1. Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Foundation Course Nature of Amateur Radio

2. Amateur Radio
Nature Amateur Radio is for self-training and experimentation, and is non-commercial in nature
Benefits Amateur Radio is of value in areas of
Technical Innovation
Emergency Communications
Development of Skills
International Friendship
Recreational Activity
The Foundation Licence is the entry level to Amateur Radio in the UK

3. Amateur Radio Aspects BANDS HF, VHF, UHF (and Microwave)
SPECIAL Repeaters, Internet Links, Packet/UIView, DX Cluster, RAYNET and Satellites/ISS
MODES Voice, Morse, Data/Telemetry, SlowScan Images/TV
MODULATION CW, AM, SSB, FM, FSK, PSK31 etc
OTHER RSGB/RadCom, Clubs/Events, QSL Cards, Rallies Contests, Awards

4. Understand the Terminology
Radio UV
X-rays
Gamma rays
Microwaves IR
THz
Understand the Terminology
for the Radio Spectrum

5. Frequency & Wavelength
As Frequency increases its Wavelength shrinks
Antenna sizes are proportional to wavelength
So higher frequencies have smaller antennas
For Foundation use, a conversion chart is available to avoid the arithmetic – its in the exam handout – so do use it!

6. Our Frequencies
Regulators such as Ofcom allocate specific bands to Amateurs in the Licence Frequency Schedule
Amateurs then voluntarily agree how to use each band via band plans, which are coordinated by RSGB/IARU

7. Frequency Ranges Remember common ranges for Radio Frequencies (RF):-
HF: 3-30MHz
VHF: MHz
UHF: >300MHz
Compare with UK AC Mains = 50Hz
General Audio (AF) for Normal Hearing: 100Hz-15kHz
Frequencies for Audio Communications: 300Hz-3kHz

8. Frequency Bands
Amateurs often refer to their bands in terms of either wavelength or frequency
Try to familiarise how bands may be described
HF: 7MHz = 40m 10MHz = 30m 29MHz = 10m
VHF: 50MHz = 6m MHz = 2m
UHF: 430MHz = 70cms
Note how the wavelengths decrease as frequencies rise - as per the earlier slide and the conversion chart

9. Other Radio Users
The radio spectrum is divided into agreed allocations to coordinate various uses
The table opposite is a VHF example and may be used in the exam
Amateurs have to share radio spectrum with many other services
Other services may be in adjacent bands, but sometimes may be within an Amateur band

10. Useful Information !
The handout has copies of the schedule, band plans, frequency usage and the conversion chart
Take care to review it
Do ask if you don’t understand
Remember that it can give you some answers in the exam - so do use it !!!

11. Amateur Radio at Large Handhelds Satellites & ISS Data / Packet
Contests TV
Repeaters / Gateways
Microwave
Mobile