.107 of this part.
Part 97.9 Operator license.
(a) The classes of amateur operation license grants are: Novice, Technician, Technician Plus (until such licenses expire, a Tech- Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 36
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nician Class license before February 14, 1991, is considered a Technician Plus Class license), General, Advanced, and Amateur Extra. The person named in the operator license grant is autho- rized to be the control operator of an amateur station with the privileges authorized to the operator class specified on the license grant. (b) The person named in an operator license grant of Novice, Techni- cian, Technician Plus, General, or Advanced Class who has prop- erly submitted to the administering VEs an FCC Form 605 document requesting examination for an operator license grant to a higher class, and who holds a CSCE indicating that the person has completed the necessary examinations within the previous 365 days, is authorized to exercise the rights and privileges of the higher operator class until final disposition of the application or until 365 days following the passing of the examination, whichever comes first.
Part 97.13 Restrictions on station location.
(a) Before placing an amateur station on land of environmental importance or that is significant in American history, architecture, or culture, the licensee may be requested to take certain actions prescribed by Para 1.1305-1.1319 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. (b) A station within 1600 meters (1 mile) of an FCC monitoring facil- ity must protect that facility from harmful interference. (c) Before causing or allowing an amateur station to transmit from any place where the operation of the station could cause human exposure to RF electromagnetic field levels in excess of those allowed under Part 1.1310 of this chapter, the licensee is required to take certain actions: (1) The licensee must perform the routine RF environmental evaluation prescribed by Para 1.1307(b) of this chapter, if the power of the licensee’s station exceeds the limits given in the following table: Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 37
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Evaluation required if Wavelength Band power* (watts) exceeds: MF 160 m 500 HF 80 m 500 75 m 500 40 m 500 30 m 425 20 m 225 17 m 125 15 m 100 12 m 75 10 m 50 VHF (all bands) 50 UHF 70 cm 70 33 cm 150 23 cm 200 13 cm 250 SHF (all bands) 250 EHF (all bands) 250 Repeater stations (all bands) non-building antenna: height (all bands) above ground to lowest point of antenna 10 m and power 500 W ERP; building- mounted antennas: power 500 W ERP
*Power PEP (peak envelope power) input to antenna except for repeater stations only, power exclusion is based on ERP (effective radiated power).
(2) If the routine environmental evaluation indicates that the RF electromagnetic fields could exceed the limits contained in Para 1.1310 of this chapter and is accessible to such electro- magnetic fields. Further information on evaluating compli- Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 38
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ance with these limits can be found in FCC OET Bulletin Number 65, “Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields.”
Part 97.15 Station antenna structures.
(a) Owners of certain antenna structures more than 60.96 meters (200 feet) above ground level at the site or located near or at a public use airport must notify the Federal Aviation Administration and regis- ter with the Commission as required by Part 17 of this chapter. (b) Except as otherwise provided herein, a station antenna structure may be erected at heights and dimensions sufficient to accommo- date amateur service communications. (State and local regulation of a station antenna structure must not preclude amateur service communications. Rather, it must reasonably accommodate such communications and must constitute the minimum practical reg- ulation to accommodate the state or local authority’s legitimate purpose. See PRB-1 FCC 2d 952 (1985) for details.)
Part 97.17 Application for new license grant.
(a) Any qualified person is eligible to apply for a new operator/primary station, club station, or military recreation station license grant. No new license grant will be issued for a Novice, Technician Plus, or Advanced Class operator/primary station or RACES station. (b) Each application for a new amateur service license grant must be filed with the FCC as follows: (1) Each candidate for an amateur radio operator license which requires the applicant to pass one or more examination ele- ments must present the administering VEs with all informa- tion required by the rules prior to the examination. The VEs may collect all necessary information in any manner of their choosing, including creating their own forms. (c) No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain, or assist another per- son to obtain or attempt to obtain, an amateur service license by fraudulent means. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 39
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Part 97.21 Application for a modified or renewed license.
(a) A person holding a valid amateur station license: (1) Must apply to the FCC for a modification of the license grant as necessary to show the correct mailing address, licensee name, club name, license trustee name or license custodian name in accordance with Part 1.913 of this chapter. For a club, military recreation, or RACES station license grant, it must be presented in document form to a Club Station Call Sign Administrator who must submit the information thereon to the FCC in an electronic batch file. The Club Sta- tion Call Sign Administrator must retain the collected infor- mation for at least 15 months and make it available to the FCC upon request. (2) May apply to the FCC for a modification of the operator/ primary station license grant to show a higher operator class. Applicants must present the administering VEs with all information required by the rules prior to the examina- tion. The VEs may collect all necessary information in any manner of their choosing, including creating their own forms. (3) May apply to the FCC for renewal of the license grant for another term in accordance with Part 1.913 of this chapter. Application for renewal of a Technical Plus operator/pri- mary station license will be processed as an application for renewal of a Technician Class operator/primary station license. (b) A person whose amateur station license grant has expired may apply to the FCC for renewal of the license grant for another term during a two-year filing grace period. The application must be received at the address specified above prior to the end of the grace period. Unless and until the license grant is renewed, no privileges in this Part are conferred.
