Phone But Not Telephone

1
Phone But Not Telephone!

• In the radio world, phone transmissions are
  voice transmissions by radio. When you hear hams
  use the word phone, it usually has nothing to
  do with telephones.

2
Modulation

• A transmitter produces RF energy radio waves
  at a particular frequency. But radio waves are
  not much use unless they carry information. The
  process of putting information onto a radio wave
  is called modulation. Information can be placed
  onto a radio wave in several different ways. You
  dont need to know a lot about the different
  types of modulation for the Technician exam, but
  you do need to understand a little about each one.

3
Radio Wave Review

• When you learned about frequency, you saw that
  a radio wave can be represented by a sine wave
  like this

4
Radio Wave Review

• You also saw that the distance between a point
  on one wave and the same point on the next wave
  represents the wavelength of that wave.

5
Radio Wave Review

• The number of waves traveling past a single
  point in one second represents the frequency of
  the wave, as the following diagram shows.

6
Amplitude

• Before we can study the different kinds of
  modulation, we have to look at one more
  characteristic of a radio wave. The height from
  the top of a wave to the bottom of that wave is
  called the amplitude of the wave.

7
Modulation

• Again, modulation is the process of placing
  information onto a radio wave for transmission.
  
  
• Now we are ready to look at some of the
  different ways a radio wave may be modulated.

8
Continuous Wave (CW)

• Here is an ordinary radio wave. It is
  represented by our old friend, the sine wave. If
  we cause a transmitter to transmit a wave like
  this but do not modulate the wave in any way, it
  would look something like this. This is called a
  continuous wave or just CW.

9
How CW Is Used

• Now take a look at this wave. Do you see the
  gaps? If you turn the transmitter on and off,
  you leave gaps in the wave. A properly-equipped
  receiver at the other end will hear a tone when
  the CW is being transmitted and nothing when the
  transmitter is switched off. This is how Morse
  code is sent. In fact, hams often say they are
  working CW instead of saying they are sending
  Morse code.
• Note that this represents the letter K or
  dah-di-dah.

10
Keying the Transmitter

• When we use a transmitter to send out radio
  waves, whether we are talking, sending Morse
  code, or sending data, we say that we are
  keying the transmitter. This goes back to the
  very early days of radio when telegraph keys were
  used to turn the transmitter on or off as code
  was being sent.

11
CW Sending Code

• Even today, when we use a telegraph key to send
  code, all we are doing is using the key to turn
  the transmitter on and off to form the dits and
  dahs. (Hams dont usually call them dots and
  dashes.) When we press down on the key, the
  transmitter is turned on and begins sending CW.
  When we release the key, the transmitter stops
  sending CW. As you can see, the transmitter is
  turned on and off many times in a minute when
  sending Morse code.
• One big advantage of CW is that it has the
  narrowest bandwidth of all the modes the
  Technician uses. It is narrower than AM, FM, SSB
  or slow-scan TV.

12
Amplitude Modulation (AM)

• We need to be able to do more than turn a radio
  wave on and off to get a voice transmitted over
  the airwaves. One way of doing that is to use
  amplitude modulation or AM. To understand
  AM, we need to do a little review and also get a
  little more background information, so lets do
  it!
• One other thing. This is going to get a little
  complicated, so take it slow and easy. Much of
  what you will see in the next few slides is not
  essential for the test. However, it will help
  you to better understand what is important once
  you actually get on the air, and after all,
  thats what this test is really all about
  getting on the air!

13
The Human Voice

• You may remember that the human voice has an
  average range of about 300 to 3000 Hertz.
  Compared to radio waves, the frequency of the
  human voice is quite low.

14
Generating a Voice Signal Using the Microphone

• When you speak into a microphone, the energy
  from the sound waves made by your voice is turned
  into an electrical signal. This signal is an
  electric current that constantly changes with
  your voice. This electric current can be
  represented by a sine wave, just like a radio
  wave. If it is a steady tone, it will be a
  smooth sine wave that looks just like a radio
  wave, except its frequency will be much lower.

15
Voice Waveform

• But your voice is not a steady tone. The
  sounds you make and the pitch or tone of your
  voice is constantly changing. A sine waveform
  that represents your voice might look something
  like the picture below. This is the signal we
  want to modulate the radio wave with.

