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Many would say that the main advantage of obtaining a General or Extra callsign is access to phone, or voice, on the MF and HF bands.
Many such operations involve using the ionosphere to bend (refract) signals back to earth. This is "sky-wave" propagation. For longer distances we want to launch our signal at a low angle so it travels a significant distance before being bent back down, to land in another continent, or on the other side of ours. Verticals, high dipoles, and beams are often used. In other cases we want to cover a group of stations over a smaller area, be they club members across a rural area, or stations involved in a search. We do this using low dipoles, or other horizontal antennas, obtaining propagation called NVIS, for Near Vertical Incidence Sky-wave. A local signal can also be received via ground-wave, which is how AM broadcast signals propagate during the daytime. A mixing of NVIS and ground-wave can cause some cancellation.
The mode most often used is currently SSB, or single-sideband. It is related to AM, but the unnecessary sideband, and the carrier are suppressed; or not generated. The benefit of SSB is it is narrower than AM, FM or phase modulation. This means that the transmitted energy is concentrated into a narrower band-width.
The downside of SSB is that a stable receiver must be used, which can resolve audio without a carrier as a reference, plus a beat frequency oscillator and product detector. The BFO may be activated by the USB or LSB mode switch on ham gear; or there may be a switchable, manually adjusted BFO, which is also used with CW, on better shortwave receivers.
A correctly tuned SSB signal will sound natural, if narrow in bandwidth (like a telephone). When incorrectly tuned the audio will be high or squeaky; or excessively low, deep, or bassy. If a station on a net is off frequency often you can press the RIT (receiver incremental tuning) key, and and use the associated knob to tune them correctly. When they hand off, tap the button off, until their next turn. On CBs with SSB, this is termed the Clarifier (the newest Yaesus also use the term).
Listening to an SSB signal in the AM mode with result in a Donald-Duck sound, generally unreadable.
CODEC 2 is a narrow-band digital mode, developed in Australia. This can be run on a Windows or Linux PC; or MacOS, on either Intel or ARM; or in a dedicated box called SM1000, to enCOde and DECode the digital voice (DV). It has greater spectrum efficiency than SSB. It is part of Free DV, and you can download the software from in freedv.org.
Incidentally, a newer VHF+ mode, M17 uses CODEC 2 as its codec, but with a wider bandwidth modulation method (C4FM). It is currently a DIY mode, although a few HTs can have it flashed into them.
Note that Yaesu's "Fusion" may be too wide to use on most HF bands.
In addition to SSB, FM (Frequency Modulation) is used on the upper portion of 10 metres, including with repeaters. AM, nicknamed "ancient modulation", is also used for various reasons, on various bands, often using historic gear. Amplitude Modulation is quite easy to generate, as its use in budget 27 MHz CBs demonstrates.
Spoilers refer to requirements to use SSB on various bands. This is only the case on 60 metres, and on parts of 10 metres for specific classes of licence. That said, with SSB being narrower than AM, its use is a courtesy in busy bands. There are voluntary band plans which indicate the use of modes, both at MF / HF, and in VHF and above. Very narrow FM also exists, but the quality of recovered audio is poor. Note that this section, G2A, is NOT a regulations section.
You can read these band plans at: https://www.arrl.org/band-plan
Compulsory Frequency Charts, indicating the FCC Allocations: https://www.arrl.org/graphical-frequency-allocations
Off the exam, there are Single Sideband Reduced Carrier (SSB-RC) systems, called "AME" by the military, standing for AM-Equivalent, aka "compatible sideband". Likewise, HCJB (an organisation previously named for its Ecuadorian callsign, now Reach Beyond Australia) previously experimented with SSB with 20% carrier re-introduction on the higher SW bands, the aim being greater efficiency while hopefully being compatible with low cost AM SW receivers. SAM is Syncronous AM, a receiver function which provides some resistance to fading while receiving things like shortwave broadcasts.
You may remember that on 6 metres, 2 metres, 70 centimetre, and beyond, we use Upper Sideband (USB) for "weak signal" work. This is due to a convention which states that the mode used above 10 MHz (or 9 MHz) is USB, and below this point is LSB. Thus, operation on 160m, 80m (75m), and 40m are Lower-Sideband (LSB); and on 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m are USB. The use of LSB is anachronistic, as commercial, maritime, and aviation users all use USB on all parts of MF and HF, hence 60m being USB. USB is also used in VK on 30m, this being just above 10 MHz. Except 60m, there is no regulation requiring this, and groups such as SPAM might use USB on 80 metres, so as that members using historic commercial radios which use USB only can take part. One TAFE teacher told us that using the inverse sideband was an indication that you did not wish to be disturbed.