Part 97.23 Mailing address. Each license grant must show the grantee’s correct name and mailing address. The mailing address must be in an area where the amateur service is regulated by the FCC and Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 40
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where the grantee can receive mail delivery by the United States Postal Service. Revocation of the station license or suspension of the operator license may result when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because the grantee failed to provide the correct address.
Part 97.25 License term. An amateur service license is normally granted for a 10-year term.
Part 97.29 Replacement license grant document. Each grantee whose amateur station license grant document is lost, mutilated, or destroyed may apply to the FCC for a replacement in accordance with Para 1.913 of this chapter.
STATION OPERATING STANDARDS. This section of Part 97 covers amateur radio station operating standards. You will need to master these standards to help you pass the FCC exami- nations and for effective operation of your amateur station.
Part 97.101 General standards.
(a) In all respects not specifically covered by FCC Rules each amateur station must be operated in accordance with good engineering and good amateur practice. (b) Each station licensee and each control operator must cooperate in selecting transmitting channels and in making the most effective use of the amateur service frequencies. No frequency will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station. (c) At all times and on all frequencies, each control operator must give priority to stations providing emergency communications, except to stations transmitting communications for training drills and tests in RACES. (d) No amateur operator shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communication or signal.
Part 97.103 Station licensee responsibilities.
(a) The station licensee is responsible for the proper operation of the station in accordance with FCC Rules. When the control operator Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 41
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is a different amateur than the station licensee, both persons are equally responsible for proper operation of the station. (b) The station licensee must designate the station control operator. The FCC will presume that the station licensee is also the control operator, unless documentation to the contrary is in the station records. (c) The station licensee must make the station and the station records available for inspection upon request by an FCC representative. When deemed necessary by an EIC to assure compliance with the FCC Rules, the station licensee must maintain a record of station operation containing such items of information as the EIC may require with Part 0.314(x) of the FCC Rules.
Part 97.105 Control operator duties.
(a) The control operator must ensure the immediate proper operation of the station, regardless of the type of control. (b) A station may only be operated in the manner and to the extent permitted by the privileges authorized for the class of operator license held by the control operator.
Part 97.109 Station control.
(a) Each amateur station must have at least one control point. (b) When a station is being locally controlled, the control operator must be at the control point. Any station may be locally con- trolled. (c) When a station is being remotely controlled, the control operator must be at the control point. Any station may be remotely con- trolled. (d) When a station is being automatically controlled, the control oper- ator need not be at the control point. Only stations specifically designated elsewhere in this Part may be automatically con- trolled. Automatic control must cease upon notification by an EIC that the station is transmitting improperly or causing harmful interference to other stations. Automatic control must not be resumed without prior approval of the FCC. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 42
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(e) No station may be automatically controlled while transmitting third party communications, except a station transmitting a RTTY or data emission. All messages that are retransmitted must origi- nate at a station that is being locally or remotely controlled.
Part 97.111 Authorized transmissions.
(a) An amateur station may transmit the following types of two-way communications: (1) Transmissions necessary to exchange messages with other stations in the amateur service, except those in any country whose administration has given public notice to such com- munications. The FCC will issue public notices of current arrangements for international communications. (2) Transmissions necessary to exchange messages with a sta- tion in another FCC-regulated service, while providing emergency communications. (3) Transmissions necessary to exchange messages with a United States Government station, necessary to providing communications with RACES. (4) Transmissions necessary to exchange messages with a sta- tion not regulated by the FCC, but authorized by the FCC to communicate with amateur stations. An amateur station may exchange messages with a participating United States military station during Armed Forces Day Communications Test. (b) In addition to one-way transmissions specifically authorized else- where in this Part, an amateur station may transmit the following types of one-way communications: (1) Brief transmissions necessary to make adjustments to the station. (2) Brief transmissions necessary to establishing two-way com- munications with other stations. (3) Telecommand. (4) Transmissions necessary to providing emergency communi- cations. (5) Transmissions necessary to assisting persons learning, or improving proficiency in, the international Morse code. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 43
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(6) Transmissions necessary to disseminate information bul- letins. (7) Transmission of telemetry.
Part 97.113 Prohibited transmissions.