16
The Carrier

• Now lets suppose we have a radio wave at a
  particular frequency that we want to modulate
  with the signal in the last slide. That will be
  our carrier and the sine waveform for it will
  look something like this

17
The Carrier and the Signal

• To modulate the carrier, we have to combine it
  with the electrical signal representing a voice
  that was produced by the microphone.

18
So How Do We Do It?

• This signal is applied to the radio wave so
  that it causes the height or amplitude of the
  radio wave to change as the signal changes. We
  call this amplitude modulation. On our sine
  wave it looks something like this

19
Lets Look At All Three
20
Amplitude Modulation

• If you need to, go back to the last slide and
  notice that the signal representing the sound
  wave caused the height or amplitude of the radio
  wave to change as it changed. This output is an
  amplitude modulated signal. The radio at the
  other end will extract the signal from the radio
  wave and feed it through the speaker at that end
  so it can be heard.

21
Sidebands

• A modulated AM radio wave also produces two
  other signals called sidebands. One sideband has
  a slightly higher frequency than the carrier, and
  the other has a slightly lower frequency. It
  works something like this this...

22
Modulated Carrier and Sidebands

• Lets say you have an audio tone that is 256
  Hz. You modulate a radio wave that is 710,000 Hz
  (710 kHz). You produce an upper sideband that is
  710,000 plus 256 Hz and a lower sideband that is
  710,000 minus 256 Hz. Keep these sidebands in
  mind. They will become important in a little bit.

23
AM Not Used That Much

• Amplitude modulation (AM) used to be used by
  hams a lot, but it isnt used all that much any
  more. The reason is that the modulated wave and
  two sidebands take up a lot of bandwidth. You
  can only get so many signals on a band, and AM
  just uses too much space.

24
Single Sideband (SSB)

• The good news is we dont need all of that
  modulated AM signal. Each of the two sidebands
  contains a complete copy of all the voice
  information! If we strip away the modulated wave
  and one of the sidebands, we have a signal that
  is only a third as wide. This is called single
  sideband modulation or SSB. Because it uses
  one of the sidebands of an amplitude modulated
  signal, SSB is actually a very efficient form of
  amplitude modulation. Lets take a look...

25
First Start With The Full AM Radio Wave...

• This is the 710 kHz wave modulated with a 256
  Hz tone you saw a few slides back.

26
Now Filter The Carrier...

• We can get rid of the carrier, and we are left
  with just the two side bands, like this

27
Next, Get Rid Of One Sideband...

• We can also get rid of one of the sidebands.
  It doesnt matter which one, but in this example,
  well get rid of the lower one.

28
See How Much Space We Save?

• Before After

29
Advantages of SSB

• There are two advantages of SSB over AM.
  First, we can put all of the transmitters power
  into transmitting the one sideband, so the effect
  is to make the signal almost three times
  stronger. The second advantage is that the
  approximate bandwidth of a single-sideband voice
  signal is between 2 and 3 kHz. This is about one
  third of an AM signal. Because the bandwidth is
  much narrower, more people can use the same
  amount of band space.

30
Uses of Single Sideband (SSB)

• SSB is the type of voice modulation most often
  used for long distance and weak signal contacts
  on the VHF and UHF bands by all amateur license
  classes. The upper sideband is normally used for
  VHF and UHF SSB communications. SSB is also the
  mode most often used by General class licensees
  and higher on the HF bands

31
Frequency Modulation (FM)

• Another way of placing information on a radio
  wave is to use the electrical signal generated by
  a microphone to change the frequency of a radio
  wave as the signal varies. This is called
  frequency modulation or FM.
• Just as we did for amplitude modulation, lets
  suppose we have a tone that has been turned into
  an electrical signal. When we modulate a radio
  wave using frequency modulation, it looks
  something like the diagram on the next slide.

32
Frequency Modulation (FM)

• See how the wave height (amplitude) stays the
  same? With FM, it is the frequency or distance
  between the waves that changes.

33
AM and FM Compared

• Compare the two modulation types side by side.
  The good news is that you wont have to know that
  much about either one for the exam, BUT it is
  still good to understand how they are different!

34
FM Bandwidth

• Now on to some more stuff you really do need to
  know.
  