Off the exam: The reasons for this are based on historic methods to generate SSB signals. Originally, a low level AM signal was generated, and the unwanted sideband and carrier were filtered out, often using a crystal based filter. The myth states that this was done at 9 MHz, and then a signal of, for example, 5.2 MHz was mixed with it, generating 3.8 MHz (75 metres) by subtraction, or 14.2 MHz (20 metres) by addition. This however would generate a USB signal at 75 metres. My own thought on this is that, mathematically, subtracting a modulated 5.2 MHz signal from 9 MHz would give an LSB signal at 3.8 MHz. No doubt referring to something like an ARRL manual from the 1950s or early '60s would shed light on the matter.
Using Metre-Band names, 160, 80, and 40 metres use LSB (Lower Side-Band); while 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 metres, and all shorter ones use USB (Upper Side-Band).
Note that this applies to voice only. For digital modes the USB / LSB switch is set according to the user guide for the mode / software.
If monitoring overseas transmissions, 30 metres in places such as VK uses USB.
Off the exam: Homebrew gear may produce double sideband, without a carrier, termed DSB-SC, which is compatible with SSB receivers. A simple double-balanced mixer IC or diode "ring modulator" can be used to generate it. The "direct conversion" receiver section of such units also receives SSB, but apparently not DSB, so two such units won't play well together.
Vestigial sideband (VSB) is / was used in both B&W, and NTSC or PAL TV transmission, to preserve the phase of sync pulses within the low frequency components of the signal. It has been replaced by the even sillier "Suppressed sideband" below, but appears as a distractor on a later page.
VOX, is voice-operated switch, X meaning switch. This means that the radio's circuit, or that in an accessory device, triggers transmission in the presence of voice, but it also triggers based on noise, side-conversation with passengers, kids, horns, or profane reactions to bad drivers, so PTT remains popular. It also may clip the first syllable of an over. Remember, key-up, then talk, then release.
Why are these grouped? The G2B group of questions includes the interaction between courteous operations, and that emergency communications have priority.
In normal operation, no one operator, or group, has priority over a particular frequency. That said, if a net has been using a frequency since 1953, it is normal to respect that tradition.
However, emergency traffic has absolute priority. You may be having your chat with a mate, and a station might break in "VE3XYZ requiring assistance", or perhaps with a PAN (Priority) or Mayday (Emergency) call. In this case you need to cease your chat, and provide assistance to the station, whether it is calling road-side assistance, or calling the ambulance, fire service, VRA's road or cave rescue, coastal authorities, etc. You may also hear a distress call on ham or other bands, and again, you should reply, and summon whatever help is needed. (Note outside the USA a sheriff is a court official, delivering summonses, etc, not a first responder).
For Australia, for a vessel well offshore, AMSA in Canberra is the authority to contact. Maritime: +61 2 6230 6811; Aviation: +61 2 6230 6899. Otherwise, your state's Marine Rescue or Coast Guard / Coastal Patrol, etc should be able to be contacted via 000 or 112.
I am unsure how well the 911 system handles out-of-area calls, so it may be necessary to Google the relevant agency. If you are answering the call in Australia from another station in Australia, 000 (triple 0) should be able to put you through to the operator covering, say Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, even if you are in NSW. Note that if you are, say calling the NSW Ambulance for a ham on a Blue Mountains area repeater, and you are unable to provide a street address, but rather GPS coordinates, or "about 3km along" a named track, you need to tell the Ambulance operator (the person you speak to after the initial Telstra 000 operator) that you need to speak to a supervisor.
If you are a member of a volunteer or other agency, it may help to mention this. The NSW Volunteer Rescue Association can also be activated via 000.
Thankfully, Australian emergency services are now able to accept locations using What 3 Words. An example, which is a frequent crash site is "conspire.renewables.scratching" - kind of interesting when many locals are scratching around for conspiracy theories about renewable energy.
