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Bredhurst Receiving and Transmitting Society |
Part 1
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8. Operating Practices and Procedures 8a Q codes 8a.1 Recall the meaning and the reason for use of the Q codes: QRL, QRM, QRN, QRP, QRT, QRZ, QSB, QSL, QSO, QSY, QTH.
There is jargon and abbreviations that is consider usual on amateur radio and that which is not. The "Q" codes as they are called is a shortened way to pass information especially if conditions or propagation are poor. The "Q Codes" are more normally used on CW and DATA modes to cut down the morse code sent or typing strokes used but they can be used on phone such as "Please QSY to 145.550" meaning change frequency to 145.550. However on phone you will often find it is quicker to use plain spoken words unless operating conditions are difficult. The following "Q" code are examination possibilities !!! The "Q" Code you are least likely to have come across whilst operating as an M3 is QRL - meaning the frequency is busy so this is certainly one to learn.
So what did QRL mean ??? busy - the frequency is in use but if I were you learn this for the exam but it has never been heard on voice channels probably used in CW mode.
8b Abbreviations 8b.1 Recall the meaning and the reason for use of the following : CQ, DE, DX, R, RST, SIG, UR, WX.
8c RST code 8c.1 Recall the meaning of the RST code, the number of divisions of each of the three items, and their order of merit. Whilst it would be nice to know all the information given below all that is required for the exam is the range of each part of the R, S, and T and the order of merit.
In this regard you will be expected need to know that on SSB that a very readable signal and very strong would be 599 - that a moderately good signal reasonable strong might be given as 479. Thus it is the fact that Readability has a 5 to 1 scale with R5 meaning very good and R1 meaning very poor. Signal has the range 9 to 1 and graded from 9 as the best to 1 is worst. Tone has the range 9 to 1 and again graded from 9 as the best to 1 is worst. 8d Relative advantages of CW, SSB and FM 8d.1 Understand the relative operational advantages of CW, SSB and FM. FM has the shortest range and maximum bandwidth lease likely to case EMC problems FM has the shortest range and maximum bandwidth, however at shorter ranges it gives stronger receive signals. FM offers a high quality speech signal. CW greatest distance for least power next down with regards to EMC problems CW is generally accepted as having the the narrowest band width and has the greatest range for a given transmitter output power. A CW transmitter is much simpler than the AM, FM and SSB transmitters. A receiver with good selectivity, narrow band width, can cut out much of the noise and interference on a CW signal. SSB best distance range (after CW) with less band width than FM but worst with regards EMC problems. SSB whether voice / data, is considered as the best to CW for both achievable range and bandwidth. In this section questions would be in regard to operational performance and not EMC.
8e Other types of modulation 8e.1 Recall that types of modulation other than CW, SSB and FM are available to the intermediate licensee (e.g. packet, PSK31, SSTV and FSTV). Whilst you may have operated phone in the mode FM and SSB and possibly CW there are other modes that are available to the intermediate licence holder. Other modes available are:- packet a form of data communication which was greatly used before the internet as there was a world wide message distribution system which has fallen in it number of operators - but had the advantage of a store forward facility so this passes the messages for you rather than you having to know the route it would take - much the same as sending email today via the internet!!!. PSK31 another form of data communication based on two audio tones sent out and received directly by another station, SSTV Slow scan TV the ability to send pictures over the VHF UHF and Hf bands FSTV Fast scan TV like the analogue broadcast TV but uses microwaves to enable picture in colour and sound to be sent simultaneously 8e.2 Recall that several types of transmission can be generated and received with the use of a personal computer and a suitable interface. It is the data modes that can use the personal computer. The link is usually via the RS 232 port to the PTT and from the speaker to the sound card "in" and from the sound card "out" to the mic input. A suitable interface to ensure that the audio levels are correct and the PTT line switched by the command of the operator and not rogue switching done by the computer is a must !! RTTY This is what is considered by many to be the "granddad "of digital data modes after CW. It originated with the adaptation of telex mechanical machines and a terminal unit, usually homebrew, but now is achieved with computer and suitable interface between rig and sound card and RS232 port. Packet A teletype digital data mode using a keyboard to produce text (data). Mainly used with a computer with suitable Terminal Node Controller (TNC) which is a modem and control system combined, but today computer programs make it possible to operate packet with a suitable interface between rig and sound card and RS232 port. PSK 31 Another text/data mode similar to RTTY but suited to narrow bandwidths and is commonly used on the HF bands. SSTV Slow Scan TV SSTV is similar in nature to a fax machine which is now in common office use, except that SSTV uses a