Download DGES Amateur Radio Club Communications Field Day # 2

DGES Amateur Radio Club - K6DGE
Communications Field Day # 2
by David Collingham - K3LP
Rev. B
April 22, 2013
Communications Field Day # 2
AGENDA
•Introduction (5 Minutes)
•Re-Fresh & Practice Operating Techniques (10 Minutes)
•Student Teams; 3 Teams with 10 Students each:
- Module A; Students Getting on the Air; K6DGE Station (40 Minutes, Each Team)
- Module B; Building Amateur Radio Antennas; Vertical Versus Dipole/Inverted Vee (40 Minutes,
Each Team)
- Module C; Electronics Theory and Lab (40 Minutes, Each Team)
15 Minutes
40 Minutes
Introduction
Re-Fresh & Practice Operating Techniques
Communications Field Day # 2
10:20 AM
40 Minutes
40 Minutes
Module B Antenna
Building
Module B Antenna
Building
Module B Antenna
Building
Team 1
Team 3
Team 2
Module C;
Electronics
Theory & lab
Module C;
Electronics
Theory & lab
Module C;
Electronics
Theory & lab
Team 1
Team 3
Module A-
Module A-
Module A-
Students Getting
on the Air;
K6DGE Station
Students Getting
on the Air;
K6DGE Station
Students Getting
on the Air;
K6DGE Station
Team 3
Team 2
Team 1
Team 2
11:20 AM
Lunch
12:15 PM
2:30 PM
Introductions
Instructor(s) and Participants:
Beverly Matheson (KJ6SRX)
Louis P. Malory (WA6DVK)
David Collingham (K3LP)
Dr. Arnold Shatz (N6HC)
Charles Spetnagel (W6KK)
Clark Stewart (W8TN)
Jay Kobelin (W2IJ)
Mike Mitchell (W6RW)
Re-Fresh & Practice Operating Techniques
Getting Set-Up to Transmit
• Get on the correct Frequency (Band Permission), select needed
Mode (i.e. SSB, CW, AM or RTTY) and make sure correct
transmit power is being used:
USB = Upper Side Band
LSB = Lower Side Band
AM = Amplitude Modulation
CW = Continuous Wave
• Check to make sure Frequency is not in use before CQing.
“ QRZ is this Frequency in use?”
Re-Fresh & Practice Operating Techniques
APPROACH FOR CALLING CQ & MAKING A QSO
CQ CQ THIS IS K6DGE Kilowatt Six Delta Gulf Ecco
CQ CQ THIS IS K6DGE Kilowatt Six Delta Gulf Ecco
CQ CQ THIS IS K6DGE Kilowatt Six Delta Gulf Ecco
Calling CQ and Waiting for a Call
“STATIONS CALL SIGN” THIS IS K6DGE
THANK YOU MUCH FOR YOUR CALL.
MY NAME IS XXXXXX.
MY QTH IS FONTANA, CALIFORNIA
YOUR REPORT IS 59
MY AGE IS XX
MY RADIO IS ICOM IC-746PRO, 100 Watts
MY ANTENNA IS VERTICAL
SO HOW COPY?
“STATIONS CALL SIGN” THIS IS K6DGE
OVER
Re-Fresh & Practice Operating Techniques
(continued)
COMMON USED “Q” CODES AND ABBREVATIONS
QRL = Are you busy? I am busy, please do not interfere
QRM = Is my transmission being interfered with? Your transmission is being interfered with
QRN = Are you troubled by static? I am troubled by static ___
QRP= Shall I decrease power? Decrease power.
QRT = all I stop sending? Stop sending.
QRZ = Who is calling me? You are being called by ___.
QSB = Are my signals fading? Your signals are fading.
QTH = What is your location? My location is ___.
QSL = Can you acknowledge receipt? I am acknowledging receipt.
QSO = Can you communicate with ___? I can communicate with ___)
QSY = Shall I change to another frequency? Change to another frequency.
