Technician Licensing Class T5

1
Technician Licensing ClassT5

• Presented by the
• Plano Texas Stake
• Plano, Texas
• May 29-30, 2009

2
Amateur Radio Technician ClassElement 2 Course
Presentation

• ELEMENT 2 SUBELEMENTS
• T1 - FCC Rules, station license responsibilities
• T2 - Control operator duties
• T3 - Operating practices
• T4 - Radio and electronic fundamentals
• T5 - Station setup and operation
• T6 - Communications modes and methods
• T7 - Special operations
• T8 - Emergency and Public Service Communications
• T9 - Radio waves, propagation, and antennas
• T0 - Electrical and RF Safety

3
Station setup and operation
T5A

• Station hookup microphone, speaker, headphones,
  filters, power source, connecting a computer

A microphone connects to the transmitter in a
basic amateur radio station. A Speaker is a piece
of station equipment that converts electrical
signals to sound waves. A set of headphones could
be used in place of a regular speaker to help you
copy signals in a noisy area.
4
Station setup and operation
T5A

• Station hookup microphone, speaker, headphones,
  filters, power source, connecting a computer
  (cont)

A good reason for using a regulated power supply
for communications equipment is to protect
equipment from voltage fluctuations. A filter
would be installed at the transmitter to reduce
spurious emissions. A Notch Filter could be
connected to a TV receiver as the first step in
trying to prevent RF overload from a nearby
2-meter transmitter.
5
Station setup and operation
T5A

• Station hookup microphone, speaker, headphones,
  filters, power source, connecting a computer
  (cont)

• Audio feedback is the term used to describe what
  happens when a microphone and speaker are too
  close to each other.
• A Microphone is not required for a packet radio
  station.
• A Sound Card can be used to connect a radio with
  a computer for data transmission.

6
Station setup and operation
T5A

• Station hookup microphone, speaker, headphones,
  filters, power source, connecting a computer
  (cont)

A Terminal Node Controller is connected between
the transceiver and computer terminal in a packet
radio station.
Packet
TNC
Transceiver
Computer
7
Station setup and operation
T5B

• Operating controls
• If a transmitter is operated with the microphone
  gain set too high it may cause the signal to
  become distorted and unreadable.
• A VHF/UHF transceiver may be capable of storing
  in memory the following kinds of information
• Transmit and receive operating frequency
• CTCSS tone frequency
• Transmit power level
• All of these answers are correct

One way to select a frequency on which to operate
is to use the keypad or VFO knob to enter the
correct frequency.
8
Station setup and operation
T5B

• Operating controls (cont)
• The squelch control on a transceiver is used to
  quiet noise when no signal is being received.
• The purpose of the buttons labeled "up" and
  "down" on many microphones is to allow easy
  frequency or memory selection.
• A way to enable quick access to a favorite
  frequency on your transceiver is to store the
  frequency in a memory channel.

9
Station setup and operation
T5B

• Operating controls (cont)
• To improve the situation if the station you are
  listening to is hard to copy because of ignition
  noise interference may be to turn on the noise
  blanker.
• Receiver Incremental Tuning (RIT)

10
NB RIT
Noise blanker
RIT Receiver Incremental Tuning
11
Station setup and operation
T5B

• Operating controls (cont)
• The purpose of the "shift" control found on many
  VHF/UHF transceivers is to adjust the offset
  between transmit and receive frequency.
• The purpose of the "step" menu function found on
  many transceivers is to set the tuning rate when
  changing frequencies.
• The purpose of the "function" or "F" key found on
  many transceivers is to select an alternate
  action for some control buttons.

12
Station setup and operation
T5C

• Repeaters repeater and simplex operating
  techniques, offsets, selective squelch, open
  and closed repeaters, linked repeaters
• One purpose of a repeater is to extend the usable
  range of mobile and low power stations.
• A courtesy tone is a tone used to indicate when a
  transmission is complete.
• The repeater input and output frequencies is the
  most important information to know before using a
  repeater.

13
Station setup and operation
T5C

• Repeaters repeater and simplex operating
  techniques, offsets, selective squelch, open
  and closed repeaters, linked repeaters
  (cont)
• The most common input/output frequency offset for
  repeaters in the 2-meter band is 0.6 MHz
  otherwise stated as 600 kHz.
• The most common input/output frequency offset for
  repeaters in the 70-centimeter band is 5.0 MHz.
• The terms input and output frequency when
  referring to repeater operations means the
  repeater receives on one frequency and transmits
  on another.

14

• A repeater is a device used to
• retransmit amateur radio signals.

