Amateur (Ham) Radio

Submitted by Barry A. Miller

Amateur (Ham) Radio is regulated by the FCC, Federal Communications Commission. To be a legitimate Amateur radio operator one must obtain a license from the FCC. There are now three levels of Radio licenses. Technician, General and Extra.

Mores code is no longer required to become a radio operator. Morse code is still active for those who enjoy working code. With every level of licenses, often referred to as a “ticket” comes more band privileges and operating modes. Privileges refer to the operating one is allowed to do on the bands. Bands refer to Frequencies that belong to the Amateur operator. We will talk more about bands in a later installment. Let’s spend some time on license requirements.

Technician (Tech)
Exam Requirement: 35-question Technician Written Exam requiring a 74% to pass. There is a fee for taking the test, find more here FCC Application Fee (arrl.org). The Technician class license is the entry-level license. This license allows access to frequencies above 30Mhz. This allows the operator to operate locally, nationally and with the addition of some High Frequency (HF) sometimes referred to as Short Wave around the world.

Part of the Tech privileges are the 2-meter frequency. With a small handheld (AKA Walkie Talkie) an operator can talk for miles. 2-meter is often worked with FM (Frequency Modulation) repeater systems. These systems work using repeater systems. At a central location is a tower, antenna, and repeater transceiver. The users radio transmits on one frequency and receives on another. This covers more area than just radio to radio due to the location of the repeater and the output power. Calhoun’s repeater transmits on 147.450 the input frequency is 144.850.

In the nineties repeaters were busy night and day with the onset of cell phones they are not as popular but can still be a lot of fun. Not long ago I was monitoring the repeater and heard from a HAM who was out checking a well and his truck had broken down. In his location he had no cell phone coverage, I was able to call his company and relay the message, the rescue was put into motion. Mobile operation of a radio is legal to this day.

The simplex operation of the radio makes it much safer than cell phone, pick up the mic push the button and talk. Repeater operation, which is a duplex operation because of the use of two frequencies, Tech bands also take advantage of simplex operation, on frequency. One keys the radio on the frequency of 145.250 Mhz and receives on the same frequency. There are contests on Tech frequencies to see who can make the most contacts and many other contests and events. Along with voice operation there is also Digital modes utilizing computer software, HAMs can contact the ISS (International Space Station) and use Satellites to make contact with other HAMs. I cannot tell you of all the diversity of the Technician Class license.

The exams are conducted by VE’s (Voluntary Examiner) who are HAMs that volunteer their time to allow people the opportunity to enjoy the hobby that brings us so much. Stop putting it off! Get started today.

Barry A Miller
KF4BZY Amateur Extra
kf4bzy@yahoo.com