OPERATING PRACTICES CHAPTER 2 - sftarc.org

OPERATING PRACTICESCHAPTER 2

2.1 General Operating2.2 Digital Mode Operating2.3 Amateur Satellites

2-1

All ARRL materials are used with permission from the ARRL.

OPERATING PRACTICES2.1 GENERAL OPERATING

Extra Class HF Frequencies

• Extra class only freq. prime real estate for HF operator.• 80, 40, 20, and 15 meters: Major DX and contesting bands.• FCC rules still apply for: CW, data and phone!• Keep emissions inside the sub-band.

2-1


FREQUENCY DESCRIPTION3.500 Band Edge3.500-3.510 CW DX window3.560 QRP CW calling frequency3.570-3.600 RTTY/Data3.585-3.60 Automatically controlled data stations3.590 RTTY/Data DX3.790-3.800 DX window3.845 SSTV3.885 AM calling frequency3.985 QRP SSB calling frequency4.000 Band Edge

80 METER SUB-BAND

DX

DX


Frequency Selection• Check band conditions … MUF.• Check major contest … www.arrl.org/contests.• Check special event www.arrl.org/special-event-stations. • Check radio and antennas … interference.

2-1


DXing

• HF Dxing … contacts outside your own country.• Continuous improvement of: equip., antennas, skills.• V/UHF Dxing … making contacts 50-100 miles away.• EME Dxing … half-world away.

2-3


Dxing (Chasing an award or two)

• Dxing award DXCC … one QSO 100 countries (340).• ARRL’s online logbook – LoTW – Logbook of the World.• eLog contacts … LoTW … eQSL.

2-3

The ARRL’s QSL Service (www.arrl.org/qsl-service) handles both US-to-DX and DX-to-US QSLs, but not US-to-US cards because there would be too many and for which regular mail is available. [E2C08]

Many DX stations use the Services of the QSL manager who confirms contacts and sends out responding QSL cards for a DX station. [E2C05]


Dx Windows and Watering Holes (tb 2.1)Band Frequency (MHz)160 meters 1.830-1.83580 meters 3.50575 meters 3.795-3.80040 meters 7.005 (CW)20 meters 14.005 and 14.020 (CW)

14.190-200 (Phone)15 meters 21.005 and 21.020 (CW)

21.195 and 21.295 (Phone)10 meters 28.495 (Phone)

2 meters 144.200

DX and contests on VHF/UHF bands favors the “weak-signal” lower end of the band. [E2C06]

2-3

RXTuning up and downPicking calls out of the pile up

TX

100w

75w

500w

5w

K5PDXpedition

RX

Frequency

“ListeningUp 20”

Hams Trying to Work theDXpedition

The Pile up

1w

Working split separates the signals of the calling stations from the DX station reducing interference and improving efficiency. [E2C10]

Give you call sign once or twice, then pause to listen for the DX station. [E2C11]


Dxing Propagation

• Propagation varies; cycles, day, season.• Band about to close contacts get weaker exhibit

the rapid fading and fluttery sound. Max Usable Frequency (MUF) dropping, change to lower-frequency band. [E2C12]

• www.spaceweather.com• www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/radio-communications• www.hfradio.org

QRZ.COM

2-5


Resources for DXing

• ARRL’s Operating Manual … DX chapter.• The Complete Dxer, by Bob Locher W9KNI• ARRL’s DX Bulletin: www.arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-dx• OP DX Bulletin: www.papays.com/opdx.html• Daily DX: www.dailydx.com• QRZ DX: www.dxpub.com• eMail Reflector: mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/dx andgroups.yahoo.com/group/dx-list

2-6


FIJI, 3D2. Jim, WB2TJO will be QRV as 3D2JS from Taveuni Island,IOTA OC-016, beginning from December 2016 to March 2017. Activitywill be on the HF bands and 6 meters using CW, SSB and some digitalmodes. QSL to home call.

