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F R E Q U E N T Q U E S T I O N S A B O U T A M A T E U R R A D I O
******************************************************************************
** What is Amateur Radio? (HAM RADIO)
Amateur Radio is a non-commercial radio communication service whose
primary aims are public service, technical training and experimenta-
tion, and communication between private persons. Amateur Radio opera-
tors are commonly called hams. Hams often communicate with each other
recreationally but also provide communications for others at public
events or in times of emergency or disaster.
** Who can become a ham in the United States?
Anyone who is not a representative of a foreign government can
be an Amateur Radio operator in the USA. There are tests that
you must pass to get a license, however the tests are not
insurmountable.
** Where can I locate information and books on Amateur Radio?
Your local Radio Shack sells some ham radios and Amateur Radio
license books. Books can also be obtained through the mail
from ham radio organizations, such as ARRL in Newington, CT
(203-666-1541) and W5YI in Dallas, TX (1-800-669-9594). There
may be one or two ham radio stores in the local area (ie,
within 50 miles). Try looking in the Yellow Pages under Radio
Communications.
Use the programs contained on the World of Ham Radio CD-ROM
For the Novice license, get a Novice License manual, plus 5-word-per-
minute Morse code tapes, costing around $25. For the Technician lic-
ense, get a combined Novice and Technician License manual, and an FCC
Rules manual, costing around $32. The FCC Rules manual is a good idea
for Novice also, but not necessary, since the Novice License manual
contains all the FCC Rules that are required for the Novice License.
The ARRL Education Activities Department has several programs to
help amateurs (or prospective amateurs) to get started. Ask for a
"New prospect package" available free of charge, from ARRL HQ,
Educational Activities Department, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
** How much does it cost?
To take the Novice tests, it's free. To take the Technician or
higher class tests, there is a small charge (around $5-$6 currently)
to cover copying costs and running the testing sessions. The cost
of a radio is really dependent on what you want to do. You can
make your own radio and antenna for under $150. You can buy a used
single-band radio for $150-$300. Or you can buy a new multi-band
multi-mode radio with all the doodads for $300-$3000. I'd suggest
you learn more about ham radio, talk to local hams, find out what
you want to do with ham radio first.
** Where can I take the tests?
The Novice tests can be given by any two qualified hams of General
class license or above. The Technician tests and all higher class
license tests are given by three qualified Volunteer Examiners (VEs)
who volunteer their time.
To locate an ARRL testing session in your area, you can contact
ARRL at 203-666-1541 x282.
** What are the tests like?
First off, come prepared to VE sessions. Bring: TWO forms of ID,
one of which has a picture on it; a calculator (if necessary); a pen
and two pencils; the applicable examination fee (around $5-$6 for
1992); the original AND a copy of your current Amateur Radio license
(if you have one); the original AND a copy of any CSCEs for tests
you've already passed (if you have any).
Each of the written tests (Novice, Technician, General, Advanced,
and Extra) are generally a multiple choice test of approximately one-
tenth of the question pool. For example, if the question pool is
approximately 300 questions, then the test will be a 30-question
test. You need to get 75% correct to pass. Note that they truncate
to determine the correct number of questions. That means for a 30
question test, you need to get 22 right, which is actually only 73.3%.
Once you've paid the small fee for Technician-Extra tests, it costs
no extra to take another test, so I'd suggest you keep taking the
next more advanced test until you fail. If you pass the written
but not the Morse code (or vice versa) for a specific class license,
you have up to one year to take the other test before you would have
to retake the written test again. Note that some VEs will not allow
you to take the written test unless you've first taken the Morse code
test.
The Morse code test is a receiving test only. The test run 5 to 7
minutes. After the test, you are given a 10-question multiple-choice
or fill-in-the-blank test. Passing grade is 7 or more. If you fail
the 10-question test, the examiner team will examine your copy sheet
to see if you have 1 minute of solid copy with no errors. For 5 wpm,
that's 25 characters, for 13 wpm, that's 65 characters, for 20 wpm,
that's 100 characters. If they can find 1 minute solid copy, you've
still passed.
