Transcript What is Radio?

Radio Merit Badge
Boy Scouts of America
Module 1 - Radio Basics
BSA National Radio Scouting Committee 2012
.
Key Topics in This Module
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1 - What is Radio?
1a,1b - Types of Radio Services
1c - Radio Call Signs & Identification
1d - The Phonetic Alphabet
2a - Radio Wave Propagation, WWV & WWVH
2b - The FCC & ITU
3a - The Electromagnetic Spectrum
What Is Radio?
Electronic communication from one location
to another without wires
1920s-era
Radio
Receiver
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Where Radio is used
 Radio is used in:
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broadcast receivers
two way radios
televisions
cellular telephones
wireless LANs
garage door openers
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car locks
EZPass
satellites
pagers
radar
microwave ovens
etc, etc
Requirement 1
Broadcast Radio
 Broadcast - One-way transmissions to the public.
Could be commercial (music, news, sports with
advertisements) or non-commercial (National
Public Radio, school radio stations, Voice of
America)
Requirement 1
Two-Way Communications
 Two Way Radios both send (transmit) and receive
messages.
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walkie-talkies
Amateur Radio
cell phones
fire and police
aviation
ships
military, etc.
Requirement 1
Amateur Radio
 A volunteer non-commercial radio service devoted to
educational, recreational and emergency purposes
 “HAM” Radio
 “Hobby” Radio
Requirement 1
Why Amateur Radio?
 A place to learn about radio!
 Called the “Amateur Radio Service” because it
can’t be used for profit.
 An important part of disaster response.
 A lot of fun!
Requirement 1
Radio Call Signs
 Call Signs are identification. They show you
have a license to transmit.
 Broadcast Call Signs
 WHO, KDKA, KORA, WNBC
 Ham Call Signs
 WW3Y, KB3BOY, VR2DK, 9N1MM, JA1ABC
 A92EB/OZ, G4RZC/MM
 All ham call signs contain a number
Requirement 1
US Call Signs
 Every US station has a call sign issued by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
 Broadcast call signs begin with K or W
KXAS
WBAP
 Amateur call signs begin with A, K, N or W
AB2SN
KF0WT
 Special Event Amateur call signs
NY8N
W0JMD
K0B
Requirement 1
Amateur Radio Call Signs
Requirement 1
Phonetic Alphabet
Alfa AL fah
Bravo BRAH VOH
Charlie CHAR lee
Delta DELL tah
Echo ECK oh
Foxtrot FOX trot
Golf GOLF
Hotel hoh TELL
India IN dee ah
Juliet JEW lee ETT
Kilo KEY loh
Lima LEE mah
Mike MIKE
November
no VEM ber
Oscar OSS cah
Papa pah pah
Quebec keh BECK
Romeo ROW me oh
Sierra see AIR rah
Tango TANG go
Uniform YOU nee form
Victor VIK ter
Whiskey WISS key
X-Ray ECKS RAY
Yankee YANG kee
Zulu ZOO loo
Example: “My name is Tom – tango, oscar, mike – Tom”
Requirement 1
How High Frequency (HF) Radio
Waves Travel (Propagation)
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Ground Wave
Sky Wave
Ionosphere
Skip
Local
DX
Ionosphere (80 km)
Sky Waves
Skip Zone
Requirement 2
How VHF & UHF Radio Waves
Travel - Line of Sight
Radio Station WWV
 Transmits on
standard
frequencies
2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 Mhz
 If you can hear
WWV, the HF
bands are open
Fort Collins, CO
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Requirement 2
Regulation of Radio
 ITU
 International
Telecommunications
Union
 Meets every few years.
 Sets International
Frequency
assignments.
 Assigns prefixes to
countries.
 FCC
 Federal Communication
Commission
 Set Frequency
Assignments in US.
 Issues Licenses & Call
Signs in US.
 Enforces Radio Laws in
US.
Requirement 2
So, what frequencies are assigned
to whom?