WEST MALAYSIA, 9M2. A group of operators will be QRV as 9M4LI fromLalang Island, IOTA AS-072, from November 25 to 27. Activity willbe on the HF bands. QSL via operators' instructions.

EAST MALAYSIA, 9M6. Saty, JE1JKL will be QRV as 9M6NA from LabuanIsland, IOTA OC-133, in the CQ World Wide DX CW contest as a SingleOp/Single Band entry on 20 meters. QSL to home call.

OMAN, A4. Special call sign A44A will be QRV in the CQ World WideDX CW contest as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via A47RS.

BHUTAN, A5. Nobuaki, JA0JHQ is QRV as A52NH from the Dochula Resortin Paro until November 27. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW,SSB and RTTY. This includes a possible entry in the CQ World WideDX CW contest. QSL to home call.

CAPE VERDE, D4. Raul, EA2SS is QRV as D44TBC from Sal Island, IOTAAF-086, until November 28. Activity is holiday style on 20 and 30meters. QSL to home call.

DX NewsE-Newsletter

DX WEB SITES FOR YOUR TOOLBOXDX Software www.dxlabsuite.com

DX Cluster www.nc7j.com

DX Summit www.dxsummit.fi

DX Countries www.arrl.org/dxcc

Propagation http://dx.qsl.net/propagation/

Forcast http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/forecast.html

DX Information www.dxcoffee.com

Time & Gray-line www.time.gov

DX Real-Time Maps www.dxmaps.com

Dxpidition tracking http://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html

The Daily DX www.dailyDX.com

QRZ direct linking info http://qrz.com/i/linking.html

DX World http://dx-world.net/


Contesting• Purpose: Enhance communication and operating skills.• Make many contacts as possible … within Time limits … adhering to rules.• Competitive outlet … quick increase to WAS and DXCC totals.• Honing skill and station equip. for public service or emergency operating.• Exchange … info sent during a contest … call signs, signal report, QTH.• QST contesting page, “Contest Corral” … www.arrl.org/contests• Calendars … www.hornucopia.com/contestcal and www.sk3bg.se/contest• HF contesting … centered around low-end … CW and Phone.• Digital contest … centered around digital calling frequencies for that mode.• No contesting on 60, 30, 17, and 12 bands by general agreement. [E2C03]• V/UHF contests … centered around weak signal / low-end of the bands.• Repeater contacts are not allowed.• FM simplex allowed, but are discouraged on FM calling frequencies.

2-6


Operating in a Contest• Tuning up and down a band for stations to contact (search), then

working them (pounce).• Stations running … calling “CQ Contest” or “CQ Field Day” …

stationary on one frequency.• Cadence of the calls/responses … KS0KS 3A KS.• World-wide/daytime … 10, 15, 20.• Low sunspots cycle/nighttime … 40, 80, 160.

2-7


Submitting a Contest Log

• Few QSOs; go ahead and submit a log.• Contests … follow the rules.• Submit Cabrillo format or ADIF format.

2-7

You are encourage to make contacts whether you intend to submit a log to the contest sponsors or not – no entry is required. [E2C01]

The Cabrillo format is a standard for organizing the information in a submitted contest log so that eh sponsor can check and score the QSOs. [E2C07]

START-OF-LOG: 3.0CONTEST: ARRL-SS-CWCALLSIGN: W1AWLOCATION: CTCLUB: ARRLOPERATORS: W1AWCATEGORY-OPERATOR: SINGLE-OPCATEGORY-TRANSMITTER: ONECATEGORY-ASSISTED: NON-ASSISTEDCATEGORY-BAND: ALLCATEGORY-POWER: LOWCATEGORY-MODE: CWCATEGORY-STATION: FIXEDCLUB: ARRLNAME: Hiram MaximADDRESS: 225 Main St.ADDRESS: Newington, CT 06111

