Amateur Radio/Getting started: Difference between revisions
m (→Bands) |
|||
| (36 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
So, you just passed your Foundation exam. What to do? This is intended | So, you just passed your Foundation exam. What to do? This brief guide and reference is intended to provide just enough relevant info to get started with, as well as some links where to find out more. | ||
== Get a callsign == | == Get a callsign == | ||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
It might be worthwhile to run a 'callsign scrape' of the Ofcom website using [https://github.com/marksteward/callsigns Mark Steward's code hosted on github.] | It might be worthwhile to run a 'callsign scrape' of the Ofcom website using [https://github.com/marksteward/callsigns Mark Steward's code hosted on github.] | ||
== | == Joining the Radio Society of Great Britain == | ||
The [http://www.rsgb.org/ RSGB] is the group that organises various events, publishes the official RadCom magazine for its members, and helps acts as a formal gateway between Ofcom and individual amateur radio enthusiasts. There is an online 'New Starters' newsletter and various other resources available. | The [http://www.rsgb.org/ RSGB] is the group that organises various events, publishes the official RadCom magazine for its members, and helps acts as a formal gateway between Ofcom and individual amateur radio enthusiasts. There is an online 'New Starters' newsletter and various other resources available. | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
== First steps == | == First steps == | ||
* Register with [http://www.qrz.com/ qrz.com] | * Register with [http://www.qrz.com/ qrz.com] | ||
* Start a log book. Use a spreadsheet with the columns shown on page 20 of the Foundation Licence Now! book. | * Start a log book. Use a spreadsheet with the columns shown on page 20 of the Foundation Licence Now! book. Otherwise there are applications for logging, with added features such as QSL management. | ||
** [http://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxkeeper/ DXKeeper], Windows | |||
** [http://www.winlog32.co.uk/ Winlog32], Windows | |||
** [http://www.pisto.it/wordpress/log4om-en/ Log4OM], Windows | |||
=== Bands === | === Bands === | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 24: | Line 28: | ||
|3–300 kHz||LF||Low frequencies, AM longwave broadcasting|| | |3–300 kHz||LF||Low frequencies, AM longwave broadcasting|| | ||
|- | |- | ||
|300 kHz–3 MHz||MF||Medium frequencies, AM medium broadcasting||472 kHz (600 m), 1.8 MHz (160 m), | |300 kHz–3 MHz||MF||Medium frequencies, AM medium wave broadcasting||472 kHz (600 m), 1.8 MHz (160 m), | ||
|- | |- | ||
|3 MHz–30 MHz||HF||High frequencies or HF band, Shortwave broadcasts||3.5 MHz (80 m), 5 MHz (60 m), 7 MHz (40 m), 10 MHz (30 m), 14 MHz (20 m), 18 MHz (17 m), 21 MHz (15 m), 24 MHz (12 m), 28 MHz (10 m) | |3 MHz–30 MHz||'''HF'''||High frequencies or HF band, Shortwave broadcasts||3.5 MHz (80 m), 5 MHz (60 m), 7 MHz (40 m), 10 MHz (30 m), 14 MHz (20 m), 18 MHz (17 m), 21 MHz (15 m), 24 MHz (12 m), 28 MHz (10 m) | ||
|- | |- | ||
|30 MHz–300 MHz||VHF||Very high frequencies or VHF band, FM radio||50 MHz (6 m), 70 MHz (4 m), 144 MHz ('''2 m'''), 146-147 MHz (2 m extension) | |30 MHz–300 MHz||VHF||Very high frequencies or VHF band, FM radio||50 MHz (6 m), 70 MHz (4 m), 144 MHz ('''2 m'''), 146-147 MHz (2 m extension) | ||
| Line 40: | Line 44: | ||
== Make that first QSO == | == Make that first QSO == | ||
* [http://www.g0mwt.org.uk/training/courses/files/handouts/cars-sample-qsos.pdf Sample QSOs] | |||
* [http://www.g3npf.co.uk/operating.htm A brief guide to good amateur radio operating techniques] | |||
=== Q codes === | === Q codes === | ||
| Line 113: | Line 118: | ||
| 9||||Very Strong||Pure DC Note | | 9||||Very Strong||Pure DC Note | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Phonetic alphabet === | |||
* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_phonetic_alphabet NATO phonetic alphabet] | |||
=== Giving your location ===<!-- add reverse searches? --> | |||
When giving out the location (QTH) of the Radio Equipment, use one of the following location identifiers: | |||
* The full postcode. | |||
* Latitude and longitude in degrees and minutes. - [http://qthlocator.free.fr/index.php Click a location on the map] for the latitude, longitude. | |||
* National Grid Reference correct to six figures. - [http://www.freemaptools.com/find-british-national-grid-reference-from-map.htm Click a location on the map] to find the British national grid reference. | |||
* International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) locator, also known as Maidenhead QTH Locator System, to six characters. - [http://qthlocator.free.fr/index.php Click a location on the map] for the IARU/Maidenhead Locator. | |||
* The address or other geographical description correct to 5 km (approx. 3.11 miles). - Enter location and specify 5 km, then [http://www.freemaptools.com/radius-around-point.htm click on the map] to draw a radius around a point. | |||
== Repeaters == | == Repeaters == | ||
The recognised calling protocol is "This is (your callsign) listening through (repeater callsign)". | The recognised calling protocol is "This is (your callsign) listening through (repeater callsign)". | ||
* [http://www.ukrepeater.net/operating.htm How to use repeaters] | |||
* [http://www.g3npf.co.uk/operating.htm A brief guide to good amateur radio operating techniques] | |||
* [http://www.hamuniverse.com/repeater.html A new ham's guide to repeaters] | |||
* [[Amateur Radio/Repeaters|Repeaters]] that Hackspace members can get to. | |||
== Bands and equipment == | == Bands and equipment == | ||
| Line 122: | Line 142: | ||
* VHF 144 to 148 MHz 2 m | * VHF 144 to 148 MHz 2 m | ||
* UHF 440 MHz 70 cm | * UHF 440 MHz 70 cm | ||
Get a Baofeng | Get a Baofeng HT, change the antenna to a Nagoya NA-771 or a Tram 1185 mag mount with a PL259 female to SMA female pigtail. Use [http://chirp.danplanet.com/projectc/chirp/wiki?Home CHIRP] with a Kenwood USB cable to program it. Note that the pre-amp on the UV-5R is fixed at very high. This makes it a very sensitive receiver but with poor selectivity. It will go deaf on a high gain external antenna, especially in an area with lots of RF sources.<!-- https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mobilinkd/conversations/messages/420 --> Spending more, e.g. on a Yaesu FT-60 (and Diamond SRH77CA antenna) will get you better features, such as intermodulation immunity/adjacent channel rejection and being able to sort memories into groups. | ||
* [http://www.uv3r.com/uv5r,html Baofeng EV-5R] site is useful. | |||
* [http://uv5r.net/baofeng-uv-5r-programming/ Baofeng UV-5R Programming] for a quick guide. | |||
* [https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FT-60/info Yaesu FT-60], Yahoo group | |||
=== SDR === | === SDR === | ||
Get an economical RTL2832U as a software-defined receiver covering 24 MHz to 1.8 GHz. These are often marketed as Digital Television (DVB-T) receivers but can receive significantly more information, including airplane transponders and various other interesting signals. They can be purchased for as low as £10 off of ebay, but be prepared to make your own antenna as the stock one is usually quite bad for general receiver coverage. Some dongles like the NooElec NESDR Mini 2 USB cost a little more but seem to have less quality issues. | |||
=== Shortwave === | === Shortwave/HF === | ||
* Some useful advice in /r/amateurradio/ [http://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/1bhmic/what_is_the_best_hfvhfuhf_transceiver_for_under/ What is the best hf/vhf/uhf transceiver for under $600?] i.e. it might be better to have different radios for HF and for VHF/UHF and that all-in-ones are compromises on both HF and VHF/UHF. | |||