(a) No amateur station shall transmit: (1) Communications specifically prohibited elsewhere in this Part. (2) Communications for hire or for material compensation, direct or indirect, paid or promised, except as otherwise pro- vided in these rules. (3) Communications in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communica- tions on behalf of an employer. Amateur operators may, however, notify other operators of the availability for sale or trade of apparatus normally used in an amateur station, provided that such activity is not conducted on a regular basis. (4) Music using a phone emission except as specifically pro- vided elsewhere in this Section; communications intended to facilitate a criminal act; messages in codes or ciphers intended to obscure the meaning thereof, except as other- wise provided herein; obscene or indecent words or lan- guage; of false or deceptive messages, signals, or identification. (5) Communications on a regular basis which could reasonably be furnished alternately through other radio services. (b) An amateur station shall not engage in any form of broadcasting, nor may an amateur station transmit one-way communications except as specifically provided in these rules; nor shall an ama- teur station engage in any activity related to program production or news gathering for broadcasting purposes, except that commu- nications directly related to the immediate safety of human life or the protection of property may be provided by amateur stations to broadcasters, for dissemination to the public where no other means of communication is reasonably available before or at the time of the event. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 44
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(c) A control operator of a club station may accept compensation as an incident of a teaching position during periods of time when an amateur station is used by that teacher as a part of classroom instruction at an educational institution. (d) The control operator of a club station may accept compensation for the periods of time when the station is transmitting telegraphy practice or information bulletins, provided that the station trans- mits such telegraphy practice and bulletins for at least 40 hours per week and schedules operations on at least six amateur service MF and HF bands using reasonable measures to maximize coverage, where the schedule of normal operating times and frequencies is published at least 30 days in advance of the actual transmissions and where the control operator does not accept any direct or indi- rect compensation for any other service as a control operator. (e) No station shall transmit programs or signals emanating from any type of radio station other than an amateur station, except propa- gation and weather forecast information intended for use by the general public and originating from United States Government stations and communications, including incidental music, origi- nating on United States Government frequencies between a space shuttle and its associated Earth stations. Prior approval for shuttle retransmissions must be obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Such retransmissions must be for the exclusive use of amateur operators. Propagation, weather fore- casts, and shuttle retransmissions may not be conducted on a reg- ular basis, but only occasionally, as an incident of normal amateur radio communications. (f) No amateur station, except an auxiliary, repeater, or space station, may automatically retransmit the radio signals of other amateur stations.
Part 97.115 Third party communications.
(a) An amateur station may transmit messages for a third party to: (1) Any station within the jurisdiction of the United States. (2) Any station within the jurisdiction of a foreign government whose administration has made arrangements with the Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 45
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United States to allow amateur stations to be used for trans- mitting international communications on behalf of third par- ties. No station shall transmit messages for a third party to any station within the jurisdiction of any foreign government whose administration has not made such an arrangement. This prohibition does not apply to a message for any third party who is eligible to be a control operator of the station. (b) The third party may participate in stating the message where: (1) The control party is present at the control point and is con- tinuously monitoring and supervising the third party’s par- ticipation. (2) The third party is not a prior amateur service licensee whose license was revoked; suspended for less than the balance of the license term and the suspension is still in effect; sus- pended for the balance of the license term and relicensing has not taken place; or surrendered for cancellation follow- ing notice of revocation, suspension, or monetary forfeiture proceedings. The third party may not be the subject of a cease and desist order which relates to amateur service oper- ation and which is still in effect. (c) At the end of an exchange of international third party communi- cations, the station must also transmit in the station identification procedure the call sign of the station with which a third party message was exchanged.
Part 97.119 Station identification.
(a) Each amateur station, except a space station or telecommand sta- tion, must transmit its assigned call station on its transmitting channel at the end of each communication, and at least every 10 minutes during a transmission, for the purpose of clearly making the source of the transmission from the station known to those receiving the transmissions. No station may transmit unidentified communications or signals, or transmit as the station call sign, any call sign not authorized to the station. (b) The call sign must be transmitted with an emission authorized for the transmitting channel in one of the following ways: Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 46
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(1) By a CW emission. When keyed by an automatic device used only for identification, the speed must not exceed 20 words per minute; (2) By a phone emission in the English language. Use of a stan- dard phonetic alphabet as an aid for correct station identifi- cation is encouraged; (3) By a RTTY emission using a specified digital code when all or part of the communications are transmitted by a RTTY or data emission; (4) By an image emission conforming to the applicable trans- mission standards, either color or monochrome, of Part 73.682(a) of the FCC Rules, when all or part of the commu- nications are transmitted in the same image emission. (c) One or more indicators may be included with the call sign. Each indicator must be separated from the call sign by the slant mark (/) or by any suitable word that denotes the slant mark. If an indica- tor is self-assigned, it must be included before, after, or both before and after the call sign. No self-assigned indicator may conflict with any other indicator specified by the FCC Rules or with any prefix assigned to another country. (d) When transmitting in conjunction with an event of special signif- icance, a station may substitute for its assigned call sign a special event call sign as shown for that station for that period of time on the common database, maintained and disseminated by the spe- cial event call sign database coordinators. Additionally, the sta- tion must transmit its assigned call sign at least once per hour during such transmissions. (e) When the operator license class held by the control operator exceeds that of the station licensee, an indicator consisting of the call sign assigned to the control operator’s station must be included after the call sign. (f) When the control operator is exercising the rights and privileges authorized by Part 97.9(b), an indicator must be included after the call sign as follows: (1) For a control operator who has requested a license modifica- tion from Novice to Technician Class: KT Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 47
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(2) For a control operator who has requested a license modifica- tion from Novice or Technician Class to General Class: AG (3) For a control operator who has requested a license modifica- tion from Novice, Technician, or General Class operator to Advanced Class: AA; or (4) For a control operator who has requested a license modifica- tion from Novice, Technician, General, or Advanced Class operator to Amateur Extra Class: AE
Part 97.121 Restricted operation.