QSO: 14000 CW 2009-11-07 2100 W1AW 1 M 38 CT K8MM 1 Q 92 MIQSO: 14000 CW 2009-11-07 2101 W1AW 2 M 38 CT K3TX 1 A 59 EPAQSO: 14000 CW 2009-11-07 2104 W1AW 3 M 38 CT W4DAN 1 A 77 TNQSO: 14000 CW 2009-11-07 2106 W1AW 4 M 38 CT K1BG 2 U 68 WMAQSO: 14000 CW 2009-11-07 2106 W1AW 5 M 38 CT K5AF 10 A 60 STXEND-OF-LOG:

CABRILLO FILE


Using Spotting Networks• Single-op: finding station, operating the radio, logging,

etc.• Multi-op: two or more operators work together.• Single-Operator may use DX spotting.• Check rules if use of spotting is permitted.• Self-spotting is not allowed in most contests. [E2C02]• Dxsummit.fi or www.reversebeacon.net stations listening to

the bands and reporting what stations they hear, when and how well.

2-8

DXSUMMIT.FI


Remote Stations

• Operate via Internet to remote transmitter.

• License to TX from that location.• Permission to use that station.• TX the U.S.; use your call. [E2C13]• In another country (Brazil); use

PY/your-call.• Contest rules regarding operating

“remote”.

2-9

OPERATING PRACTICES2.2 DIGITAL MODE OPERATING

Packet Radio2-10


Internet Gateway Station


OPERATING PRACTICES2.2 DIGITAL MODE OPERATINGPacket Radio

• Packet Radio ... Used most often on the V/UHF bands.• Packet on 2 meter uses audio frequency shift keying (AFSK) … 1200 baud.• Data … exchanged in packets … called frames … uses AX.25 protocol.• Packet allowed where FM voice is allowed.• Follow sub-band plans to select packet frequency.• Packet uses ASCII to represent each character.

• HF Packet uses Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) … SSB signal … 300 baud.• HF Packet limited to CW and DATA band segments.

• Store-and-forward systems are PacketCluster, PACSAT satellites and Winlink.

• A protocol is the set of rules that controls the encoding, packaging, exchanging and decoding of digital data – AX.25.

2-10

OPERATING PRACTICES2.2 DIGITAL MODE OPERATINGPacket Cluster

• Packet Cluster exchange “DX spots”. • DX spot … rebroadcast to all stations.• DX spotting networks … world-wide DX info.• Spotting networks … www.ng3k.com/Misc/cluster.html or

www.dxsummit.fi.

2-11

OPERATING PRACTICES2.2 DIGITAL MODE OPERATINGPACSATs

• Packet Satellites (PACSAT) uses Store-and-forward system.• Low Earth Orbits (LEO’s) circle North and South Poles.• Terrestrial station uploads message to PACSAT. Receiving station

downloads message when satellite is in view. [E2D04, E2D05]• ISS packet system is most widely used.• CubeSats provide temporary digital capabilities on an

experimental basis.• More information on Satellite Status is on www.amsat.org.

2-11

GPSreceiver


LongitudeLatitudeAltitude (High Altitude Balloons)

2-11

Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS)


Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS)

• APRS stations transmit a beacon packet containing the station’s location.• Display call sign, user-selected icon, and data on a map.• APRS uses AX.25 protocol. [E2D07]• APRS TX as an Unnumbered Information (UI) frame.• Gateway stations send/receive information to central server accessible at www.findu.com. • GPS data is sent to the APRS network as latitude and longitude. [E2D11]• Add GPS altitude data … track high-altitude balloon. [E2A14]• Tracker … low power APRS station in a single package.• APRS used to support public service reporting real-time location. [E2D10]

2-11

AMATEUR SATELLITES

CubeSat (Experimental)

AO-40SATELLITE UPLINK DOWNLINK COMMENT

AO-51 145.92 435.3

AO-27 145.85 436.795

SO-50 145.85 436.795 67.0 tone

OPERATING PRACTICES2.3 AMATEUR SATELLITES 2-12

OPERATING PRACTICES2.3 AMATEUR SATELLITES

Amateur Satellites

Satellite communication achieved by modest equipment (HT and hand-held antenna).