• The approximate bandwidth of a
  frequency-modulated voice signal is between 5 and
  15 kHz. This is much greater than the 2 to 3 kHz
  bandwidth of a SSB signal, so it requires a lot
  of room. However, FM signals are generally very
  clear and noise free.

35
Uses of FM

• Because of its large bandwidth, FM is generally
  best suited for local use on VHF and UHF bands.
  In fact, FM is the type of modulation is most
  commonly used for VHF and UHF voice repeaters.

36
SSB and FM

• The bottom line is that if you are concerned
  about voice quality, you want to go with FM.
  However, if you are concerned about bandwidth,
  you want to go with SSB. The primary advantage
  of single sideband over FM for voice
  transmissions is that SSB signals use much less
  bandwidth than FM signals.

37
Amateur TV the Biggest Bandwidth Hog

• Some amateur operators enjoy sending fast-scan
  TV over amateur radio. Sending an audio and
  video signal requires a lot of bandwidth. The
  normal bandwidth required for a conventional
  fast-scan TV transmission using combined video
  and audio on the 70-centimeter band is about 6
  MHz!

38
Amateur Radio and the Internet

• As we will soon see, amateur radio uses the
  Internet along with radios to communicate. Some
  amateur radio stations are set up to allow other
  stations to access the Internet through these
  special stations. The name given to an amateur
  radio station that is used to connect other
  amateur stations to the Internet is a gateway.

39
Check-Up Time!

• Now lets try the questions from this group.
• You should make a note of any that you miss for
  later review.

40
T6A01

• What are phone transmissions?
• A. The use of telephones to set up an amateur
  radio contact
  
• B. A phone patch between amateur radio and the
  telephone system
  
• C. Voice transmissions by radio
• D. Placing the telephone handset near a radio
  transceiver's microphone and speaker to relay a
  telephone call

41
T6A01 Answer - C

• In the radio world, voice transmissions are
  called "phone" transmissions.

42
T6A02

• Which of the following is a form of amplitude
  modulation?
  
• A. Frequency modulation
• B. Phase modulation
• C. Single sideband
• D. Phase shift keying

43
T6A02 Answer - C

• Amplitude modulation adds information to a
  radio wave by changing the amplitude or height of
  that radio wave. In the process, it creates the
  main carrier wave and two sidebands, an upper
  sideband, and a lower sideband.

44
T6A03

• What name is given to an amateur radio station
  that is used to connect other amateur stations to
  the Internet?
  
• A. A gateway
• B. A repeater
• C. A digipeater
• D. A beacon station

45
T6A03 Answer - A

• A station that provides a connection to the
  Internet is a gateway station.

46
T6A04

• Which type of voice modulation is most often
  used for long distance and weak signal contacts
  on the VHF and UHF bands?
  
• A. FM
• B. AM
• C. SSB
• D. PM

47
T6A04 Answer - C

• For long distance communication, the modulation
  choice is always SSB (single sideband). It
  doesnt sound as clear as AM or FM, but it packs
  a lot of power into a narrow bandwidth signal.

48
T6A05

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

49
T6A05 Answer - D

• FM is always the modulation type of choice for
  VHF and UHF repeaters. It takes a lot of
  bandwidth and does not go very far, but it
  produces a clear voice signal for the repeater to
  retransmit.

50
T6A06

• Which emission type has the narrowest
  bandwidth?
  
• A. FM voice
• B. SSB voice
• C. CW
• D. Slow-scan TV

51
T6A06 Answer - C

• CW (or continuous wave) is used for sending
  Morse code. It is simply an unmodulated signal
  that can be turned on or off. Because CW is such
  a narrow bandwidth, several code stations can use
  the same width of frequency as one SSB signal.

52
T6A07

• Which sideband is normally used for VHF and UHF
  SSB communications?
  
• A. Upper sideband
• B. Lower sideband
• C. Suppressed sideband
• D. Inverted sideband

53
T6A07 Answer - A

• Either sideband would work just fine, but for
  effective communication, everyone has to be on
  the same sideband. Because of that, by
  agreement, everyone normally uses USB (upper
  sideband) for VHF and UHF sideband transmissions.
  

54
T6A08

• What is the primary advantage of single sideband
  over FM for voice transmissions?
  
