Elmer's corner

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FM Repeaters- Digital modes - HF

Your first FM voice contact may take place through a relay device known as a repeater. These are specially designed transceivers that instantly retransmit signals heard in their receivers. They are typically located on tops of buildings or at the summits of hills or mountains, and use tower-mounted antennas to provide over wide areas. Most repeaters operate on the 2 meter and 70 cm bands. There are various ways to find a repeater. Modern transceivers often include a scan mode that searches for activity. Some transceivers will even place active frequencies in their memories automatically.  The ARRL publishes The ARRL Repeater Directory, an annual, comprehensive listing of repeaters throughout the US, Canada and other parts of the world. The ARRL also publishes TravelPlus, a map-based CD-ROM that allows you to trace your proposed route on a color map and print a list of repeaters along the way. Once you find a repeater to use, take some time to listen and familiarize yourself with its operating procedures.
 

If the repeater is quiet, pick up your microphone, press the switch, and transmit your call sign.

For example: 

“This is K0STP monitoring.”

This advises others on frequency that you have joined the system and are available to talk. After you stop transmitting, the repeater sends an unmodulated carrier for a couple of seconds to let you know it is working. It’s not good repeater etiquette to call CQ. You’re not trying to attract the attention of someone who is casually tuning his receiver across the band. Except for scanner operation, there just isn’t much tuning through the repeater bands—only listening to the machine. If you want to join a conversation already in progress, transmit your call sign during a break between transmissions. The station that transmits next should acknowledge you. Don’t use the word BREAK to join a conversation. BREAK generally suggests an emergency and indicates that all stations should stand by for the station with emergency traffic. If you want to see if your buddy across town is on the air, call him like this: “N6BPA this is K0STP.” If the repeater is active, but the conversation in progress sounds as though it’s about to end, be patient and wait until it’s over before calling another station. If the conversation sounds like it’s going to continue for a while, transmit your call sign between transmissions. After one of the other hams acknowledges you, politely ask to make a quick call on the repeater. Usually, the other stations will allow you this brief interruption. Make your call short. If your friend responds to your call, ask him to move to a simplex frequency or another repeater, or to stand by until the present conversation is over. Thank the other users for letting you interrupt them to place your call.

------SSB------

our transceiver manual tells you how to properly set up your rig for SSB voice operating. Some general rules apply:
 

• Position the microphone about one inch from your lips. Speak in a normal tone of voice.
   
• Select the ALC (Automatic Limiting Control) meter and watch it as you speak. If the meter indicates that your voice is bouncing it out of the ALC range, you’ll need to find the microphone gain control and turn it down or try speaking a little softer. A high ALC reading indicates that you are overdriving your radio and possibly distorting your signal.
   
• Hams usually switch their radios from transmit to receive (and back) by pressing the Push to Talk (PTT) button on the microphone or by using a foot switch. For hand or desk microphones, avoid stabbing or punching the switch. Not only does this shorten the life of the switch, it can send a loud click at the beginning of your transmission.
   
• Nearly every modern radio has a Voice-Operated Switch (VOX). When the VOX is on, the sound of your voice will automatically switch the transceiver into the transmit mode.  If you must use VOX, speak into the microphone at a normal voice level. When you start speaking, the transmitter should activate automatically. When you finish speaking, the transceiver should return to the receive mode (after a short delay). Sometimes the VOX may trigger in response to background sounds. If so, look for the VOX Gain control. You can adjust this control to eliminate the problem.
   
• You’ll also find speech processing (or speech compression) as a feature on most radios. This is a method of boosting your average output power when you’re operating SSB. A speech processor takes a normal voice signal, which varies constantly as you speak, and processes the signal to minimize fluctuating power levels. The result is an SSB signal that has consistent power at the highest level possible. Speech processing is good when you are operating at low power or with a poor antenna. On the other hand, speech processing can distort your signal. If you use speech processing, keep the processing level set at medium and ask for reports on your signal quality. Turn the level down if other operators tell you that your signal is distorted.

Calling and Answering "CQ"-

To start a contact, call "CQ" or answer someone calling CQ.  A CQ is a general call to get a random contact.
 

Before calling CQ, listen to find a frequency that unoccupied by any other station. This may not be easy, particularly in crowded band conditions. If the frequency seems clear, ask if the frequency is in use, followed by your call. “Is the frequency in use? This is K0STP.” If nobody replies, you’re clear to call. Keep your CQ very short. If no one answers, call again. If you call CQ three or four times and don’t get a response, try another frequency.

A typical SSB CQ goes like this:
 

“CQ CQ Calling CQ. This is K0STP, Kilo-Zero-Sierra-Tango-Papa.”

When answering a CQ, keep the answer short. Say the call sign of the station once or twice, followed by your call:
 

“N6BPA, N6BPA, this is K0STP, Kilo-Zero-Sierra-Tango-Papa.”