1. Technician License Class
Chapter 1
Welcome to Amateur Radio

2. What is Amateur Radio?
Amateur (or Ham) Radio is a personal radio service authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

3. What is Amateur Radio?
According to the FCC, the purpose of Amateur Radio is:
To encourage the advancement of the art and science of radio.
To promote the development of an emergency communication capability to assist communities when needed.
To develop a pool of trained radio operators.
To promote international good will by connecting private citizens in countries around the globe.

4. What is Amateur Radio?
Through ham radio, you will become an ambassador for your community and your country.

5. What is Amateur Radio? Who Can be a Ham? US citizen Alien No age limit
Not representative of foreign government
No age limit
Must pass written examination

6. What is Amateur Radio? What Makes Amateur Radio Different?
There are many unlicensed radio services
Ham radio is licensed
Fewer restrictions
More frequencies (channels or bands to utilize)
More power (to improve range and quality)
More ways to communicate

7. What is Amateur Radio? More Privileges  More Responsibility
Because ham radios are much more capable and have the potential of interfering with other radio services.
Because ham radios have unlimited reach.
They easily reach around the globe and into space.

8. The FCC and Licensing
FCC authorization is required to ensure the operator is qualified to operate the ham radio safely, appropriately, and within the rules and regulations – that is why you are here.

9. The FCC and Licensing
The FCC has different rules and regulations for each type of radio service
The Amateur Radio Service is governed by Part 97 of the FCC Rules and Regulations

10. The FCC and Licensing
Prior to 1984, the FCC administered all amateur radio examinations
In 1984 the Volunteer Examiner system was inaugurated
Teams or 3 or more VE’s
14 VEC’s
NCVEC

11. Amateur Radio Activities
Identification and Contacts
Every amateur in the world is issued a unique call sign
Call sign identifies country
In the USA, call signs begin with AA-AL, K, N, or W

12. Amateur Radio Activities
Identification and Contacts
In the USA, call sign may indicate what part of country

13. Amateur Radio Activities
Identification and Contacts
In the USA, call sign may indicate class of license
Group
Definition A
1x2 (1st letter K, N, or W)
2x1 (1st two letters AA-AL)
2x2 (1st two letters AA-AL) B
2x2 (1st letter K, N, or W) C
1x3 (1st letter K, N, or W) D
2x3 (1st letter K or W)
Class
Groups
Amateur Extra
A, B, C, or D
Advanced
B, C, or D
General
C, or D
Technician
Novice D

14. Amateur Radio Activities
Identification and Contacts
Any over-the-air conversation is called a “contact”.
Contacts can be made using
Voice
Morse code
Digital
Television
Satellites, meteor scatter, EME, etc.

15. Amateur Radio Activities
Identification and Contacts
Types of contacts include:
Rag-chewing
Public Service
Contests DX
Awards

16. Getting Your Ham Radio License
Operator License Classes
Technician
Entry-level
Privileges focused on local communications
General
Privileges include more long-distance communications capabilities
Amateur Extra
All amateur privileges

17. Getting Your Ham Radio License
Testing Process
Test sessions coordinated by a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC)
FCC recognizes 14 VEC’s
Individual VEC’s may or may not charge a test fee
ARRL = $15
W5YI = $14
Laurel VEC = No test fee
Team of at least 3 Volunteer Examiners (VE’s) required to administer exam

18. Getting Your Ham Radio License
Examination Structure
Exam questions taken from a published question pool.
Technician question pool
426 multiple-choice questions
35 groups
1 question from each group
Answer order will be scrambled

19. Break

20. Technician License Class
Chapter 2
Radio Signals & Fundamentals

21. Metric Units Most of the time we will be using metric units.
Need to be familiar with several of the metric prefixes & how to convert between them.

