Technician Licensing Class T6

Presented by the Plano Texas Stake Plano, Texas

March 29, 2008

Amateur Radio Technician Class Element 2

ELEMENT 2 SUB-ELEMENTS
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T0 FCC Rules, station license responsibilities Control operator duties Operating practices Radio and electronic fundamentals Station setup and operation Communications modes and methods Special operations
Emergency and Public Service Communications

Radio waves, propagation, and antennas Electrical and RF Safety

Communications modes and methods

T6A

Modulation modes, descriptions and bandwidth (AM, FM, SSB)

An amateur radio station used to connect other amateur radio stations to the internet is called a gateway.
PC User

Internet Gateway

Gateway Repeater

Repeater

Communications modes and methods

T6A

Modulation modes, descriptions and bandwidth (AM, FM, SSB) (cont)

Phone transmissions are voice transmissions by radio.

Single sideband (SSB) is a form of amplitude modulation.

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Amplitude Modulation
An unmodulated RF carrier requires narrow Bandwidth (on and off is CW)

Modulation of the carrier creates sidebands. This requires more bandwidth. Transmitter power is spread across this bandwidth
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AM and SSB
The carrier contains no audio information. The sidebands contain duplicate audio information

By filtering out the carrier and one sideband, we save spectrum and concentrate our RF energy into a narrower bandwidth. SSB is therefore more efficient.
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Communications modes and methods

T6A

Modulation modes, descriptions and bandwidth (AM, FM, SSB) (cont)

Upper sideband is normally used for VHF and UHF SSB communications.

The primary advantage of single sideband over FM for voice transmissions is that SSB signals use much less bandwidth than FM signals.

Communications modes and methods

T6A

Modulation modes, descriptions and bandwidth (AM, FM, SSB)

(cont)

Single sideband (SSB) voice modulation is most often used for long distance and weak signal contacts on the VHF and UHF bands. Frequency Modulation (FM) is most commonly used for VHF and UHF voice repeaters. The emission type, CW, has the narrowest bandwidth

Bandwidth

T6A

SSB Signal FM Signal UHF Fast-Scan TV

2 - 3 kHz wide 5 - 15 kHz wide ~ 6 MHz

Communications modes and methods

T6A

Modulation modes, descriptions and bandwidth (AM, FM, SSB)

(cont)

The approximate bandwidth of a single-sideband voice signal is between 2 and 3 kHz. The approximate bandwidth of a frequency-modulated voice signal is between 5 and 15 kHz. The normal bandwidth required for a conventional fastscan TV transmission using combined video and audio on the 70-centimeter band is about 6 MHz.
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Communications modes and methods

T6B

Voice communications, EchoLink and IRLP Information is transmitted between stations via the Internet using Echolink. EchoLink allows computer-to-radio linking for voice transmission. Any licensed amateur radio operator may operate on the Echolink system.

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Echolink model

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Echolink screen shot

Communications modes and methods

T6B

Voice communications, EchoLink and IRLP (cont)

If you hear a brief tone and then a station from Russia calling CQ on a 2-meter repeater you are listening to an Internet linked DX station. Voice over Internet Protocol is the method used to transfer data by IRLP. IRLP is a method of linking between two or more amateur stations using the Internet.

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Communications modes and methods

T6B

Voice communications, EchoLink and IRLP

(cont)

You might find a list of active nodes using VoIP in a repeater directory or the Internet. When using a portable transceiver you select a specific IRLP node by using the keypad to transmit the IRLP node numbers.

Echolink and IRLP have in common: Voice over Internet Protocol technology.
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A typical IRLP Node

Communications modes and methods

T6C

Non-voice communications - image communications, data, CW, packet, PSK31, Morse code techniques, Q signals

Packet Radio is an example of a digital communications method. Point-to-point digital message forwarding emission mode may be used by a Technician class operator in the 219 - 220 MHz frequency range. Phase Shift Keying (PSK) PSK31 is a low-rate data transmission mode that works well in noisy conditions.
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Communications modes and methods

T6C

Non-voice communications - image communications, data, CW, packet, PSK31, Morse code techniques, Q signals (cont)

Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) A global positioning system receiver is required along with your normal radio for sending automatic location reports. A standard fast scan color television signal transmission is indicated by the term NTSC.
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Communications modes and methods

T6C

Non-voice communications - image communications, data, CW, packet, PSK31, Morse code techniques, Q signals (cont)

Any sending speed at which you can reliably receive is recommended when using Morse code. A practical reason for being able to copy CW when using repeaters is to recognize a repeater ID sent in Morse code.

