Technician License Course Chapter 6 Communicating with other hams

1. Technician License CourseChapter 6Communicating with other hams Lesson Plan Module 14: Nets; Emergency Communications; Special Modes and Techniques

2. Nets • Net is short for “Network” • Evolved over the years to share and exchange information in an organized and efficient way with accuracy • Social nets • Traffic nets • Emergency and public service nets.

3. Nets • Joining a net • For an informal net, just announce your call sign at a break in the conversation. • For formal nets, wait for the net control station to ask for check-ins. • For emergencies, say “emergency” or “priority”, with your call at a break.

4. Traffic Nets • Traffic refers to formal messages that are relayed via ham radio • Formal structure to ensure accuracy – National Traffic System (NTS) • Procedures • Accountability • You pass messages exactly as received

5. Emergency and Public Service Nets • Public service nets – training for emergency nets • Training for ham operators as well as emergency groups and managers supported by Amateur Radio • Emergency nets

6. Net Structure • Net Control Station (NCS) • Traffic cop who controls the flow of information • Check-in and check-out procedures • Communications discipline vital • Learn and follow procedures • Speak only when directed, and only to whom directed • Follow through with your commitments

8. NTS Radiogram Form The preamble contains all the necessary information to track the message to it’s destination. The check box contains the number of words in the message. This form is widely used for formal messages.

9. Which of the following is common practice during net operations to get the immediate attention of the net control station when reporting an emergency? (T2C06) • A. Repeat the words SOS three times followed by the call sign of the reporting station • B. Press the push-to-talk button three times • C. Begin your transmission with “Priority” or “Emergency” followed by your call sign • D. Play a pre-recorded emergency alert tone followed by your call sign

10. Which of the following is common practice during net operations to get the immediate attention of the net control station when reporting an emergency? (T2C06) • A. Repeat the words SOS three times followed by the call sign of the reporting station • B. Press the push-to-talk button three times • C. Begin your transmission with “Priority” or “Emergency” followed by your call sign • D. Play a pre-recorded emergency alert tone followed by your call sign

11. What should you do to minimize disruptions to an emergency traffic net once you have checked in? (T2C07) • A. Whenever the net frequency is quiet, announce your call sign and location • B. Move 5 kHz away from the net’s frequency and use high power to ask other hams to keep clear of the net frequency • C. Do not transmit on the net frequency until asked to do so by the net control station • D. Wait until the net frequency is quiet, then ask for any emergency traffic for your area

12. What should you do to minimize disruptions to an emergency traffic net once you have checked in? (T2C07) • A. Whenever the net frequency is quiet, announce your call sign and location • B. Move 5 kHz away from the net’s frequency and use high power to ask other hams to keep clear of the net frequency • C. Do not transmit on the net frequency until asked to do so by the net control station • D. Wait until the net frequency is quiet, then ask for any emergency traffic for your area

13. What is usually considered to be the most important job of an amateur operator when handling emergency traffic messages? (T2C08) • A. Passing messages exactly as written, spoken or as received • B. Estimating the number of people affected by the disaster • C. Communicating messages to the news media for broadcast outside of the disaster area • D. Broadcasting emergency information to the general public

14. What is usually considered to be the most important job of an amateur operator when handling emergency traffic messages? (T2C08) • A. Passing messages exactly as written, spoken or as received • B. Estimating the number of people affected by the disaster • C. Communicating messages to the news media for broadcast outside of the disaster area • D. Broadcasting emergency information to the general public

15. What is the preamble in a formal traffic message? (T2C10) • A. The first paragraph of the message text • B. The message number • C. The priority handling indicator for the message • D. The information needed to track the message as it passes through the amateur radio traffic handling system

16. What is the preamble in a formal traffic message? (T2C10) • A. The first paragraph of the message text • B. The message number • C. The priority handling indicator for the message • D. The information needed to track the message as it passes through the amateur radio traffic handling system

17. What is meant by the term “check” in reference to a formal traffic message? (T2C11) • A. The check is a count of the number of words or word equivalents in the text portion of the message • B. The check is the value of a money order attached to the message • C. The check is a list of stations that have relayed the message • D. The check is a box on the message form that tells you the message was received

18. What is meant by the term “check” in reference to a formal traffic message? (T2C11) • A. The check is a count of the number of words or word equivalents in the text portion of the message • B. The check is the value of a money order attached to the message • C. The check is a list of stations that have relayed the message • D. The check is a box on the message form that tells you the message was received

19. Emergency or Priority Traffic • An emergency is a situation that involves an immediate threat to human life or an immediate threat to property. • You can use any means at your disposal to pass traffic related to an emergency, only for as long as the emergency exists. • Priority traffic involved potential threats to life and/or property.

20. Supporting Emergency Operations • One of the pivotal reasons for the existence of Amateur Radio. • You will be licensed communicators. • Get involved and use what you have learned. • Know where you fit in the overall emergency management team.

21. EMCOMM Organizations • Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES). • Supports civil emergencies. • National in scope. • Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). • Local and regional in scope. • Supports non-governmental agencies.

22. EMCOMM Tips • Don’t become part of the problem. • You are a communicator, not a decision or policy maker. • Don’t give out unauthorized information. • Know your abilities and limitations-keep yourself safe. • Follow radio discipline and net procedures. • Protect personal information-ham radio communications is a ‘party line.”

23. Emergency Declarations • FCC may declare a Temporary State of Communications Emergency. • Includes details of conditions and rules to be followed. • Specifics communicated through web sites and ARRL bulletins, the NTS, and on-the-air. • Avoid operating on restricted frequencies unless engaged in relief efforts.

