Welcome!
Ham Radio Technician Class
Licensing Course
Introduction
Introductions
State your name and a little about yourself.
Why are you taking this course?
What do you know about ham radio?
What expectations do you have for yourself and
your instructors?
Course Overview
Amateur Radio Equipment
Radio and Signal Fundamentals
Communicating with other Hams
Electricity, Components, and Circuits
Licensing Regulations
Propagation, Antennas, and Feed Lines
Operating Regulations
Safety
Expectations
Class will start and end on time.
Instructors will be prepared to teach.
Students are expected to read assigned material
before each class session and be prepared to
learn.
Ham radio is not a spectator sport. Active
participation during class discussions is vital to
success in obtaining your Technician Class
License
Ground Rules
Ask on topic questions right away
If you did not understand – you are not
alone
Save off-topic questions for after class
Please turn off (or silence) cell phones
pagers, etc.
Let’s Get Started
•Our goal during this class is for each of you to
achieve the Technician Class Amateur Radio
License!
–The license will authorize you to operate an
Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) transmitter.
Say Hello!
This isn't your Grandfather's /
Father's ham radio
When all else fails: Amateur Radio!
Why is there ham radio?
1. Providing emergency communication capability
2. Advancement of the art and science of radio
3. Advance communication and technical skills of
radio
4. Provide a trained reservoir of operators,
technicians, and electronics experts
5. Promote and enhance international goodwill
What do hams do?
Communicate
Participate
Experiment
Build
Complete in contests
Serve their communities
Life-long learning
What makes ham radio
different?
There are many radio services where
operators need not be licensed
Ham radio is authorized:
Less restrictions
More frequencies (channels or bands to
utilize)
More power (to improve range and
quality)
More ways to communicate
It’s free to operate your radio
With more privileges comes more
responsibility
Because ham radios are much more capable
and have the potential of interfering with
other radio services
Because ham radios have unlimited reacheasily reach around the globe and into
space
FCC authorization is required to ensure the
operator is qualified to operate the ham
radio safely, appropriately, and within the
rules and regulations – that is why you are
here
Class of Licenses
Technician – first level – VHF, UHF, some HF
General – Same as Technician plus lots of HF
Extra – Same as General but more HF
VHF = Very High Frequency = Generally “line of sight”
UHF = Ultra High Frequency = Strictly “line of sight”
HF =
High Frequency
= Global communication
What can I do With a Technician
Class License?
VHF / UHF voice communications
HF voice on 10 meter band
Digital communication on select HF
bands
Design, build, use amateur radio
equipment
Learn, learn, learn
What can I do With a General
Class License?
Everything a Technician Class License
can do
plus...
Expanded HF privileges including
voice, digital, video
Greatly expanded frequencies or
bands
What can I do With a Extra Class
License?
Everything a General Class License
can do
plus...
More HF frequencies
Licensing Authority
Federal Communications Commission
Located in Gettysburg, PA
Amateur Radio operations covered by
FCC rules published in Part 97 of
Title 47 – Code of Federal
Regulations
Typically called “Part 97”
Some Definitions
Amateur Service – non pecuniary
interest (private and personal, non
commercial)
Amateur Operator – the person holding
authorization (license) to operate a
amateur radio station
Some Definitions, cont
Amateur Station – equipment capable
of transmitting on frequencies
authorized for Amateur Service
The Amateur License
No age limit or citizenship restrictions
One exception – representative of foreign
country
License actually contains two parts
Operator License
Station License (the Call Sign)
Three classes of operator privileges:
Technician, General, Extra
Examinations
Preparation
Study the content
Question Pool
Taking the exam
Proctored exam
Multiple choice
What the fee pays for
Volunteer Examiners (VEs)
Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs)
The Test
All questions, and answers are published
(but not necessary in the same order)
Question pool is 396 questions long
Question pool is broken up into 10 sections
Test is 35 questions long, must get 26 correct
READ READ READ the question!