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AM Broadcast Radio
FM Broadcast Radio
Short Wave Broadcast
Television Broadcast
CB Radio
Police Radio
Amateur Radio
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540 - 1600 kHz
88 - 108 MHz
5 - 22 MHz
Channel 2 = 54-60 MHz
27 MHz
450-470 MHz
3.5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50, 150 MHz
80, 40, 30, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2 meters
Freq=C/meters
C=300,000,000 or
Freq (MHz)= 300/meters
Requirement 3
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Sound
Long Radio
Wavelengths
Short Radio
Wavelengths
Microwaves
Frequency - Measured in Hertz (kilohertz, megahertz, gigahertz)
Wavelength – Measured in meters (cm)
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The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Medium Frequency (MF)
High Frequency (HF)
Very High Frequency (VHF)
Ultra High Frequency (UHF)
Requirement 3
DRAW the Electromagnetic Spectrum
MF
Marine
AM Broadcast
Marine / Navigation
300 Khz
3 Mhz
HF
International Shortwave Broadcast
10m Ham
3 Mhz
30 Mhz
VHF
6m Ham
TV
FM Broadcast
Air
VHF Ham
30 Mhz
T
V
P/F
300 Mhz
UHF
UHF Ham
300 Mhz
.
TV
Cellular
Police/Fire
WiFi
3 Ghz
Radio Merit Badge
Boy Scouts of America
Module 2
Electronics, Safety & Careers
BSA National Radio Scouting Committee2012
Key Topics in This Module
 4 – How Radio Carries Information
 5a – Radio Schematic Diagrams
 5a, 5b – Radio Block Diagrams
 5c – Types of Electrical Circuits
 5d – Electronic Components & Symbols
 6 – Radio Safety
 8 – Careers in Radio
How Do Radio Waves Carry
Sounds or Information?
FM
AM
PM
Requirement 4
Continuous Wave (CW)
The Oldest Digital Mode
Works by simply turning the transmitter
on and off in a pattern called Morse Code.
Requirement 4
Modern Components
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Requirement 5d
Older Components
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Requirement 5d
Record These In
Your Workbook
Properties
Resistor – opposes or “resists” current flow
measured in ohms
Capacitor – stores energy in electric field
measured in farads
Inductor – stores energy in a magnetic field
measured in henries
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Conductors & Insulators
 Conductors conduct (carry) electricity.
 Most metals (gold, silver, aluminum, copper)
 Many liquids (water)
 Insulators insulate (don’t carry) electricity.
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Air
Most rubbers and plastics
Most ceramics
Wood and cloth (when dry and at low voltage)
Types of Electrical Current
 Direct Current (DC) – flows only one direction;
produced by battery
 Alternating Current (AC) – flows in first one direction
then another; found in our home electrical outlets
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Basic Electrical Terms
 Voltage – electrical pressure (volts)
 Current – the flow of electricity through a circuit (amps)
 Power – the ability to do work (watts)
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Block Diagram vs. Schematic
Radio Transmitter
RF
Oscillator
Carrier
Signal
Input
Pre
Amp
Audio
Signal
Mixer
Modulated
RF Signal
Final
Amp
Output
Block Diagram:
Outlines the various
functions within an
electronic device
Switch
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Schematic
Diagram: Uses
standard electrical
symbols to describe
an electrical circuit
in detail
120 ohm
+
3V
LED flashlight
Schematic Symbols
Represent Individual Electronic Parts (“Components”)
Fuse
Contains a thin wire which is made to melt which protects the rest of the
circuit from damage if there is too much current from a short circuit.
Battery
Stores electric energy.
Resistor
Resists the flow of electric current, reducing its flow.
Variable
resistor
Like a regular resistor, but adjustable. For example, the volume knob on your
stereo.
Earth
ground
A connection between the equipment (radio) and the earth, usually through a
copper pipe driven into the soil.
Chassis
ground
A connection of the negative side of the electronic circuit to the chassis, or
steel frame, of the equipment.
Requirement 5
Schematic Symbols (cont.)
Capacitor
Gets and stores an electric charge. Lets alternating current (AC - like in your
house) flow but stops direct current (DC - like from a battery).
Variable
capacitor
Same as a regular capacitor, but adjustable.
NPN
transistor
Amplifies a current.
PNP
transistor
Amplifies a current.
Inductor
Also called a choke or coil, it works the opposite of a capacitor. It lets DC flow
but stops AC.
Tube
A vacuum tube made of glass with wire filaments inside. Amplifies a current. It
has been replaced by transistors in most home equipment, but is still found in
some high power radio transmitters.