=== Antennae === | === Antennae === | ||
For a better signal experiment with different antennae. | |||
* [http://donsnotes.com/hobbies/antenna_j-pole.html J-Pole for 2m and 70 cm] | |||
* For a Baofeng HT with a Nagoya antenna add a 19" for 2 m or 6.5" for 70 cm [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szmQmCn1tH4 counterpoise]. This then makes up the other half of a dipole for the radio, giving it a half-wave antenna. | |||
== Hackspace amateur radio club & radio shack == | |||
LHS membership counts as [[London Hackspace Radio Club|LHS Radio Club]] membership. The club call sign is M0HSL. Meetings of the amateur radio club are normally held monthly on the first Saturday at 14:00. The radio shack is available to members and stewarded guests 24 hours a day. | |||
== Useful software == | == Useful software == | ||
| Line 141: | Line 169: | ||
* [http://www.globaltuners.com/receiver/ GlobalTuners] | * [http://www.globaltuners.com/receiver/ GlobalTuners] | ||
== | == See also == | ||
There are several online resources available to you. Our favourite is naturally our own conversations on IRC chat #lhs-radio on chat.freenode.net (via [ | * [[Amateur Radio/Repeaters]] | ||
* [[Amateur Radio/Callsigns]] | |||
* [[Amateur Radio/Suppliers]] | |||
== Further links == | |||
There are several online resources available to you. Our favourite is naturally our own conversations on IRC chat #lhs-radio on chat.freenode.net (via [https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=lhs-radio web browser]) and [https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en-GB#!forum/lhs-radio mailing list] but places like the reddit [http://reddit.com/r/amateurradio /r/amateurradio] web groups can also be good. | |||
* [http://www.amateur-radio-wiki.net/index.php?title=Main_Page Amateur Radio Wiki] | |||
* RSGB [http://rsgb.org/main/operating/band-plans/ Band Plans & Information] | |||
=== Also on getting started === | |||
* Essex Ham: [http://www.essexham.co.uk/just-got-your-licence Just got your licence?] | * Essex Ham: [http://www.essexham.co.uk/just-got-your-licence Just got your licence?] | ||
* Hamuniverse.com: [http://www.hamuniverse.com/setuphamstation.html Getting ready to setup and operate your first ham radio station.] | * Hamuniverse.com: [http://www.hamuniverse.com/setuphamstation.html Getting ready to setup and operate your first ham radio station.] | ||
* RSGB: [http://rsgb.org/main/get-started-in-amateur-radio/ Get Started] | * RSGB: [http://rsgb.org/main/get-started-in-amateur-radio/ Get Started] | ||
* [http://www.hamradio-operating-ethics.org/files/1-Eth-operating-EN-IARU-R1-V3-CORR-2011.pdf Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur] | |||
[[Category:Amateur Radio]] | [[Category:Amateur Radio]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:03, 6 May 2015
So, you just passed your Foundation exam. What to do? This brief guide and reference is intended to provide just enough relevant info to get started with, as well as some links where to find out more.
Get a callsign
Around six days from your examination pass, you'll get a note in the mail with details that will allow you to register on the Ofcom website. Choose a callsign that is meaningful to you, such as your initials, something that sounds cool in NATO alphabet terminology, or perhaps something that is easy to enter in Morse Code.
It might be worthwhile to run a 'callsign scrape' of the Ofcom website using Mark Steward's code hosted on github.
Joining the Radio Society of Great Britain
The RSGB is the group that organises various events, publishes the official RadCom magazine for its members, and helps acts as a formal gateway between Ofcom and individual amateur radio enthusiasts. There is an online 'New Starters' newsletter and various other resources available. There are often promotions for new members and those that are aged 21 or under (or in full time education until 25) can get free membership.
