Ham Radio - My Amateur Radio QTH

EchoLink

EchoLink is an awesome bit of software that allows you to do a form of Radio-Over-IP (RoIP). That means you’re talking to other stations over the internet, anywhere in the world. Whether from your laptop in a coffee shop, or from your smartphone as you drive during your commute, you can call CQ and make your QSLs across the world. One thing of note is that while it is available worldwide, it’s only open to the Amateur Radio community as it requires a valid call sign to create an account.

Currently, EchoLink is only available on Windows 7 and above (link). However, it is available on App Store for Apple devices and the Google Play store for Android devices.

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ARRL training courses

The ARRL offers a few free training courses to HAM operations to help assist them to prepare for emergency situations. Just like the FEMA courses, these are self-paced online courses that you can work on. These are “nice to have” pieces of training that will greatly improve your abilities to operate.

However, these do not take the place of the required FEMA pieces of training needed to participate with your local ARES/RACES. And actually, the FEMA courses are prerequisites for the ARRL courses.

To take the ARRL training courses, you must first register with the ARRL: http://www.arrl.org/online-course-registration
(NOTE: Registration does NOT require becoming an ARRL member for these courses)

Basic

EC-001 Introduction to Emergency Communication
- Prerequisites:
  – FEMA IS-100.c & IS-700.b

Advanced

EC-016 Public Service and Emergency Communication Management for Radio Amateurs
- Prerequisites:
  – EC-001 Intro to Emergency Communiactions
  – Skywarn Training
  – FEMA IS-100.c, IS-200.c, IS-700.b, & IS-800.c
- Referenced:
  – FEMA IS-120.c, IS-230.e, IS-235.c, IS-240.c, IS-241.c, IS-242.c, IS-244.b, & IS-288.a
PR-101 Public Relations 101 for Radio Amateurs

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FEMA training courses

As a licensed radio operator, learning how to be an effective and properly trained volunteer will allow you to be an essential communications asset during a response to any emergency. During exercises and emergencies, your local ARES/RACES must comply with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) because when activated, its operations would function under the Incident Command System (ICS). This means you will need to complete some official training if you want to volunteer with your local ARES/RACES organization.

To help you become “qualified”, FEMA offers a few self-paced training courses relating to Emergency Management that are beneficial to HAM radio operators. All of these FEMA training courses are offered for free, online, thru the FEMA website. They are self-paced courses that you are able to proceed at your own pace through. Each online course is presented as slides that you will click through, and additional course materials are also available for download on the webpage for each course.

Once you complete the course you are then able to take an online exam, for which you will receive a certificate of completion if you pass. In my experience, after taking an exam, I was emailed my pass/fail status and certificate (if passed) within five minutes of completing the exam.

To initially begin any of the FEMA courses you will need to have first created a FEMA Student ID to log in with: https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid

Basic, required courses:

IS-100.c Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100
IS-200.c Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
IS-700.b An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
IS-800.d National Response Framework, an Introduction

Advanced, optional courses:

IS-120.c An Introduction to Exercises
IS-230.e Fundamentals of Emergency Management
IS-235.c Emergency Planning
IS-240.c Leadership & Influence
IS-241.c Decision Making & Problem Solving
IS-242.b Effective Communications
IS-244.b Developing & Managing Volunteers

Professional Development Series –
As an added perk to completing the courses I list above, you will receive a certificate from the FEMA Emergency Management Institute for finishing their Professional Development Series.

Optional but related courses:

IS-288.a Role of Voluntary Organizations in Emergency Management
IS-951 DHS Radio Interoperability
IS-2200 Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions

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GMRS License

So while I have my HAM license, I decided to go ahead and get a GMRS license too. My reasoning for getting it was twofold. The first reason was that I often spend time with family and friends that are not HAM radio operators. Since they aren’t HAMs, I can’t exactly hand them one of my handheld radios and then chat with them over the air when we are out someplace camping, traveling, hiking, or doing any other activity. Having the GMRS license will basically allow me to do just that, to stay connected and communicate with my friends and family when we are out somewhere having fun.