(a) If the operation of an amateur station causes general interference to the reception of transmissions from stations operating in the domestic broadcast service where receivers of good engineering design, including adequate selectivity characteristics, are used to receive such transmissions, and this fact is made known to the amateur station licensee, the amateur station shall not be operated during the hours from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., local time, and on Sunday for the additional period from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., local time, upon the frequency or frequencies used when the interference is created. (b) In general, such steps as may be necessary to minimize interfer- ence to stations operating in other services may be required after investigation by the FCC.
Part 97.203 Beacon station.
(a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Techni- cian Plus, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, Gen- eral, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held. (b) A beacon must not currently transmit on more than one channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same sta- tion location. (c) The transmitting power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 48
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(d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20–28.30 MHz, 50.06–50.08 MHz, 144.275–144.300 MHz, 222.05–222.06 MHz, and 432.300––432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands. (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
Part 97.205 Repeater stations.
(a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a repeater. A holder of a Technician, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a repeater, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held. (b) A repeater may receive and transmit only on the 10 m and shorter wavelength frequency bands except the 28.0–29.5 MHz, 50.0–51.0 MHz, 144.0–144.5 MHz, 145.5–146.0 MHz, 222.00–222.15 MHz, 431.0–433.0 MHz, and 435.0–438.0 MHz segments. (c) When the transmissions of a repeater cause harmful interference to another repeater, the two station licensees are equally and fully responsible for resolving the interference unless the operation of one station is recommended by a frequency coordinator and the opera- tion of the other is not. In that case, the licensee of the noncoordi- nated repeater has primary responsibility to resolve the interference. (d) A repeater may be automatically controlled. (e) Ancillary functions of a repeater that are available to users on the input channel are not considered remotely controlled functions of that station. Limiting the use of a repeater to only certain user sta- tions is permissible. (g) The control operator of a repeater that retransmits inadvertently communications that violate the rules in this Part is not account- able for the violative communications.
Part 97.207 Space station.
(a) Any amateur station may be a space station. A holder of any class operator license may be the control operator of a space station, Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 49
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subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held by the control operator. (b) A space station must be capable of effecting a cessation of trans- missions by telecommand whenever such cessation is ordered by the FCC. (c) The following frequency bands and segments are authorized to space stations: (1) The 17 m, 15 m, 12 m, and 10 m bands, 6 mm, 2 mm, and 1 mm bands; and (2) The 7.0–7.1 MHz, 14.00–14.25 MHz, 144–146 MHz, 435–438 MHz, 1260–1270 MHz, and 2400–2450 MHz; and 3.40–3.41 GHz, 5.83–5.85 GHz, 10.45–10.50 GHz, and 2400–2405 GHz segments. (d) A space station may automatically retransmit the radio signals of Earth stations and other space stations. (e) A space station may transmit one-way communications.
Part 97.215 Telecommand of model craft. An amateur station transmitting signals to control a model craft may be operated as fol- lows:
(a) The station identification procedure is not required for transmis- sions directed only to the model craft, provided that a label indi- cating the station call sign and the station licensee’s name and address is affixed to the station transmitter. (b) The control signals are not considered codes or ciphers intended to obscure the meaning of the communication. (c) The transmitter power must not exceed 1 W.
Part 97.307 Emission standards.