London Hackspace is an official RSGB-affiliated club and several of our members are individual members as well.
First steps
- Register with qrz.com
- Start a log book. Use a spreadsheet with the columns shown on page 20 of the Foundation Licence Now! book. Otherwise there are applications for logging, with added features such as QSL management.
Bands
| Freq. range | Abbr. | Name | RSGB Bands |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3–30 kHz | VLF | Very low frequencies | |
| 3–300 kHz | LF | Low frequencies, AM longwave broadcasting | |
| 300 kHz–3 MHz | MF | Medium frequencies, AM medium wave broadcasting | 472 kHz (600 m), 1.8 MHz (160 m), |
| 3 MHz–30 MHz | HF | High frequencies or HF band, Shortwave broadcasts | 3.5 MHz (80 m), 5 MHz (60 m), 7 MHz (40 m), 10 MHz (30 m), 14 MHz (20 m), 18 MHz (17 m), 21 MHz (15 m), 24 MHz (12 m), 28 MHz (10 m) |
| 30 MHz–300 MHz | VHF | Very high frequencies or VHF band, FM radio | 50 MHz (6 m), 70 MHz (4 m), 144 MHz (2 m), 146-147 MHz (2 m extension) |
| 300 MHz–3 GHz | UHF | Ultra high frequencies or UHF band, Television broadcasts, Microwave | 430 MHz (70 cm), 1.3 GHz (23 cm), 2.3 GHz (13 cm) |
| 3 GHz–30 GHz | SHF | Super high frequencies, mmWave | 3.4 GHz (9 cm), 5.7 GHz (6 cm), 10 GHz (3 cm), 24 GHz (12 mm) |
| 30 GHz–300 GHz | EHF | Extremely high frequencies | 47 GHz (6 mm), 76 GHz (4 mm), 134 GHz (2 mm) |
| 300 GHz–3 THz | THz or THF | Terahertz or Tremendously high frequency |
Make that first QSO
Q codes
A few of the more common ones, (those that have to be learnt for the Intermediate Exam). There is a more thorough list at Wikipedia/Q code and at List of Q-codes. Q-Codes can either be a question or an answer. For example QRL? would mean Is this frequency in use? Whereas a response of QRL would mean The frequency is in use.
| Q-Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| QRL | The frequency is in use |
| QRM | Interference from other stations (M = man made interference) |
| QRN | Interference from static/thunderstorms (N = natural interference) |
| QRP | Low Power |
| QRT | Closing down my station |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? (Who’Z calling?) |
| QSB | Fading, usually signals going up and down in strength |
| QSL | Transmission successfully received (as in QSL card) |
| QSO | Contact with a station |
| QSY | Change frequency |
| QTH | Location, usually the nearest town (H = home) |
Abbreviations
There are a handful of abbreviations that you need to be aware of.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CQ | General call, any station may reply (seek you) |
| DX | Long Distance (on HF this normally means outside your own continent) |
| SIG | Signals |
| UR | Your |
| WX | Weather |
| DE | From |
| K | Go Ahead (your turn to transmit) |
| R | Roger (transmission received and understood) |
RST reports
Often in a QSO the strength and quality of the signal is exchanged. For the reporting of strength and readability, and tone with Morse code the RST system is the de facto standard. a very strong totally readable signal would be described as RS59 or more commonly "5 and 9". Most rigs have a signal or S meter.
| Value | Readability | Strength | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unreadable | Faint, barely perceptible | Extremely Rough Note |
| 2 | Barely Readable | Very Weak | Very Rough Note |
| 3 | Readable with Difficulty | Weak | Rough Note |
| 4 | Readable with little difficulty | Fair | Fairly Rough note |
| 5 | Totally Readable | Fairly Good | Note Modulated with a Strong Ripple |
| 6 | Good | Modulated Note | |
| 7 | Moderately Strong | Near DC Note but with a Smooth Ripple | |
| 8 | Strong | Good DC Note with a Trace of Ripple | |
| 9 | Very Strong | Pure DC Note |
Phonetic alphabet
- Wikipedia: NATO phonetic alphabet
Giving your location
When giving out the location (QTH) of the Radio Equipment, use one of the following location identifiers:
- The full postcode.