More information … www.amsat.org.

2-12


Understanding Satellite Orbits• Inertia … force tends to keep a body moving in a

straight line.• Gravity … force tends to pull the body toward the

Earth.• Inertia and gravity are balanced … path is a stable

orbit around the Earth. [E2A03]• One complete revolution about the Earth … orbital

period. [E2A03]

2-12


Johannes Kepler

• Described the mechanics of the orbits of the planets mathematically.

• Created three laws of planetary motion … describe lunar orbit and orbits of artificial Earth Satellites.

2-13


• Orbits are shaped like an ellipse.

Kepler’s First Law (shape):

2-13


• Time travel from A to B equals time from A’ to B’.• Speed faster A to B (closer Earth) than A’ to B’.• Area of section A1=A2.

Kepler’s Second Law (time-speed-area):

A

B

A’

B’Earth

2-13


• Greater distance from Earth, the longer orbital period. (Fun Fact: Pluto obits the Sun every 248 years!)

Kepler’s Third Law (distance):

2-13


ISS orbits the Earth every 90 minutes.

2-13


AO-40 … high elliptical orbit … 19 hours.2-13


• Orbit high and circular … geosynchronous … aka geostationary … same point over the Earth as the Earth rotates. [E2A13]

Orbit period = 24 hours

2-13


Keplerian Elements:• Keplerian elements are satellite measurements.• Laws expressed mathematically, if you know the values of

a set of measurements of the satellite orbit, you can calculate the position of the satellite. [E2A12]

• Point your antenna at the satellite position.• Display on map on a computer monitor … updated every

few seconds … track satellite movement.• Refresh Keplerian elements monthly … orbits change

slowly over time.

2-13


SB KEPS @ AMSAT $ORB17012.N 2Line Orbital Elements 17012.AMSAT

HR AMSAT ORBITAL ELEMENTS FOR AMATEUR SATELLITES IN NASA FORMAT FROM WA5QGD FORT WORTH,TX January 12, 2017 BID: ORB17012.N

DECODE 2-LINE ELSETS WITH THE FOLLOWING KEY: 1 AAAAAU 00 0 0 BBBBB.BBBBBBBB .CCCCCCCC 00000-0 00000-0 0 DDDZ 2 AAAAA EEE.EEEE FFF.FFFF GGGGGGG HHH.HHHH III.IIII JJ.JJJJJJJJKKKKKZ KEY: A-CATALOGNUM B-EPOCHTIME C-DECAY D-ELSETNUM E-INCLINATION F-RAAN G-ECCENTRICITY H-ARGPERIGEE I-MNANOM J-MNMOTION K-ORBITNUM Z-CHECKSUM

TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT

HUBBLE 1 20580U 90037B 17011.96673389 .00000503 00000-0 20112-4 0 9993 2 20580 028.4707 319.6982 0002513 293.8221 144.8373 15.08643848266585

AO-73 1 39444U 13066AE 17012.10782319 .00000259 00000-0 38784-4 0 9992 2 39444 97.6537 62.5969 0059843 58.5769 302.1277 14.81305296168500

2Line Orbital Elements2-13


Orbital Mechanics

Protractor

2-14

When the satellite is within range of your location, it is common to describe the pass as either an ascending pass (traveling south to north over your area) or a descending pass (traveling north to south). [E2A01, E2A02]


Faraday Rotation and Spin Modulation

Spinning satellite causes RF signal changes amplitude/polarization when passing through ionosphere. Faraday rotation. Effect as fairly rapid, pulsed signal fading. [E2A10]

Best to use circularly polarized antennas. [E2A11]

2-14


Satellite Operation

Batteries, solar panels, controllers

Repeaters, transponders, and store-and-forward systems

Satellite components

2-15


Repeaters

2m up440 down

Cross-band repeater eliminates need for heavy cavity duplexers

Works similar to terrestrial repeater

RX and TX on specific frequency

2-15


Transponders

Receiving 3 signals 23 cm uplinkTransmitting 3 signals 13 cm downlink

2-15

Because all users must share the power output, continuous-carrier modes such as FM and RTTY generally are not used through amateur satellites. [E2A08]