The second the FCC recently reduced the cost of the license. They cut the licensing fee from $70 down to $35. This fee reduction makes getting the license much more affordable, especially since it lasts for 10 years – just like a HAM license. With the FCC fee so low, getting it really has now become a non-issue. So ultimately, getting this license is only going to enrich the experiences that I have with friends and family. While some HAMs might consider GMRS a just ‘kiddie’ radio, that really makes no difference to me. It’s really more of a way to supplement my HAM hobby, and who knows, maybe it’ll even act as a gateway to convert a friend into a future HAM. Ha ha ha.

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US Amateur Radio Bands

The ARRL has created a very nice infographic that shows a breakdown of the various bands and the permissions that each license class has on that band.

Source Link: ARRL Band Chart

The ARRL also has another really nice graphic that just displays all of the Technician privileges.

Source Link: ARRL Tech Bands

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Space Weather

Solar X-rays:

Geomagnetic Field:

From n3kl.org

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Oahu Repeater Frequencies

DEM / HI-EMA Linked Repeaters:

PL Tone: 88.5	PL Tone: 103.5	PL Tone: None
146.680- Waimanalo	444.325+ Waimanalo	146.760- Peacock Flats
146.880- Diamond Head	444.350+ Diamond Head
147.060+ Diamond Head
146.980- Downtown Honolulu
146.860- Makakilo
146.900- Kuhuku

EARC Repeaters:

(Linked Repeaters) *PL Tone: 88.5*	(Stand Alone Repeaters) *PL Tone: 88.5*
146.800- Makakilo	444.150+ Olomana
146.660- Olomana

ARES / RACES VHF Simplex:

146.550 MHz	District 1
146.475 MHz	District 2 North
146.460 MHz	District 2 South
146.535 MHz	District 3
146.505 MHz	District 4
146.490 MHz	District 4 Alternate
146.550 MHz	District 5
146.565 MHz	District 6
146.565 MHz	District 7
146.445 MHz	District 8
146.580 MHz	City Hall
146.415 MHz	Alternate
146.430 MHz	Alternate

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My Ham Shack

My “ham shack” is not big at all. It’s literally more like me at my computer desk playing on a small radio. It’s not much, but hey, it’s mine! 😊

So what sort of hardware am I working with?

Elecraft KX2 transceiver
Baofeng UV-5R
Kenwood TH-F6
RTL-SDR
EchoLink (on PC and iOS)

At this time, I’m currently working with two handheld radios. My first radio was just a “cheapo” Baofeng. I know they aren’t considered great radios, but honestly, it’s the cheapest and thus the easiest way to start off in the hobby. It has no issues hitting the local repeaters and making contacts, especially when I pair it with a nicer antenna like the Signal Stick. This is the radio that I tend to take out with me when I’m mobile.

I inherited the Kenwood HT from my father after he became a Silent Key. The radio, while older, is still a great radio. While I still need to get a new tri-band antenna for this one, I really like the range of bands that this radio can utilize. And the step-up in quality compared to my Baofeng is also instantly noticeable. Being my nicer radio, this one tends to be used more at home. I had also inherited his RTL-SDR. I haven’t really gotten around to using it, it’s on my list of projects to do.

Having some amazing friends, one of them gave me their KX2 to use after I earned my Amateur Extra license. I truly can’t speak more highly of them. He basically earned top spot on my best friends list. I’ve been itching to get onto the HF bands and this baby will let me work everything from 10M to 80M. I’m humming with more happiness than a resonant frequency.

And the final thing in my shack is EchoLink. Think of it as voip-for-hams. It’s a great way to turn your computer or smartphone into your transceiver and connecting with other hams all over the world. I think it is a really neat digital means to get on the air. While analog radio is interesting, coming from an IT background I am really interested in learning more about these newer digital modes of radio.

Category: Antennas, Hardware, Radios | LEAVE A COMMENT

Phonetic Alphabet

The phonetic alphabet is a commonly accepted way to pronounce letters in a way that is distinct as possible so as to be easily understood by those who exchanged voice messages by radio or telephone, regardless of language differences or the quality of the connection.

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Q Signals

Q-signals are a type of radio shorthand that is based on old wireless and telegraph codes. By using these universal abbreviations, we can easily communicate with amateur operators who might speak a different language and share information with them.

While the full meanings of the Q-signals are listed below in a second table, they are often used casually and very informally in conversation. When listening, you hear them used to simply substitute or replace a word. Here is a list of those more common “short” meanings.

