You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 1 Technician License Class Gordon West Technician Class Manual Pages Presented by Heart Of Texas Amateur Radio Club (HOTARC)

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 2 Always obey the rules!! Any choice that mentions the FCC rules or Part 97 rules is usually the correct choice. Key words: –FCC rules –Part 97 rules For example…

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 3 T1 D08 (pg 47) What is your responsibility as a station licensee? A. You must allow another amateur to operate your station upon request. B.You must be present whenever the station is operated. C.You must notify the FCC if another amateur acts as the control operator. D.Your station must be operated in accordance with the FCC rules. You’ll note that any time the “rules” are mentioned in a choice, that is usually the correct choice.

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 4 You are in control!! See pages 47 and 48… Key words: –Control operator –Transmitting For example…

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 5 T2 C01 (pg 47) What must every amateur station have when transmitting? A. A frequency-measuring device B. A control operator C. A beacon transmitter D. A third party operator Notice the similar point is stressed in the next 3 questions (C05, C12, and C04).

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 6 The Control Point Pages Key words: –Control point –Types of control: local, remote, and automatic For example…

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 7 T2 C08 (pg 49) What are the three types of station control permitted and recognized by FCC rule? A. Local, remote and automatic control B. Local, distant and automatic control C. Remote, distant and unauthorized control D. All of the choices are correct Notice the similar point is stressed in the previous question (C06), and the next 2 questions (C10 and C11).

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 8 T2 D10 — common sense (pg 49) Why are unlicensed persons in your family not allowed to transmit on your amateur station if you are not there? A.They must not use your equipment without your permission B.They must be licensed before they are allowed to be control operators C.They must know how to use proper procedures and Q signals D.They must know the right frequencies and emissions for transmitting

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 9 The Privileges of a License Pages Key idea: –The control operator call sign  the privileges –Identifying: confusing question… Let’s look at them…

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 10 T2 D02 (pg 50) What operating privileges are allowed when another amateur holding a higher class license is controlling your station? A.All privileges allowed by the higher class license B.Only the privileges allowed by your license C.All the emission privileges of the higher class license, but only the frequency privileges of your license D.All the frequency privileges of the higher class license, but only the emission privileges of your license Similarly for D03 (pg 50) —who’s in control?

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 11 T2 B10– Identifying when visiting… (pg 50) What is the correct way to identify when visiting a station if you hold a higher class license than that of the station licensee and you are using a frequency not authorized to his class of license? A.Send your call sign first, followed by his call sign B.Send his call sign first, followed by your call sign C.Send your call sign only, his is not required D.Send his call sign followed by "/KT“ Gordon suggests just remembering “his…your.”

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 12 T2 D01—Proper Operation (pg 51) Who is responsible for proper operation if you transmit from another amateur's station? A.Both of you B.Only the other station licensee C.Only you as the control operator D.Only the station licensee, unless the station records shows another control operator at the time Confusing perhaps, but remember that “operation” involves both the operator and the equipment.

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 13 Talking to Foreign Hams Pages Key ideas: (you’ll just have to remember these) –Talk anytime—unless prohibited! (T1 C10) –Identify in English. (T2 B07) –Operate on their turf only with “reciprocal operating agreement.” (T1 B07) See Appendix, page 199: list of countries.

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 14 Prohibited Transmissions No unidentified transmissions, except from a space station or to control model craft. No false or deceptive signals ever. No indecent or obscene language. No regular communications that could be reasonably furnished by other radio services. No codes or ciphers are allowed, except when transmitting control commands to space stations or radio control craft.

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 15 No Business Transmissions You may not use amateur radio to conduct your or your employer's business. –For example, you cannot use your radio to call your employer to get directions to a customer's office. You MAY use your station to tell people about equipment you have for sale on an OCCASIONAL basis. You may not use your station for hire or material compensation except as allowed in Part 97 rules. –For example, a club station may accept compensation for sending bulletins or code practice when the station makes those transmissions at least 40 hours per week.

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 16 Broadcasting Defined as “transmissions intended for reception by the general public.” NEVER allowed in the amateur service. In other words, our transmissions must always be directed at specific individual(s) —i.e., another amateur station. Amateur stations are not allowed to transmit music, or musical tones.

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 17 Communicating with Other Services Amateur Stations are allowed to communicate with other non-amateur radio services only when authorized by the FCC.

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 18 No On-the-Air “Business” Pages Key idea: –Business communications are prohibited For example…

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 19 T2 D04— Business is “Prohibited” (pg 54) Which of the following is a prohibited amateur radio transmission? A.Using amateur radio to seek emergency assistance B.Using amateur radio for conducting business C.Using an amateur phone patch to call for a taxi or food delivery D.Using an amateur phone patch to call home to say you are running late Note T1C11, T2D04 and T2A10 are “negative”- type questions. (See also T8 B10 on pg 58.)

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 20 No Codes and Ciphers “Secret codes” are not allowed …except for controlling remote objects, like: –Amateur radio satellites (“space stations”) –RC airplanes Control commands can be “secret.” See question T2 A03 (page 55).

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 21 No “Dirty Talk” Obviously, obscene talk is not allowed. So, questions T2 A07, T3 C05, and T3 C08 (pg 55-56) should be easy to remember. Note Gordon’s discussion with T3 C08. –What to do when you hear it? –Turn your dial (to another frequency)! Compare (“free-speech” issue) –T3 C06 (pg 58): “offensive” talk –T3 C09 (pg 59): political, religious, or jokes

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 22 No Unidentified Transmissions Keyword: unidentified Questions T2 B02, T3 A05, and T2 A05 (pg 56) The situation in T2 A05 is rarely encountered, but remember space stations (satellites) are the rare exception.