camera or computer to generate the image / picture and needs only a simple voice channel, a suitable interface between rig and sound card and RS232 port, to operate on VHF and HF, thus giving world wide coverage as for voice (on HF). Reception and sending of colour pictures and text is now considered usual. FSTV Fast Scan TV FSTV is the technical term for the analogue type of TV you probably have in your living room. It requires much wider bandwidth due to the vast amount of information needed to be carried in the signal. It is therefore limited to the UHF and higher bands and thus has relatively limited range. In summary Many of these modes can now be generated on a computer with a suitable interface and sound card. 8f Good operating practices 8f.1 Recall that call sign prefixes, station locations and addresses can often be found in call books and from the internet. Ok, so now you have worked someone and want to send him / her a QSL card - how do you find out their address which they did not give over the air, (note is it not good practice to pass such information over the air). There are several sources of book which contain callsigns and the RSGB and others publish books in which call-sign prefixes, station location, and addresses can often be found. Also there are sources of callsign information on the Internet. The sort of question that might be asked is "You have just worked an new country and want to send a QSL card to the operator how do you find his address?." 8f.2 Understand the concept of sending and receiving QSL cards. A QSL card is about the size of a traditional seaside post card. They are sent to the other station who you worked to record your QSO. Some amateurs enjoy collecting QSL cards other of course cannot stand being asked for a QSL card so be warned !!! The cards can be posted directly to the other station or sent via, what is called, "the QSL bureau" which are operated around the world by various national societies. Some amateurs make vast collections of cards some can be "collectors items" from rare stations, especially if the station who sent the card is a silent key (deceased). By collecting QSL cards you can easily check the number of different countries you have worked.
The design of the QSL cards is what ever the licence holder desires, but do consider what information you need to pass to the other station. The minimum amount of information should that which you would put in your log book. For additional information you could also consider including some general information about your station, your home town etc. A modern variant of the QSL card is the EQSL card sent via the Internet. 8f.3 Be able to recall common international call sign prefixes; EI (Eire), F (France), I (Italy), JA (Japan), PA (the Netherlands), VE (Canada), VK (Australia), W (USA), ZL (New Zealand). For the written assessment you have to learn the prefixes of the countries listed below:-
Note: that some countries in addition to UK have multi prefixes eg for UK these are G M and 2E whilst K is another one for the USA. Some students find these easy to learn and other not so easy. So why not make up a set of cards with the prefix on one side and the country on the other. Then easily test yourself. 8f.4 Understand that there is a competitive element in amateur radio: achievement awards, DX operation and contests. Recall their basic operating practices. Achievement awards, e.g. for contacting country prefixes, 'squares' on a map or islands; normally confirmed by QSL cards. Contests involve exchanging call signs and a serial number or location. Contests Some amateur operators like the simple challenge of operating in what are called contests. A simple challenge it can be if you just want to listen for awhile and give away a few points but for many stations including club stations it is a real challenge to go out portable somewhere advantageous and put a very large effort in to the "sport" of contesting. It seems you either like it or you hate contesting. In a contest you are :-
It is no good trying to " give away" a few points in a contest unless you have seen a copy of the rules. To participate in a contest even in a small way means checking up on the rules before the contest starts so that you know what exchange of information is required. The best operators in a contest are those who know exactly what they are doing and they are unlikely to tolerate someone asking what the rules are as that wastes time for them gaining points. Information about contests are published by National and International Amateur Societies and can also usually be found by using a search on the Internet. Some amateur love contest some hate them it is up to you how you view them but the BRATS club enjoy contest as it allows us to develop skills of members in both putting together a good station and enhancing operating practices. DX DX comes from the expression in the early telephone era meaning Distant Exchange hence DX. In a DX contact :-
Awards Awards are available from the National Associations or other award givers who publish details as to the purpose of the award :-
and normally confirmation of the contact is required
in the form of a QSL card from the stations worked.
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There is no excuse
for not understanding this section as you can use all these Q codes whilst
carrying out normal conversations ( in licence terms sending messages) as
a Foundation Licence holder. so if you have difficulty remembering these
make up some "Q code " cards to help you learn.