As discussed elsewhere, in a net established by an emergency group, should a situation arise, a pro-word (URGENT, EMERGENCY, etc) is used, rather than these terms. Where message sending practice is being undertaken a term such as "ACTUAL ACTUAL ACTUAL", "REAL MESSAGE - REAL MESSAGE", "LIVE MESSAGE - LIVE MESSAGE", etc may be also used, should in injured bushwalker / hiker or caver stumble upon your station, and yes, this has occurred.
The following are prefixed to emergency calls and messages:
| Seriousness | Example | Voice | Morse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distress | Loss of ship / aircraft | MAYDAY | SOS |
| Urgency | Medical Emergency | PAN PAN | XXX |
| Safety | Bad weather, Collision avoidance | SÉCURITÉ | TTT |
SOS indicates the three dits, three dahs, and three dits are run together as one big character. The XXX and TTT are sent as individual characters. X is dah-di-di-dah (the wide, thin, thin, wide pattern reminds me if the shape of the letter); and T, a single dah.
The historic (pre-Titanic era) distress call was CQD, replaced with the German SOS or Mayday. Titanic alternated these, as British ships still used CQD.
That said, no one should complain if you used "Mayday" for a serious medical problem, major injury, or a bad motor vehicle crash.
Sometimes you may be talking to a friend nearby, and a conversation between another two stations becomes louder, due to a change in conditions. It is a good idea to move off frequency, to avoid interfering with them further.
Note that you may find stations operating CW on or near 3.58 MHz, who are "Crystal locked" so can either not move, or only move a very small amount. Overseas, they may be using AM, DSB, or SSB. This is the old NTSC "color-burst" frequency (3.57954 MHz to be exact), and crystals for it are both cheap and plentiful. Quartz being a mineral, the informal term is "rock bound", as in "Sorry OM, can't QRZ, we're rock bound".
When operating FM, it is usual easy to move 12.5, 15, 20, 25, or 30 kHz away from another station, but what about when using CW or SSB?
You may remember that for CW we have mentioned 150 Hz bandwidth, and the use of 500 Hz filters. Thus the answer is that you should move at least 150 to 500 Hz away from another CW signal. If you can go further, this is may be a good idea.
For SSB, assuming use of the same sideband, you should tune at least 3 kHz away, although the exam uses 2 to 3 kHz.
AM: Off the exam, North American medium wave (AM) broadcast stations, and AM CB spaces channels at 10 kHz. The rest of the world uses 9 kHz steps for the medium wave broadcast band, and in most cases on Long Wave in Europe. In the latter case frequencies are multiples of 9. Aviation uses 25 kHz, or 8.33 kHz steps in Europe, on the VHF airband. Shortwave braodcasting uses 5 kHz staps, although if adjacent channels are used, tight filtering may be needed. That said, they may attempt to keep better spacing.
RACES stands for "Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service", and while one version is assisting local and state agencies during more localised events, the "Nuclear Option" involves use of President’s War Emergency Powers, allowing the shut-down of the "Amateur Radio Service", as Ham radio is formally known, and its replacement with the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. This involves putting amateurs who have self-nominated and registered for such service, to work to support the protection of civilians following nuclear strikes on the US, or other war on its territory. Only specific frequencies will be available to RACES, and other ex-ham bands may be taken over for military use. Maybe not in the regulations, but I expect that there is also the possibility that government officials will operate in RACES channels, if that is what it takes to get a message out.
Despite the re-election of a certain petulant male, hopefully this will not be needed.
During and/or after events such as hurricanes, other significant storms, earthquakes or volcanoes, wildfires, floods, power grid stuff-ups, or other disasters, RACES may be activated by government agencies at various levels.
In regular RACES you should not hear government officials on Ham frequencies, unless they are also licensed Hams, or are being directly supervised by a Ham, unless there is an immediate threat to life, and a ham radio is the only microphone they have to pick up.
The War Emergency Powers question has been removed, with the one which appears to relate to this less severe situation remaining.
Where a non-government agency requires assistance the Amateur Radio Emergency Service may be activated. Operators are typically registered with both groups.
An example might be where they are opeating mobile kitchens or other mass feeding efforts after a disaster, and need help with their logistics.
You can either ask your local club, or your local ARRL section, about how to become involved. https://www.arrl.org/public-service
In most nations a single body serves both government and non-government agencies. Your local club, or your national association, should have details.