22. Metric Units

23. T5B01 -- How many milliamperes is 1.5 amperes?

24. T5B02 -- What is another way to specify a radio signal frequency of 1,500,000 hertz?
1500 kHz
1500 MHz
15 GHz
150 kHz

25. T5B03 -- How many volts are equal to one kilovolt?
One one-thousandth of a volt
One hundred volts
One thousand volts
One million volts

26. T5B04 -- How many volts are equal to one microvolt?
One one-millionth of a volt
One million volts
One thousand kilovolts
One one-thousandth of a volt

27. T5B05 -- Which of the following is equivalent to 500 milliwatts?

28. 0.003 amperes 0.3 amperes 3 amperes 3,000,000 amperes
T5B06 -- If an ammeter calibrated in amperes is used to measure a 3000-milliampere current, what reading would it show?
0.003 amperes
0.3 amperes
3 amperes
3,000,000 amperes

29. T5B07 -- If a frequency readout calibrated in megahertz shows a reading of MHz, what would it show if it were calibrated in kilohertz?
kHz
35.25 kHz
3525 kHz
3,525,000 kHz

30. T5B08 -- How many microfarads are 1,000,000 picofarads?

31. T5B12 -- Which of the following frequencies is equal to 28,400 kHz?
MHz
2.800 MHz
MHz
kHz

32. T5B13 -- If a frequency readout shows a reading of 2425 MHz, what frequency is that in GHz?

33. Radio Signals & Waves
Radio waves (electromagnetic radiation) are AC waves.
Created by an electrical signal that rapidly changes direction.
a.k.a. – Radio signal.
Travel at the speed of light.
Radio waves are used to carry the information you want to convey to someone else.

34. Radio Signals & Waves
Turning electrical signal into a radio wave is called radiating or radiation.
Not the same as radioactive radiation.
Radio equipment is designed to manipulate radio signals.

35. Radio Signals & Waves
Before we study radio waves, we need to learn some wave vocabulary.
Amplitude
Frequency
Period
Wavelength
Harmonics

36. Radio Signals & Waves Frequency Radio signals are AC signals.
Rapidly reverse polarity & back again.
Rate at which polarity changes is called “frequency”.
Measured in Hertz (Hz).
1 Hz = 1 complete cycle per second
The range of frequencies that produces radio signals is referred to as “RF”.

37. Radio Signals & Waves Phase
Signals at the same frequency that cross zero at exactly the same time are “in phase”.

38. Radio Signals & Waves Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum
The RF spectrum is the range of wave frequencies which will leave an antenna and travel through space.
The RF spectrum is divided into segments of frequencies that basically have unique behavior.

39. Radio Signals & Waves
Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum

40. Radio Signals & Waves
Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum

41. Radio Signals & Waves Wavelength
The distance a radio wave travels during one cycle.

42. 300 fMHz λm Radio Signals & Waves Wavelength
Frequency (MHz) = 300 / Wavelength (meters)
Wavelength (meters) = 300 / Frequency (MHz)

43. Radio Signals & Waves The RF spectrum is divided into “bands”.
Bands are named by their approximate wavelength.
40m Band = MHz to MHz
20m Band = MHz to MHz
15m Band = MHz to MHz
10m Band = MHz to MHz
2m Band = 144 MHz to 148 MHz

44. Wave speed Waveform Wavelength Wave spread
T3B01 -- What is the name for the distance a radio wave travels during one complete cycle?
Wave speed
Waveform
Wavelength
Wave spread

45. T3B04 -- How fast does a radio wave travel through free space?
At the speed of light
At the speed of sound
Its speed is inversely proportional to its wavelength
Its speed increases as the frequency increases

46. The wavelength gets longer as the frequency increases
T3B05 -- How does the wavelength of a radio wave relate to its frequency?
The wavelength gets longer as the frequency increases
The wavelength gets shorter as the frequency increases
There is no relationship between wavelength and frequency
The wavelength depends on the bandwidth of the signal

47. Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz multiplied by 300
T3B06 -- What is the formula for converting frequency to approximate wavelength in meters?
Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz multiplied by 300
Wavelength in meters equals frequency in hertz divided by 300
Wavelength in meters equals frequency in megahertz divided by 300
Wavelength in meters equals 300 divided by frequency in megahertz

48. The approximate wavelength The magnetic intensity of waves
T3B07 -- What property of radio waves is often used to identify the different frequency bands?
The approximate wavelength
The magnetic intensity of waves
The time it takes for waves to travel one mile
The voltage standing wave ratio of waves