• A. SSB signals are easier to tune in than FM
  signals
  
• B. SSB signals are less likely to be bothered by
  noise interference than FM signals.
  
• C. SSB signals use much less bandwidth than FM
  signals
  
• D. SSB signals have no advantages at all in
  comparison to other modes.

55
T6A08 Answer - C

• The biggest advantage of SSB is that it has a
  much narrower bandwidth than FM. That means more
  people can use the same amount of frequency
  spectrum to communicate.

56
T6A09

• What is the approximate bandwidth of a
  single-sideband voice signal?
  
• A. 1 kHz
• B. 2 kHz
• C. Between 3 and 6 kHz
• D. Between 2 and 3 kHz

57
T6A09 Answer - D

• Bandwidth of a signal is one of those things
  every radio amateur should know, and not just for
  the test. A good clean SSB signal should be no
  more than 2 to 3 kHz (kilohertz) wide

58
T6A10

• What is the approximate bandwidth of a
  frequency-modulated voice signal?
  
• A. Less than 500 Hz
• B. About 150 kHz
• C. Between 5 and 15 kHz
• D. More than 30 kHz

59
T6A10 Answer - C

• Heres why bandwidth is important. A clean FM
  signal is 5 to 15 kHz (kilohertz) wide. As you
  can see, the widest FM signal takes up five times
  as much bandwidth as the widest SSB signal. (15
  kHz compared to 3 kHz.) FM sounds much clearer
  than sideband, but the price for that nice sound
  is bandwidth.

60
T6A11

• What is the normal bandwidth required for a
  conventional fast-scan TV transmission using
  combined video and audio on the 70-centimeter
  band?
• A. More than 10 MHz
• B. About 6 MHz
• C. About 3 MHz
• D. About 1 MHz

61
T6A11 Answer - B

• Yes, hams do television, but it takes a lot of
  bandwidth about 6 MHz (megahertz). As you can
  see, there are four bandwidths you need to know,
  but knowing them will help you understand the
  advantages and disadvantages of SSB, FM and fast
  scan TV.

62
Group T6B

• Group T6B covers voice communications, as well as
  the popular digital communication modes, EchoLink
  and IRLP .

63
Echolink and IRLP

• Many amateur radio operators use the Internet
  as an additional communications tool using two
  very powerful software tools, Echolink and IRLP
  (Internet Radio Linking Project). Both of these
  tools can put the world at the fingertips of the
  Technician licensee with a computer or simple
  handheld radio!

64
Echolink

• Echolink is a program available free to any
  licensed amateur radio operator. Information is
  transmitted between stations using Echolink by
  means of the Internet. When installed on your
  home computer, it allows you to talk to thousands
  of other hams around the world via the Internet,
  similar to AOL instant voice messaging. But it
  does so much more. As a licensed ham, it also
  allows you to connect to repeaters and other
  amateur stations all over the world. Using
  Echolink, you can log into a repeater in another
  state or country and chat with hams all over the
  world.

65
Echolink

• Screenshot of the free Echolink program.

66
How Echolink Works

• Any licensed amateur radio operator may operate
  on the Echolink system. Echolink allows
  computer-to-radio linking for voice transmission.
  All you need is a computer with a sound card and
  microphone or headset, an internet connection and
  the Echolink software. You can download the
  software for free at http//echolink.org/.
• Once you have downloaded and installed the
  software, youll have to register online. As
  soon as your license is verified, you will be
  ready to connect. If you have a computer,
  Echolink will allow you to get on the air even
  before you get your first radio.

67
IRLP

• Another very popular use of the Internet for
  Amateur Communications is IRPL. The abbreviation
  IRLP means Internet Radio Linking Project. Like
  Echolink, IRLP describe is a method of linking
  between two or more amateur stations using the
  Internet.
• Unlike Echolink, you use your radio to contact
  an IRPL station which is usually a repeater.
  That repeater then uses the Internet to establish
  contact with another IRLP station, also usually a
  repeater. When the two repeaters are connected
  via IRLP, operators on either end can use the
  local repeaters to communicate with each other .