In Australia there are WICEN groups in each state and territory. In NZ it is AREC, part of NZART.
Sadly, changing climatic conditions are driving longer duration, more serious wildfires; more severe flooding, and even more massive snow storms, as hotter oceans mean a greater amount of evaporation, and warmer air can transport more moisture. Sea level rise is driven by melting polar icecaps and the expansion of water as it warms. Strong cyclonic winds and the associated low pressures typically experiences at their centre can suck water into the area, and strong winds can also drive water ashore, all leading to inundation during storms. Cyclones are slowly expanding to areas further from the equator. Tornadoes may also be occurring where previously rare.
Thinking out loud re southern Australia: Should the polar vortex over the Southern Ocean break down and allow very cold weather, ice formations, and/or a significant snow dump in urban areas, subsequent poor decisions are going to lead to many "adverse outcomes", requiring emergency services intervention. Icing on towers and wires can damage power and communications infrastructure.
Aging coal stations in Australia are also becoming very unreliable. In any case independent sources of power are a good idea. Electric vehicles such as MG and BYD are able to supply up to 16 amps of 240 volts AC, able to run fridges, freezers, medical equipment, and lighting via extension leads, etc for quite a period of time, termed "V2L", Vehicle to Load. V2H (house), and V2G (grid) are coming soon. Where a power outage is reasonably localised it is possible to drive to a fast charger, charge, then return home, or to some other point requiring power, such as a repeater needing a recharge.
Many groups, often under the banner of ARES, WICEN, RAYNET, AREN, etc, participate in providing communications for community events, canoe races, cycle events, "fun runs", horse events, and wide area motor sport, etc, as exercises.
Event and disaster planners should have a schedule of frequencies, both repeaters if available, and "simplex". If a problem or interference occurs, a command such as "QSY November" can be issued. With one event the planners suggest neighbouring checkpoint operators liaise ahead of the event on common capabilities to establish direct communications between each other. Six metres may work well. Low dipoles on low HF, including 5 MHz (ham or licensed) is also handy in difficult areas. For big events a "Tech-Net", with limited traffic on existing club repeaters can help, while main traffic is on a dedicated agency network of repeaters. In the latter case many groups own linkable portable repeaters.
Remember that, especially in remote areas, serious situations can arise, such as a tree branch dropping on a competitor (Australian "gum" and similar trees can drop large branches, even in still weather, so operating or camping under them is a bad idea), so off-site communications capability is necessary, even if it is something like a satellite 'phone at Control.
ARRL's annual "Field Day", Australian "VHF/UHF Field Day", and John Moyle Field Day contests, and various parks / summits / light-houses "on the air" activations are also good practice for field operations.
These differ from RACES Drills, which may only be conducted for one hour per week.
In the aftermath of a serious bushfire event in 2020, which destroyed mobile (cellular) telephone bases, WICEN NSW and WICEN ACT, co-operating with CREST, built and delivered a UHF CB based system over a couple of days for a local government agency, so they could continue their regular and recovery related work.
News stories from ABC (Oz) and BBC.
Various non-amateur frequencies may be available to the emergency community. This has the benefit that equipment, such as hand-held radios, can be provided to people such as search team members, without an Amateur needing to accompany them into difficult terrain, etc.
GMRS and FRS are probably among the resources you may consider. These can potentially be programmed into type approved radios, at least for dire situations, as can UHF CB channels down-under. US 27 MHz CB has a wavelength (11 metres) which may require somewhat inconvenient antennas.
On other occasions, members may be called on to provide telephone answering, logistics, and similar assistance.
Amateurs are allowed to use whatever frequency required to communicate the distress message. This may be a repeater channel, a call channel like 146.500 (Aus) or 146.520 MHz (US), an SSB call channel (144.100 MHz, 144.200 MHz, etc, even if you can only do FM here), an HF ham frequency whether or not you currently have privileges there, including if it means interrupting a net in progress. of a non-ham frequency, such as marine calling and distress (156.800 MHz FM, 2182 kHz USB*), aviation (civil: 121.500 MHz AM, military: 243.000 MHz AM), various HF USB channels in both services, and things like Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service, and VKS-737. *2182 kHz changed to USB from AM more recently than other similar channels. The US government no longer monitors it.
