Frequency Spectrum
An Overview
Spectrum Divisions
Amateur Radio Bands (27)
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160M
80M
60M
40M
30M
20M
17M
15M
12M
10M
6M
2M
1.25M
70cm
33cm
23cm
13cm
9cm
5cm
3cm
1.25cm
6mm
4mm
2.5mm
2.1mm
1.2mm
1mm
1.8MHz
3.5MHz
5.3MHz
7MHz
10.1MHz
14MHz
18MHz
21MHz
24MHz
28MHz
50MHz
144MHz
222MHz
420MHz
902MHz
1240MHz
2300MHz
3300MHz
5650MHz
10GHz
24GHz
47GHz
76GHz
122.25GHz
134GHz
241GHz
275GHz
MH
HF
VHF
UHF
SHF
EHF
1800-2000kHz
3500-4000kHz
5330.5-5403.5kHz (5 channels)
7000-7300kHz
10100-10150kHz
14000-14350kHz
18068-18168kHz
21000-21450kHz
24890-24990kHz
28000-29700kHz
50.0-54.0MHz
144.0-148.0MHz
219.0-220.0, 222.0-225.0MHz
420.0-450.0MHz
902.0-928.0MHz
1240-1300MHz
2300-2310, 2390-2450MHz
3300-3500MHz
5650-5925MHz
10.0-10.5GHz
24.0-24.25GHz
47.0-47.2GHz
76.0-81.0GHz
122.25-123.0GHz
134-141GHz
241-250GHz
All above 275GHz
AMATEUR (Ham) RADIO
Allan D Handforth, AF6BO
Statistics - 2007
• 630,000 Operators in USA
• 2.5M Operators in World
• 900 roughly in Santa Cruz County, CA
• 150,000 Membership in USA ARRL
• - ARRL is largest Political Organization
• - ARRL sponsors ARES© Organizations
License Levels
• Technician License
• General License
• Amateur Extra License
• (old) – Morse Code
• Novice
• Advance
Technician License 35/400
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FCC Rules, Station License Responsibilities - 4
Control Operator Duties – 4
Operating Practices – 4
Radio and Electronic Fundamentals – 5
Station Setup and operation – 4
Communications Modes and Methods – 3
Special Operations – 2
Emergency and Public Service Communications – 3
Radio Waves, Propagation, and Antennas – 3
Electrical and RF Safety - 3
Methods of Learning
• Self (get license manual and study)
• 6-8 Week Class (material covered with
mentors in classroom)
• Exam Cram (may have some classroom
time – only to answer questions and
explain concepts)
• Test at VEC Session (special locally
scheduled or at normal testing times)
You don’t buy it – you EARN it
• Entry level license is easy
– Takes a week or two of study
• On your own
–Study books
–Online courses
• Groups and classes
–Local clubs
Costs
• About $40 in books and fees ($24.95 + tax, ship,
$14.00 test)
• About $200 for first radio and other gear
• Used equipment is available, too ($25 up)
Join ARES
• Amateur Radio Emergency Service
• Must have ham radio license
• Continually learn about emergency
communications
ARES
• Has formal national agreements to provide
emergency communications for
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FEMA
Citizen Corps - DHS
American Red Cross
Salvation Army
Many other organizations
ARRL
• American Radio Relay League
– The national association for amateur
radio
– Founded in 1914
– Headquarters in Newington, CT
– 150,000 members strong
– Primary source of ham radio information
in the US
Resources
• ARRL www.arrl.org/shop (Publications & Products)
• Ham Radio Outlet www.hamradio.com (Equipment –
store in Sunnyvale, CA)
• Amateur Electronic Supply – AES www.aesham.com
(Equipment -Las Vegas, nearest store)
• Texas Towers www.texastowers.com (Equipment)
• MFJ Enterprises www.mfjenterprises.com (Equipment)
• QRZ www.qrz.com (Used Equipment, Forums,
Information, etc.)
• Santa Cruz County ARES/RACES/ACS http://ares.santacruz.ca.us (local information)