68
How IRPL Works

• IRLP uses a standard called Voice over
  Internet protocol or VoIP to transfer data and
  voice over the Internet. If you have an IRLP
  repeater in your area, you can use your portable
  transceiver to select a specific IRLP node by
  using the keypad to transmit the IRLP node
  numbers.
• An IRLP node is a station connected to IRLP.
  The node number is a number that identifies that
  station to IRLP, and allows IRPL to connect you
  with that station. For more information, visit
  www.irlp.net.

69
More on Echolink and IRLP

• Echolink and IRLP both use Voice over Internet
  protocol (VoIP) to connect amateur stations.
  This technology allows for fun and inexpensive
  communications between hams all over the world,
  as well as providing another link for
  emergencies. Be sure to give both a try!
• And next time you are listing to a local 2
  meter repeater, you may hear a brief tone and
  then a station from Russia calling CQ on a
  2-meter repeater. If so, you are almost
  certainly listening to an Internet linked DX
  station!

70
Locating VoIP Nodes

• You can find a list of active nodes using VoIP
  in a repeater directory or on the Internet. Be
  sure to check them out!
  

71
Check-Up Time!

• Now lets try the questions from this group.
• You should make a note of any that you miss for
  later review.

72
T6B01

• How is information transmitted between stations
  using Echolink?
  
• A. APRS
• B. PSK31
• C. Internet
• D. Atmospheric ducting

73
T6B01 Answer - C

• Echolink is a free computer program that allows
  licensed amateurs to remotely access other
  stations and repeaters via the Internet. With
  Echolink, you can use your computer to talk
  directly to other hams all over the world using
  the Internet only, or you can log into a remote
  repeater or station set up for Echolink, and work
  stations in that area.

74
T6B02

• What does the abbreviation IRLP mean?
• A. Internet Radio Linking Project
• B. Internet Relay Language Protocol
• C. International Repeater Linking Project
• D. International Radio Linking Project

75
T6B02 Answer - A

• IRLP stands for "Internet Repeater Linking
  Project." IRLP uses the Internet to link
  repeaters. Using your radio, you can access an
  IRLP repeater and by entering a code, you can
  link that repeater to one of many repeaters
  worldwide. By linking the repeaters, you can
  carry on a conversation with other hams all over
  the world using only your VHF or UHF radio. How
  cool is that?

76
T6B03

• Who may operate on the Echolink system?
• A. Only club stations
• B. Any licensed amateur radio operator
• C. Technician class licensed amateur radio
  operators only
  
• D. Any person, licensed or not, who is registered
  with the Echolink system

77
T6B03 Answer - B

• Any licensed amateur operator may use Echolink.
  If you want to use it with your computer, all
  you have to do is download and install the
  program (it's free), and register. The
  registration process verifies that you are a
  licensed amateur. From that point, have fun!
  (By the way, this is an excellent way to put that
  license to work, even before you get your first
  radio!)

78
T6B04

• What technology do Echolink and IRLP have in
  common?
  
• A. Voice over Internet protocol
• B. Ionospheric propagation
• C. AC power lines
• D. PSK31

79
T6B04 Answer - A

• Both Echolink and IRLP use VoIP, or "voice over
  the Internet protocol." VoIP is a standardized
  system for transmitting speech or data over the
  Internet.

80
T6B05

• What method is used to transfer data by IRLP?
• A. VHF Packet radio
• B. PSK31
• C. Voice over Internet protocol
• D. None of these answers are correct

81
T6B05 Answer - C

• VoIP is a standardized system for transmitting
  data or speech over the Internet. It can
  transmit data as well as voice because the data
  is translated into sounds for transmission.

82
T6B06

• What does the term IRLP describe?
• A. A method of encrypting data
• B. A method of linking between two or more
  amateur stations using the Internet
  
• C. A low powered radio using infra-red
  frequencies
  
• D. An international logging program.

83
T6B06 Answer - B

• IRLP (Internet Repeater Linking Project) is
  used to connect two amateur stations with the
  appropriate software and access to the Internet.
  Most often, it is used by an amateur to link two
  repeaters together for long haul communications.

84
T6B07

• Which one of the following allows
  computer-to-radio linking for voice
  transmission?
  
• A. Grid modulation
• B. EchoLink
• C. AMTOR
• D. Multiplex

85
T6B07 Answer - B

• Echolink allows an amateur to link his or her
  computer to any IRLP-capable repeater or station
  worldwide.

