Short Course for the

Amateur Radio
Technician License
Element 2
Richie Allen KC5NZR
kc5nzr@arrl.net
Sponsored by:

Albuquerque Amateur Radio

Club

Who is the Amateur Operator?

History of the Amateur Service

Innovations
Public Service
Real Life Examples

Video

Amateur Radio Today

Course Syllabus (NYT pages 12,13)

T1 FCC Rules
9 Questions
T2 Operating Procedures
5 Questions
T3 Propagation
3 Questions
T4 Ham Radio Practices 4 Questions
T5 Electrical Principles 3 Questions
T6 Circuit Components 2 Questions
T7 Practical Circuits
2 Questions
T8 Signals and Emissions
2 Questions
T9 Antennas & Feedlines2 Questions
T0 RF Safety
3 Questions

35 total questions on exam

EXAM (element 2)
35 questions from the question pool in chapter 12
of NYT
Administered by a Volunteer Examiner (VE) team
Test fee $12 as of 1/1/2003
1:00 PM Sunday, right here
Bring: photo ID, second ID, exam fee, pencils,
calculator
Your instructor is not a member of the VE team
There are other exam opportunities, but this
course is designed to optimize your short term
retention of the material
5

License Classes

Technician
Technician with code
General
Extra

Federal Communications Commission

FCC
Governing agency of Amateur Radio
Part 97

Principles of the amateur service

Increase number of trained radio operators
Improve international good will

Terms
Amateur Station
Control operator
License

License grant
License class
License term

Grace period
Form 605
7

Wavelength, Frequency & RF

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Wavelength, Frequency & RF

Wavelength, Frequency & RF

10

11

Frequency Privileges (ITU region 2)

VHF, UHF, Microwave (Tech bands)
6 meters
2 meters
1.25 meters
70 cm
33 cm
23 cm
13 cm

50.0 - 54.0 MHz

144.0 - 148.0 MHz
222.0 - 225.0 MHz
420.0 - 450.0 MHz
902.0 - 928.0 MHz
1240.0 - 1300.0 MHz
2300 - 2310, 2390 - 2450 MHz
12

Frequency Privileges (ITU region 2)

HF (Tech with code)

80 meters
40 meters
15 meters
10 meters

3675 - 3725 kHz

7100 - 7150 kHz
21.100 - 21.200 MHz
28.100 - 28.500 MHz

13

Emission Privileges

Basic Emission Types

Phone: AM, SSB, FM
RTTY: direct printing radio telegraphy
Data: Packet (APRS), ASCII
Image: FAX, SSTV, FSTV
CW: Morse Code

Another term:
CSCE

14

Emission Privileges

HF
6 meter phone
2 meter image
2 meter CW only
80 meter tech
7100 - 7150 tech
28.1 - 28.5 MHz
1.25 meters
23 cm
70 cm image

Tech cannot use FM

50.1 - 54.0 MHz
144.1 - 148.0 MHz
144.0 - 144.1
CW only
CW only
CW, RTTY, DATA
all emissions
all emissions
420 - 450 MHz

15

Emission Privileges

16

More FCC Regulations

Control point
responsible party
your responsibility
control operator
ID requirements
Third party
Broadcasting
Codes, ciphers
One way transmissions

Secondary users
Repeater coordination
Peak Envelope Power
DATA, RTTY rates

17

FCC Regulations (cont)

Space communication
Deceptive signals
More ID requirements
Harmful interference
Beacon stations
Radio control
Emergency communication
Broadcasting
Obscene, Indecent language
18

Operating Procedures

Before transmitting
Emergencies
Using appropriate frequency
Testing a transmitter
Morse code CQ, DE

19

Operating Procedures (cont)

Amateur Repeaters

20

Operating Procedures (cont)

Amateur Repeaters

21

Amateur Repeaters

Operating Procedures (cont)

22

Operating Procedures (cont)

Using a repeater
I/O Offsets
Autopatch
Calling
Courtesy tone
Rush hour
Breaking
I/O offset
Time out timer
CTCSS/PL

2 meter
600 kHz
1.25 meter 1.6 MHz
70 cm
5 MHz
Purpose
Open/Closed
Courtesy

23

Operating Procedures

Simplex
RST
CQ
QSL Card
Full Quieting

Distress Calls
SOS
Mayday
Break, break!
Emergency messages
Equipment for emergency
24

Operating Procedures
Voice communication

ITU Phonetics

25

Operating Procedures
Packet Radio

26

Operating Procedures

Packet Radio

27

Operating Procedures
Digital transmissions

RTTY
CONNECTED
MONITORING
Digipeater
Network

28

Operating Procedures

CW & SSB on HF
Answering CQ on RTTY
Operating on commercial aircraft
Operating away from home