(a) No amateur station transmission shall occupy more bandwidth than necessary for the information rate and emission type being transmitted, in accordance with good amateur practices. (b) Emissions resulting from modulation must be confined to the band or segment available to the control operator. Emissions Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 50
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outside the necessary bandwidth must not cause splatter or keyclick interference to operations on adjacent frequencies. (c) All spurious emissions from a station transmitter must be reduced to the greatest extent practicable. If any spurious emission, including chassis or power line radiation, causes harmful inter- ference to the reception of another radio station, the licensee of the interfering amateur station is required to take steps to elimi- nate the interference, in accordance with good engineering prac- tice. (d) The mean power of any spurious emission from a station trans- mitter or external RF power amplifier transmitting on a frequency below 30 MHz must not exceed 50 MW and must be at least 40 dB below the mean power of the fundamental emission. For a trans- mitter of mean power less than 5 W, the attenuation must be at least 30 dB. A transmitter built before April 15, 1977, or first mar- keted before January 1, 1978, is exempt from this requirement. (e) The mean power of any spurious emission from a station trans- mitter or external RF power amplifier transmitting on a frequency between 30–225 MHz must be at least 60 dB below the mean power of the fundamental. For a transmitter having a mean power of 25 W or less, the mean power of any spurious emission sup- plied to the antenna transmission line must not exceed 25 W (25 microwatts) and must be at least 40 dB below the mean power of the fundamental emission, but need not be reduced below the power of 10 W. A transmitter built before April 15, 1977, or first marketed before January 1, 1978, is exempt from this requirement. (f) The following standards and limitations apply to transmissions on the frequencies specified in Part 97.305 of this Part: (1) No angle-modulation (equivalent to frequency modulation) emission may have a modulation index greater that 1 at the highest modulating frequency. (2) No non-phone emission shall exceed the bandwidth of a communications quality phone emission of the same modu- lation type. The total bandwidth of an independent side- band emission (having B as the first symbol), or a multiplexed image and phone emission, shall not exceed that of a communications quality A3E emission. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 51
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE FCC TECHNICIAN CLASS EXAMINATION 51
(3) Only a RTTY or data emission having a specified digital code listed in Part 97.309(a) of this part may be transmitted. The symbol rate must not exceed 300 bauds, or for fre- quency-shift keying, the frequency shift between mark and space must not exceed 1 kHz. Notes:
1. This section includes the FCC’s technical specifications for modu- lation characteristics involving voice (phone), RTTY (radio teletype- writer) and data, and image emissions. The defining lines between RTTY and data forms of communications radio have become some- what blurred since RTTY, data, and some imaging (TV) signals repre- sent digital signals. For example, one manufacturer markets a multimode data controller that can be connected between your ham radio and personal computer. This controller processes the following signals: Packet, PACTOR, AMTOR, RTTY, Color SSTV TV, FAX, Weather, ASCII, Navtex, CW, and Memory Keyer. Don’t worry about all these complex abbreviations—you’ll learn all of them as you progress in amateur radio. We’ll cover the ones you need to know for the Tech- nician Examination. 2. RTTY and digital code transmission rates are measured in either bauds or bits per second. A baud may be thought of as a signal transi- tion rate, e.g., 300 baud represents 300 signal transitions per second. One or more digital bits (usually designated as “ones” or “zeros,” or 1s and 0s) may be encoded in each signal transition. Thus 1200 baud may represent 1200 bits per second for one communications system or 4800 bits per second in another communications system. The second system provides for 4 bits being transmitted during each baud transition. 3. The FCC Rules restrict the baud rates in the lower amateur bands (mostly HF bands) while permitting higher baud rates in the higher bands (VHF and UHF). However, Technician Class Amateur operators are permitted RTTY and data privileges only above 50 MHz. The max- imum baud (or symbol) rate for the 2-meter and 6-meter bands is 19.6 kilobauds.
Part 97.313 Transmitter power standards.
(a) An amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power nec- essary to carry out the desired communications. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 52
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(b) No station may transmit with a power exceeding 1.5 kW PEP. (c) No station may transmit with a power exceeding 200 W PEP on:
(1) The 3.675–3.725 MHz, 7.10–7.15 MHz, 10.10–10.15 MHz, and 21.1–21.2 MHz segments; (2) The 28.1–28.5 MHz segment when the control operator is a Novice Class operator or a Technician Class operator who has received credit for proficiency in telegraphy in accor- dance with the international requirements; or (3) The 7.050–7.075 MHz segment when the station is within ITU Regions 1 and 3.
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS. The FCC is very specific when it comes to emergency communica- tions. As you may remember, Part 97.1(1) clearly states that one major justification for the existence of the Amateur Service is its ability to provide communications during emergency conditions and public ser- vice events.
Part 97.401 Operation during a disaster.