86
T6B08

• What are you listening to if you hear a brief
  tone and then a station from Russia calling CQ on
  a 2-meter repeater?
  
• A. An ionospheric band opening on VHF
• B. A prohibited transmission
• C. An Internet linked DX station
• D. None of these answers are correct

87
T6B08 Answer - C

• If you hear a Russian CQ and call on the local
  two-meter repeater, you can bet that it is from a
  ham linked via the Internet. The link could be
  either through Echolink or IRLP. By the way,
  "DX" means "distant station. (Also bear in mind
  that calling CQ on a local repeater is not
  commonly accepted good amateur practice!)

88
T6B10

• Where might you find a list of active nodes
  using VoIP?
  
• A. The FCC Rulebook
• B. From your local emergency coordinator
• C. A repeater directory or the Internet
• D. The local repeater frequency coordinator

89
T6B10 Answer - C

• Current repeater directories often indicate
  whether the repeater is using one of the VoIP
  protocols. Also, there are many websites on the
  Internet that show repeaters currently using
  VoIP.

90
T6B11

• When using a portable transceiver how do you
  select a specific IRLP node?
  
• A. Choose a specific CTCSS tone
• B. Choose the correct DSC tone
• C. Access the repeater autopatch
• D. Use the keypad to transmit the IRLP node
  numbers

91
T6B11 Answer - D

• Most VHF and UHF transceivers have keypads,
  either on the radio, or more commonly, on the
  microphone. If you want to access an IRLP
  repeater from your radio, you need to key the
  "node number" of the distant repeater into the
  keypad. This sends a signal to the local
  repeater. The local repeater then contacts and
  links up with the distant repeater via the
  Internet.

92
Group T6C

• Group T6C covers several types of non-voice
  communications, such as image communications,
  data, CW, packet, and PSK31. It also covers
  Morse code techniques and amateur radio Q signals.

93
Digital Communications

• Hams use a number of other digital
  communications methods that do not require the
  Internet. Some, such as packet, have been around
  since the early days of computers, while others,
  such as PSK31 are fairly new. All are lots of
  fun!

94
Packet Radio

• Packet radio, or simply packet, is one example
  of a digital communications method. Packet has
  been around amateur radio since desktop computers
  became widely available in the 1980s. It uses
  special software, a computer connected to a
  radio, and either a terminal node controller or
  a sound card, to send text or data on a computer
  over the air. It sends the text or data in
  packets that include information that allows
  the receiving computer to check the incoming
  packet for errors. If errors are detected, the
  receiving station will automatically request a
  resend of the data to insure 100 error free
  reception.

95
APRS

• The term APRS means Automatic Position
  Reporting System. APRS is system that
  automatically tracks the location of an amateur
  station, usually a mobile or portable station.
  Along with your normal radio, youll need a
  global positioning system receiver for sending
  automatic location reports from your station via
  APRS.
• APRS has a lot of potential for use during
  emergencies!

96
Fast Scan Television

• If you want to be on TV, amateur radio gives
  you the chance. Since the 1960s, hams have been
  experimenting with television transmissions. At
  first, utilizing very bulky equipment, hams used
  slow scan television to transmit still pictures
  between stations. Pretty high tech stuff for
  that time, but not too impressive today.
• With the advent of inexpensive video cameras,
  computers and VHF repeaters specially designed
  for video transmission, hams can use fast scan
  television. Fast scan television uses the NTSC
  standard. NTSC, short for the National
  Television System(s) Committee, has developed a
  uniform standard for fast scan color television
  signals.

97
Point-to-Point Digital Message Forwarding

• Point-to-point digital message forwarding is
  yet another method if communications available to
  the Technician class operator in the 219 - 220
  MHz frequency range.
• The FCC has said that it encourages hams to
  develop and implement digital message forwarding
  system networks that can be used for emergency
  and national defense communications purposes, and
  to connect local packet nodes for this purpose.

98
PSK31

• PSK31 is a yet another fun digital mode. It
  requires only a radio and computer with a sound
  card, along with free software to work the
  world. PSK31 is a low-rate data transmission
  mode that works well in noisy conditions. It
  does not require a lot of power.
• PSK31 uses the computer and sound card to
  generate PSK (phase shift keying) signals that
  are transmitted and decoded at the other end.
  Unlike packet, PSK31 is not error correcting, but
  it is still a great mode!