24. Making and Answering Distress Calls • Rule number one – speak in plain language! • Mayday (voice); SOS (Morse code) are flags • Identify • Give location • State the situation • Describe assistance required • Provide other important information • NEVER make a false distress call!

25. Tactical Communications • Tactical Call Signs. • Facilitate communications. • Location or function specific. • Transcends operator changes. • FCC ID rules still apply. • At the end of a conversation or every ten minutes, whichever is less.

26. Emergency Equipment • “Go-kits” are supplies and equipment that are kept ready to go at any time. • Portable ham radio equipment. • Emergency power sources. • Personal survival supplies and equipment. • What and how extensive depends on your expected use.

27. EMCOMM Training • If you are going to participate in EMCOMM, get training. • Actively participate in EMCOMM activities. • Nets • Public service activities • Attend community meetings and get involved in your community. • Take EMCOMM courses. • ARRL EMCOMM courses • NIMS and FEMA courses

28. What set of rules applies to proper operation of your station when using amateur radio at the request of public service officials? (T2C01) • A. RACES rules • B. ARES rules • C. FCC rules • D. FEMA rules

29. What set of rules applies to proper operation of your station when using amateur radio at the request of public service officials? (T2C01) • A. RACES rules • B. ARES rules • C. FCC rules • D. FEMA rules

30. What do RACES and ARES have in common? (T2C04) • A. They represent the two largest ham clubs in the United States • B. Both organizations broadcast road and weather traffic information • C. Neither may handle emergency traffic supporting public service agencies • D. Both organizations may provide communications during emergencies

31. What do RACES and ARES have in common? (T2C04) • A. They represent the two largest ham clubs in the United States • B. Both organizations broadcast road and weather traffic information • C. Neither may handle emergency traffic supporting public service agencies • D. Both organizations may provide communications during emergencies

32. What is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service? (T2C05) • A. An emergency radio service organized by amateur operators • B. A radio service using amateur stations for emergency management or civil defense communications • C. A radio service organized to provide communications at civic events • D. A radio service organized by amateur operators to assist non-military persons

33. What is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service? (T2C05) • A. An emergency radio service organized by amateur operators • B. A radio service using amateur stations for emergency management or civil defense communications • C. A radio service organized to provide communications at civic events • D. A radio service organized by amateur operators to assist non-military persons

34. When may an amateur station use any means of radio communications at its disposal for essential communications in connection with immediate safety of human life and protection of property? (T2C09) • A. Only when FEMA authorizes it by declaring an emergency • B. When normal communications systems are not available • C. Only when RACES authorizes it by declaring an emergency • D. Only when authorized by the local MARS program director

35. When may an amateur station use any means of radio communications at its disposal for essential communications in connection with immediate safety of human life and protection of property? (T2C09) • A. Only when FEMA authorizes it by declaring an emergency • B. When normal communications systems are not available • C. Only when RACES authorizes it by declaring an emergency • D. Only when authorized by the local MARS program director

36. Awards, DXing, Contests • On-air activities provide incentive to get on the radio • Learn about propagation as you search for specific stations on various bands • Improve operating skills • Fun!

37. Awards • DXCC • Contacting 100 different entities (countries) • WAS • Contacting 50 states • VUCC • Contacting 100 grid squares on VHF/UHF

38. DXing • Contacting stations far away – a tradition since the first days of radio. • On HF, usually means contacting stations in other countries • On VHF/UHF, means contacting stations outside your normal coverage area

39. Contests • ARRL Sweepstakes • State QSO Parties • VHF/UHF contests • RTTY contests • CQ World Wide DX Contest • Radiosport competition • Contest calendars

40. Contests • Contacting as many stations as possible within a certain time period. • Exchanging some specific information • Logging your contacts

41. Field Day • Emergency communications training with a competitive spirit • Set up portable station and antenna (in the field, mobile, anywhere!) and make as many contacts as possible • Get started with your local club or group – great way to get involved

42. Special Events • Special Event stations are set up to commemorate some significant local event. • Usually stations are demonstration stations set up for public display. • Commemorative certificates are awarded for contacting the stations.

43. Radio Direction Finding • Useful for locating interference or noise sources • Works best with a directional antenna • “Fox hunting” competitions on FM offer a fun opportunity to learn how to do it • Good training for search and rescue

44. Amateur Satellites • OSCAR • Orbiting Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio. • Modes • FM • Analog (SSB and CW) • Digital • International Space Station.

45. Satellite Terms • Uplink – Earth stations transmit to satellite • Downlink – Satellite transmits to stations on Earth • Beacon – signal from satellite with information about satellite operating conditions (telemetry) • Doppler shift – shift in frequency due to relative motion between satellite and Earth station • LEO – Low earth orbit

46. Satellite Terms • Spin fading – caused by rotation of satellite • Pacsat – packet radio satellite • Tracking software – gives beam heading and times when satellite is in view • Mode – bands satellite is using for uplink and downlink (eg: Mode U/V = 70 cm uplink, 2 meters downlink) • Telemetry – remote meter readings

47. Other Special Modes • Video • Slow Scan TV (SSTV) • Sending snap-shot pictures. • Amateur TV (ATV) • Analog fast scan TV (NTSC standard). • What SSTV sounds like

48. Other Special Modes • Radio Control (RC). • Telecommand – one way signals to control something • 50 MHz band.

49. Other Special Modes • Radio Control (RC). • Signals to control model craft are limited to 1 Watt • Transmitter must have a label with name, call sign and address of the licensee

50. What is the FCC Part 97 definition of telecommand? (T1A06) • A. An instruction bulletin issued by the FCC • B. A one-way radio transmission of measurements at a distance from the measuring instrument • C. A one-way transmission to initiate, modify or terminate functions of a device at a distance • D. An instruction from a VEC