2-meter band
Offset 600 kHz
Output Freq 146.04 MHz
Input Freq 146.64 MHz
60 miles
15
A repeater is a device used to retransmit
amateur radio signals.
70-centimeter band
Offset 5.0 mHz
Output Freq 442.275 MHz
Input Freq 447.275 MHz
50 miles
16
Station setup and operation
T5C

• Repeaters repeater and simplex operating
  techniques, offsets, selective squelch, open and
  closed repeaters, linked repeaters (cont)
• The term, simplex operation, means transmitting
  and receiving on the same frequency.
• A reason to use simplex instead of a repeater is
  to avoid tying up the repeater when direct
  contact is possible.
• You might find out you could communicate with a
  station using simplex instead of a repeater if
  you check the repeater input frequency to see if
  you can hear the other station.

17
Offsets
The repeater listings show the repeaters' output
frequencies.   Repeaters have standard input
frequency offsets as shown in the table.
18
Station setup and operation
T5C

• Repeaters repeater and simplex operating
  techniques, offsets, selective squelch, open and
  closed repeaters, linked repeaters (cont)
• You should pause briefly between transmissions
  when using a repeater to listen for anyone
  wanting to break in.
• Linked repeater system is the term for a series
  of repeaters that can be connected to one another
  to provide users with a wider coverage.
• Access to any repeater may be limited by the
  repeater owner.

19
Station setup and operation
T5C

• Repeaters repeater and simplex operating
  techniques, offsets, selective squelch, open and
  closed repeaters, linked repeaters (cont)
• The main reason repeaters should be approved by
  the local frequency coordinator before being
  installed is that coordination minimizes
  interference between repeaters and makes the most
  efficient use of available frequencies.
• A closed repeater is the term used to describe a
  repeater when use is restricted to the members of
  a club or group.

20
Station setup and operation
T5D

• Recognition and correction of problems
• A logical first step when attempting to cure a
  radio frequency interference problem in a nearby
  telephone is to install an RF filter at the
  telephone.
• The most likely cause of telephone interference
  from a nearby transmitter is the transmitter's
  signals are causing the telephone to act like a
  radio receiver.

The following may be useful in correcting a radio
frequency interference problem Snap-on
ferrite chokes Low-pass and high-pass
filters Notch and band-pass filters All
of these answers are correct
21
Station setup and operation
T5D

• Recognition and correction of problems (cont)
• If someone tells you that your transmissions are
  interfering with their TV reception
• First make sure that your station is operating
  properly and
• That it does not cause interference to your own
  television.
• When a neighbor reports that your radio signals
  are interfering with something in his home
• The proper course of action to take is to check
  your station and make sure it meets the standards
  of good amateur practice.
• The most likely cause of telephone interference
  from a nearby transmitter is the transmitter's
  signals are causing the telephone to act like a
  radio receiver.

22
Station setup and operation
T5D

• Recognition and correction of problems (cont)
• If someone tells you that your transmissions are
  interfering with their TV reception you should
  first make sure that your station is operating
  properly and that it does not cause interference
  to your own television.
• If a "Part 15" device in your neighbors home is
  causing harmful interference..

23
Station setup and operation
T5D

• Recognition and correction of problems (cont)
• When a neighbor reports that your radio signals
  are interfering with something in his home the
  proper course of action to take is to check your
  station and make sure it meets the standards of
  good amateur practice.
• A logical first step when attempting to cure a
  radio frequency interference problem in a nearby
  telephone is to install an RF filter at the
  telephone.
• If a "Part 15" device in your neighbors home is
  causing harmful interference to your amateur
  station you should
• Work with your neighbor to identify the offending
  device
• Politely inform your neighbor about the rules
  that require him to stop using the device if it
  causes interference
• Check your station and make sure it meets the
  standards of good amateur practice
• All of these answers are correct

24
Station setup and operation
T5D

• Fundamental overload
• Symptoms of overload and overdrive
• A fundamental overload, in reference to a
  receiver, is interference caused by very strong
  signals from a nearby source.
• Receiver front-end overload is the result of
  interference caused by strong signals from a
  nearby source.

25
Station setup and operation
T5D

• Distortion
• If you receive a report that your signal through
  the repeater is distorted or weak, the problem
  may be any of the following
• Your transmitter may be slightly off frequency
• Your batteries may be running low
• You could be in a bad location
• All of these answers are correct

26
Station setup and operation
T5D

• Over and under modulation,
• RF feedback, Off frequency signals
• If another operator reports that your SSB signal
  is very garbled and breaks up, RF energy may be
  getting into the microphone circuit and causing
  feedback.
• Fading and noise
• If another operator tells you he is hearing a
  variable high-pitched whine on the signals from
  your mobile transmitter, the power wiring for
  your radio could be picking up noise from the
  vehicle's electrical system.
• Doppler shift is NOT a cause of radio frequency
  interference.