(a) When normal communications are overloaded, damaged, or dis- rupted because a disaster has occurred, or is likely to occur, in an area where the amateur service is regulated by the FCC, an ama- teur station may make transmissions necessary to meet essential communications needs and facilitate relief actions. (b) When normal communications systems are overloaded, damaged, or disrupted because a natural disaster has occurred, or is likely to occur, in an area where the amateur service is not regulated by the FCC, a station assisting in meeting essential communications needs and facilitating relief actions may do so only in accordance with ITU3 Resolution No. 640 (Geneva, 1979). The 80 m, 75 m, 40
3The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), an agency of the United Nations, coordinates and establishes radio frequency allocations on a worldwide basis. Region 1 covers Europe, the African Continent, and all of Russia; Region 2 covers the Western Hemisphere, including North and South America, Greenland, and Hawaii; and Region 3 covers the Far East, including China, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, India, and Pakistan. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 53
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE FCC TECHNICIAN CLASS EXAMINATION 53
m, 30 m, 20 m, 17 m, 15 m, 12 m, and 2 m bands may be used for these purposes. (c) When a disaster disrupts normal communications systems in a particular area, the FCC may declare a temporary state of commu- nications emergency. The declaration will set forth any special conditions and special rules to be observed by stations during the communications emergency. A request for a declaration of a tem- porary state of emergency should be directed to the RIC in the area concerned. (d) A station in or within 92.5 km of Alaska may transmit emissions J3E and R3E on the channel of 5.1675 MHz for emergency com- munications. The channel must be shared with stations licensed in the Alaska private fixed service. The transmitter power must not exceed 150 watts.
Part 97.405 Station in distress.
(a) No provisions of these rules prevent the use by an amateur station in distress of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its condition and location, and obtain assistance. (b) No provisions of these rules prevent the use of a station, in the exceptional circumstances described in paragraph (a), of any means of radiocommunications at its disposal to assist a station in distress.
HOW TO QUALIFY FOR AN FCC AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR LICENSE Part2 97.501 through 97.527 describes the processes involved in applying for the entry- and advanced-level amateur licenses. The spe- cific telegraphy (or Morse code) tests and written examinations, known as “elements,” were summarized in Table 2.1. If you are plan- ning to become a ham, you’ll want to review this table carefully to become familiar with the entry-level class license—i.e., the Techni- cian Class—requirements. You may elect to start with the No-Code Technician Class license and enjoy some activity with 2-meter and 440-centimeter repeaters, as well as attending local ham club meetings. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 54
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However, if you have an opportunity to also prepare for the Element 1 Morse code test and the Element 2 written examination for the Tech- nician Class license, this is the best of both worlds. For example, code and theory ham classes offered by the local ham club present an ideal approach to preparing for Elements 1 and 2 examinations. Prior to 1984, the FCC administered amateur radio exam at selected FCC facilities throughout the country. Since that time, the FCC has delegated the administration of all amateur radio examinations to qualifying (or accredited) amateurs and amateur organizations such as the ARRL and the W5YI Group. The amateurs who perform this testing function are known as volunteer examiners (VEs). The following sec- tions of Part 97 govern the amateur testing sessions for all Technician (and higher) Class license examinations.
Part 97.501 Qualifying for an amateur operator license. Each applicant must pass an examination for a new amateur operator license grant and for each change in operator class. Each applicant for the class of operator license grant specified below must pass, or other- wise receive examination credit for, the following examination ele- ments:
(a) Amateur Extra Class operator: Elements 1, 2, 3, and 4; (b) General Class operator: Elements 1, 2, and 3; (c) Technician Class operator: Element 2.
Part 97.503 Element standards.
(a) A telegraphy examination must be sufficient to prove that the examinee has the ability to send correctly by hand and to receive correctly by ear texts in the international Morse code at not less than the prescribed speed, using the letters of the alphabet, numerals 0–9, period comma, question mark, slant mark, and prosigns AR, BT, and SK: (1) Element 1: 5 words per minute. (b) A written examination must be sufficient to prove that the exami- nee possesses the operational and technical qualifications Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 55
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required to perform properly the duties of an amateur service licensee. Each written examination must be comprised of a ques- tion set as follows: (1) Element 2: 35 questions concerning the privileges of a Tech- nician Class operator license. The minimum passing score is 26 questions answered correctly. (2) Element 3: 35 questions concerning the privileges of a Gen- eral Class operator license. The minimum passing score is 26 questions answered correctly. (3) Element 4: 50 questions concerning the privileges of a Ama- teur Extra Class operator license. The minimum passing score is 37 questions answered correctly.