Test Questions
396 questions in 35 sections
SUBELEMENT T1 – FCC Rules, descriptions, definitions - [6 Questions]
SUBELEMENT T2 - Operating Procedures – [3 Questions]
SUBELEMENT T3 – Radio wave characteristics – [3 Questions]
SUBELEMENT T4 - Amateur radio practices – [2 Questions]
SUBELEMENT T5 – Electrical principles, math, Ohm’s Law – [4 Questions]
SUBELEMENT T6 – Electrical components – [4 Questions]
SUBELEMENT T7 – Station equipment – [4 Questions]
SUBELEMENT T8 – Modes, satellite operation, operating – [4 Questions]
SUBELEMENT T9 – Antennas, feedlines [2 Questions]
SUBELEMENT T0 – AC, antenna installation, RF hazards – [3 Questions]
License Term and Renewal
The license is free and good for 10 years
Renewable within 90 days of the expiration
date
Some personal identification information
is required
Tax ID (social security number)
Current Mailing Address
Federal Registration Number (FRN)
Responsibilities of License
Prevent unauthorized operation of your
station
Provide personal information as required
– keep a current mailing address on file
Make your station available for FCC
inspection upon request
For whom is the Amateur Radio Service intended
(T1A01)‫‏‬
A. Persons who have messages to broadcast to the
public
B. Persons who need communications for the
activities of their immediate family members,
relatives and friends
C. Persons who need two-way communications for
personal reasons
D. Persons who are interested in radio technique
solely with a personal aim and without
pecuniary interest
For whom is the Amateur Radio Service intended
(T1A01)‫‏‬
A. Persons who have messages to broadcast to the
public
B. Persons who need communications for the
activities of their immediate family members,
relatives and friends
C. Persons who need two-way communications for
personal reasons
D. Persons who are interested in radio technique
solely with a personal aim and without
pecuniary interest
What is the FCC Part 97 definition of an amateur
station? (T1A10)‫‏‬
A. A station in an Amateur Radio Service consisting of
the apparatus necessary for carrying on radio
communications
B. A building where Amateur Radio receivers,
transmitters, and RF power amplifiers are installed
C. Any radio station operated by a nonprofessional
D. Any radio station for hobby use
What is the FCC Part 97 definition of an amateur
station? (T1A10)‫‏‬
A. A station in an Amateur Radio Service
consisting of the apparatus necessary for
carrying on radio communications
B. A building where Amateur Radio receivers,
transmitters, and RF power amplifiers are installed
C. Any radio station operated by a nonprofessional
D. Any radio station for hobby use
FCC
THE governing government agency in the
United States
As a Technician Class Licensee you are a
federally licensed to operate
Must keep your mailing address up to date with
FCC
Must make your station available for inspection
FCC ULS Web Site
Register for on-line access to your license information
Make changes to your address and other
information
Renew your license
Search for other station information
wireless.fcc.gov/uls
What may result when correspondence from the
FCC is returned as undeliverable because the
grantee failed to provide the correct mailing
address? (T1C07)
A. Fine or imprisonment
B. Revocation of the station license or suspension of
the operator license
C. Require the licensee to be re-examined
D. A reduction of one rank in operator class
What may result when correspondence from the
FCC is returned as undeliverable because the
grantee failed to provide the correct mailing
address? (T1C07)
A. Fine or imprisonment
B. Revocation of the station license or suspension
of the operator license
C. Require the licensee to be re-examined
D. A reduction of one rank in operator class
When must the station licensee make the station
and its records available for FCC
inspection?(T1F13)
A. Any time upon request by an official observer
B. Any time upon request by an FCC representative
C. 30 days prior to renewal of the station license
D. 10 days before the first transmission
When must the station licensee make the station
and
its records available for FCC inspection?(T1F13)
A. Any time upon request by an official observer
B. Any time upon request by an FCC
representative
C. 30 days prior to renewal of the station license
D. 10 days before the first transmission
BREAK
What can you do with a
Technician Class License?
Emission Privileges
What can you do with a
Technician Class License?
Frequency Privileges
Band versus
frequency
300
BAND (meters) =
Frequency (MHz)
Band vs Frequency
1 cycle
Wavelength = distance 1 cycle travels
What can you do with a
Technician Class License?