27
Station setup and operation
T5D

• Problems with digital communications links
• One of the reasons to use digital signals instead
  of analog signals to communicate with another
  station is
• many digital systems can automatically correct
• errors caused by noise and interference.

28
Take aways

• Microphone transmitter
• Speaker receiver
• Mic/speaker too close feedback
• Noisy area, use headphones
• Regulated power supply voltage fluctuations

29
Take aways (cont)

• Reduce spurious emissions at Xmtr
• Prevent RF overload Notch filter
• TransceiverTNCcomputer
• Packet doesnt need a mic
• Computer sound card for data transmissions

30
Take aways (cont)

• Too much mic gain will cause distortion and be
  unreadable
• Store in memory PL (tones) Power level
  transmit/receive frequencies
• Keypad/VFO to select frequency
• Favorite frequency store in memory
• Ignition noiseturn on noise blanker

31
Take aways (cont)

• Up/Down buttons easy frequency or memory
  selection
• Shift sets offset frequency
• RIT Receiver Incremental Tuning
• Step sets tuning rate
• F selects alternate actions with same buttons

32
Take aways (cont)

• Repeaters extend range of mobiles and low-power
  stations
• Courtesy tone indicates transmission is done
• Offsets 0.6 MHz 5.0 MHz 2-meter
  70-centimeter bands
• Input/output frequencies of repeaters receives
  on one, transmits on another
• Transmit and receive same frequency simplex

33
Take aways (cont)

• Use of simplex avoids tying up repeater
• Series of repeaters connected linked repeater
  system
• Access to repeater may be limited by owner
• Closed machine is restricted use
• Local frequency coordinators minimize
  interference and make most efficient use of
  frequencies available

34
Take aways (cont)

• Fundamental overload very strong signals from
  nearby source
• Doppler is NOT a cause of RFI
• Transmitter signals cause telephone to act like a
  receiver caused by nearby transmitter
• Correct RFI Snap-on ferrite chokes low-pass and
  high-pass filters
• Neighbor reports interference meet standards of
  good amateur practice

35
Take aways (cont)

• Neighbor causing interference work with
  neighbor inform rules require stop of
  interference Good standards of amateur practice
• Mobile has high-pitched whine power wiring
  picking up noise from electrical system
• SSB garbled and broken up RF energy causing
  feedback
• Digital systems automatically error correct noise
  and interference
• Using repeater distorted or weak .. Off
  frequency batteries low bad location

36
Element 2 Technician Class Question PoolT5
Valid July 1, 2006 Through June 30, 2010
37
T5A01 What does a microphone connect to in a
basic amateur radio station?

• The receiver
• The transmitter
• The SWR Bridge
• The Balun

38
T5A02 Which piece of station equipment converts
electrical signals to sound waves?

• Frequency coordinator
• Frequency discriminator
• Speaker
• Microphone

39
T5A03 What is the term used to describe what
happens when a microphone and speaker are
too close to each other?

• Excessive wind noise
• Audio feedback
• Inverted signal patterns
• Poor electrical grounding

40
T5A04 What could you use in place of a
regular speaker to help you copy signals in
a noisy area?

• A video display
• A low pass filter
• A set of headphones
• A boom microphone

41
T5A05 What is a good reason for using a
regulated power supply for communications
equipment?

• To protect equipment from voltage fluctuations
• A regulated power supply has FCC approval
• A fuse or circuit breaker regulates the power
• Regulated supplies are less expensive

42
T5A06 Where must a filter be installed to
reduce spurious emissions?

• At the transmitter
• At the receiver
• At the station power supply
• At the microphone

43
T5A07 What type of filter should be connected
to a TV receiver as the first step in trying
to prevent RF overload from a nearby 2-meter
transmitter?