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Communications modes and methods

T6C

Non-voice communications - image communications, data, CW, packet, PSK31, Morse code techniques, Q signals (cont)

QRM is the "Q" signal used to indicate that you are receiving interference from other stations. QSY is the "Q" signal used to indicate that you are changing frequency.

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Q-Signals
QRM
QRN QRP QRT

QRZ QSB QSL QSO

QSY
QTH

Something is causing interference I am troubled by static/noise. I am running low power. I am going off the air. Who is calling me? Your signal is fading. I received the message. I will communicate with ________ directly. I am changing frequency to _____. My location is _______.
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Take Aways
Connect radio stations to the InternetGateway Phone is voice transmission SSB a form of AM USB normally used for VHF & UHF SSB

SSB advantage over FMless bandwidth

SSB used for long distance and weak signal contacts on VHF/UHF

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Take Aways (cont)

FM most common on VHF/UHF repeaters CW has narrowest bandwidth

Bandwidth of SSB 2-3 kHz

Bandwidth of FM5-15 kHz Bandwidth of Fast-scan TV on 70-centimeter
6 mHz
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Take Aways (cont)

Echolink uses the Internet Echolink allows computer-to-radio linking for voice

Any licensed amateur can use Echolink

Echolink & IRLP have VoIP in common Hear a tone and CQ on 2-meter repeater
Internet linked DX station
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Take Aways (cont)

VoIP method for data transfer by IRLP IRLP links two or more stations using the Internet

Active nodes using VoIP listed in repeater directory or on Internet

Select IRLP node with keypad Standard fast color TVNTSC
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Take Aways (cont)

Packet Radio is digital communications 219-220 mHz for Point-to-point digital message forwarding PSK Phase Shift Keying PSK31 low-rate data mode that works well in noisy conditions

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Take Aways (cont)

APRS Automatic Position Reporting System A GPS receiver needed for APRS

Send at speed you can reliably receive

Copy CW to recognize ID sent in Morse code

QRM receiving interference

QSY Change frequency
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Element 2 Technician Class Question Pool T6

Valid July 1, 2006
Through June 30, 2010

T6A01 What are phone transmissions?

A. The use of telephones to set up an amateur radio contact B. A phone patch between amateur radio and the telephone system C. Voice transmissions by radio D. Placing the telephone handset near a radio transceiver's microphone and speaker to relay a telephone call
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T6A02

Which of the following is a form of amplitude modulation?

A. B. C. D.

Frequency modulation Phase modulation Single sideband Phase shift keying

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T6A03

What name is given to an amateur radio station that is used to connect other amateur stations to the Internet?

A. B. C. D.

A gateway A repeater A digipeater A beacon station

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T6A04

Which type of voice modulation is most often used for long distance and weak signal contacts on the VHF and UHF bands?

A. B. C. D.

FM AM SSB PM

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T6A05

Which type of modulation is most commonly used for VHF and UHF voice repeaters?

A. B. C. D.

AM SSB PSK FM

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T6A06

Which emission type has the narrowest bandwidth?

A. B. C. D.

FM voice SSB voice CW Slow-scan TV

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T6A07

Which sideband is normally used for VHF and UHF SSB communications?

A. B. C. D.

Upper sideband Lower sideband Suppressed sideband Inverted sideband

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T6A08

What is the primary advantage of single sideband over FM for voice transmissions?

A. SSB signals are easier to tune in than FM signals B. SSB signals are less likely to be bothered by noise interference than FM signals. C. SSB signals use much less bandwidth than FM signals D. SSB signals have no advantages at all in comparison to other modes.

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T6A09

What is the approximate bandwidth of a single-sideband voice signal?

A. B. C. D.

1 kHz 2 kHz Between 3 and 6 kHz Between 2 and 3 kHz

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T6A10

What is the approximate bandwidth of a frequency-modulated voice signal?

A. B. C. D.

Less than 500 Hz About 150 kHz Between 5 and 15 kHz More than 30 kHz

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T6A11 What is the normal bandwidth required for a

conventional fast-scan TV transmission using combined video and audio on the 70-centimeter band?

