Chpt 6 - Communication With Other Hams
Having learned all that interesting material about rigs and electronics and radio waves, you know a lot about the technology of radio. In this chapter we turn to operating - how are contacts made and what does a contact consist of? We begin with the elements common to nearly every causual ham radio contact. Once you know these, you'll learn how the ham bands are organized so that you know where to tune the radio. You'll then discover how ham radio is conducted using repeaters and in the organized activities called "nets," especially during emergencies. This chapter conludes with coverage of a few of ham radio's many specialty activities. Clear your throat and get ready for the first contact!
This page is organized to support the Fifth Edition of the Ham Radio License Manual.
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The most complete reference is the ARRL Operating Manual, now in its 10th edition. Online, you can find resources in the On The Air section of the ARRL website.
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The Maidenhead system of defining location by grid square is defined on the ARRL website, including a grid square calculator, and in this Wikipedia article.
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The popular AC6V website (maintained in memory of AC6V) keeps a long list of software for logging your contacts. The ARRL also maintains a database of contacts called Logbook Of the World. Many hams have their own QSL cards and exchange them either direct through the mail or via the international system of QSL bureaus.
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Band Plans, Privileges, and Beacons
You’ll need to refer to the online amateur band plans and beacon lists. The Northern California DX Foundation’s system of HF beacons is also a great way to find out whether a band is open and to where! Explore the Reverse Beacon Net and DX Maps to see who is hearing and contacting whom on the different bands.
Here's how to find out who the Frequency Coordinator is in your area.
And everyone needs a frequency chart of the ham bands! Here's a chart showing the latest Technician privileges.
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The most-used digital repeater or relay protocols are:
- Internet Relay Linking Project (IRLP)
- Echolink
- D-STAR (Icom and Kenwood equipment)
- WIRES-II (part of System Fusion)
- Digital Mobile Radio
- Internet Relay Linking Project (IRLP)
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You can locate nets using the ARRL’s Net Search service.
The organization and practices of the National Traffic System are the model for most net operating procedures.
Aproperly formatted radiogram can be seen here.
The ARRL’s FSD-218 is a handy single-page reference for traffic handling.
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Emergency Operation and Employee-Employer Relations
The FCC’s Part 97 rules (Part 97.113 – Prohibited Transmissions) control the use of Amateur Radio transmissions in support of your employer. Watch for notices of question pool and FCC rule changes. If you are a member of an emergency communications team, ask your leadership for information. The ARRL has prepared a set of guidelines on the subject and will update it as necessary.
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Emergency Communications or “Emcomm”
- Part 97.407 of the FCC Rules covering RACES operation
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- ARRL On-line Emcomm Courses
- Part 97.407 of the FCC Rules covering RACES operation
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Batteries as Emergency Power Sources
As referenced in Chapter 5, Battery University is a great resource for information about the use and maintenance of batteries.
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DX-ing, Contesting, Awards, ARDFing, and Special Events
The ARRL’s Operating Manual is your best single source for information on these and other ham radio activities. Enjoy browsing the more than 3,000 different awards on K1BV’s web directory of ham radio award programs. For online information, go to the On The Air section.
For fun, check out the following websites and print references:
- The Complete DXer by Bob Locher W9KNI
- Contesting.com
- ARRL Contests
- CQ VHF Contests
- Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF)
- WA7BNM's Contest Calendar is the most complete online listing
- ARRL Contest Update - biweekly email newsletter, free to ARRL members
- National Contest Journal - bimonthly magazine on contesting
Field Day is a great way to find out about many different types of operating - find a club's Field Day location and check it out!
- The Complete DXer by Bob Locher W9KNI
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The best place for comprehensive information on Amateur Radio satellites is the AMSAT organization that coordinates most amateur satellite information.
- Amateur Satellites - general information about communicating through the amateur satellites
- Amateur Radio on the ISS - learn all about contacting the International Space Station
- Earth-Moon-Earth or "Moonbounce" - information on this lengthiest of contacts and other interesting operating activities on the VHF+ bands
- Amateur Satellites - general information about communicating through the amateur satellites
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If you’re interested in “fast-scan” TV, check out ATV-TV and the P.C. Electronics websites.
Slow-scan TV on HF and VHF is comprehensively covered at WA9TT’s website.
Meteor scatter communications is discussed in general on its Wikipedia article and more specifically to ham’s at N5KDA’s popular website. You can find the software you need and more information on K1JT’s WSJT page.
The Wikipedia article on Radio-Controlled models is a good place to start for information on using ham radio in this novel way.
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