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 23 No Interfering or Deception One of the primary roles of the FCC— prevent interference between the millions of transmitters. Keywords on pg 57: –never, ever interfere! (T3 D05 and T2 A04) –harmful (T1 A10)

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 24 No Music A tempting trap for new hams, but remember: hams cannot transmit music— of any kind! –No singing –No notes from a musical keyboard –No musical sound effects …except “incidental music” related to the space program retransmissions. Keyword on pg 58: except (T2 A02)

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 25 No “Broadcasting” “Broadcasting” means there is no amateur on the other end who will identify his/her call. Keywords on pg 59: –General public (T2 A06, T2 A08) –Never (T2 A01)

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 26 T3 C09 – No Forbidden Topics (pg 59) What type of subjects are not prohibited communications while using amateur radio? A.Political discussions B.Jokes and stories C.Religious preferences D.All of these answers are correct No censorship, as long as it’s decent. Remember that your conversation is overheard by many folks…some you may have to meet someday!

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 27 Not Always “Full Power” Just remember question T3 B07 (pg 60), keeping in mind the FCC is ever-mindful of interference… Keywords: minimum power necessary

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 28 Miscellaneous “FCC” topics On pages 60-61… T2 D06: At least 4 members for a Club license T1 D09 and D10: your mailing address is very important to the FCC T2 D08: FCC can inspect your station at any time. T1 C03: can communicate with CB, FRS, etc. only when authorized by FCC (i.e., emergencies). T2 B11: Just upgraded to General? You can operate as an “Authorized General” (or “AG”).

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 29 Frequency Frequency is measured in a unit called Hertz (Hz), or “cycles per second.” –Grandfather clock: ½ Hz (½ tic per sec) –Small pendulum clock: 1 Hz (1 tic per sec) –Pedaling a bicycle: 2 Hz –Low string on a bass guitar: 41 Hz –High string on guitar: 330 Hz –Radio station: 1,230,000 Hz (or 1230 kiloHertz) –TV station: 195,000,000 Hz (or 195 MegaHertz) –Microwave oven: 2,450,000,000 Hz (or 2.45 GigaHertz) See T4 A05, B03 (pg 63).

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 30 Frequency Remember this: –kilo- means 1,000 (thousand), as in kHz –Mega- means 1,000,000 (million), as in MHz –Giga- means 1,000,000,000 (billion), as in GHz See T4 E08 (pg 64 ) : 1,500,000 = 1500 thousand

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 31 Frequency MF (Medium Freq.): 300 kHz – 3 MHz HF (High Freq.): 3 MHz – 30 MHz VHF (Very High Freq): 30 MHz – 300 MHz UHF (Ultra High Freq): 300 MHz – 3 GHz “Microwaves”: generally above 500 MHz

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 32 Frequency Audio Frequencies: 300 to 3000 (or 3 kHz) So, T4 B04 (pg 63)…waves more than 20 kHz are radio waves.

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 33 Radio Frequencies Commercial AM: 535 kHz – 1.7 MHz

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 34 Radio Frequencies Commercial AM: 535 kHz – 1.7 MHz Shortwave, Amateur: 3 – 30 MHz

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 35 Radio Frequencies Commercial AM: 535 kHz – 1.7 MHz Shortwave, Amateur: 3 – 30 MHz CB radio: 27 MHz

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 36 Radio Frequencies Commercial AM: 535 kHz – 1.7 MHz Shortwave, Amateur: 3 – 30 MHz CB radio: 27 MHz VHF-TV: 54 – 88 MHz, 174 – 220 MHz

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 37 Radio Frequencies Commercial AM: 535 kHz – 1.7 MHz Shortwave, Amateur: 3 – 30 MHz CB radio: 27 MHz VHF-TV: 54 – 88 MHz, 174 – 220 MHz Commercial FM radio: 88 – 108 MHz

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 38 Radio Frequencies Commercial AM: 535 kHz – 1.7 MHz Shortwave, Amateur: 3 – 30 MHz CB radio: 27 MHz VHF-TV: 54 – 88 MHz, 174 – 220 MHz Commercial FM radio: 88 – 108 MHz Cellular phones: 824 – 849 MHz Waco Police radios: 856 – 860 MHz

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 39 Radio Frequencies Commercial AM: 535 kHz – 1.7 MHz Shortwave, Amateur: 3 – 30 MHz CB radio: 27 MHz VHF-TV: 54 – 88 MHz, 174 – 220 MHz Commercial FM radio: 88 – 108 MHz Cellular phones: 824 – 849 MHz Waco Police radios: 856 – 860 MHz Air Traffic Control radar: 960 MHz – 1.2 GHz

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 40 Radio Frequencies The FCC allows amateur radio operators to transmit only in 27 specific “windows” across the spectrum.

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 41 Frequency and Wavelength Frequency =How many (count) waves per second pass by me, usually denoted by f A low frequency

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 42 Frequency and Wavelength A high frequency Frequency =How many (count) waves per second pass by me, usually denoted by f

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 43 Frequency and Wavelength A long wavelength Wavelength = Distance (length) between crests usually denoted by

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 44 Frequency and Wavelength Wavelength = Distance between crests usually denoted by A short wavelength See T4 B01, B06 (pgs 64-65).

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 45 The Speed of Light Frequency f and wavelength are related to the speed of light, 300,000,000 m/s. 300 “Mega” m/s = f × 300 “Mega” m/s = f × Or, stated another way (thanks to algebra!): f (in MHz) = Or, even another way: (in meters) = (in meters) = 300 (in meters) f (in MHz) 300 f (in MHz) See T4 B07 (pg 66).

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 46 Technician VHF & UHF Frequencies See questions on pgs

You're in Control, So Mind Our Rules! 47 Technician HF Frequencies Notice we refer to each band by their approximate wavelength (in meters). See T4 B09 (pg 65)