29

Propagation

30

Propagation
Ionosphere

31

Propagation

Line of sight
Ionosphere
Ionosphere regions
UV radiation
Reflections

Ducting
Inversion
EME
Satellites

32

Propagation
Ionospheric Propagation

33

Propagation
Ionospheric Propagation

34

Propagation
Ionospheric Propagation

D region characteristics
Scatter
MUF
Ground Wave
Sky-wave
Skip zone
F region characteristics
Sunspots
35

Amateur Radio Practices

Grounding and lightning

Electrical ground
Safety
Dummy antennas

36

Amateur Radio Practices

SWR Standing Wave Ratio

Good SWR 1.5:1 or less

High SWR indicates antenna is wrong length,
or there is an open or short in the feed line.
Lo
Hi
50.1..54.0 MHz
2.5:1 -----------------------------------------------------> 5:1
Antenna is too long!
37

Amateur Radio Practices

SWR Standing Wave Ratio

Lo
Hi
144.1148.0 MHz
5:1 <--------------------------------------------------------- 2.5:1
Antenna is too short!
SWR meter
1:1
38

Amateur Radio Practices

Test equipment

Voltmeter
Ammeter
RF wattmeter
Multimeter
Directional wattmeter
Fuses

39

Amateur Radio Practices

Radio Frequency Interference

Receiver overload
Harmonic Radiation
Low pass filter
High pass filter

40

Electrical Principles

Hz - kHz
ma - ampere
Ampere
Volt
Conductors & insulators
Open & short circuits

Resistance & Resistors

Inductance & Inductors
Capacitance & Capacitors
Parallel & Series connections

41

Electrical Principles
Ohms Law

E = Electromotive Force
measured in VOLTS
I = Current
measured in AMPERES
R = Resistance
measured in OHMS
42

Electrical Principles
Ohms Law

I = E / R
I is expressed in AMPS

R = E / I
R is expressed in OHMS

E = I x R
E is expressed in VOLTS
43

Electrical Principles
Ohms Law
T5C04
If a current of 2 amperes flows through a 50-ohm
resistor, what is the voltage across the resistor?

E=IxR

E = 2 x 50

A. 25 volts
B. 52 volts

C. 100 volts
D. 200 volts
44

Electrical Principles
Ohms Law
T5C05
If a 100-ohm resistor is connected to 200 volts, what is
the current through the resistor?

I=E/R

I = 200 / 100

A. 1 ampere

B. 2 amperes
C. 300 amperes
D. 20,000 amperes
45

Electrical Principles
Ohms Law
T5C06
If a current of 3 amperes flows through a resistor
connected to 90 volts, what is the resistance?

R=E/I

R = 90 / 3

A. 3 ohms

B. 30 ohms
C. 93 ohms
D. 270 ohms
46

Electrical Principles
Other concepts
Power
Watt
Wavelength
Frequency
AC
DC

47

Circuit Components
Resistors

Variable Resistor

48

Circuit Components
Resistors

Fixed Resistor

49

Circuit Components
Switches

Double Pole Single Throw

DPST

Single Pole Single Throw

SPST
50

Circuit Components
Fuses, batteries

Fuse

Single Cell Battery

51

Circuit Components
More on resistors

Fixed Resistor

52

Circuit Components
More on resistors

Fixed Resistor

53

Circuit Components
Transistors

PNP Transistor
Points in proudly

NPN Transistor
Not pointing in
54

Circuit Components
Antenna & ground

Earth Ground

Antenna

55

Circuit Components
Capacitors

Fixed Capacitor

Variable Capacitor

56

Circuit Components
Inductors

Fixed Inductor

Variable Inductor

57

Circuit Components
Capacitors

58

Circuit Components
Capacitors

Fixed Capacitor

59

Circuit Components
Capacitors

Variable Capacitor

60

Practical Circuits
Functional Layout

Terms
Antenna switch
Feed line
Power supply
Antenna tuner
Dummy load

61

Practical Circuits
Functional Layout

T7A05
In Figure N7-1, if block 1 is a transceiver and block 3
is a dummy antenna, what is block 2?
A.
B.
C.
D.

A terminal-node switch
An antenna switch
A telegraph key switch
A high-pass filter

62

Practical Circuits
Functional Layout

T7A05
In Figure N7-1, if block 1 is a transceiver and block 3
is a dummy antenna, what is block 2?
A. A terminal-node switch

B. An antenna switch
C. A telegraph key switch
D. A high-pass filter

63

Practical Circuits
Functional Layout

T7A06
In Figure N7-1, if block 1 is a transceiver and block 2
is an antenna switch, what is block 3?
A.
B.
C.
D.