A. B. C. D.

More than 10 MHz About 6 MHz About 3 MHz About 1 MHz

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T6B01

How is information transmitted between stations using Echolink?

A. B. C. D.

APRS PSK31 Internet Atmospheric ducting

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T6B02 What does the abbreviation IRLP mean?

A. B. C. D.

Internet Radio Linking Project Internet Relay Language Protocol International Repeater Linking Project International Radio Linking Project

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T6B03

Who may operate on the Echolink system?

A. Only club stations B. Any licensed amateur radio operator C. Technician class licensed amateur radio operators only D. Any person, licensed or not, who is registered with the Echolink system

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T6B04

What technology do Echolink and IRLP have in common?

A. B. C. D.

Voice over Internet protocol Ionospheric propagation AC power lines PSK31

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T6B05

What method is used to transfer data by IRLP?

A. B. C. D.

VHF Packet radio PSK31 Voice over Internet protocol None of these answers are correct

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T6B06 What does the term IRLP describe?

A. A method of encrypting data B. A method of linking between two or more amateur stations using the Internet C. A low powered radio using infra-red frequencies D. An international logging program.

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T6B07

Which one of the following allows computer-to-radio linking for voice transmission? A. B. C. D. Grid modulation EchoLink AMTOR Multiplex

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T6B08

What are you listening to if you hear a brief tone and then a station from Russia calling CQ on a 2-meter repeater?

A. B. C. D.

An ionospheric band opening on VHF A prohibited transmission An Internet linked DX station None of these answers are correct

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T6B10

Where might you find a list of active nodes using VoIP?

A. B. C. D.

The FCC Rulebook From your local emergency coordinator A repeater directory or the Internet The local repeater frequency coordinator

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T6B11

When using a portable transceiver how do you select a specific IRLP node?

A. B. C. D.

Choose a specific CTCSS tone Choose the correct DSC tone Access the repeater autopatch Use the keypad to transmit the IRLP node numbers
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T6C01 Which of the following is an example

of a digital communications method?

A. B. C. D.

Single sideband voice Amateur television FM voice Packet radio

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T6C02 What does the term APRS mean?

A. B. C. D. Automatic Position Reporting System Associated Public Radio Station Auto Planning Radio Set-up Advanced Polar Radio System

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T6C03

What item is required along with your normal radio for sending automatic location reports?

A. A connection to the vehicle speedometer B. A connection to a WWV receiver C. A connection to a broadcast FM sub-carrier receiver D. A global positioning system receiver

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T6C04 What type of transmission is

indicated by the term NTSC? A. A Normal Transmission mode in Static Circuit B. A special mode for earth satellite uplink C. A standard fast scan color television signal D. A frame compression scheme for TV signal

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T6C05

What emission mode may be used by a Technician class operator in the 219 - 220 MHz frequency range?

A. B. C. D.

Slow-scan television Point-to-point digital message forwarding FM voice Fast-scan television

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T6C06
A. B. C. D.

What does the abbreviation PSK mean?

Pulse Shift Keying Phase Shift Keying Packet Short Keying Phased Slide Keying

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T6C07

What is PSK31?

A. A high-rate data transmission mode used to transmit files B. A method of reducing noise interference to FM signals C. A type of television signal D. A low-rate data transmission mode that works well in noisy conditions
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T6C08 What sending speed is recommended

when using Morse code? A. B. C. D. Only speeds below five WPM The highest speed your keyer will operate Any speed at which you can reliably receive The highest speed at which you can control the keyer

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T6C09

What is a practical reason for being able to copy CW when using repeaters?

A. To send and receive messages others cannot overhear B. To conform with FCC licensing requirements C. To decode packet radio transmissions D. To recognize a repeater ID sent in Morse code

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T6C10

What is the "Q" signal used to indicate that you are receiving interference from other stations?

A. B. C. D.

QRM QRN QTH QSB

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T6C11

What is the "Q" signal used to indicate that you are changing frequency?

A. B. C. D.

QRU QSY QSL QRZ

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Practice exams on the Internet

HTTP://www.QRZ.Com/p/testing.pl

HTTP://www.W8MHB.Com/Exam
HTTP://www.AA9PW.Com/Radio

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