Hints on Morse code tests: Generally, it will be a standard QSO
(conversation), and it MUST contain at least one of each of the
following:
26 letters A-Z, 10 numbers 0-9, comma (,), period (.), slant or
slash (/), question mark (?), double dash prosign (BT), end of
message prosign (AR), end of contact prosign (SK).
The letters count as one character, all others count as two
characters. There are a couple other prosigns which are worth
knowing, but will not be on the test, like "I'm done talking, next"
is K, "I'm done talking, back to you" is KN, "Please wait" is AS.
** What can I do with a ham radio license?
There are so many things, it's a difficult question to answer, but
here's some ideas:
* Talk to people in foreign countries.
* Talk to people (both local and far away) on your drive to work.
* Help in emergencies by providing communications.
* Provide communications in parades or walkathons.
* Help other people become hams.
* Hook your computer to your radio and communicate by computers.
* Collect QSL cards (cards from other hams) from all over the
United States and foreign countries and receive awards.
* Participate in contests or Field Day events.
* Provide radio services to your local Civil Defense organization
thru ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) or RACES (Radio Amateur
Civil Emergency Service).
* Aid members of the US military by joining MARS (Military Affiliate
Radio System).
* Participate in transmitter hunt games and maybe build your own
direction-finding equipment.
* Have someone to talk to on those sleepless nights at home.
* Receive weather pictures via satellites.
* Build radios, antennas, learn some electronics and radio theory.
* Talk to astronauts in space, or use the moon to bounce signals
back to people on the Earth.
* Experiment with Amateur TV (ATV), Slow-Scan TV (SSTV), or send
still-frame pictures by facsimile.
* Experiment with amateur satellite communications.
** Should I build my own equipment or antenna?
"Homebrewing" is a fun and educational part of ham radio. It is a
thrill to build your own transmitter and put it on the air. However,
building your own receiver can be quite complicated; if you don't have
electronics experience, you may want to buy a receiver instead. Most
homebrew transmitters are QRP (transmit very low power). That's fine
for an experienced ham with a very good antenna, but a Novice ham will
just get frustrated. Your first rig, therefore should NOT be a home-
brew.
Antennas can be much simpler projects than the transceiver, though
some types are also quite involved. Most hams build their own anten-
nas for base station use and buy antennas for mobile (car) use. Most
beginner ham books describe how to build different types of antennas.
Order of difficulty, from easiest to more difficult, for some common
antennas are: wire dipole, Zepp, Yagi, Quad, and Log-Periodic. Books
from many sources, including ARRL and several Hams, discuss antennas
in depth.
When building or even understanding antennas, it is good to know the
relation wavelength it is designed for. An antenna performs best at
multiples of 1/4 of that wavelength, though 5/8 wave also has beneficial
qualities. The wavelength is related to the frequency with the following
formula:
wavelength (in meters) = 300 / frequency (in megahertz)
You do not need a huge antenna or tower like ones you may see around
your neighbourhood. Large beam antennas and 40-foot towers are very
expensive. As a beginner, a simple dipole antenna is perfectly
adequate. As you gain experience (and money :-), you may want to
invest in something bigger.
If you can afford new rigs and antennas, there are many mail order
stores that advertise in ham radio magazines. If you want to buy a
used rig, the best place is at a "hamfest" (ham flea market). You
should take along an experienced ham, since some of the used equipment
may be inoperative, overpriced or poor quality. You can also answer
ads in ham magazines or posted at ham radio stores, although often, by
the time you call, the equipment has already been sold.
** What are the different US amateur classes and what can each of them do?
Novice - has CW (Morse code) privileges on 4 HF bands (80, 40, 15,
and 10 meter), Voice privileges on 10 meters, and privileges
on 2 VHF/UHF bands (220 MHz and 1290 MHz).
Required are 5 wpm Morse code test and 30-question Novice test.
Technician - has full privileges on all VHF/UHF bands above 30 MHz.
Required are Novice test and 25-question Tech test.
Technician may access Novice HF bands by passing the 5 wpm Morse
code test.
General - has all Technician privileges, plus larger access to more
HF bands, including CW and Voice on 160, 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15,
12, and 10 meter bands. A General class amateur can give Novice
tests.