99
PSK31 Using Digipan Software

• Digipan is a free software package that will
  let you get on the air with PSK. Along with the
  software, youll need a computer with a
  soundcard, a radio, and a simple interface. For
  more information, visit www.digipan.net.

100
Morse Code The First Digital!

• Many aspiring hams are put off from learning
  Morse code because they believe it is too hard to
  learn. That is a real shame, because while it
  does take a little effort to master the code, it
  also provides some real opportunity for long
  distance (DX) contacts, as well as special
  interest operations such as QRP (low power
  operating).

101
Morse Code How To Learn It

• This study guide is not intended to teach Morse
  code. There are lots of ways to learn the code,
  including other hams, computer programs, or
  tapes. No matter how you choose to learn, dont
  make this too hard for yourself. There are two
  things you need to remember.
• First, dont try to memorize dots and dashes.
  Instead, memorize the sound of each letter or
  number.
  
• Second, once you have memorized the sounds of
  just 26 letters 10 numerals and 5 punctuation
  marks, you will almost certainly be able to pass
  the five words per minute test.

102
Why Learn Morse Code?

• There are three reasons.
• First, once you as a Technician are able to
  pass the code test, you will be given additional
  HF (high frequency) privileges. You can begin
  using those privileges to send and receive code
  right away!
• Second, when you pass the code, you have gotten
  the hardest requirement for General out of the
  way. Pass the General exam, and all the HF bands
  are yours for the asking.
• Third, even if you never intend to upgrade or
  use Morse code, one practical reason for being
  able to copy CW when using repeaters is to
  recognize a repeater ID sent in Morse code.

103
Sending Morse Code

• OK, one other thing you may need to know for
  the Technician exam, is that when you first learn
  Morse code, you almost always send faster than
  you can receive. Because of that, you should be
  careful not to send any faster than the speed you
  can reliably receive. Why? Because the ham at
  the other end has no way of knowing that you
  cannot copy as fast as you send!

104
Q Signals

• Back in the early days of radio when the only
  form of radio communications was Morse code,
  operators came up with several abbreviations to
  move things along. Several of these
  abbreviations began with the letter Q and are
  still used by hams today. These abbreviations
  serve the same purpose as 10 codes for police
  and emergency workers. Here are some examples.
  Although they were originally designed for
  telegraphy, many hams now use them on voice.

105
QRM Interference from other Stations

• When stations operate on frequencies that are
  too close to each other, they may interfere with
  each others ability to hear the stations they
  are trying to communicate with. The "Q" signal
  you would use to tell another station that you
  are receiving interference from other stations is
  QRM. Example Could you please repeat? I am
  getting some heavy QRM here.

106
QSY Changing Frequency

• If you want to ask another person to change
  frequency, or announce that you are changing
  frequency, you use QSY. Example Jane, were
  close enough that we dont need to use the
  repeater. Lets QSY to 146.52.
• A complete list of Q-Signals can be found at
  www.arrl.org/files/ bbs/general/q-sigs.

107
Check-Up Time!

• Now lets try the questions from this group.
• You should make a note of any that you miss for
  later review.

108
T6C01

• Which of the following is an example of a
  digital communications method?
  
• A. Single sideband voice
• B. Amateur television
• C. FM voice
• D. Packet radio

109
T6C01 Answer - D

• Packet radio is a form of digital
  communications. In digital communications, data
  is translated into a string of zeros and ones by
  switching a signal off or on. Off usually
  represents a zero and on usually represents a
  one. This series of ons and offs is decoded by
  the receiver and turned into usable text. Packet
  radio sends this series of digits in packets
  along with a checking code so that the receiver
  can determine if the signal was received
  correctly. If not, it can signal the same packet
  to be sent again until it is correctly received.

110
T6C02

• What does the term APRS mean?
• A. Automatic Position Reporting System
• B. Associated Public Radio Station
• C. Auto Planning Radio Set-up
• D. Advanced Polar Radio System

111
T6C02 Answer - A

• APRS, or Automatic Position Reporting System,
  uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology
  to allow amateurs to track the locations of other
  hams via radio and computer.

112
T6C03

• What item is required along with your normal
  radio for sending automatic location reports?
  