73’s = Best Wishes
88’s = Hugs and Kisses
OM = OLD MAN
XYL = WIFE
YL = YOUNG LADY
Re-Fresh & Practice Operating Techniques
(continued)
SIGNAL REPORT (RST)
Readability; 1-5 (1 little Copy and 5 Clear Copy)
Signal Strength; 1-9 (1 weak and 9 Strong)
Tone; 1-9 (1 Poor Tone/Stability & 9 Good Tone & Stable)
Module A- Students Getting on the Air;
K6DGE Station
•Each Student Gets an Opportunity to Call CQ Twice and Complete a QSO when
possible. (10 Students in team x 4 minutes each = 40 minutes)
•Rotate Students; One person Calling CQ, 2nd student Logging QSO’s in K6DGE
Logbook, and remaining students listening for call signs and record QSO information
•Students get to practice making QSO’s and learn how to communicate and exchange
radio related information and using proper communications techniques
Module B; Build Amateur Radio
Antennas; Vertical Versus Dipole/Inverted Vee
•Discuss differences between the following antennas:
- 1/4 Wave Vertical Antenna
- 1/4 Wave Dipole Antenna
- Inverted Vee Antenna
• Divide Team (10) into two groups of 5
• Half of the Team will make a 1/4 Wave Dipole for 15 Meters (21.300 Mhz)
• Half of the Team will make a 1/4 Wave Vertical for 20 Meters (14.245 Mhz)
• Each Team will test their antenna on-the-air to make sure SWR (Standing Wave
Ratio) is less than 1.5:1
Module B; Build Amateur Radio
Antennas; Vertical Versus Dipole/Inverted Vee
Example: Antenna Feed Point
Module B; Build Amateur Radio
Antennas; Vertical Versus Dipole/Inverted Vee
Vertical versus Dipole Signal Pattern
Module B; Build Amateur Radio
Antennas; Vertical Versus Dipole/Inverted Vee
Dipole Signal Pattern
Module B; Build Amateur Radio
Antennas; Vertical Versus Dipole/Inverted Vee
Vertical Signal Pattern
Module B; Build Amateur Radio
Antennas; Vertical Versus Dipole/Inverted Vee
continued
MAKING & TESTING A 15 Meter 1/4 Wave Dipole Antenna
•Half of the Team will make a 1/4 Wave Dipole for 15 Meters (21.300 Mhz)
•Each Team will test their antenna on-the-air to make sure SWR (Standing Wave
Ratio) is less than 1.5:1
FORMULA for 1/2 Wave in Feet = 468/F Mhz
468/21.300 = 21.97’ or 21’ 11 5/8”
21.97’ x 0.5 = 10.485’ or 10’ 5 6/8”
10’ 5 6/8”
10’ 5 6/8”
Module B; Build Amateur Radio
Antennas; Vertical Versus Dipole/Inverted Vee
continued
MAKING & TESTING A 20 Meter 1/4 Wave Vertical Antenna
•Half of the Team will make a 1/4 Wave Vertical Antenna for 20 Meters (14.245
Mhz). Qty 1 1/4 Wave Vertical Radial and Qty 3 1/4 Wave Ground Radials.
•Each Team will test their antenna on-the-air to make sure SWR (Standing Wave
Ratio) is less than 1.5:1
FORMULA for 1/2 Wave in Feet = 468/F Mhz
468/14.245 = 32.85’ or 32’ 10 /4”
32.85’ x 0.5 = 16.425’ or 16’ 5 1/8”
16’ 5 1/8” x 3 Places
16’ 5 1/8”
Module B; Build Amateur Radio
Antennas; Vertical Versus Dipole/Inverted Vee
continued
Checking the Antenna SWR
SWR stands for standing wave ratio. It measures
how much power is being applied to the antenna
versus how much of that power is being reflected
back to the radio. Too much reflected power can
damage the power amplifier of the radio. This
reflected power can be caused by a number of
things; broken or loose connections, coax with
the improper characteristic impedance, problems
with the antenna, etc. However, the most
common problem is the feed point of an antenna
is higher or lower than the 52 ohm impedance of
the coax. This is caused either because the
antenna is too long or short or the impedance
matching circuit (if it has one at all) is not
adjusted properly.
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
• Materials; Non-Conductive and Conductive
• Voltage; Direct Current (DC)
• Voltage; Alternating Current (AC)
• Discuss Electronic Components and Symbols:
- Wire
- Resistors
- Capacitors
- Inductors
•Using a Digital Volt-Ohm Meter (VOM)
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
Materials; Non-Conductive and Conductive
• Materials; Non-conductive:
- Glass
- Plastic
- Rubber
- Insulator (non-metal)
- Wood
• Materials; Conductive:
- Gold
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Salt water
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
Voltage; Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current
Battery; 1.5
VDC, 9 VDC,
12 VDC
Typical House
Outlet: 120 VAC
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
Voltage; Direct Current (DC)
• Direct Current (DC):
Direct current or DC electricity is the continuous movement of electrons
from an area of negative (−) charges to an area of positive (+) charges
through a conducting material such as a metal wire. Whereas static
electricity sparks consist of the sudden movement of electrons from a
negative to positive surface, DC electricity is the continuous movement
of the electrons through a wire.
A DC circuit is necessary to allow the current or steam of electrons to
flow. Such a circuit consists of a source of electrical energy (such as a
battery) and a conducting wire running from the positive end of the
source to the negative terminal. Electrical devices may be included in the
circuit. DC electricity in a circuit consists of voltage, current and
resistance. The flow of DC electricity is similar to the flow of water
through a hose.