Sign	Meaning
QRA	Name
QRB	Distance
QRG	Frequency
QRK	Intelligibility
QRL	Busy
QRM	Interference
QRN	Noise
QRO	High power
QRP	Low power
QRQ	High speed CW
QRS	Low speed CW
QRSS	Very low speed CW
QRT	Shut down the station
QRV	Ready
QRX	Stand by
QRZ?	Who is calling me?
QSB	Fading
QSD	Defective keying
QSK	Break in
QSL	Confirmation or card to confirm contact
QSO	Radio contact
QSY	Change frequency
QTC	Message
QTH	Location
QTR	Time

The Q-signals that amateurs radios operators use are a subset of the larger collection of International Q-signals. While they are based on older systems, today we use them all the time in ham radio. Here is a more detailed “formal” list of commonly used Q-signals.

Note that the Q-signal is only considered a question if it is followed by a “?” character.

Sign	Question	Answer
QRA	What is the name (or call sign) of your station?	The name (or call sign) of my station is …
QRB	How far are you from my station?	The distance between our stations is … nautical miles (or km).
QRG	Will you tell me my exact frequency (or that of …)?	Your exact frequency (or that of … ) is … kHz (or MHz).
QRH	Does my frequency vary?	Your frequency varies.
QRI	How is the tone of my transmission?	The tone of your transmission is (1: good, 2: variable 3: bad)
QRK	What is the readability of my signals (or those of …)?	The readability of your signals (or those of …) is … (1: bad .. 5: excellent).
QRL	Are you busy?	I am busy. (or I am busy with … ) Please do not interfere.
QRM	Do you have interference?	I have interference.
QRN	Are you troubled by static noise?	I am troubled by static noise.
QRO	Shall I increase transmit power?	Please increase transmit power.
QRP	Shall I decrease transmit power?	Please decrease transmit power.
QRQ	Shall I send faster?	Please send faster (… words per minute).
QRS	Shall I send more slowly?	Please send more slowly (… words per minute).
QRT	Shall I cease or suspend operation?	I am suspending operation.
QRU	Have you anything for me?	I have nothing for you.
QRV	Are you ready?	I am ready.
QRX	Shall I standby? / When will you call me again?	Please standby. / I will call you again at … (hours) on … kHz (or MHz).
QRZ	Who is calling me?	You are being called by … (on … kHz (or MHz)).
QSA	What is the strength of my signals (or those of … )?	The strength of your signals (or those of …) is … (1: very weak .. 5: very strong).
QSB	Are my signals fading?	Your signals are fading.
QSD	Is my keying defective?	Your keying is defective.
QSK	Can you hear me between your signals (while transmitting), and if so can I break in on your transmission?	I can hear you between my signals (while transmitting); break in on my transmission.
QSL	Can you acknowledge receipt?	I am acknowledging receipt.
QSM	Shall I repeat the last telegram (message) which I sent you, or some previous telegram (message)?	Repeat the last telegram (message) which you sent me (or telegram(s) (message(s)) numbers(s) …).
QSN	Did you hear me (or …) on … kHz (or MHz)?	I did hear you (or …) on … kHz (or MHz).
QSO	Can you communicate with … direct or by relay?	I can communicate with … direct (or by relay through …).
QSP	Will you relay a message to …?	I will relay a message to … .
QSS	What working frequency will you use?	I will use … kHz (or MHz).
QSU	Shall I send or reply on this frequency (or on … kHz (or MHz))?	Please send or reply on this frequency (or on … kHz (or MHz)).
QSV	Shall I send a series of “V” on this frequency (or on … kHz (or MHz))?	Please send a series of “V” on this frequency (or on … kHz (or MHz)).
QSX	Will you listen to … on … kHz (or MHz)?	I am listening to … on … kHz (or MHz).
QSY	Shall I change transmission frequency (to … kHz (or MHz))?	Please change transmission frequency (to … kHz (or MHz)).
QSZ	Shall I send each word or group more than once?	Send each word or group twice (or … times).
QTC	How many telegrams (messages) have you to send?	I have … telegrams (messages) for you (or for …).
QTH	What is your position in latitude and longitude (or according to any other indication)?	My position is … latitude, … longitude.
QTR	What is the correct time?	The correct time is … hours.

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