In Australia there are a significant number of users in the 3700 to 4000 kHz range, where US versions of Ham gear, such at the FT-857D and FT-897D can transmit. An example is the VKS-737 4WD channel, 3.995 MHz USB (dial frequency) is of potential use, as there are multiple station around the country. Note that while police frequencies may be monitored, especially in the evening when these frequencies work best, SES, VRA and Defence ones may only be monitored during searches and other operations. Missionary Aviation Fellowship are on 3700 kHz USB in the NT, a frequency allocated to Defence elsewhere. Dial (suppressed carrier) frequencies are 1.5 kHz below the centre frequencies listed on the ACMA database.
If travelling in the outback of Australia, you can purchase or rent type-approved HF gear, and satellite 'phones. One HF network operator is VKS-737. Several systems allow telephone calls to be made from these HF radios.
For North America you can use the "Orange Dot" GMRS / FRS channel 462.675 MHz with a tone of 141.3 Hz; or the MURS one at 151.940 MHz. In the south Pacific: UHF channels 5 is 476.525 MHz Simplex; or try a repeater (aka "duplex") using Channels 5 & 35: Listen on 476.525 MHz, and transmit on 477.275 MHz. Channels are in 25 kHz steps; 1 to 9 are repeaters, going to Ch 40, while 41 to 80 are in the 12.5 kHz steps between these. More are listed on Wikipedia, some only coming into use once search operations have commenced.
Before you call CQ, especially on HF and MF, you should check your operation is in accordance with bandplans for use of the mode, and that is not listed as being for specific operation, such as 6 metre liaison on 10 metres. You should listen for a moment, then either send "QRL? AL5BZ" in Morse (meaning "Are you busy?"), or say "Is the frequency in use, AL5BZ". Listen for a moment, as a station in contact with a station you cannot hear may reply they are using the frequency. If you hear nothing, then call "CQ CQ de AL5BZ", or "CQ CQ this is Alpha Lima Five Bravo Zulu".
The normal call is CQ, but if you wish to make a contact outside your own country, call CQ-DX, DX standing for Distance. You can also call something like CQ-ZL, for NZ, or CQ-KH, for Hawaiʻi. The format CQ-Alaska, is also fine, say if you need it for as award, etc. As an aside, DX is NOT Germany, but one of the prefixes used in the Philippines.
Many US hams consider that the "lower bank" of Canadian provinces are not DX, but the "upper bank" of territories are.
Operators in the "Lower 48", or mainland US should avoid ongoing conversations with each other in the segment 50.1 to 50.125 MHz. This is good practice.
Certain sub-bands are set aside to allow contacts with stations overseas, important when other countries have narrower bands than the US. These frequencies thus should only be used if answering a DX station, or to call one. 3776 to 3800 kHz is an example where VK operators can work US Advanced and Extra stations, using SSB.
Sending a series of the letter V - di-di-di-dah - is a test signal in Morse. Thus, you might send "VVV DE NZ2VK". Decades ago 2UE in Sydney used it as the introduction for the news.
V is also a tasty energy drink, invented in ZL: You may wish to buy me one.
ALC is Automatic Level Control, a form of audio compression or limiting, designed so that an appropriate signal level goes to air. The idea is to have a decent signal level, without the signal being over-processed. The microphone gain can be adjusted to provide the desired level of ALC activation.
These are actual questions from the General exam pool.
G2A01
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on frequencies of 14 MHz or higher?
A. Upper sideband
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Double sideband
All frequencies above 10 MHz use Upper sideband, answer A, for Alpha.
This applies all the way up, including VHF, UHF, SHF, etc.
G2A02
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands?
A. Upper sideband
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Double sideband
These are the regular ham bands below 10 MHz, so Lower sideband, answer B for Bravo.
G2A03
Which mode is most commonly used for SSB voice communications in the VHF and UHF bands?
A. Upper sideband
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Double sideband
Is 50 and 432 are both greater than 10, it must be A, USB.
If you are Novice or Technicians who might have only used FM, and perhaps DMR, you may choose to buy something like a pre-loved FT-847, 857D, 897D; or an IC-706 series radio as your HF radio. These also provide VHF and UHF (for ICOM the Mk IIG only) access using USB.
G2A04
Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 17- and 12-meter bands?