• Low-pass filter
• High-pass filter
• Band pass filter
• Notch filter

44
T5A08 What is connected between the
transceiver and computer terminal in a
packet radio station?

• Transmatch
• Mixer
• Terminal Node Controller
• Antenna

45
T5A09 Which of these items is not required
for a packet radio station?

• Antenna
• Transceiver
• Power source
• Microphone

46
T5A10 What can be used to connect a radio with
a computer for data transmission?

• Balun
• Sound Card
• Impedance matcher
• Autopatch

47
T5B01 What may happen if a transmitter is
operated with the microphone gain set too high?

• The output power will be too high
• It may cause the signal to become distorted and
  unreadable
• The frequency will vary
• The SWR will increase

48
T5B02 What kind of information may a VHF/UHF
transceiver be capable of storing in memory?

• Transmit and receive operating frequency
• CTCSS tone frequency
• Transmit power level
• All of these answers are correct

49
T5B03 What is one way to select a frequency
on which to operate?

• Use the keypad or VFO knob to enter the correct
  frequency
• Turn on the CTCSS encoder
• Adjust the power supply ripple frequency
• All of these answers are correct

50
T5B04 What is the purpose of the squelch
control on a transceiver?

• It is used to set the highest level of volume
  desired
• It is used to set the transmitter power level
• It is used to adjust the antenna polarization
• It is used to quiet noise when no signal is being
  received

51
T5B05 What is a way to enable quick access to a
favorite frequency on your transceiver?

• Enable the CTCSS tones
• Store the frequency in a memory channel
• Disable the CTCSS tones
• Use the scan mode to select the desired frequency

52
T5B06 What might you do to improve the
situation if the station you are listening to
is hard to copy because of ignition noise
interference?

• Increase your transmitter power
• Decrease the squelch setting
• Turn on the noise blanker
• Use the RIT control

53
T5B07 What is the purpose of the buttons
labeled "up" and "down" on many microphones?

• To allow easy frequency or memory selection
• To raise or lower the internal antenna
• To set the battery charge rate
• To upload or download messages

54
T5B08 What is the purpose of the "shift"
control found on many VHF/UHF transceivers?

• Adjust transmitter power level
• Change bands
• Adjust the offset between transmit and receive
  frequency
• Change modes

55
T5B09 What does RIT mean?

• Receiver Input Tone
• Receiver Incremental Tuning
• Rectifier Inverter Test
• Remote Input Transmitter

56
T5B10 What is the purpose of the "step" menu
function found on many transceivers?

• It adjusts the transmitter power output level
• It adjusts the modulation level
• It sets the earphone volume
• It sets the tuning rate when changing frequencies

57
T5B11 What is the purpose of the "function" or
"F" key found on many transceivers?

• It turns the power on and off
• It selects the autopatch access code
• It selects an alternate action for some control
  buttons
• It controls access to the memory scrambler

58
T5C01 What is one purpose of a repeater?

• To cut your power bill by using someone else's
  higher power system
• To extend the usable range of mobile and
  low-power stations
• To transmit signals for observing propagation and
  reception
• To communicate with stations in services other
  than amateur

59
T5C02 What is a courtesy tone?

• A tone used to identify the repeater
• A tone used to indicate when a transmission is
  complete
• A tone used to indicate that a message is waiting
  for someone
• A tone used to activate a receiver in case of
  severe weather

60
T5C03 Which of the following is the most
important information to know before using
a repeater?

• The repeater input and output frequencies
• The repeater call sign
• The repeater power level
• Whether or not the repeater has an autopatch

61
T5C04 Why should you pause briefly between
transmissions when using a repeater?

• To let your radio cool off
• To reach for pencil and paper so you can take
  notes
• To listen for anyone wanting to break in
• To dial up the repeater's autopatch

62
T5C05 What is the most common input/output
frequency offset for repeaters in the
2-meter band?

• 0.6 MHz
• 1.0 MHz
• 1.6 MHz
• 5.0 MHz

63
T5C06 What is the most common input/output
frequency offset for repeaters in the
70-centimeter band?

• 600 kHz
• 1.0 MHz
• 1.6 MHz
• 5.0 MHz

64
T5C07 What is meant by the terms input and
output frequency when referring to repeater
operations?

• The repeater receives on one frequency and
  transmits on another
• The repeater offers a choice of operating
  frequencies
• One frequency is used to control the repeater and
  another is used to retransmit received signals
• The repeater must receive an access code on one
  frequency before it will begin transmitting

65
T5C08 What is the meaning of the term
simplex operation?

• Transmitting and receiving on the same frequency
• Transmitting and receiving over a wide area
• Transmitting on one frequency and receiving on
  another
• Transmitting one-way communications

66
T5C09 What is a reason to use simplex
instead of a repeater?

• When the most reliable communications are needed
• To avoid tying up the repeater when direct
  contact is possible
• When an emergency telephone call is needed
• When you are traveling and need some local
  information

67
T5C10 How might you find out if you could
communicate with a station using simplex
instead of a repeater?

• Check the repeater input frequency to see if you
  can hear the other station
• Check to see if you can hear the other station on
  a different frequency band
• Check to see if you can hear a more distant
  repeater
• Check to see if a third station can hear both of
  you

68
T5C11 What is the term for a series of
repeaters that can be connected to one another
to provide users with a wider coverage?

