Amateur Radio KA6ACS

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Amateur RadioKA6ACS

• A. C. Stelle
• Middle School

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What do I have to do?

• Pass the qualifying exam for school credit.
• Pass the Federal Amateur Radio Exam
• Only those who pass the qualifying exam
• Privileges to operate on ham frequencies
• Your own station call letters
• Member of the ham radio fraternity

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Why should I get on ham radio?(besides being fun)

• Cell phones work just fine, dont they?
• Isnt radio old technology if Im going to
  learn anything, itll be about computers.
• Dont you have to be older to have a full ham
  license?
• Cant I just get on CB or Family Radio Service?
• How is this going to help me?

• Except in emergencies, as we learned recently
  with Katrina.
• All around you, wireless technology is based on
  radio. Hams use computers with radios.
• No, theres no age limit to getting a ham license
  with full privileges.
• Sure, but with limited choices and low power
• Self education, public service, competitive
  advantage, respect, sense of accomplishment,
  confidence, new skills

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The fun part a BIG party line!No limits, no
charges, and doesnt tie up the phone
Whatcha doin?
I need some help!
Hey!
Are you on the air?
I need a ride tomorrow.
Where are you?
Hellooooo?
Did you hear ?
Are you there yet?
My cell phone battery is dead
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Ham Radio Regulations

• Regulated by the Federal Communications
  Commission (FCC)
• No music, obscene language, payments for
  services, and no personal business
• No intentional interference
• No false signals or ciphers
• Equal rights to allocated frequencies
• 10 year license, renewable - no fee
• Self Regulating, but FCC-enforced serious fines
  and prison for violations

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Unique Amateur Radio Privileges

• Talk to stations in other countries, even
  astronauts!
• Talk through directly through satellites
• Output over 1000 Watts vs. 5 or less
• Communicate over long distances without
  infrastructure using ionespheric refraction.
• Voice, data, video - yes, you can have your
  own TV station!

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FCC Exam Radios

• Pass a 35 question exam
• Rules, regulations, privileges, procedures and
  electronics
• 390 Published Questions and Answers!
• Passing 26/35 (multiple choice questions)
• Take the Exam right at school (4 fee).
• Buy a radio for 200 to 300
• Operate School Club Station KA6ACS

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What kinds of things are on the exam?

• Safety (High voltage, Radio Frequency Energy,
  Antennas)
• Regulations what you can and cant do
• Operating Practices what do you say and some
  jargon
• Physical Science
• Metric Units (SI) mega, kilo, milli, micro, pico
• Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Waves frequency vs. wavelength, speed of light,
  refraction, reflection, amplitude modulation,
  frequency modulation
• Formulas
• Voltage (E) Current (I) x Resistance (R)
• Power (P) Current (I) x Voltage (E)
• Wavelength 300/f(MHz)

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What will you have to do on your own?

• Read all 390 QAs at least four times.
• Learn
• Rules Regulations
• Operating Practices
• Radio Waves
• Ohms Law, Power, Frequency Wavelength
• Take practice exams at home, on-line, until you
  get 85 every time.
• Pass the qualifying exam.
• Pass the real exam at a noon session at school.

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What will you do with your license?

• Talk to friends make new friends talk to
  people across the country and even the world and
  outer space have fun!
• Provide Public Service Sheriffs Dept
  (DCS/RACES), Emergency Services, City, State,
  Country, and International
• Experiment build, test, operate. Killer Science
  Projects!
• Gain a real hands-on understanding of current and
  future radio technology prepare for high school
  and college physics.
• Join the USA pool of trained radio operators and
  electronics experts, and improve international
  goodwill (primary purpose!)

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Whats Next?

• Learn the Questions Answers take practice
  exams.
• Operate the classroom station at lunch time.
• Set up your own station and get on the air!
• Join or start a service group.
• Help others get their license.
• Upgrade to General and Extra Class.
• More privileges and frequencies
• Harder exams
• Join Explorers, DCS, ARES or other service
  groups.
• Enjoy a BIG advantage in high school, college and
  in the job market!

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Resources

• Mr. Beutel, KE6MAO and Guest Speakers
• Class Web Page
• Question Answer List 390 Questions
• Study Guides
• http//arrl.org for info about ham radio
• Practice exams
• httpaa9pw.com
• http//eham.net