- Latitude and longitude in degrees and minutes. - Click a location on the map for the latitude, longitude.
- National Grid Reference correct to six figures. - Click a location on the map to find the British national grid reference.
- International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) locator, also known as Maidenhead QTH Locator System, to six characters. - Click a location on the map for the IARU/Maidenhead Locator.
- The address or other geographical description correct to 5 km (approx. 3.11 miles). - Enter location and specify 5 km, then click on the map to draw a radius around a point.
Repeaters
The recognised calling protocol is "This is (your callsign) listening through (repeater callsign)".
- How to use repeaters
- A brief guide to good amateur radio operating techniques
- A new ham's guide to repeaters
- Repeaters that Hackspace members can get to.
Bands and equipment
Some economical suggestions to help find you find your way.
2 m and 70 cm
- VHF 144 to 148 MHz 2 m
- UHF 440 MHz 70 cm
Get a Baofeng HT, change the antenna to a Nagoya NA-771 or a Tram 1185 mag mount with a PL259 female to SMA female pigtail. Use CHIRP with a Kenwood USB cable to program it. Note that the pre-amp on the UV-5R is fixed at very high. This makes it a very sensitive receiver but with poor selectivity. It will go deaf on a high gain external antenna, especially in an area with lots of RF sources. Spending more, e.g. on a Yaesu FT-60 (and Diamond SRH77CA antenna) will get you better features, such as intermodulation immunity/adjacent channel rejection and being able to sort memories into groups.
- Baofeng EV-5R site is useful.
- Baofeng UV-5R Programming for a quick guide.
- Yaesu FT-60, Yahoo group
SDR
Get an economical RTL2832U as a software-defined receiver covering 24 MHz to 1.8 GHz. These are often marketed as Digital Television (DVB-T) receivers but can receive significantly more information, including airplane transponders and various other interesting signals. They can be purchased for as low as £10 off of ebay, but be prepared to make your own antenna as the stock one is usually quite bad for general receiver coverage. Some dongles like the NooElec NESDR Mini 2 USB cost a little more but seem to have less quality issues.
Shortwave/HF
- Some useful advice in /r/amateurradio/ What is the best hf/vhf/uhf transceiver for under $600? i.e. it might be better to have different radios for HF and for VHF/UHF and that all-in-ones are compromises on both HF and VHF/UHF.
Antennae
For a better signal experiment with different antennae.
- J-Pole for 2m and 70 cm
- For a Baofeng HT with a Nagoya antenna add a 19" for 2 m or 6.5" for 70 cm counterpoise. This then makes up the other half of a dipole for the radio, giving it a half-wave antenna.
Hackspace amateur radio club & radio shack
LHS membership counts as LHS Radio Club membership. The club call sign is M0HSL. Meetings of the amateur radio club are normally held monthly on the first Saturday at 14:00. The radio shack is available to members and stewarded guests 24 hours a day.
Useful software
Some of these are listed because of the difficulty with radio shadow in the urban environment.
- Echo link – to contact other amateurs around the world via the Internet or smartphone
- WebSDR - a Software-Defined Radio receiver connected to the internet.
- APRS and APRSdroid – for reporting your position to the APRS network, displaying of nearby amateur radio stations and the exchange of APRS messages.
- HamSphere - a virtual Ham Radio Transceiver.
- GlobalTuners
See also
Further links
There are several online resources available to you. Our favourite is naturally our own conversations on IRC chat #lhs-radio on chat.freenode.net (via web browser) and mailing list but places like the reddit /r/amateurradio web groups can also be good.