• Open repeater system
• Closed repeater system
• Linked repeater system
• Locked repeater system

69
T5C12 What is the main reason repeaters
should be approved by the local frequency
coordinator before being installed?

• Coordination minimizes interference between
  repeaters and makes the most efficient use of
  available frequencies
• Coordination is required by the FCC
• Repeater manufacturers have exclusive territories
  and you could be fined for using the wrong
  equipment
• Only coordinated systems will be approved by the
  officers of the local radio club

70
T5C13 Which of the following statements
regarding use of repeaters is true?

• All amateur radio operators have the right to use
  any repeater at any time
• Access to any repeater may be limited by the
  repeater owner
• Closed repeaters must be opened at the request of
  any amateur wishing to use it
• Open repeaters are required to use CTCSS tones
  for access

71
T5C14 What term is used to describe a repeater
when use is restricted to the members of a
club or group?

• A beacon station
• An open repeater
• A auxiliary station
• A closed repeater

72
T5D01 What is meant by fundamental overload
in reference to a receiver?

• Too much voltage from the power supply
• Too much current from the power supply
• Interference caused by very strong signals from a
  nearby source
• Interference caused by turning the volume up too
  high

73
T5D02 Which of the following is NOT a cause
of radio frequency interference?

• Fundamental overload
• Doppler shift
• Spurious emissions
• Harmonics

74
T5D03 What is the most likely cause of
telephone interference from a nearby
transmitter?

• Harmonics from the transmitter
• The transmitter's signals are causing the
  telephone to act like a radio receiver
• Poor station grounding
• Improper transmitter adjustment

75
T5D04 What is a logical first step when
attempting to cure a radio frequency
interference problem in a nearby telephone?

• Install a low-pass filter at the transmitter
• Install a high-pass filter at the transmitter
• Install an RF filter at the telephone
• Improve station grounding

76
T5D05 What should you do first if someone
tells you that your transmissions are
interfering with their TV reception?

• Make sure that your station is operating properly
  and that it does not cause interference to your
  own television
• Immediately turn off your transmitter and contact
  the nearest FCC office for assistance
• Tell them that your license gives you the right
  to transmit and nothing can be done to reduce the
  interference
• Continue operating normally because your
  equipment cannot possibly cause any interference

77
T5D07 Which of the following may be useful
in correcting a radio frequency
Interference problem?

• Snap-on ferrite chokes
• Low-pass and high-pass filters
• Notch and band-pass filters
• All of these answers are correct

78
T5D08 What is the proper course of action to
take when a neighbor reports that your radio
signals are interfering with something in his
home?

• You are not required to do anything
• Contact the FCC to see if other interference
  reports have been filed
• Check your station and make sure it meets the
  standards of good amateur practice
• Change your antenna polarization from vertical to
  horizontal

79
T5D09 What should you do if a "Part 15" device
in your neighbor's home is causing harmful
interference to your amateur station?

• Work with your neighbor to identify the offending
  device
• Politely inform your neighbor about the rules
  that require him to stop using the device if it
  causes interference
• Check your station and make sure it meets the
  standards of good amateur practice
• All of these answers are correct

80
T5D10 What could be happening if another
operator tells you he is hearing a variable
high-pitched whine on the signals from your
mobile transmitter?

• Your microphone is picking up noise from an open
  window
• You have the volume on your receiver set too high
• You need to adjust your squelch control
• The power wiring for your radio is picking up
  noise from the vehicle's electrical system

81
T5D11 What may be the problem if another
operator reports that your SSB signal is very
garbled and breaks up?

• You have the noise limiter turned on
• The transmitter is too hot and needs to cool off
• RF energy may be getting into the microphone
  circuit and causing feedback
• You are operating on lower sideband

82
T5D12 What might be the problem if you receive
a report that your signal through the
repeater is distorted or weak?

• Your transmitter may be slightly off frequency
• Your batteries may be running low
• You could be in a bad location
• All of these answers are correct

83
T5D13 What is one of the reasons to use
digital signals instead of analog signals
to communicate with another station?

• Digital systems are less expensive than analog
  systems
• Many digital systems can automatically correct
  errors caused by noise and interference
• Digital modulation circuits are much less
  complicated than any other types
• All digital signals allow higher transmit power
  levels