Ham radio
HAM Radio also known as Amateur Radio is communication on designated bands for non-commercial use.
Contents
Call Signs
Each station is assigned a call sign which is used to identify the station during transmissions.
Amateur station call signs in the US take the format of one or two letters (the prefix), then a numeral (the call district), and finally between one and three letters (the suffix). The number of letters used in the call sign is determined by the operator's license class and the availability of letter combinations.
An amateur operator with an Amateur Extra Class license can hold a call from any of the four call sign groups, either by keeping an existing call sign (indefinitely, since there is no requirement to change call sign upon license renewal), or by choosing a Group B, C or D call sign under the Vanity Licensing Program.
- A - Amateur Extra Class
- B - Advanced Class
- C - Technician or General
- D - Club, and Military Recreations Stations; and sequentially to Technician or General
During the processing of a new license application, a call sign is selected from the available list sequentially using the sequential call sign system. This system is based on the alphabetized regional-group list for the licensee's operator class and mailing address.
As of March 2010, the sequential system for Technician or General is assigning 2-by-3 formats beginning with the letter K.
Getting Your HAM License
sample test questions
Technician Class
Q: What does the abbreviation FET stand for?
- A: Field Effect Transistor
Q: What electrical component stores energy in an electric field?
- A: Capacitor
Q: What is meant by the term 'check' in reference to a formal traffic message?
- A: The check is a count of the number of words or word equivalents in the text portion of the message.
Q: What is meant by the term 'knife edge' propagation?
- A: Signals are partially refracted around solid objects exhibiting sharp edges.
Q: What is the characteristic appearance of a cold solder joint?
- A: A grainy or dull surface.
Q: What causes 'spin fading' when referring to satellite signals?
- A: Rotation of the satellite and its antennas.
Q: What is the term used to describe the use of a aub-audible tone transmitted with normal voice audio to open the squelch of a receiver?
- A: CTCSS
Q: Why is coaxial cable used more often than any other feedline for amateur radio antenna systems?
- A: It is easy to use and requires few special installation considerations.
What's Happening in HAM Radio
APRS
Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) is an amateur radio-based system for real time tactical digital communications of information of immediate value in the local area. APRS is digital communications information channel for Ham radio. As a single national channel, it gives the mobile ham a place to monitor for 10 to 30 minutes in any area, at any time to capture what is happening in ham radio in the surrounding area. Announcements, Bulletins, Messages, Alerts, Weather, and of course a map of all this activity including objects, frequencies, satellites, nets, meetings, Hamfests, etc. The APRS network has grown to most countries with strong Amateur Radio populations.
Field Day
Field Day is an annual amateur radio exercise where HAM operators attempt to work as many stations as possible on any and all amateur bands (excluding the 60, 30, 17, and 12-meter bands) and to learn to operate in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions. Field Day helps to build emergency communications preparedness among amateur radio operators. Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June, beginning at 1800 UTC Saturday and running through 2059 UTC Sunday.
Field Day stresses emergency preparedness. Frequently, entire radio clubs get involved and assemble a portable radio station in a field or park. Some might use quickly deployable portable antennas while other might erect more elaborate radio masts and towers supporting several antennas. Generators or solar power provide electricity to amateur radio transceivers, which may be located in tents, cars, recreational vehicles, or other portable shelters.
Field Day is open to all amateurs in the areas covered by the ARRL/RAC Field Organizations and countries within IARU Region 2.
