Frequency Spectrum , Frequency Spectrum , Antennas, and Amateur Antennas, and Amateur

RadioRadio

Troy RankTroy Rank

Frequency spectrumFrequency spectrum

Focus On:Focus On:• HF – High FrequencyHF – High Frequency• VHF – Very High FrequencyVHF – Very High Frequency• UHF – Ultra High FrequencyUHF – Ultra High Frequency• Lower Microwave FrequenciesLower Microwave Frequencies

HF HF

Frequency RangeFrequency Range• 3-30MHz3-30MHz

Who Uses HF?Who Uses HF?• MilitaryMilitary• MarineMarine• AeronauticalAeronautical• Radio AmateursRadio Amateurs• World Band RadioWorld Band Radio

HF - ModesHF - Modes

Analog ModesAnalog Modes• AM, USB, LSB, CW AM, USB, LSB, CW

Digital ModesDigital Modes• SSTV (slow scan tv)SSTV (slow scan tv)• Amtor / PactorAmtor / Pactor• RTTYRTTY• PSK31PSK31• WeFaxWeFax• BPL?BPL?

VHF/ UHFVHF/ UHF

VHF 30-300 MHzVHF 30-300 MHz UHF 300MHz - 3 GHZUHF 300MHz - 3 GHZ Short Range Short Range No Ionospheric propagationNo Ionospheric propagation Who uses VHF/UHFWho uses VHF/UHF

• Who Doesn’t?Who Doesn’t?

VHF/UHF ApplicationsVHF/UHF Applications

FM broadcast RadioFM broadcast Radio Broadcast TVBroadcast TV Local Radio CommunicationLocal Radio Communication

• PolicePolice• CommercialCommercial

Cell PhonesCell Phones Satellite CommunicationsSatellite Communications 802.11b/g802.11b/g

UHF/VHF modesUHF/VHF modes

FM, USB, LSB, AM (on lower freqs)FM, USB, LSB, AM (on lower freqs) Digital modesDigital modes

• Packet RadioPacket Radio• Digital VoiceDigital Voice• IRLPIRLP• APRSAPRS

UHF/VHF RepeatersUHF/VHF Repeaters

Retransmit signals Retransmit signals • Longer usable rangeLonger usable range

Receive on one FrequencyReceive on one Frequency Transmit on a separate FrequencyTransmit on a separate Frequency IntermodulationIntermodulation

• Duplexers Duplexers

DuplexersDuplexers

IRLPIRLP Internet Radio Linking ProjectInternet Radio Linking Project

• Connects Repeaters Connects Repeaters • Uses Internet For connectionUses Internet For connection

Amateur SatelliteAmateur Satellite

VHF for transmitVHF for transmit UHF for receiveUHF for receive TypesTypes

• RepeatersRepeaters• Digipeaters Digipeaters • Other data Other data

Beyond UHFBeyond UHF

3-300GHZ (Microwave region)3-300GHZ (Microwave region) Large BandwidthLarge Bandwidth Highly subject to line of sightHighly subject to line of sight Very low powerVery low power

• Health hazard Health hazard Highly directional signals usedHighly directional signals used

Applications 3-300GHZApplications 3-300GHZ

Wireless Data LinksWireless Data Links Broadband Internet linksBroadband Internet links

• Large bandwidthLarge bandwidth RadarRadar Wireless USBWireless USB

Amateur MicrowaveAmateur Microwave

ContestingContesting

What is Amateur RadioWhat is Amateur Radio

HobbyHobby Provide Emergency CommunicationProvide Emergency Communication

• Much more resilient than convention Much more resilient than convention telephone lines / cell phonestelephone lines / cell phones

Experiment with new forms of RF Experiment with new forms of RF communicationcommunication

How to Become a HamHow to Become a Ham

Three License ClassesThree License Classes• TechnicianTechnician• GeneralGeneral• ExtraExtra

Take a Written Multiple Choice TestTake a Written Multiple Choice Test

Dipole AntennaDipole Antenna

2.4 DB gain for ¼ wave2.4 DB gain for ¼ wave ¼, ½, 5/8, wave versions¼, ½, 5/8, wave versions

Other Types Of AntennasOther Types Of Antennas

LoopLoop YagiYagi Cubical QuadCubical Quad Ground PlaneGround Plane AperatureAperature Crossed YagiCrossed Yagi HelixHelix

YagiYagi

AperatureAperature

Commonly used for microwave freqsCommonly used for microwave freqs

Ground PlaneGround Plane

Omni directionalOmni directional

Crossed Yagi and HelixCrossed Yagi and Helix