300
--------= 2.045 Meters
146.64 MHz
144 MHz = 2.083 Meters
148 MHz = 2.027 Meters
144 - 148 MHz is the “2 Meter Band
AKA “2 Meters”
80 Meters
40 Meters
15 Meters
10 Meters
HF
3.525-3.600 MHz: CW
7.025-7.125 MHz: CW
21.025-21.200 MHz: CW
28.000-28.300 MHz: CW, Data
28.300-28.500 MHz: CW, Phone
6 Meters
VHF
50.0-50.1 MHz: CW
50.1-54.0 MHz: CW, Phone, etc
2 Meters
144.0-144.1 MHz: CW
144.1-148.0 MHz: CW, Phone, etc
1.25 Meters 222.00-225.00 MHz: CW, Phone, etc
UHF and UP
70 cm
420.0-450.0 MHz: CW, Phone, etc
33 cm
902.0-928.0 MHz: CW, Phone, etc
23 cm
1240-1300 MHz: CW, Phone, etc
Higher Frequencies:
2300-2310 MHz
2390-2450 MHz
3300-3500 MHz
5650-5925 MHz
10.0-10.5 GHz
24.0-24.25 GHz
47.0-47.2 GHz
119.98-120.02 GHz
Primary and Secondary
Allocations
Some authorized amateur frequencies are
shared
Primary Users - have priority to the band,
other must accept our interference and
must not cause it to us
Secondary Users - others have priority,
we have to accept interference and must
not cause it.
Which amateur band are you using when your
station is transmitting on 146.52 Mhz? (T1B04)
A. 2 meter band
B. 20 meter band
C. 14 meter band
D. 6 meter band
Which amateur band are you using when your
station is transmitting on 146.52 Mhz? (T1B04)
A. 2 meter band
B. 20 meter band
C. 14 meter band
D. 6 meter band
Which of the bands available to Technician Class
operators have mode-restricted subbands?
(T1B10)
A. The 6 meter, 2 meter, and 70 cm bands
B. The 2 meter and 13 cm bands
C. The 6 meter, 2 meter, and 1.25 meter bands
D. The 2 meter and 70 cm bands
Which of the bands available to Technician Class
operators have mode-restricted subbands?
(T1B10)
A. The 6 meter, 2 meter, and 70 cm bands
B. The 2 meter and 13 cm bands
C. The 6 meter, 2 meter, and 1.25 meter bands
D. The 2 meter and 70 cm bands
Amateur Radio - Internationally
- International Telecommunications Union
(ITU) Regions 1, 2, and 3
- CONUS hams are in Region 2
- Reciprocal Operating Authorizations
- There are times when there are restrictions
on certain countries that we can contact
Reciprocal Operating
Countries that have bilateral agreements for
operating
- Most require permits prior to operating
- Canada and Mexico are automatic (still
must abide by their rules)‫‏‬
Amateur Radio - Internationally
Note: Phone and Image modes are permitted between
7.075 and 7.100 MHz for FCC licensed stations in
ITU Regions 1 and 3 and by FCC licensed stations in
ITU Region 2 West of 130 degrees West longitude or
south of 20 degrees North latitude. See Section
97.307(f)(11).
Novice and Technician licensees outside ITU Region 2
may use CW only between 7.050 and 7.075 MHz. See
Section 97.301(e)n. These exemptions do not apply
to stations in the continental US.
What is the ITU? (T1B01)
A. An agency of the United States Department of
Telecommunications Management
B. A United Nations agency for information and
communication technology issues
C. An independent frequency coordination agency
D. A department of the FCC
What is the ITU? (T1B01)
A. An agency of the United States Department of
Telecommunications Management
B. A United Nations agency for information and
communication technology issues
C. An independent frequency coordination agency
D. A department of the FCC
North American amateur stations are located in
which ITU region? (T1B02)
A. Region 1
B. Region 2
C. Region 3
D. Region 4 coordination agency
North American amateur stations are located in
which ITU region? (T1B02)
A. Region 1
B. Region 2
C. Region 3
D. Region 4 coordination agency
What types of international communications are
permitted by an FCC-licensed amateur station?
(T1C03)
A. Communications incidental to the purposes of the
amateur service and remarks of a personal
character
B. Communications incidental to conducting business
or remarks of a personal nature
C. Only communications incidental to contest
exchanges, all other communications are prohibited
D. Any communications that would be permitted on an
international broadcast station
What types of international communications are
permitted by an FCC-licensed amateur station?
(T1C03)
A. Communications incidental to the purposes of
the amateur service and remarks of a personal
character
B. Communications incidental to conducting business
or remarks of a personal nature
C. Only communications incidental to contest
exchanges, all other communications are prohibited
D. Any communications that would be permitted on an
international broadcast station
When are you allowed to operate your amateur
station in a foreign country? (T1C04)
A. When the foreign country authorizes it
B. When there is a mutual agreement allowing
third party communications
C. When authorization permits amateur
communications in a foreign language
D. When you are communicating with non-licensed
individuals in another country
When are you allowed to operate your amateur
station in a foreign country? (T1C04)
A. When the foreign country authorizes it
B. When there is a mutual agreement allowing
third party communications
C. When authorization permits amateur
communications in a foreign language
D. When you are communicating with non-licensed
individuals in another country
Call Signs
US call signs begin
with: K, N, W, and A
US call sign districts:
0-9
US Amateur Calls only have one number!!!
