AMATEUR RADIO TRAINING

Operating Procedures

v1.1 © essexham.co.uk

OPERATING PROCEDURES

• Making Contact• Use of “Calling Channel”• Introduction to Repeaters• Handling Abuse

Phonetic AlphabetA Alpha N November

B Bravo O Oscar

C Charlie P Papa

D Delta Q Quebec

E Echo R Romeo

F Foxtrot S Sierra

G Golf T Tango

H Hotel U Uniform

I India V Victor

J Juliet W Whiskey

K Kilo X X-ray

L Lima Y Yankee

M Mike Z Zulu

Making Contact on VHF• VHF is generally line-of-sight.

• 2 metres: 144 to 146MHz

• Note the “Mobile Calling” channel on the band plan at 145.500MHz

• Use this frequency to call for someone, or to call CQ

• … then move to a different frequency for your chat. This frees the ‘Calling Channel’ free for others

Calling Channel: Example

145.500 (Calling Channel)

Listen. If free, call CQ

M6QQQ answers and asks you to find a frequency

Tune to a voice frequency, e.g. 145.225

Listen. If nothing heard, ask “is this frequency in use?”

If free, return to Calling Channel

Call M6QQQ and ask them to change to 145.225

Tune to 145.225

Have your conversation

“Repeaters”• Repeaters extend ranges over a wide area, and allow

contact where signals may be blocked by obstacles

• Useful for handheld and mobile users

• The UK has over 400 voice repeaters

• Some may also be linked via the Internet

Repeater Network• Run by volunteers

• Commonly 2m or 70cm

• Frequencies are shared around the UK

• Full list at www.ukrepeaters.net

• Smartphone app available 2m repeaters 70cm repeaters

How Repeaters Work• An “input” and an “output”, so that they can transmit and

receive at the same time.

• Typically (but not always): • 2m repeaters transmit 600kHz above their input frequency• 70cms repeaters transmit 1.6MHz or 7.6MHz below the

input

• Repeaters are “smart”. They only let in valid signals

• Timeouts to cut down on long “overs”. Listen for the tone before transmitting, as this resets the timeout

• You need to program your radio with the offset, and a CTCSS tone to get access.

CTCSS TonesContinuous Tone Coded Squelch System

• CTCSS is a low frequency tone which is continuously transmitted as part of your audio

• Repeaters will only activate if they “hear” the correct CTCSS tone. This blocks interference

• There are nine blocks of tones in the UK, identified by letters

• You must program your radio to transmit the right CTCSS tone

Image source: ukrepeaters.net

Accessing a RepeaterWhen accessing a repeater:

• Ensure you have the correct ‘offset’ – Note the Minus sign

• Ensure you are sending the correct CTCSS tone – Note the “ENC” or “T” symbol

• Store the repeater setting to a memory for easy recall

Using a Repeater:

• Callsigns and locations used more often

• Timeouts and tones

• “This is M6QQQ listening for any calls”

• “BREAK”

• Repeater Nets

Listen in to your local repeater to learn the etiquette:

Handling Abuse

• Transmission of music, or inappropriate language is not acceptable

• Don’t respond to any abuse you may encounter and don’t confront the perpetrator

• If abuse is persistent, keep a log

• The RSGB’s AROS (Amateur Radio Observation Service) can help with repeated abuse

• Guidance on the Ofcom and RSGB websites

Summary• VHF QSO

• Find someone using 145.500 Calling Channel

• Have your conversation on a free voice channel

• Repeaters

• Covers more distance

• Radios need to be set for the offset and CTCSS tones

• Priority to mobile stations

• Abuse

• Don’t respond to any abuse you hear

OPERATING PROCEDURES

Any questions?

essexham.co.uk/train