A transponder can receive several signals at once and convert them to a new range. What ever mode is received is retransmitted. [E2A07]


Satellite Operating Frequencies (tb 2.2)BAND FREQUENCY MODE U/V V/U L/U V/H H/S L/S L/X C/X

HF 15-10 METERS 21-30 MHz H TX RX

VHF 2 METERS 144-146 MHz V TX RX RX

UHF 70 cm 435-438 MHz U RX TX TX

UHF 23 cm 1.26-1.27 GHz L RX RX RX

UHF 13 cm 2.4-2.45 GHz S TX TX

UHF 5 cm 5.8 GHz C RX

UHF 3 cm 10.45 GHz X TX TX

UHF 1.5 cm 24 GHz K

2-17

Transponders identified by MODE. The operating mode of a satellite identifies the uplink and downlink frequency bands the satellite is using. [E2A04]

Mode “U/V”, the uplink band is always the first letter. [E2A05, E2A06, E2A09]

Q & A

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

E2A01

E2A01

What is the direction of an ascending pass for an amateur satellite?

A. From west to eastB. From east to westC. From south to northD. From north to south

2-14

E2A01

E2A01

What is the direction of an ascending pass for an amateur satellite?

A. From west to eastB. From east to westC. From south to northD. From north to south

2-14

E2A03

E2A03

What is the orbital period of an Earth satellite?

A. The point of maximum height of a satellite's orbitB. The point of minimum height of a satellite's orbitC. The time it takes for a satellite to complete one revolution around the EarthD. The time it takes for a satellite to travel from perigee to apogee

2-13

E2A03

E2A03

What is the orbital period of an Earth satellite?

A. The point of maximum height of a satellite's orbitB. The point of minimum height of a satellite's orbitC. The time it takes for a satellite to complete one revolution around the EarthD. The time it takes for a satellite to travel from perigee to apogee

2-13

E2A06

E2A06

On what band would a satellite receive signals if it were operating in mode U/V?

A. 435 MHz - 438 MHzB. 144 MHz - 146 MHzC. 50.0 MHz - 50.2 MHzD. 29.5 MHz - 29.7 MHz

2-16

E2A06

E2A06

On what band would a satellite receive signals if it were operating in mode U/V?

A. 435 MHz - 438 MHzB. 144 MHz - 146 MHzC. 50.0 MHz - 50.2 MHzD. 29.5 MHz - 29.7 MHz

2-16

E2A07

E2A07

Which of the following types of signals can be relayed through a linear transponder?

A. FM and CWB. SSB and SSTVC. PSK and PacketD. All of these choices are correct

2-16

E2A07

E2A07

Which of the following types of signals can be relayed through a linear transponder?

A. FM and CWB. SSB and SSTVC. PSK and PacketD. All of these choices are correct

2-16

E2A08

E2A08

Why should effective radiated power to a satellite which uses a linear transponder be limited?

A. To prevent creating errors in the satellite telemetryB. To avoid reducing the downlink power to all other usersC. To prevent the satellite from emitting out-of-band signalsD. To avoid interfering with terrestrial QSOs

2-16

E2A08

E2A08

Why should effective radiated power to a satellite which uses a linear transponder be limited?

A. To prevent creating errors in the satellite telemetryB. To avoid reducing the downlink power to all other usersC. To prevent the satellite from emitting out-of-band signalsD. To avoid interfering with terrestrial QSOs

2-16

E2A09

E2A09

What do the terms L band and S band specify with regard to satellite communications?

A. The 23 centimeter and 13 centimeter bandsB. The 2 meter and 70 centimeter bandsC. FM and Digital Store-and-Forward systemsD. Which sideband to use

2-16

E2A09

E2A09

What do the terms L band and S band specify with regard to satellite communications?

