Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Foundation Course
Nature of Amateur Radio
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Foundation Licence Course
Murray Niman G6JYB
Slide Set 1: v1.2, 5-Sep-2013
(1) Nature of Amateur Radio
1
Amateur Radio
• Nature
Amateur Radio is for self-training and experimentation, and is
non-commercial in nature
• Benefits
Amateur Radio is of value in areas of
–
–
–
–
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Technical Innovation
Emergency Communications
Development of Skills
International Friendship
Recreational Activity
• The Foundation Licence is the entry level to Amateur Radio in the UK
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Foundation Licence Course
Murray Niman G6JYB
Slide Set 1: v1.2, 5-Sep-2013
(1) Nature of Amateur Radio
2
Amateur Radio Aspects
• BANDS
HF, VHF, UHF (and Microwave)
• SPECIAL Repeaters, Internet Links, Packet/UIView, DX Cluster,
RAYNET and Satellites/ISS
• MODES
Voice, Morse, Data/Telemetry, SlowScan Images/TV
• MODULATION CW, AM, SSB, FM, FSK, PSK31 etc
• OTHER
RSGB/Radcom, Clubs/Events, QSL Cards, Rallies
Contests, Awards
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Foundation Licence Course
Murray Niman G6JYB
Slide Set 1: v1.2, 5-Sep-2013
(1) Nature of Amateur Radio
3
Radio
Microwaves
THz
IR
UV
X-rays Gamma rays
Understand the Terminology
for the Radio Spectrum
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Foundation Licence Course
Murray Niman G6JYB
Slide Set 1: v1.2, 5-Sep-2013
(1) Nature of Amateur Radio
4
Frequency & Wavelength
• As Frequency increases
its Wavelength shrinks
• Antenna sizes are
proportional to
wavelength
• So higher frequencies
have smaller antennas
• For Foundation use, a
conversion chart is
available to avoid the
arithmetic
– its in the
exam handout
– so do use it!
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Foundation Licence Course
Murray Niman G6JYB
Slide Set 1: v1.2, 5-Sep-2013
(1) Nature of Amateur Radio
5
Our Frequencies
Regulators such as Ofcom allocate
specific bands to Amateurs in
the Licence Frequency Schedule
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Foundation Licence Course
Amateurs then voluntarily
agree how to use each band
via band plans, which are
coordinated by RSGB/IARU
Murray Niman G6JYB
Slide Set 1: v1.2, 5-Sep-2013
(1) Nature of Amateur Radio
6
Frequency Ranges
• Remember common ranges for Radio Frequencies (RF):– HF:
3-30MHz
– VHF: 30-300MHz
– UHF: >300MHz
• Compare with UK AC Mains = 50Hz
• General Audio (AF) for Normal Hearing: 100Hz-15kHz
• Frequencies for Audio Communications: 300Hz-3kHz
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Foundation Licence Course
Murray Niman G6JYB
Slide Set 1: v1.2, 5-Sep-2013
(1) Nature of Amateur Radio
7
Frequency Bands
• Amateurs often refer to their bands in terms of either
wavelength or frequency
• Try to familiarise how bands may be described
– HF:
7MHz = 40m 10MHz = 30m 29MHz = 10m
– VHF: 50MHz = 6m
145MHz = 2m
– UHF: 430MHz = 70cms
• Note how the wavelengths decrease as frequencies rise
- as per the earlier slide and the conversion chart
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Foundation Licence Course
Murray Niman G6JYB
Slide Set 1: v1.2, 5-Sep-2013
(1) Nature of Amateur Radio
8
Other Radio Users
• The radio spectrum is divided
into agreed allocations to
coordinate various uses
• The table opposite is a VHF
example and may be used in
the exam
• Amateurs have to share
radio spectrum with many
other services
• Other services may be in
adjacent bands, but
sometimes may be within
an Amateur band
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Foundation Licence Course
Murray Niman G6JYB
Slide Set 1: v1.2, 5-Sep-2013
(1) Nature of Amateur Radio
9
Useful Information !
• The handout has copies of
the schedule, band plans,
frequency usage and the
conversion chart
• Take care to review it
• Do ask if you don’t
understand
• Remember that it can
give you some answers
in the exam
- so do use it !!!
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Foundation Licence Course
Murray Niman G6JYB
Slide Set 1: v1.2, 5-Sep-2013
(1) Nature of Amateur Radio
10
Amateur Radio at Large
Handhelds
Computer
Data / Packet
Satellites & ISS
Satellite
Contests
TV
Computer
Comm. Tower
Satellite dish
Microwave
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Foundation Licence Course
Mobile
Murray Niman G6JYB
Repeaters /
Gateways
Slide Set 1: v1.2, 5-Sep-2013
(1) Nature of Amateur Radio
11