Required are 13 wpm Morse code test, Novice, Tech and 25-question
General test.
Advanced - has all General privileges, plus wider band access on 80,
40, 20, and 15 meter bands. An Advanced class amateur can
also become a VE and give tests to Novice and Tech tests.
Required are 13 wpm Morse code test, Novice, Tech, General and
50-question Advanced test. The Advanced test is the most difficult
of the five written tests.
Amateur Extra - has full privileges on all amateur bands. An Extra
can become a VE and give all amateur tests.
Required are 20 wpm Morse code test, Novice, Tech, General,
Advanced and 40-question Extra test.
** What is the best way to learn Morse Code?
This is becoming an increasingly common question as many "no-code"
Technicians realize they can add more privileges to their license if
they learn Morse Code. The following list of suggestions should
be helpful in finding ways to approach the effort.
* Listen to code at a rate faster than you can copy.
* Participate in Novice-Roundup and/or Field Day. Practice whenever
you get the chance!
* Avoid the "deciphering" plateau around 5 WPM and and character
plateau at 10 WPM by listening to the fast Farnsworth-paced
"beat" of each letter and the "beat" of common words. (See the
question on Morse code speed for more information on Farnsworth
pacing.)
* Practice to develop a "copy buffer" so you copy about 5 characters
behind. (This is not easy but it's how the higher speeds are done.)
* Practice both with headphones and "open-air" copy as the code test
may be in either format. (If you only practice one, you may fumble
on the other.)
* Most of all, don't give up! Recognize when you reach plateaus
and keep trying until you break through them.
** I'm confused. What do all those abbreviations mean???
AM Amplitude Modulation
AMSAT Amateur Satellite Corporation
AMTOR Amateur Teleprinter Over Radio. A more sophisticated version
of RTTY. Also used commercially as SITOR (Simplex Teleprinter
Over Radio).
ARRL American Radio Relay League
ATV Amateur Television - a way to see who you're talking to!
CAP Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer organization that searches for
downed aircraft and missing kids and uses frequencies just
outside of the ham bands and often uses modified Amateur radios
CB Citizen's Band radio, this is NOT part of Amateur Radio and
does not require any license to operate
CQ An on-the-air request for a conversation with anyone
"dupes" A dupe sheet is a duplicate check sheet, in matrix format, used
to quickly check that you have not had a "duplicate" contact
with someone (on a specific band or mode) in a contest
Elmer An amateur radio mentor, or "Master Craftsman" to a new ham.
Could refer to anyone, regardless of age or gender.
FCC Federal Communications Commission, the "law enforcers"
FM Frequency Modulation
FieldDay A June activity to practice emergency communications for
24 hours....wives call it 'an exercise in male bonding' :-).
HF High Frequency - 3 MHz to 30 MHz
HT Handy-Talky, a shorthand for "hand held radio"
LF Low Frequency - 30 kHz to 3 MHz
MARS Military Affiliate Radio System, military affiliated Amateurs
who provide free communications for overseas GIs and other
Federal services. MARS operators are licensed under DoD
instead of FCC.
NTS National Traffic System, a way to send radiograms
OF Old Friend, or Old F#$%, used to denote an older ham
OM Old Man, refers to any ham, including female hams
packet computer bulletin boards/electronic mail via Amateur Radio
PRB Private Radio Bureau, administers Amateur and CB services
QSO One of the Q signals used in Morse code to mean "conversation"
QCWA Quarter Century Wireless Association, membership means you've
been a ham for more than 25 years
RTTY Radio Teletype - older form of computer communications on HF
SAREX In Amateur Radio talk, Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment, a
chance to talk to astronauts in space. In CAP talk, Search
and Rescue EXercise, practising for the real thing.