Amateur Call-Sign Allocations The FCC assigns a unique amateur radio call sign to each licensed sta- tion. Once you receive your call sign, you can retain it for life if you want to. However, call signs are issued based on the class of license and the geographical location. When upgrading to a higher license class such as the Amateur Extra, you may want to request the presti- gious call sign assigned to that class of licenses! The amateur call sign consists of three separate sections: a prefix of one or two letters (the first one or two letters), a number ranging from 0 to 9 in the center of the call sign, and a suffix of one to three letters at the end of the call sign. The prefix and the suffix provide an indication of the license class—Amateur Extra, Advanced, General, Technician, or Novice. The numbers and specific letters (L, P, H) serving as the second letter in the prefix identify the geographical location of the amateur station. Letters other than L, P, and H, used in the second location of the prefix, per- mit the numbers 1 through 10 to identify regions within the continen- tal United States. Table 2.2 lists specific numeral designators for amateur call signs. To distinguish between numbers assigned to conti- nental U.S. regions (i.e., within the 48 states), Alaska and overseas U.S. locations, the second letter in the prefix is used to provide an indicator. Here is the key to this designator: Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 56
TABLE 2.2 FCC Call-Sign Regions and Designators Region Numeral Geographical area 1 1 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont 2 2 New Jersey and New York 3 3 Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia 4 4 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ten- nessee, and Virginia 5 5 Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas 6 6 California 7 7 Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming 8 8 Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia 9 9 Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin 10 0 Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota 11 7–9 Alaska 12 Caribbean area: 1 Navassa Island 2 Virgin Islands 3–4 Puerto Rico (except Desecheo Island) 5 Desecheo Island 13 Hawaii and Pacific islands: 0 Northern Mariana islands 1 Baker or Howland Island 2Guam 3 Johnston Island 4 Midway Island 5 Palmyra or Jarvis Island; followed by suffix letter K: Kingman Reef 6–7 Hawaii; 7 followed by suffix K: Kure Island 8 American Samoa 9 Wake, Pearl, or Wilkes islands Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 57
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Designator Region Geographical location L 11 Alaska P 12 Caribbean islands H 13 Hawaii and Pacific islands
AMATEUR EXTRA CLASS CALL SIGNS Call signs authorized for Amateur Extra Class stations in the continen- tal United States (Regions 1–10) use a 1 2 format using K, N, or W as the prefix and a two letter suffix; a 2 1 format using A, N, K, or W as the first letter in the prefix; and a 2 2 format with an A as the first letter in the prefix. Examples of call signs for the Amateur Extra Class licensees from Texas are N5RA and AA5KB. Call signs authorized for Amateur Extra Class stations in areas outside the continental United States use unique letter identifiers in the second position of a two-letter prefix. In Regions 11, 12, and 13, a special identifier is inserted after the first letter of the prefix. Two- letter suffixes are currently being used. Here are examples of Ama- teur Extra call signs for stations located outside of the continental United States:
Region 11: Prefixes of AL, Kl, NL, or WL Example: KL7H (Alaska) Region 12: Prefixes of KP, NP, or WP Example: WP3X (Puerto Rico) Region 13: Prefixes of AH, KH, NH, or WH Example: AH4L (Midway Island)
ADVANCED CLASS CALL SIGNS Although these call signs, a 2 2 format, are no longer issued by the FCC as of May 15, 2000, holders of current Advanced Class licenses may retain their licenses indefinitely. The first letter of the prefix may use K, N, or W. Advanced Class licensees who live outside of the con- tinental United States will use the prefixes AL, KP, or AH to identify locations in Alaska, islands in the Caribbean, and islands in the Pacific, respectively. Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 58
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GENERAL, TECHNICIAN, AND TECHNICIAN WITH HF PRIVILEGES CALL SIGNS Call signs for these licensees use a 1 3 format with the first letter of the prefix being a K, N, or W letter. The General or Technician Class licensees located outside of the continental United States will be issued call signs with a 2 3 format with prefixes KL, NL, or WL (Region 11); NP or WP (Region 12); and KH, NH, or WH (Region 13). This latter group applies to locations in Alaska, islands in the Caribbean, and islands in the Pacific, respectively.
NOVICE, CLUB, AND MILITARY RECREATION STATION CALL SIGNS Although these call signs, a 2 3 format, are no longer issued by the FCC as of May 15, 2000, holders of current Novice Class licenses may retain their licenses indefinitely. Novice Class licensees located outside of the continental United States were issued call signs with a 2 3 for- mat with prefixes KL, NL, or WL (Region 11); NP or WP (Region 12); and KH, NH, or WH (Region 13). This latter group applies to locations in Alaska, islands in the Caribbean, and islands in the Pacific, respectively.
How to Learn International Morse Code If you plan to enter the exciting realm of amateur radio via the Techni- cian Class with HF privileges, the FCC requires that you develop a 5 word per minute (5 WPM) proficiency in Morse code. This first step can be easy and fun—or it can be difficult and a burden, depending upon your attitude and study habits. You can get off to a good start in amateur radio by developing a sound plan of attack for learning the Morse code. And remember, code (or CW) transmissions will be your means for con- tacting fellow hams all over the United States and in foreign countries. One final comment: 5 words per minute is a slow code speed. By the time you have learned the Morse code, you normally have devel- oped a 5 WPM proficiency. To begin learning this new language, let’s get started with a complete review of Morse code.