A. The 23 centimeter and 13 centimeter bandsB. The 2 meter and 70 centimeter bandsC. FM and Digital Store-and-Forward systemsD. Which sideband to use

2-16

E2A10

E2A10

Why may the received signal from an amateur satellite exhibit a rapidly repeating fading effect?

A. Because the satellite is spinningB. Because of ionospheric absorptionC. Because of the satellite's low orbital altitudeD. Because of the Doppler Effect

2-15

E2A10

E2A10

Why may the received signal from an amateur satellite exhibit a rapidly repeating fading effect?

A. Because the satellite is spinningB. Because of ionospheric absorptionC. Because of the satellite's low orbital altitudeD. Because of the Doppler Effect

2-15

E2A11

E2A11

What type of antenna can be used to minimize the effects of spin modulation and Faraday rotation?

A. A linearly polarized antennaB. A circularly polarized antennaC. An isotropic antennaD. A log-periodic dipole array

2-15

E2A11

E2A11

What type of antenna can be used to minimize the effects of spin modulation and Faraday rotation?

A. A linearly polarized antennaB. A circularly polarized antennaC. An isotropic antennaD. A log-periodic dipole array

2-15

E2A12

E2A12

What is one way to predict the location of a satellite at a given time?

A. By means of the Doppler data for the specified satelliteB. By subtracting the mean anomaly from the orbital inclinationC. By adding the mean anomaly to the orbital inclinationD. By calculations using the Keplerian elements for the specified satellite

2-13

E2A12

E2A12

What is one way to predict the location of a satellite at a given time?

A. By means of the Doppler data for the specified satelliteB. By subtracting the mean anomaly from the orbital inclinationC. By adding the mean anomaly to the orbital inclinationD. By calculations using the Keplerian elements for the specified satellite

2-13

E2A13

E2A13

What type of satellite appears to stay in one position in the sky?

A. HEOB. GeostationaryC. GeomagneticD. LEO

2-13

E2A13

E2A13

What type of satellite appears to stay in one position in the sky?

A. HEOB. GeostationaryC. GeomagneticD. LEO

2-13

E2A14

E2A14

What technology is used to track, in real time, balloons carrying amateur radio transmitters?

A. RadarB. Bandwidth compressed LORANC. APRSD. Doppler shift of beacon signals

2-12

E2A14

E2A14

What technology is used to track, in real time, balloons carrying amateur radio transmitters?

A. RadarB. Bandwidth compressed LORANC. APRSD. Doppler shift of beacon signals

2-12

E2C01

E2C01

Which of the following is true about contest operating?

A. Operators are permitted to make contacts even if they do not submit a logB. Interference to other amateurs is unavoidable and therefore acceptableC. It is mandatory to transmit the call sign of the station being worked as part of every transmission to that stationD. Every contest requires a signal report in the exchange

2-7

E2C01

E2C01

Which of the following is true about contest operating?

A. Operators are permitted to make contacts even if they do not submit a logB. Interference to other amateurs is unavoidable and therefore acceptableC. It is mandatory to transmit the call sign of the station being worked as part of every transmission to that stationD. Every contest requires a signal report in the exchange

2-7

E2C02

E2C02

Which of the following best describes the term self-spotting in regards to HF contest operating?

A. The generally prohibited practice of posting one’s own call sign and frequency on a spotting networkB. The acceptable practice of manually posting the call signs of stations on a spotting networkC. A manual technique for rapidly zero beating or tuning to a station’s frequency before calling that stationD. An automatic method for rapidly zero beating or tuning to a station’s frequency before calling that station

2-9

E2C02

E2C02

Which of the following best describes the term self-spotting in regards to HF contest operating?

A. The generally prohibited practice of posting one’s own call sign and frequency on a spotting networkB. The acceptable practice of manually posting the call signs of stations on a spotting networkC. A manual technique for rapidly zero beating or tuning to a station’s frequency before calling that stationD. An automatic method for rapidly zero beating or tuning to a station’s frequency before calling that station

2-9

E2C03

E2C03

From which of the following bands is amateur radio contesting generally excluded?

