Foundation Course
What is Amateur (Ham ) Radio ??
Foundation Course
What is Amateur (Ham ) Radio ??
What is amateur radioIt’s a hobby, a technical hobby with a large number of different activities within it. It contains a certain element of self-training and experimentation, it is non commercial – a hobby !!
Why become an amateur• To experiment with radio’s• To talk to people around the world and make friends• Get involved in a niche area such as RAYNET• Get a better understanding of electronics/computers• Have FUN !!!!!!!
The Foundation Licence is the UK entry level which will enable you to start transmitting on the air .
Modes: Voice, SSTV, RTTY, Data, FSTV, Morse
Modulation – SSB, FM, AM, CW, FSK, PSK
Focus Groups – satellites, moon bounce, clubs, rallies etc.
Others - RSGB, Rallies, QSO Bureau, contest,
Bands: HF, VHF, UHF, Microwaves
Reproduced from Radio Communications Foundation booklet.
The frequency allocation table for the VHF band is shown above. It indicates that we share the spectrum with other users and we must ensure that we do not interfere with their frequencies.
Radio Spectrum
VLF = Very Low Frequency LF = Low Frequency MF = Medium frequencyVHF = Very High Frequency UHF = Ultra High FrequencySHF = Super High Frequency EHF = Extra High Frequency
Reproduced from Radio Communications Foundation booklet
As the Frequency increases its wavelength shrinks
Antenna sizes are proportional to wavelength
Therefore higher frequencies have smaller antennas
A copy of conversation chart is supplied in the exam
reproduced from Wikipedia
Very low frequency or VLF refers to radio frequencies (RF) in the range of 3 khz to 30 khz and wavelengths from 10 to 100 kilometres - submarines
HF -The dominant means of long distance communication in this band is skywave(skip) propagation, in which radio waves directed at an angle into the sky reflect back to Earth from layers of ionized atoms in the ionosphere. By this method HF radio waves can travel beyond the horizon, around the curve of the Earth, and can be received at intercontinental distances. However, suitability of this portion of the spectrum for such communication varies greatly with a complex combination of factors
reproduced from Wikipedia
Very high frequency (VHF) is the ITU-designated range of radio frequency electromagnetic waves from 30 Mhz to 300 Mhz,
RSGB Publication 2013
The RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain) acts on behalf of amateurs lobbying for frequencies. Internationally the body which tries to co-ordinate the band plan is IARU (International Amateur Radio Union)
Different terminology for band description
HF: 7MHZ = 40m 21MHZ = 15m 29MHZ = 10m
VHF: 50MHZ = 6m 145MHZ = 2m
UHF: 430MHZ = 70cms
Note – as frequencies rise wavelength decrease.
Revision Questions
HFWhat does the following stand for:
High Frequency
VHF Very High Frequency
UHFUltra High Frequency
SSB
Modulation: What is ??
Single Side Band
FMFrequency modulation
AMAmplitude modulation
CWCarrier wave
What is the frequency range of:
HF
3 to 30 mhz
VHF
30 – 300 mhz
Thurrock Training Team