49. T3B08 -- What are the frequency limits of the VHF spectrum?
30 to 300 kHz
30 to 300 MHz
300 to 3000 kHz
300 to 3000 MHz

50. T3B09 -- What are the frequency limits of the UHF spectrum?
30 to 300 kHz
30 to 300 MHz
300 to 3000 kHz
300 to 3000 MHz

51. T3B10 -- What frequency range is referred to as HF?
300 to 3000 MHz
30 to 300 MHz
3 to 30 MHz
300 to 3000 kHz

52. 3000 kilometers per second 300,000,000 meters per second
T3B11 -- What is the approximate velocity of a radio wave as it travels through free space?
3000 kilometers per second
300,000,000 meters per second
300,000 miles per hour
186,000 miles per hour

53. Pulse rate Speed Wavelength Frequency
T5A12 -- What term describes the number of times per second that an alternating current reverses direction?
Pulse rate
Speed
Wavelength
Frequency

54. T5C05 -- What is the unit of frequency?
Hertz
Henry
Farad
Tesla

55. T5C06 -- What does the abbreviation “RF” refer to?
Radio frequency signals of all types
The resonant frequency of a tuned circuit
The real frequency transmitted as opposed to the apparent frequency
Reflective force in antenna transmission lines

56. Modulation
A constant-strength radio signal on a single frequency is called a “continuous wave”.
A continuous wave (CW) is not very useful for communications.
Must add information to the radio signal to use it for communicating.
Adding information is called “modulation”.

57. Modulation
Any characteristic of the signal can be changed to add the information.
Amplitude
Frequency
Phase
Retrieving the information from the signal is called “demodulation” or “detection”.

58. Modulation Different type of modulation are called “modes”.
Simplest method is to merely turn the signal on and off in a particular pattern, such as Morse code. This mode is known as “CW”.
Changing the strength (or amplitude) of the signal is known as amplitude modulation (AM).
Changing the frequency of the signal is known as frequency modulation (FM).
Under FM, mention phase modulation (PM).

59. CW – Morse Code

60. Amplitude Modulation
In AM, the amplitude of the carrier wave is modified in step with the waveform of the information (voice).

61. Modulation Amplitude Modulation
AM signals consist of three components:
Carrier
Lower sideband
Upper sideband
Voice bandwidth is from 300 Hz to 3 kHz.
AM bandwidth is twice the voice bandwidth.

62. Modulation Amplitude Modulation
The sound waves that make up your voice are a complex mixture of multiple frequencies.
When this complex mixture is embedded on a carrier, two sidebands are created that are mirror images.

63. Modulation
Amplitude Modulation
50%
25%
25%

64. Modulation Single Sideband (SSB)
AM is made up of identical mirror image sidebands plus a carrier
We can improve the efficiency of transmission by transmitting only one sideband and then reconstruct the missing sideband & carrier at the receiver.

65. Modulation Frequency Modulation
If we vary the frequency of the carrier in step with the information waveform, FM is produced.
FM signals are much more resistant to the effects of noise but require more bandwidth.
FM bandwidth (for voice) is between 10 and 15 kHz.

66. Modulation Phase Modulation
If we vary the phase of the carrier in step with the information waveform, PM is produced.
PM signals are a lot like FM signals.
In FM, the amount of deviation is dependent only on the amplitude of the modulating signal.
In PM, the amount of deviation is dependent on both the amplitude and the frequency of the modulating signal.

67. To allow for calibration error in the transmitter frequency display
T1B09 -- Why should you not set your transmit frequency to be exactly at the edge of an amateur band or sub-band?
To allow for calibration error in the transmitter frequency display
So that modulation sidebands do not extend beyond the band edge
To allow for transmitter frequency drift
All of these choices are correct

68. Both the frequency and amplitude of the modulating signal
T2B05 -- What determines the amount of deviation of an FM (as opposed to PM) signal?
Both the frequency and amplitude of the modulating signal
The frequency of the modulating signal
The amplitude of the modulating signal
The relative phase of the modulating signal and the carrier