A terminal-node switch
An SWR meter
A telegraph key switch
A dummy antenna

64

Practical Circuits
Functional Layout

T7A06
In Figure N7-1, if block 1 is a transceiver and block 2
is an antenna switch, what is block 3?
A. A terminal-node switch
B. An SWR meter
C. A telegraph key switch

D. A dummy antenna
65

Practical Circuits
Functional Layout

T7A07
In Figure N7-2, if block 1 is a transceiver and block 3
is an antenna switch, what is block 2?
A.
B.
C.
D.

A terminal-node switch
A dipole antenna
An SWR meter
A high-pass filter

66

Practical Circuits
Functional Layout

T7A07
In Figure N7-2, if block 1 is a transceiver and block 3
is an antenna switch, what is block 2?
A. A terminal-node switch
B. A dipole antenna

C. An SWR meter
D. A high-pass filter

67

Practical Circuits
Functional Layout

T7A08
In Figure N7-3, if block 1 is a transceiver and block 2
is an SWR meter, what is block 3?
A.
B.
C.
D.

An antenna switch
An antenna tuner
A key-click filter
A terminal-node controller

68

Practical Circuits
Functional Layout

T7A08
In Figure N7-3, if block 1 is a transceiver and block 2
is an SWR meter, what is block 3?
A. An antenna switch

B. An antenna tuner
C. A key-click filter
D. A terminal-node controller

69

Practical Circuits
Functional Layout

Microphone
Modem, teleprinter, computer
TNC Terminal Node Controller

70

Practical Circuits
Block diagrams

An FM receiver uses a limiter and a

discriminator to produce an audio signal.
These circuits are unique to FM receivers.
71

Practical Circuits
Block diagrams
T7B02
What circuit is pictured in Figure T7-1 if block 1 is a variablefrequency oscillator?
A.
B.
C.
D.

A packet-radio transmitter
A crystal-controlled transmitter
A single-sideband transmitter
A VFO-controlled transmitter

72

Practical Circuits
Block diagrams
T7B02
What circuit is pictured in Figure T7-1 if block 1 is a variablefrequency oscillator?
A. A packet-radio transmitter
B. A crystal-controlled transmitter
C. A single-sideband transmitter

D. A VFO-controlled transmitter

73

Practical Circuits
Block diagrams
T7B03
What circuit is pictured in Figure T7-1 if block 1 is a crystal
oscillator?
A.
B.
C.
D.

A crystal-controlled transmitter
A VFO-controlled transmitter
A single-sideband transmitter
A CW transceiver

74

Practical Circuits
Block diagrams
T7B03
What circuit is pictured in Figure T7-1 if block 1 is a crystal
oscillator?
A. A crystal-controlled transmitter
B. A VFO-controlled transmitter
C. A single-sideband transmitter
D. A CW transceiver

75

Practical Circuits
Block diagrams
T7B04
What type of circuit does Figure T7-2 represent if block 1 is a
product detector?
A.
B.
C.
D.

A simple phase modulation receiver

A simple FM receiver
A simple CW and SSB receiver
A double-conversion multiplier

76

Practical Circuits
Block diagrams
T7B04
What type of circuit does Figure T7-2 represent if block 1 is a
product detector?

A. A simple phase modulation receiver

B. A simple FM receiver

C. A simple CW and SSB receiver

D. A double-conversion multiplier

77

Practical Circuits
Block diagrams
T7B05
If Figure T7-2 is a diagram of a simple single-sideband
receiver, what type of circuit should be shown in block 1?
A.
B.
C.
D.

A high pass filter

A ratio detector
A low pass filter
A product detector

78

Practical Circuits
Block diagrams
T7B05
If Figure T7-2 is a diagram of a simple single-sideband
receiver, what type of circuit should be shown in block 1?
A. A high pass filter
B. A ratio detector
C. A low pass filter

D. A product detector

79

Practical Circuits
Block diagrams
T7B06
What circuit is pictured in Figure T7-3, if block 1 is a
frequency discriminator?
A.
B.
C.
D.

A double-conversion receiver
A variable-frequency oscillator
A superheterodyne receiver
An FM receiver

80

Practical Circuits
Block diagrams
T7B06
What circuit is pictured in Figure T7-3, if block 1 is a
frequency discriminator?
A. A double-conversion receiver
B. A variable-frequency oscillator
C. A superheterodyne receiver

D. An FM receiver

81

Practical Circuits
Filters

Low Pass Filter

Reduces harmonic
radiation

82

Practical Circuits
Filters

Band Pass Filter

Blocks RF above and
below a certain
frequency

83

Practical Circuits
A few more circuits

Detector
Duplexer

84

Signals and Emissions

RF emissions

RF Carrier

85

Signals and Emissions

RF emissions

Emission types, narrowest to widest:

CW

RTTY
SSB Signal
FM Signal

SSB

FM

2 - 3 kHz wide
10 - 20 kHz wide

86

Signals and Emissions

RF emissions

87

Signals and Emissions

RF emissions

Why use SSB?