• A. A connection to the vehicle speedometer
• B. A connection to a WWV receiver
• C. A connection to a broadcast FM sub-carrier
  receiver
  
• D. A global positioning system receiver

113
T6C03 Answer - D

• The Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver is
  required to determine the location of the station
  to be tracked so that it can send that location
  out to the APRS system.

114
T6C04

• What type of transmission is indicated by the
  term NTSC?
  
• A. A Normal Transmission mode in Static Circuit
  
  
• B. A special mode for earth satellite uplink
• C. A standard fast scan color television signal
• D. A frame compression scheme for TV signal

115
T6C04 Answer - C

• NTSC stands for National Television Standards
  Committee. This group has developed the standard
  for fast scan television signals.

116
T6C05

• What emission mode may be used by a Technician
  class operator in the 219 - 220 MHz frequency
  range?
  
• A. Slow-scan television
• B. Point-to-point digital message forwarding
• C. FM voice
• D. Fast-scan television

117
T6C05 Answer - B

• According to Part 97, operators using this
  frequency band are limited to data transmissions.
  All of the transmissions listed in Answers A, C,
  and D are something other than data transmissions
  so they are not allowed in this frequency band.
  Only Answer B mentions a data transmission so
  this is the right choice.

118
T6C06

• What does the abbreviation PSK mean?
• A. Pulse Shift Keying
• B. Phase Shift Keying
• C. Packet Short Keying
• D. Phased Slide Keying

119
T6C06 Answer - B

• PSK is short for phased shift keying.

120
T6C07

• What is PSK31?
• A. A high-rate data transmission mode used to
  transmit files
  
• B. A method of reducing noise interference to FM
  signals
  
• C. A type of television signal
• D. A low-rate data transmission mode that works
  well in noisy conditions

121
T6C07 Answer - D

• PSK31 is an excellent mode for working DX
  (distant stations) with very little power. All
  you need is a radio with a sound card and PSK31
  software, a computer, and a simple interface to
  connect the computer to the radio.

122
T6C08

• What sending speed is recommended when using
  Morse code?
  
• A. Only speeds below five WPM
• B. The highest speed your keyer will operate
• C. Any speed at which you can reliably receive
• D. The highest speed at which you can control the
  keyer

123
T6C08 Answer - C

• Most people just learning code can send much
  faster than they can copy. If you send code
  faster than you can copy, the person at the other
  end won't know you can't copy that fast. When
  it's the other ham's turn to send, you are likely
  to get code sent back to you at the speed you
  sent, and you will soon be lost!

124
T6C09

• What is a practical reason for being able to
  copy CW when using repeaters?
  
• A. To send and receive messages others cannot
  overhear
  
• B. To conform with FCC licensing requirements
• C. To decode packet radio transmissions
• D. To recognize a repeater ID sent in Morse code

125
T6C09 Answer - D

• Before the code-free license, everyone who
  wanted to be a ham had to learn Morse code to get
  a license, so when repeaters sent their ID in
  Morse code, everyone could understand it.
  However, learning Morse code will not only let
  you copy the repeater ID, it will be your ticket
  to the General Class license and the world of
  high frequency (HF) communications.

126
T6C10

• What is the "Q" signal used to indicate that you
  are receiving interference from other stations?
  
• A. QRM
• B. QRN
• C. QTH
• D. QSB

127
T6C10 Answer - A

• "Q" signals are used by amateurs to convey a
  lot of information in a short form. In that way,
  they are somewhat like the "ten codes" used by
  police, emergency personnel and CB'ers. One of
  the more common Q codes is this one - QRM - which
  means you are receiving interference from other
  stations near or on your frequency.

128
T6C11

• What is the "Q" signal used to indicate that you
  are changing frequency?
  
• A. QRU
• B. QSY
• C. QSL
• D. QRZ

129
T6C11 Answer - B

• Here is another Q code. QSY means you are
  changing frequency or that you would like the
  other operator to do so. Q codes are
  particularly useful when you are using Morse code
  since they can convey a lot of information in
  only three letters, but they are also frequently
  heard on phone (voice) as well.

130
Six Down, Four to Go!

• This concludes Study Guide 6.
• Once you are satisfied that you can answer 80 of
  the questions in this Sub-element, you are ready
  to move on to Study Guide 7.