69. Its signal occupies more bandwidth Its output power increases
T2B06 -- What happens when the deviation of an FM transmitter is increased?
Its signal occupies more bandwidth
Its output power increases
Its output power and bandwidth increases
Asymmetric modulation occurs

70. Microphone gain too high, causing over-deviation SWR too high
T2B07 -- What could cause your FM signal to interfere with stations on nearby frequencies?
Microphone gain too high, causing over-deviation
SWR too high
Incorrect CTCSS Tone
All of these choices are correct

71. T8A01 -- Which of the following is a form of amplitude modulation?
Spread-spectrum
Packet radio
Single sideband
Phase shift keying

72. Modulation Comparing Types of Modulation Type of Signal
Typical Bandwidth
AM Voice
6 kHz
AM Broadcast
10 kHz
Analog TV
6 MHz
SSB Voice
2 kHz to 3 kHz
SSB Digital
<100 Hz to 3 kHz CW
150 Hz
FM Voice
10 kHz to 15 kHz
FM Broadcast
180 kHz

73. FM SSB C. AM D. Spread Spectrum
T8A02 -- What type of modulation is most commonly used for VHF packet radio transmissions? FM
SSB
C. AM
D. Spread Spectrum

74. T8A03 -- Which type of voice mode is most often used for long-distance (weak signal) contacts on the VHF and UHF bands?
A. FM B. DRM C. SSB D. PM

75. T8A04 -- Which type of modulation is most commonly used for VHF and UHF voice repeaters?
A. AM B. SSB C. PSK D. FM

76. A. FM voice B. SSB voice C. CW D. Slow-scan TV
T8A05 -- Which of the following types of emission has the narrowest bandwidth?
A. FM voice B. SSB voice C. CW D. Slow-scan TV

77. T8A06 -- Which sideband is normally used for 10 meter HF, VHF and UHF single-sideband communications?
A. Upper sideband B. Lower sideband C. Suppressed sideband D. Inverted sideband

78. T8A07 -- What is the primary advantage of single sideband over FM for voice transmissions?
A. SSB signals are easier to tune B. SSB signals are less susceptible to interference C. SSB signals have narrower bandwidth D. All of these choices are correct

79. T8A08 -- What is the approximate bandwidth of a single sideband voice signal?
A. 1 kHz B. 3 kHz C. 6 kHz D. 15 kHz

80. T8A09 -- What is the approximate bandwidth of a VHF repeater FM phone signal?
A. Less than 500 Hz B. About 150 kHz C. Between 10 and 15 kHz D. Between 50 and 125 kHz

81. A. More than 10 MHz B. About 6 MHz C. About 3 MHz D. About 1 MHz
T8A10 -- What is the typical bandwidth of analog fast-scan TV transmissions on the 70 cm band?
A. More than 10 MHz B. About 6 MHz C. About 3 MHz D. About 1 MHz

82. T8A11 -- What is the approximate maximum bandwidth required to transmit a CW signal?
A. 2.4 kHz B. 150 Hz C Hz D. 15 kHz

83. Radio Equipment Basics
Basic Station Organization
All radio stations used for 2-way communications have the same 3 basic parts:
Transmitter
Receiver
Antenna
Often the transmitter & receiver are combined into a single unit called a “transceiver”.
A hand-held transceiver even includes the antenna.

84. Radio Equipment Basics
Basic Station Organization

85. Radio Equipment Basics
Repeaters
A repeater station transmits a received signal simultaneously on another frequency or channel.
Most commonly used for FM voice communications.
Repeaters allow limited-range stations such as mobile or hand-held transceivers to communicate over longer distances.

86. Radio Equipment Basics
Accessory Station Equipment
In addition to the items basic to all 2-way radio stations, you will probably want to add one or more accessory items:
Microphone
Telegraph key
Amplifier
Digital interface
etc.

87. Message forwarding station
T1F09 -- What type of amateur station simultaneously retransmits the signal of another amateur station on a different channel or channels?
Beacon station
Earth station
Repeater station
Message forwarding station

88. T7A02 -- What is a transceiver?
A type of antenna switch
A unit combining the functions of a transmitter and a receiver
A component in a repeater which filters out unwanted interference
A type of antenna matching network

89. Questions?

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