SK Silent Key, a nice polite way to say a ham has passed on "to
that great antenna farm in the sky"
SSB Single Side Band - need less band width than AM or FM
SSTV Slow Scan TeleVision - REALLY slow, low data rate, typically
used on the lower frequency bands
UHF Ultra High Frequency - 300 MHz and above
ULF Ultra Low Frequency - 30 Hz to 300 Hz
VHF Very High Frequency - 30 MHz to 300 MHz
VLF Very Low Frequency - 300 Hz to 30 kHz, audio frequencies
WARC World Administrative Radio Conference, a summit meeting that
occurs every few years, required by international treaty to
determine how the spectrum get sliced up to all vying
communications services (last one was in 1992)
XYL eX-Young Lady, or wife
YL Young Lady, non-ham girlfriend or female ham
2m Shorthand for "2 meters" (144-147.995 MHz), which is a
reference to the wavelength of a common Amateur frequency
band used for local communications
** What do all those "tones" mean?
Sub-Audible Tone: A low tone that you're not supposed to be able to
hear. It's used as a "PL Tone." PL is "Private Line", a trademark
of Motorola for their implementation of CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded
Squelch System). Basically, the transmitter sends the signal with
the Sub-Audible tone and the receiver only opens when it hears signals
with that tone. Signals without the proper tone are ignored. This
is useful for "closed" repeaters, or for repeaters on the same
frequency that have overlapping geographic areas.
Tone encode refers to the feature of providing the tone on transmit.
Tone decode refers to the feature of responding to the tone on receive.
Tone squelch refers to all of the above. DTMF refers to Dual Tone
Multi-Frequency, or "Touch Tone" which is a trademark of AT&T. DTSS
probably means Dual Tone Squelch System and refers to the feature of
providing a predefined sequence of Touch Tone digits to open the
repeater for transmit. DTSS is an alternate method from CTCSS, which
provides a way to use a "closed" repeater even if your radio doesn't
do Sub-Audible Tones.
** How can I get a "reciprocal license" if I am a licensed ham from another
country or if I am a FCC licensed ham who wants to operate in another
country (on vacation)?
For FCC licensed hams operating abroad, the following guidelines
apply:
* A reciprocal license is required in all foreign countries (that have
a reciprocal operating agreement with the US), except Canada, where
the FCC license is automatically valid.
* Send a SASE to ARRL Regulatory Information Branch, telling them
which country you are going to visit and they will send you the
info and an application form. Foreign hams can likewise request
information from their national Amateur radio society.
* Submit your application with a certified copy of your Amateur
license (ie, notarized copy), and fee if applicable (use a bank draft
of a bank that does business in that country) to the appropriate
licensing administration of the foreign country. Processing may
take 30 to 90 days.
* If less than one month, you could try sending the application and
pick up the permit upon arrival in that country.
* Most countries will not allow you to bring communications equipment
into their country without a license or permit. If you applied, but
haven't received the permit yet, show the copy and your FCC license
to the customs officer, however, the equipment may still be held at
customs until your departure.
* Be sure to use only those frequencies covered by your FCC license
which are also used in the foreign country, unless otherwise
authorized.
** My apartment or housing complex does not allow outdoor antennas, now what
do I do?
First of all, don't despair. Many hams have similar problems. Many
books offer advice for the growing group of hams that cannot put up
antennas. Some options are:
* Install an "invisible" antenna made of magnet wire.
* Disguise an antenna as a flag pole.
* Install an antenna in the attic.
* ASK the apartment manager. You may find they will let you put up
something as long as it "is invisible" or "doesn't disturb your
neighbours" or "doesn't attract lightning".
* Operate primarily from your car.
* If the restriction is due to local ordinance, you may have relief
via PRB-1. Meet with the local government and seek an informal
compromise. It is possible to win in court...but it's expensive and
time consuming.
* If you are restricted by "covenants" attached to the deed of your
home, your options are severely limited. Covenants are considered
to be private, voluntary contracts between individuals and are
outside of the intended application of PRB-1. In many cases, you
can petition the Homeowner's Association for an exception. Sometimes
you can win in court on the basis that other violations of the
covenants by others without action taken constitutes abandonment
of the agreement.
* For further information, contact the General Counsel's office of the
ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
** I got TVI...HELP!!!
Here's some hints on Television interference, but this is not a
complete list. There are also books on the subject available from
ARRL.
* IF cable TV is an underground feed, look for central distribution
box. Check for a grounding rod.
* Try installing torroids on the cable TV cable close to the TV, and
maybe torroids on the AC cord as well.