A. Upper sideband
B. Lower sideband
C. Suppressed sideband
D. Double sideband
Getting a bit repetitive, it is USB, as these bands are around 18 and 24 MHz, both above 10 MHz, answer A.
G2A05
Which mode of voice communication is most commonly used on the HF amateur bands
A. Frequency modulation
B. Double sideband
C. Single sideband
D. Single phase modulation
Given the number of times upper or lower sideband appears on this page, it just might be Single sideband, answer C.
This allows more users in a band than DSB, AM, or FM; or FM's cousin PM.
G2A06
Which of the following is an advantage when using single sideband as compared to other analog voice modes on the HF amateur bands?
A. Very high-fidelity voice modulation
B. Less subject to interference from atmospheric static crashes
C. Ease of tuning on receive and immunity to impulse noise
D. Less bandwidth used and greater power efficiency
SSB uses less bandwidth, and has greater power efficiency, answer D.
AM wastes power in the redundant sideband, and in the carrier, but SSB does need a more sophisticated receiver.
G2A07
Which of the following statements is true of single sideband (SSB)?
A. Only one sideband and the carrier are transmitted; the other sideband is suppressed
B. Only one sideband is transmitted; the other sideband and carrier are suppressed
C. SSB is the only voice mode that is authorized on the 20-, 15-, and 10-meter amateur bands
D. SSB is the only voice mode that is authorized on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter amateur bands
As it says on the label, only one sideband is sent; the redundant sideband and the carrier are suppressed, answer B
It is only on 60 metres (5 MHz) that SSB, specifically USB, is mandated; and that part of 10 metres available to Novices and Technicians, when used by them. It the latter case USB is traditional, but not mandated.
G2A08
What is the recommended way to break in to a phone contact?
A. Say "QRZ" several times, followed by your call sign
B. Say your call sign once
C. Say "Breaker Breaker"
D. Say "CQ" followed by the call sign of either station
This is not CB, say YOUR callsign, answer B.
G2A09
Why do most amateur stations use lower sideband on the 160-, 75- and 40-meter bands?
A. Lower sideband is more efficient than upper sideband at these frequencies
B. Lower sideband is the only sideband legal on these frequency bands
C. Because it is fully compatible with an AM detector
D. It is commonly accepted amateur practice
It is an old tradition, still in place, answer D.
G2A10
Which of the following statements is true of voice VOX operation versus PTT operation?
A. The received signal is more natural sounding
B. It allows "hands free" operation
C. It occupies less bandwidth
D. It provides more power output
VOX allows triggering transmission by speech, meaning "hands free" hamming, but with the risk of other sounds going to air, answer B.
G2A11
Generally, who should respond to a station in the contiguous 48 states who calls "CQ DX"?
A. Any caller is welcome to respond
B. Only stations in Germany
C. Any stations outside the lower 48 states
D. Only contest stations
This indicates the desire for a long-distance contact, so only stations outside the lower 48 should reply, answer C.
G2A12
What control is typically adjusted for proper ALC setting on an amateur single sideband transceiver?
A. The RF clipping level
B. Transmit audio or microphone gain
C. Antenna inductance or capacitance
D. Attenuator level
The microphone gain or other control for transmit audio should be adjusted for proper operation of the ALC, answer B.
G2B01 [97.101(b), (c)]
Which of the following is true concerning access to frequencies?
A. Nets always have priority
B. QSOs in progress always have priority
C. Except during emergencies, no amateur station has priority access to any frequency
D. Contest operations must always yield to non-contest use of frequencies
No one has priority on a frequency, except during emergencies, answer C.
That said, courtesy says you should give way to nets, and avoid interfering with ongoing QSOs. Also, contests should generally avoid interfering with other users.
However, if your long-standing VK net is on a frequency below 7.1 MHz, now used for data, and things like Worldwide FT-8 contests, maybe it is time to move it, rather than moaning about interference. Its operation is outside the current band-plan.
G2B02
What is the first thing you should do if you are communicating with another amateur station and hear a station in distress break in?
A. Inform your local emergency coordinator
B. Acknowledge the station in distress and determine what assistance may be needed
C. Immediately decrease power to avoid interfering with the station in distress
D. Immediately cease all transmissions
You must acknowledge the station with emergency traffic, and assist them, answer B.
G2B03
What is good amateur practice if propagation changes during a contact creating interference from other stations using the frequency?