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
Voltage; Direct Current (DC)
• Direct Current (DC); Series and Parallel Circuits
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
Voltage; Alternating Current
•Alternating Current (AC):
AC is short for alternating current. This means
that the direction of current flowing in a circuit
is constantly being reversed back and forth.
This is done with any type of AC
current/voltage source.
The electrical current in your house is
alternating current. This comes from power
plants that are operated by the electric
company. Those big wires you see stretching
across the countryside are carrying AC current
from the power plants to the loads, which are in
our homes and businesses. The direction of
current is switching back and forth 60 times
each second.
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
Voltage; Alternating Current
1 AC Cycle
•Alternating Current (AC):
Formulas:
Time (T) = 1/f
Frequency (f) = 1/T
0.016667 Seconds
or 60 Hz
Low Frequency
Medium Frequency
Higher Frequency
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
Radio Waves and Frequency versus Wavelength
The Speed of Light = 299, 792,458 miles/second
Formula:
Velocity (wave) :
Radio waves go through far more cycles in a second than electric current, and we need to use
bigger designation units to measure them.
We have chosen to use the metric system for such designations. One is the kilohertz (kHz),
which is equal to 1000 cycles per second.
Another common one is the megahertz (MHz), which is equal to 1,000,000 cycles per second,
which is the equivalent of also 1000 kHz. A gigahertz (GHz) is 1000 megahertz.
The obvious relationship between these units is typical of metric designation changes, being a
factor of 1000.
1,000,000 Hertz = 1000 Kilohertz = 1 Megahertz = .001 Gigahertz
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
Radio Waves and Frequency versus Wavelength
The Speed of Light = 299, 792,458 miles/second or
300,000,000
Wavelength (Meters) = 300/Freq. (Mhz)
Most common Amateur Radio Bands and Frequencies:
10 Meters = 300/30 (28.0 thru 30 Mhz)
15 Meters = 300/20 (21.0 thru 21.4 Mhz)
20 Meters = 300/15 (14.0 thru 15 Mhz)
40 Meters = 300/7.5 (7.0 thru 7.5 Mhz)
75 Meters = 300/4.0 (3.75 thru 4.0 Mhz)
80 Meters = 300/3.75 (3.5 thru 3.75 mhz)
160 Meters - 300/1.875 (1.8 thru 1.9 Mhz)
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
OHMS LAW
Ohm's law states that the current through a conductor between two
points is directly proportional to the potential difference across the
two points. Introducing the constant of proportionality, the
resistance, one arrives at the usual mathematical equation that
describes this relationship:
where I is the current through the conductor in units of amperes, V
is the potential difference measured across the conductor in units of
volts, and R is the resistance of the conductor in units of ohms.
More specifically, Ohm's law states that the R in this relation is
constant, independent of the current.
The law was named after the German physicist Georg Ohm, who,
in a treatise published in 1827, described measurements of applied
voltage and current through simple electrical circuits containing
various lengths of wire. He presented a slightly more complex
equation than the one above to explain his experimental results.
The above equation is the modern form of Ohm's law.
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
OHMS LAW - Calculator
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
•Discuss Electronic Components and Symbols:
- Resistors: A resistor "Resists electricity. Think of it as a restriction in a water pipe only for
electricity.
- Capacitors: A capacitor (originally known as condenser) is a passive two-terminal electrical
component used to store energy in an electric field. The forms of practical capacitors vary widely,
but all contain at least two electrical conductors separated by a dielectric (insulator); for example,
one common construction consists of metal foils separated by a thin layer of insulating film.
Capacitors are widely used as parts of electrical circuits in many common electrical devices.
- Inductors: An inductor (also choke, coil, or reactor) is a passive two-terminal electrical
component that stores energy in its magnetic field. For comparison, a capacitor stores energy in an
electric field, and a resistor does not store energy but rather dissipates energy as heat.
Any conductor has inductance. An inductor is typically made of a wire or other conductor wound
into a coil, to increase the magnetic field.
When the current flowing through an inductor changes, a time-varying magnetic field is created
inside the coil, and a voltage is induced, according to Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction,
which by Lenz's law opposes the change in current that created it. Inductors are one of the basic
components used in electronics where current and voltage change with time, due to the ability of
inductors to delay and reshape alternating currents.
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
•Examples of Electronic Components
Resistors:
Resistor Symbol:
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
•Examples of Electronic Components
Capacitors:
Inductors:
Module C - Electronics Theory and Lab
•Using a Volt-Ohm Meter (VOM)
Digital Volt-Ohm Meter (VOM)
Analog Volt-Ohm Meter (VOM)