* VCRs are notorious for RF leakers, try disconnecting the VCR.
* Check to see if interference is better or worse when cable is
disconnected and you use rabbit ears instead. It could be the
cable company's problem!
* Calling the cable company may get results, since they are also
responsible for RF leakage from their equipment. However, they
are very often obstinate. Good luck! Try some or all of these
suggestions before calling the cable company:
1. Log the interference, noting geographical location, frequency,
and characteristics.
2. Bring it to the cable company's attention in writing, preferably
addressed to "Chief Engineer", or "Technical Staff".
3. Don't be accusatory, instead ask for assistance in resolving
the problem. Try to work it out with someone technically
knowledgeable.
4. Do mention your "licensed radio system", but try not to be too
specific about "ham" or "CB" unless requested.
* Try moving the radio antenna further away from the TV sets. Make
sure the SWR is LOW.
** Did you know that you can get college credit for being a ham?
It's true! You can receive up to 14 credits in electronics and
engineering thru placement tests for CLEP (College Level Entrance
Placement) exams and DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional
Educational Support) exams if you have an Advanced or Extra class
Amateur license. For more information, ask your campus education
office or (for DANTES) your military education office.
** On what frequencies do JPL and GSFC retransmit the shuttle audio?
Station VHF 10m 15m 20m 40m 80m Video
======= ====== ====== ====== ====== ===== ===== ======
WA3NAN 147.45 28.650 21.395 14.295 7.185 3.860
W6VIO 224.04 21.280 14.282 7.165
K6MF 145.585 7.165 3.840
W5RRR 146.64 28.495 21.350 14.280 7.227 3.850
W6FXN 145.46
KA9SZX 146.88 426.25
K4GCC 146.94
WA4VME 145.17
All frequencies are in MHz. Use FM on VHF, USB on 10-20m, LSB on
40-80m.
WA3NAN - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD
W6VIO - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, CA
K6MF - NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), Moffett Field, CA
W5RRR - NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
W6FXN - Los Angeles, CA
KA9SZX - Champaign-Urbana, IL
K4GCC - Titusville, FL (near or at Kennedy Space Center)
WA4VME - Melbourne, FL (near or at Kennedy Space Center)
** Can I take my HT on an airplane and operate it if I get the permission
of the captain?
Technically, maybe. But don't count on it. In general, you can't use
a radio or scanner on an airline (or charter) *unless* the airline
allows it and the pilot-in-command (PIC) determines that it will not
interfere with the instruments and radios on that specific aircraft.
Very few US airlines allow passengers to use radios so be ready to
disconnect the antenna when you ask. (Don't even ask to transmit.)
For reference (in the US) the pertinent portion of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (FARs) is Part 91, paragraph 91.21.
Due to airport security, you may have a little difficulty carrying the
HT (or any electronic equipment) onto the airplane. Generally, you
can appease the security guards, simply by showing that the unit is
operational and doesn't have a bomb inside. For a radio, just turning
it on and opening the squelch satisfies them. Expect more difficulty
during periods of increased security.
On a private airplane, it is legal to operate an amateur radio if you
have the permission of the PIC. It is still possible for the radio to
interfere with the plane's navigation or communication equipment, so
be sure to ask first. Always obey the requests of the PIC. He knows
his airplane and radios better than you do.
** How do I modify my current Amateur license?
To modify your license (change of address, change of station location,
change of name, renewal, or even change of callsign), submit an FCC
Form 610 to the FCC. Forms are available from the FCC or ARRL or a
local VE session or ham radio store. Do NOT use a photocopy. Check
off the appropriate boxes, fill in the new/changed information, SIGN
THE FORM, and attach a copy of your current license (or a brief letter
of explanation for its absence, ie, "my dog ate it"). NOTE: If you
check the box to change your callsign, YOU WILL GET A NEW CALLSIGN,
even if all you wanted was to supply a new address; if you want to keep
your callsign, DON'T CHECK THAT BOX. Send the form to FCC, POB 1020,
Gettysburg, PA 17326. Turnaround time (for CURRENT licensees only)
is about 2-4 weeks.