A. Advise the interfering stations that you are on the frequency and that you have priority
B. Decrease power and continue to transmit
C. Attempt to resolve the interference problem with the other stations in a mutually acceptable manner
D. Switch to the opposite sideband
You should try to find a mutually acceptable arrangement, answer C.
If the band is not congested, moving up or down a little should be easy. If you and your contact are local to each other, maybe move to a free repeater, etc.
G2B04
When selecting a CW transmitting frequency, what minimum separation from other stations should be used to minimize interference to stations on adjacent frequencies?
A. 5 Hz to 50 Hz
B. 150 Hz to 500 Hz
C. 1 kHz to 3 kHz
D. 3 kHz to 6 kHz
Depending on the narrowness and quality of filters used, you need to be at least 150 to 500 Hz away from the next station, answer B.
G2B05
When selecting an SSB transmitting frequency, what minimum separation should be used to minimize interference to stations on adjacent frequencies?
A. 5 Hz to 50 Hz
B. 150 Hz to 500 Hz
C. 2 kHz to 3 kHz
D. Approximately 6 kHz
SSB signals are around 3 kHz wide, so you should tune your dial to be at least this amount above or below the suppressed carrier frequency of the other station, answer C.
The answer has changed from 3 kHz. Less that this figure is only perhaps valid in a contest, with stations using narrow filters, and finding a 3kHz wide gap is difficult. I have suggested returning the answer to 3 kHz.
G2B06
How can you avoid harmful interference on an apparently clear frequency before calling CQ on CW or phone?
A. Send "QRL?" on CW, followed by your call sign; or, if using phone, ask if the frequency is in use, followed by your call sign
B. Listen for 2 minutes before calling CQ
C. Send the letter "V" in Morse code several times and listen for a response or say "test" several times and listen for a response
D. Send "QSY" on CW or if using phone, announce "the frequency is in use", then give your call and listen for a response
Ask if the frequency is in use, via voice, or by sending "QRL?"; and your callsign, answer A.
G2B07
Which of the following complies with commonly accepted amateur practice when choosing a frequency on which to initiate a call?
A. Listen on the frequency for at least two minutes to be sure it is clear
B. Identify your station by transmitting your call sign at least 3 times
C. Follow the voluntary band plan
D. All of these choices are correct
Ensure you are using the correct frequency for your mode, etc, using the voluntary band plan, answer C.
G2B08
What is the voluntary band plan restriction for US stations transmitting within the 48 contiguous states in the 50.1 to 50.125 MHz band segment?
A. Only contacts with stations not within the 48 contiguous states
B. Only contacts with other stations within the 48 contiguous states
C. Only digital contacts
D. Only SSTV contacts
This is a sub-band where your should avoid operation between stations in the "lower 48", answer A.
This is the "DX Window", which includes the international calling frequency, 50.110 MHz. There is plenty of spectrum above this segment for general contacts. You could always suggest a station in the window move up, as you may want a contact for something like WAS (Worked All States), or to compare antennas, etc.
G2B09 [97.407(a)]
Who may be the control operator of an amateur station transmitting in RACES to assist relief operations during a disaster?
A. Only a person holding an FCC issued amateur operator license
B. Only a RACES net control operator
C. A person holding an FCC issued amateur operator license or an appropriate government official
D. Any control operator when normal communication systems are operational
In the local disaster version of RACES at least, only a licensed Amateur may be the control operator, answer A.
G2B10
Which of the following is good amateur practice for net management?
A. Always use multiple sets of phonetics during check-in
B. Have a backup frequency in case of interference or poor conditions
C. Transmit the full net roster at the beginning of every session
D. All these choices are correct
You should have one or more back-up frequencies available to suggest if a certain frequency is not available, or performs poorly, answer B.
You might include a list in the briefing document for the event, with a a word, the letters of which represent different frequencies, modes, etc, so you can simply say "QRZ Foxtrot". SSB on VHF or UHF may provide a modicum of resistance to scanner users listening in, but should not be relied upon.
G2B11 [97.407(d)(4)]
How often may RACES training drills and tests be routinely conducted without special authorization?
A. No more than 1 hour per month
B. No more than 2 hours per month
C. No more than 1 hour per week
D. No more than 2 hours per week
This is one hour per week, answer C.