A. 30 mB. 6 mC. 2 mD. 33 cm

2-7

E2C03

E2C03

From which of the following bands is amateur radio contesting generally excluded?

A. 30 mB. 6 mC. 2 mD. 33 cm

2-7

E2C05

E2C05

What is the function of a DX QSL Manager?

A. To allocate frequencies for DXpeditionsB. To handle the receiving and sending of confirmation cards for a DX stationC. To run a net to allow many stations to contact a rare DX stationD. To relay calls to and from a DX station

2-3

E2C05

E2C05

What is the function of a DX QSL Manager?

A. To allocate frequencies for DXpeditionsB. To handle the receiving and sending of confirmation cards for a DX stationC. To run a net to allow many stations to contact a rare DX stationD. To relay calls to and from a DX station

2-3

E2C06

E2C06

During a VHF/UHF contest, in which band segment would you expect to find the highest level of activity?

A. At the top of each band, usually in a segment reserved for contestsB. In the middle of each band, usually on the national calling frequencyC. In the weak signal segment of the band, with most of the activity near the calling frequencyD. In the middle of the band, usually 25 kHz above the national calling frequency

2-3

E2C06

E2C06

During a VHF/UHF contest, in which band segment would you expect to find the highest level of activity?

A. At the top of each band, usually in a segment reserved for contestsB. In the middle of each band, usually on the national calling frequencyC. In the weak signal segment of the band, with most of the activity near the calling frequencyD. In the middle of the band, usually 25 kHz above the national calling frequency

2-3

E2C07

E2C07

What is the Cabrillo format?

A. A standard for submission of electronic contest logsB. A method of exchanging information during a contest QSOC. The most common set of contest rulesD. The rules of order for meetings between contest sponsors

2-7

E2C07

E2C07

What is the Cabrillo format?

A. A standard for submission of electronic contest logsB. A method of exchanging information during a contest QSOC. The most common set of contest rulesD. The rules of order for meetings between contest sponsors

2-7

E2C08

E2C08

Which of the following contacts may be confirmed through the U.S. QSL bureau system?

A. Special event contacts between stations in the U.S.B. Contacts between a U.S. station and a non-U.S. stationC. Repeater contacts between U.S. club membersD. Contacts using tactical call signs

2-3

E2C08

E2C08

Which of the following contacts may be confirmed through the U.S. QSL bureau system?

A. Special event contacts between stations in the U.S.B. Contacts between a U.S. station and a non-U.S. stationC. Repeater contacts between U.S. club membersD. Contacts using tactical call signs

2-3

E2C10

E2C10

Why might a DX station state that they are listening on another frequency?

A. Because the DX station may be transmitting on a frequency that is prohibited to some responding stationsB. To separate the calling stations from the DX stationC. To improve operating efficiency by reducing interferenceD. All of these choices are correct

2-5

E2C10

E2C10

Why might a DX station state that they are listening on another frequency?

A. Because the DX station may be transmitting on a frequency that is prohibited to some responding stationsB. To separate the calling stations from the DX stationC. To improve operating efficiency by reducing interferenceD. All of these choices are correct

2-5

E2C11

E2C11

How should you generally identify your station when attempting to contact a DX station during a contest or in a pileup?

A. Send your full call sign once or twiceB. Send only the last two letters of your call sign until you make contactC. Send your full call sign and grid squareD. Send the call sign of the DX station three times, the words "this is", then your call sign three times

2-5

E2C11

E2C11

How should you generally identify your station when attempting to contact a DX station during a contest or in a pileup?

A. Send your full call sign once or twiceB. Send only the last two letters of your call sign until you make contactC. Send your full call sign and grid squareD. Send the call sign of the DX station three times, the words "this is", then your call sign three times

2-5

E2C12

E2C12

What might help to restore contact when DX signals become too weak to copy across an entire HF band a few hours after sunset?

