General/Chapter 2 Study Guide

Chapter 2: Procedures and Practices

Section 2.1: HF Operating Techniques

• when choosing a transmitting frequency, all are correct:
  • insure frequency/mode are within privileges
  • follow band plans
  • monitor before transmitting
• amateur station can transmit msg in which operator has a monetary interest when:
  • other amateurs notified
  • ham gear
  • not done regularly
• on 14 MHz (20 m) and up, USB
• on bands BELOW 20 m (160 m, 75 m, 80 m, 40 m), LSB
• on 5 MHz (60 m), USB
• on 17m and 12m bands, USB
• on UHF/VHF frequencies, USB
• on HF, most common mode is single side band (SSB)
• SSB uses less bandwidth, and has greater power efficiency
• when using SSB, only one sideband is transmitted. the other sideband and carrier are suppressed
• to break into a conversation, say your callsign during break in conversation
• most amateur stations use LSB on 160, 75, 40 m bands because it is current amateur practice
• CQ DX means caller looking for contact in another country
• except in emergencies, no one has priority access to frequencies
• if propagation changes and increasing QRM, move contact to another frequency
• CW transmissions should be separated by 150 - 500 Hz
• minimum frequency separation between SSB signals under normal conditions should be 3 kHz
• Avoid interference by sending QRL? or asking if frequency is in use
• good amateur practice: follow voluntary band plan for operating modes
• DX window in voluntary band plan should not be used for contact within 48 states
• QRL = is the frequency in use
• keep a station log to reply to FCC requests for info
• in your station log, keep this info:
  • date/time
  • band/freq
  • call sign station/signal report
• VOX operation (as opposed to PTT operation) enables hands-free operation