Two questions which have been removed asked about operation in a dire emergency:
They indicated that an amateur station may use any means at its disposal to assist another station in distress; and that during an emergency a station should use whatever frequency has the best chance of communicating the distress message. This can include ham frequencies, even if they are outside your permitted frequencies, or non-ham ones.
In proximity to a navigated waterway, the VHF calling and distress channel, Ch 16, at 156.800 MHz FM could be used (low cost imported radios often transmit here, and on many UHF (400-500 MHz) frequencies). Height can help improve range, I expect 100 km from a 1000 metre range is possible. The aviation distress frequency, 121.500 MHz AM has coverage of potentially several hundred kilometres to an airborne aircraft, should you have a suitable radio. For NSW 468.575 MHz FM is the all agency ESO Air 1, potentially requiring a 107.2 Hz tone. Interestingly, in the future Skykraft satellites will relay certain aviation band signals from any location on the globe to controllers. It is however intended for installed 20 watt radios, rather than 1.5 watt hand-helds.
On HF there are maritime and aviation frequencies, plus things like Flying Doctor (RFDS) channels, law enforcement ones, and other agencies' frequencies. Mining companies, etc may also use HF frequencies in the Australian outback.
North American (and European) 27 MHz CB has various emergency, calling, and road user frequencies, as does 477 MHz UHF CB in the western Pacific. 27 MHz (aka HF) CB is falling out of favour in Oz. I am not sure how popular NZ 26 MHz CB remains. Road channels may well have more stations listening than the official emergency one.
Australian regulations include threats to the environment as emergencies which permit emergency operations.
I've compiled a list of sources of mostly green trousers, which may be suitable for communicatiosn volunteers.
If you need to use a tourist's mobile / cellular 'phone, 112 activates "Emergency Mode", and uses any available tower. 911 should as well, no matter the country. On your own 'phone your national emergency number should also do this.
If visiting a country you should find out the "landline" number. For all of Europe it is the 112, even if there is a legacy number, such as the UK's 999. 116 123 is a mental health crisis line, 116 117 for non-emergency medial help. Accommodation or workplace 'phones may need a 1, 9, or 0 for an outside line; so in NZ you might dial 1, wait for a dial tone, then dial 111. One system where I worked was set up so invalid prefixes were used for internal numbers: Dial the usual 9476 1234 to call that outside number, or use 281 or 345 to call a colleague. Australia uses 000.
Incidentally, GSM-R, at least in Australia, can carry emergency calls from regular 'phones, if you are near a railway line (east of Lithgow). This is a train control radio system which uses a dedicated mobile network covering railway tracks.
The iPhone 14 or later (with iOS 18 or later) includes a text-via-satellite service if you set up a "Medical ID", via teh Globalstar network. Unlike almost all life-saving systems, Apple will monetise this system shortly. If you travel to remote areas for work, inform your employer of their duty of care towards you, ditto if your area is at risk of weather taking out cellular service. Perhaps emergency groups should cover this for active members.
Serious portable satellite 'phones use Iridium, or perhaps a regional system, such as Thuraya.
Due to reuse spectrum fo rmore profitable 5G, network providers in Australia have closed both 2G (GSM) and now 3G (HSDPA and other true telephony systems), meaning calls must be made using VoLTE, a modified version of VoIP, or perhaps Voice over WiFi, as 4G and 5G are strictly data systems to supplement 3G / NextG. The problem is not all networks support industry standard VoLTE (looking at you, Telstra). However, emergency calls may proceed over Optus or Vodafone networks, which use standard VoLTE. I've put my 4G handset which won't work on Telstra's VoLTE (despite undertakings) onto Aldi, for data use only, and will use a Telstra handset only for voice calls, on a much cheaper plan.
If stuck, think about what part of the transmission chain a control acts on: All a VOX does is key the transmitter, it cannot affect bandwidth, power, or the like. While discussing this, an alternative is something like an ON-OFF-(ON) switch mounted in a small box, zip-tied or attached via Velcro-style straps to the gear stick or lever if this is in the centre console, along with a single ear headset or boom mounted microphone. For home use a foot-switch is an option. An indicator that you are "ON-AIR" is a good idea.
On to: Operations 2 - CW, Q-codes & HF Operations
You can find links to lots more on the Learning Material page.
Written by Julian Sortland, VK2YJS & AG6LE, November 2024.
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