Efficiency!

88

Signals and Emissions

RF emissions

CW emissions
Modulation
Over deviation
Splatter
Harmonic radiation
Testing microphones
Grounding

89

Signals and Emissions

Modulation types

Packet radio
FM phone
USB
Phone emissions
FSK
Modern data transmission
Over deviation
Chirp
90

Antennas & feedlines

Wavelength and antenna length

Half wave dipole antenna

length = 468 / frequency (MHz)

Quarter wave vertical antenna

length (feet) = 234 / frequency (MHz)

91

Antennas & feedlines

Wavelength and antenna length
Half wave dipole antenna

92

Antennas & feedlines

Wavelength and antenna length

Quarter wave
vertical antenna

93

Antennas & feedlines

Wavelength and antenna length
How long should you make a 1/4
wave vertical for 440 MHz?
length (feet) = 234 / frequency (MHz)
length (feet) = 234 / 440 MHz
.5318 feet = 234 / 440 MHz
(.5318 * 12) inches = 234 / 440 MHz
6 inches
94

Antennas & feedlines

Wavelength and antenna length
How long should you make a 1/4
wave vertical for 28.450 MHz?
length (feet) = 234 / frequency (MHz)
length (feet) = 234 / 28.450 MHz
8.2249 feet = 234 / 28.450 MHz
8 feet

95

Antennas & feedlines

Wavelength and antenna length
How long should you make a 1/4
wave vertical for 146 MHz?
length (feet) = 234 / frequency (MHz)
length (feet) = 234 / 146 MHz
1.6 feet = 234 / 146 MHz
(1.6 * 12) inches = 234 / 440 MHz
19 inches
96

Antennas & feedlines

Wavelength and antenna length

If an antenna is made shorter

its resonant frequency..

INCREASES

If an antenna is made longer

its resonant frequency..

DECREASES

97

Antennas & feedlines

Wavelength and antenna length

To decrease the resonant

frequency of a dipole antenna...

LENGTHEN the
antenna

To increase the resonant

frequency of an antenna...

SHORTEN the
antenna

98

Antennas & feedlines

Wavelength and antenna length

Multi band antennas

- Allow operation on several bands
- Caveat: may radiate unwanted harmonics

99

Antennas & feedlines

Beam antennas - Yagi

100

Antennas & feedlines

Beam antennas - Yagi

101

Antennas & feedlines

Beam antennas - Yagi

102

Antennas & feedlines

Beam antennas - Yagi

Directional antenna
Yagi construction
Driven element
Parasitic elements

103

Antennas & feedlines

Beam antennas - Cubical Quad

Two or more parallel

four sided loops, each 1
wavelength long.

104

Antennas & feedlines

Antennas

Ground plane
Electrical noise
SWR
Feedlines
Balun

105

RF Safety
Fundamentals, terms
Use minimum power
Most hazardous frequencies
Biological effects
Power density
Near fields
Microwave hazards
FCC requirements
MPE and the human body
Specific absorption rate
106

RF Safety
Rules & guidelines

Rules defined: FCC Part 1, OET Bulletin 65

All sources of RF from a site must be considered
MPE average in uncontrolled area: 30 minutes
MPE average in controlled areas: 6 minutes
Portable devices
Certification of RF exposure rules: form 605
All stations must comply
Licensee is responsible for compliance
107

RF Safety
Rules & guidelines

Bodys ability to absorb RF

Duty cycle
Impact of duty cycle on minimum safe distance

108

RF Safety
Routine station evaluation

Power density measurement vs. other methods

Do not have to perform calculations
Hand held antennas
UHF antennas
RF burns
Mobile installations
Amplifier shielding

109

Clubs and organizations

QST, Monthly magazine

New! Members-Only Web Access
Technical Information Service (TIS)
Ham Radio Equipment Insurance
A Voice in Washington
ARRL Field Organization

An Amateur Radio VHF/UHF Wide

Coverage Repeater Linking System
Serving New Mexico, Southern Colorado,
Western Oklahoma, West Texas and
Eastern Arizona

110

Clubs and organizations

Albuquerque Amateur Radio Club

License classes
Operating activities
Social gatherings
Public service

111