A. Switch to a higher frequency HF bandB. Switch to a lower frequency HF bandC. Wait 90 minutes or so for the signal degradation to passD. Wait 24 hours before attempting another communication on the band

2-5

E2C12

E2C12

What might help to restore contact when DX signals become too weak to copy across an entire HF band a few hours after sunset?

A. Switch to a higher frequency HF bandB. Switch to a lower frequency HF bandC. Wait 90 minutes or so for the signal degradation to passD. Wait 24 hours before attempting another communication on the band

2-5

E2C13

E2C13

What indicator is required to be used by U.S.-licensed operators when operating a station via remote control where the transmitter is located in the U.S.?

A. / followed by the USPS two letter abbreviation for the state in which the remote station is locatedB. /R# where # is the district of the remote stationC. The ARRL section of the remote stationD. No additional indicator is required

2-9

E2C13

E2C13

What indicator is required to be used by U.S.-licensed operators when operating a station via remote control where the transmitter is located in the U.S.?

A. / followed by the USPS two letter abbreviation for the state in which the remote station is locatedB. /R# where # is the district of the remote stationC. The ARRL section of the remote stationD. No additional indicator is required

2-9

E2D04

E2D04

What is the purpose of digital store-and-forward functions on an Amateur Radio satellite?

A. To upload operational software for the transponderB. To delay download of telemetry between satellitesC. To store digital messages in the satellite for later download by other stationsD. To relay messages between satellites

2-11

E2D04

E2D04

What is the purpose of digital store-and-forward functions on an Amateur Radio satellite?

A. To upload operational software for the transponderB. To delay download of telemetry between satellitesC. To store digital messages in the satellite for later download by other stationsD. To relay messages between satellites

2-11

E2D05

E2D05

Which of the following techniques is normally used by low Earth orbiting digital satellites to relay messages around the world?

A. DigipeatingB. Store-and-forwardC. Multi-satellite relayingD. Node hopping

2-11

E2D05

E2D05

Which of the following techniques is normally used by low Earth orbiting digital satellites to relay messages around the world?

A. DigipeatingB. Store-and-forwardC. Multi-satellite relayingD. Node hopping

2-11

E2D07

E2D07

What digital protocol is used by APRS?

A. PACTORB. 802.11C. AX.25D. AMTOR

2-11

E2D07

E2D07

What digital protocol is used by APRS?

A. PACTORB. 802.11C. AX.25D. AMTOR

2-11

E2D08

E2D08

What type of packet frame is used to transmit APRS beacon data?

A. Unnumbered InformationB. DisconnectC. AcknowledgementD. Connect

2-11

E2D08

E2D08

What type of packet frame is used to transmit APRS beacon data?

A. Unnumbered InformationB. DisconnectC. AcknowledgementD. Connect

2-11

E2D10

E2D10

How can an APRS station be used to help support a public service communications activity?

A. An APRS station with an emergency medical technician can automatically transmit medical data to the nearest hospitalB. APRS stations with General Personnel Scanners can automatically relay the participant numbers and time as they pass the check pointsC. An APRS station with a GPS unit can automatically transmit information to show a mobile station's position during the eventD. All of these choices are correct

2-12

E2D10

E2D10

How can an APRS station be used to help support a public service communications activity?

A. An APRS station with an emergency medical technician can automatically transmit medical data to the nearest hospitalB. APRS stations with General Personnel Scanners can automatically relay the participant numbers and time as they pass the check pointsC. An APRS station with a GPS unit can automatically transmit information to show a mobile station's position during the eventD. All of these choices are correct

2-12

E2D11

E2D11

Which of the following data are used by the APRS network to communicate your location?

A. Polar coordinatesB. Time and frequencyC. Radio direction finding spectrum analysisD. Latitude and longitude

2-12

E2D11

E2D11

Which of the following data are used by the APRS network to communicate your location?

A. Polar coordinatesB. Time and frequencyC. Radio direction finding spectrum analysisD. Latitude and longitude

2-12

Documents

OPERATING PRACTICES CHAPTER 2 - sftarc.org