What is Morse Code? International Morse code, consisting of a series of dits (dots) and dahs, (dashes), is a universal language complete in itself. It affords a means Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 59
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of communication between amateur operators on a worldwide basis. The simplicity of International Morse code transmission is the key to its tremendous power. It provides you with two very important advan- tages in radio communications: low-cost equipment for transmitting and receiving, and the most reliable means of communication. Weak code signals at the threshold of noise can be copied by experienced operators when radiotelephone signals are completely unintelligible. The international Morse code uses individual combinations of dits and dahs to represent the 26 letters of the alphabet, the 10 numerals (0 through 9), and a group of special symbols and abbreviated expres- sions. Other texts refer to the combinations of dits and dahs as dots and dashes. However, educational research has shown that we learn code faster and more efficiently if the sounds of the code combinations are associated with the particular characters rather than having to memorize each character in terms of dots and dashes. By learning code as dots and dashes, the mind then has to translate the dot-and-dash combinations to the required character. But by using the dit and dah approach, the mind can skip the intermediate step of translation. All but the last dit of a code combination are normally shortened to “di”. For example, the letter H would be “di-di-di-dit.” The letter R would be represented by “di-dah-dit.” Table 2.3 provides a complete list of the recommended International Morse code characters set for amateur radio communications.
How code is transmitted Ideal code is always transmitted in dits and dahs of uniform lengths with uniform spaces between them. The spacing between individual characters and words is also established at uniform units of time to permit proper spacing of the received message. Figure 2.3 shows examples of the proper spacing for the coded characters and words. This standard is normally used by all proficient amateur and commer- cial operators. One exception to this standard is that some code prac- tice cassette tapes and phonograph records employ a constant character transmission rate of about 13 WPM and the spacing between characters will be lengthened to permit the effective rate of transmis- sion to be slowed down for learning purposes. Some tapes and records using this approach will provide for recorded code practice sessions of about 5, 7, and 10 WPM, though each individual character is sent at Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 60
TABLE 2.3 Recommended International Morse code for amateur radio operation Letters A di-dah J di-dah-dah-dah S di-di-dit B dah-di-di-dit K dah-di-dah T dah C dah-di-dah-dit L di-dah-di-dit U di-di-dah D dah-di-dit M dah-dah V di-di-di-dah E dit N dah-dit W di-dah-dah F di-di-dah-dit O dah-dah-dah X dah-di-di-dah G dah-dah-dit P di-dah-dah-dit Y dah-di-dah-dah H di-di-di-dit Q dah-dah-di-dah Z dah-dah-di-dit I di-dit R di-dah-dit Numbers 1 di-dah-dah-dah-dah 6 dah-di-di-di-dit 2 di-di-dah-dah-dah 7 dah-dah-di-di-dit 3 di-di-di-dah-dah 8 dah-dah-dah-di-dit 4 di-di-di-dah 9 dah-dah-dah-dah-dit 5 di-di-di-di-dit 0 dah-dah-dah-dah-dah Punctuation marks and special characters Period (.) di-dah-di-dah-di-dah Wait (A S ) di-dah-di-di-dit Comma (,) dah-dah-di-di-dah-dah Pause (B T ) dah-di-di-di-dah Question mark (?) di-di-dah-dah-di-dit Invitation to Transmit (K) dah-di-dah Fraction Bar (/) dah-di-di-dah-dit End of Message (A R ) di-dah-di-dah-dit Error in Transmission di-di-di-di-di-dit End of Work (V A ) di-di-di-dah-di-dah Ch02_Laster_136187-1 9/25/01 12:47 PM Page 61
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the rate of about 13 WPM. The advantage to this approach is that the beginner learns the sounds of the 13 WPM characters early in his or her amateur career. For many Novice operators, this is an effective way to progress to the 13 WPM code requirement for the General license. Most International Morse code signals are transmitted as CW or continuous-wave transmissions. Bursts of CW radiofrequency energy are produced by alternately keying on and off the transmitter carrier frequency according to the coded character combinations of dits and dahs.
Who can learn Morse code? Although some individuals adapt to the code faster than others, almost everyone can master this fascinating language. The age and educa- tional level of the individual are not significant factors. In fact, some psychological studies indicate that children under the age of 10 will adapt to code faster than adolescents or adults. The ranks of amateur
Letter "Y" 1 3 Units Units
012345678910111213 Character interval — units of time
S 3 U N Units
0 510152025 Spacing between characters — units of time I AM