Call Signs
Portable – operating away from primary
station location
If in the different call sign district add:
“portable‫‏‬6”‫‏‬if‫‏‬voice
/6 if Morse code or digital
Not required just nice to do
If recent up-grade‫‏‬add‫“‏‬Portable‫‏‬AG”‫‏‬or
“Portable‫‏‬AE”‫“(‏‬/AG”‫‏‬or‫“‏‬/AE”‫‏‬if‫‏‬CW)‫‏‬
Special Call Signs
Club Call Signs
Special Event Call Signs
Vanity Call Signs
Tactical Call Signs
Self Assigned Indicator
Club Call Signs
Clubs may hold a unique call sign - for
events, repeater ID, etc
A person in the club is designated the
call trustee and is responsible
person of record
BARC Call Sign is N6OV
Special Event Signs
Special Events includes just about
everything
Limited time
Must be applied for via coordinators
example: K4S
Vanity Call Signs
Special Call signs may be requested
- Shorter call signs
- Initials or special meaning
- N6HAL
- N0BLM
- Deceased family member
Vanity Call Signs
FCC process to do so
- Your license must meet minimum
requirement of call sign
- Call must be available
- Enter into a lottery to receive call
- Cost $$ to get and renew
- Deceased family member must be close
member, documentation may be required
Tactical Call Signs
Used in emergency, special events
example “water stop 1”, “double
rocks” or “hospital”
Very useful and good short hand
but you must still meet the 10 minute
rule for identification with your call
sign!
Self Defined Indicator
Identifies location, mode, club
affiliation, etc
example: WA6ARA / QRP
Can be useful
...but must not be one specifically
excluded by the FCC or is a prefix of
another country.
Identification
Your call sign identifies who you are…
- you are a licensed operator
- you are operating within the law
Identification is required by the FCC
- at the end
- and at 10 minute intervals
What type of identification is being used when
identifying a station on the air as “Race
Headquarters”? (T1F01)
A. Tactical call
B. Self-assigned designator
C. SSID
D. Broadcast station
What type of identification is being used when
identifying a station on the air as “Race
Headquarters”? (T1F01)
A. Tactical call
B. Self-assigned designator
C. SSID
D. Broadcast station
When is an amateur station required to transmit its
assigned call sign? (T1F03)
A. At the beginning of each contact, and every 10
minutes thereafter
B. At least once during each transmission
C. At least every 15 minutes during and at the end of a
contact
D. At least every 10 minutes during and at the end of a
contact
When is an amateur station required to transmit its
assigned call sign? (T1F03)
A. At the beginning of each contact, and every 10
minutes thereafter
B. At least once during each transmission
C. At least every 15 minutes during and at the end of a
contact
D. At least every 10 minutes during and at the end
of a contact
Which type of call sign has a single letter in both
the prefix and suffix? (T1C01)
A. Vanity
B. Sequential
C. Special event
D. In-memoriam
Which type of call sign has a single letter in both
the prefix and suffix? (T1C01)
A. Vanity
B. Sequential
C. Special event
D. In-memoriam
Which of the following is a valid US amateur radio
station call sign? (T1C02)
A. KMA3505
B. W3ABC
C. KDKA
D. 11Q1176
Which of the following is a valid US amateur radio
station call sign? (T1C02)
A. KMA3505
B. W3ABC
C. KDKA
D. 11Q1176
Homework
Read Chapter 1 (all), 6.2, 7(all), 8.2 for
this week
Read Chapter 2 and 3 for next week
Local Ham Radio Activities
Bishop Amateur Radio Club
Meets second Tuesday of the month
@ 7:00pm
Salvation Army Facility
621 W. Line St (Towne and Country Ctr)
Bishop CA
Local Ham Radio Activities
Nightly Net at 8AM nights (2000 hrs local)
146.94 MHz, FM (repeater)
Sunday Morning “Owens Valley Net”
3990 KHz (80 Mtrs) 8:30
Hidden Transmitter Hunt (aka “Fox Hunt”)
Saturday after BARC Meeting @ 10AM
(see details on www.N6OV)