ANY ham can apply for a new callsign (this is different from the past
where you can only get a new callsign if you move or upgrade). You
can't specify WHICH ONE you want, a new one comes from the same pool
as new licensees for that class of license. The callsign is based on
your mailing address. For overseas military and civilians, be sure to
specify a station location that is within FCC jurisdiction.
New licenses are for 10-year terms. If you apply for renewal before
its expiration date, the expired license is valid for 60 days after
expiration to allow for the new license to arrive. You have up to
2 years after expiration (5 years for an old 5-year license) to renew
before re-examination is required (but you can't operate with an
expired license). You will lose your current callsign after 1 year
after expiration if you don't renew.
** What do I need to get started in packet radio?
Packet radio is a digital form of communication using radios. There
are OTHER digital forms, as well, like CW, RTTY and AMTOR. To use
packet radio, you'll need a radio (2 meters and 70 centimetres are
most popular), a box that converts radio signals to digital signals
that a computer can understand (called a TNC or terminal node control-
ler) and a computer or terminal. For some computers or TNCs you may
need special software as well. However, most TNCs and computers get
along quite well with just a terminal emulator software package. Most
personal computers can be interfaced to use with packet radio. Since
there are many digipeaters, generally even an HT will work with
packet radio.
Your first source of information on Packet Radio should be the
rec.radio.amateur.packet newsgroup. It has its own regularly-posted
FAQ that goes into much more depth on the subject than this one can.
See also the mailing list and archives info in Part 2.
For more information on packet radio, you might try TAPR (Tucson
Amateur Packet Radio), PO Box 12925, Tucson, AZ 85732 (602-749-9479).
** What do I need to get started in satellite communications?
For more information about Amateur Satellite Communications, try
AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation), PO Box 27, Washington,
DC 20044 (301-589-6062). They also have an international net on
Sundays on 14.282 MHz at 1900Z.
** What are these contests I sometimes hear, and how do I participate?
Dozens of contests are held each year, usually at weekends, and can
provide useful operating experience. They typically last for 24 or 48
hrs, and are usually on SSB or CW only (the Russian CQ-Mir contest is
on both modes at the same time). You can participate by making one
QSO or several thousands. In most contests you send a signal report
(traditionally 59 or 599) followed by a number that is different for
different contests - the most common one is a serial number (so you
send 599 001 for your first QSO, then 599 002 etc). The exchange may,
however, be your age (All Asian contests), your CQ or ITU zone (CQWW
and IARU contests, respectively), your state (ARRL contests) or
something else. Read "Contest Corral" in QST for the rules for all
major contests - the more serious contester may wish to subscribe to
the National Contest Journal, or join the e-mail contest mailing group
(write to Trey, WN4KKN, at garlough@tgv.com). Knowing the rules can
prevent embarrassment - you will get a cool reception if you are a W
or VE and call a W/VE in the ARRL contests, since they can only work
non-W/VE stations. Otherwise, QSOs made in contests are just as
valid for DXCC (DX Century Club - more than 100 contacts), WAS (worked
all states) and other awards as are 30-minute ragchews. Although not
strictly a contest, the annual Field Day provides very useful operating
experience under less than optimal conditions and is highly recommended
for new operators - check with your local club for their Field Day
plans some weeks before the (late June) event.
** What magazines are available for Ham Radio?
QST, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 - basic projects and
contesting
CQ The Radio Amateur's Journal, 76 North Broadway, Hicksville, NY
11801 - beginner ham radio articles
73 Amateur Radio Today, WGE Center, Forect Rd, Hancock, NH 03449,
FAX (603) 525-4423, email: COMPUSERVE 70310,775 or Internet
70310.775@compuserve.com - more technical ham radio articles
QEX, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 - more technical projects
WorldRadio, 2120 28th St, Sacramento, CA 95818, (916) 457-3655.
Subscriptions to 201 Lathrop Way, Ste D, Sacramento, CA 95815,
(800) 365-SUBS - lots of special interest columns, like QRP,
ATV, YL, etc.
W5YI Report, PO Box 565101, Dallas, TX 75356, 1-800-669-9594 -
up-to-date information on Amateur Radio happenings.