Requirement 5
Draw Schematic
Symbols In Your
Workbook
Schematic Symbols
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Battery
Resistor
Capacitor
Earth
Ground
Variable
Resistor
(Potentiometer)
Variable
Capacitor
Inductor
Circuit
Ground
Transformer
SPST Switch
Light-Emitting
Diode
Transistor
Diode
How Radios Send and Receive
Information
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Microphone
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Transmitter
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Transceiver
Amplifier
Tuner
Provides path to antenna
Radiates the RF signal
Key/Paddle
Key or Paddle
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Matches transmitter to antenna
Antenna
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Increases RF signal power
Feed line
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Microphone
Tuner
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Both a transmitter and receiver in one box
Amplifier
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Receives a radio signal
Demodulates the carrier
Transceiver
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Creates an RF “carrier”
Modulates the carrier
Receiver
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Takes in Audio or Digital signal input
For sending Morse code
TNC (Terminal Node Controller)
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TNC
Computer
A computers “Radio Modem”
Requirement 4
Detailed Block Diagram
Shows how the radio works.
Requirement 5
Types of Electrical Circuits
S1
+
120 ohm
Current Flow
3V
On
LED flashlight
Closed Circuit
 Circuit is complete.
 Electricity flows like it should.
S1
+
Open Circuit
 Circuit is incomplete.
 Electricity doesn’t flow.
3V
120 ohm
Current Flow
Off
LED flashlight
Short Circuit
 Circuit is complete through an unplanned shortcut.
 Electricity flows where it shouldn’t!
 Dangerous – parts can get hot, start fires or even explode!
Fuse
Requirement 5
Safety With RF Energy
 Never operate radios with the cover off.
 The case keeps the RF radiation in.
 Exposure to high levels of RF can cause burns
and cancer
 Human eyes especially sensitive to RF.
 Keep antennas out of reach.
 Hams required to conduct a “routine station
evaluation” to verify safe operation
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 Usually done by consulting a chart.
Radio Safety
 Make sure the power is disconnected before
working.
 Electric shock can hurt or kill.
 Even with the power off, some parts inside the radio
can hold a dangerous charge.
 If you don't know what you are doing, get help.
 Disconnect radios when not in use
 Connect antennas to ground when not in use
Requirement 6
Antennas & Towers
 Make sure antennas cannot
touch power lines
 you could be electrocuted when
using the radio.
 NEVER OVER or UNDER
power lines
 Where they could fall on a power
line in any direction
 Where a person could touch the antenna
 Be careful working on towers and roofs
 You could fall or hurt someone on the ground.
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Grounding
 AC Outlet Grounding
 Ground wire connected to house wiring.
 Equipment uses 3 prong plugs to ground equipment case.
 If wire inside touches case, house circuit breaker is opened.
 Direct Current Grounding
 Hams add another ground rod and connect all of their station
equipment cases to it as well.
 Provides additional safety and grounds any stray RF.
 Antenna Grounding
 Use lightning protectors where antennas enter the house.
 These bleed off static electricity.
 No protection to a direct strike.
Requirement
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Safety With Electricity
 Minimum fatal voltage – 30 volts
 Minimum fatal current if passed through the human
heart – 1/10th of an amp
 Power lines are un-insulated and carry thousands of
volts – never touch them!
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Radio Careers
 Broadcasting
 Announcer/Personality
 Station Manager/Program Director/ Music Director
 Technical
 Radio Engineer
 Radio Technician
 Cellular Phone Technician
 Operators
 Public Safety Dispatcher
 Military Radio Operator
Requirement 8
Education for Radio Careers
 Most jobs require high school diploma.
 Colleges offer courses in broadcasting and
communications.
 Gain broadcasting experience at college radio stations.
 Radio technicians attend trade schools or community
colleges.
 Radio engineers study electrical engineering at college.
 Organizations such as APCO and NARTE offer radio
licensing training courses and certifications.
Requirement 8
Radio Merit Badge
Boy Scouts of America
Module 3 – Amateur Radio
BSA National Radio Scouting Committee 2012
Key Topics in This Module
 9.a.(1) – Why does the FCC have an Amateur Radio
Service?
 9.a.(1) – Amateur Radio Activities
 9.a.(2) – Real / Simulated Radio Contact
 9.a.(3) – Q Signals & Abbreviations
 9.a.(4) – Amateur Radio Licenses
 9.a.(5) – Emergency Procedures
 9.a.(6) – Types of Amateur stations
 9.a.(6) – Repeaters
 NOAA Weather Radio
Why does the FCC have an Amateur
Radio Service?
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Volunteer service - (community service and disaster
help). A Scout does a good turn daily - here's another
way.
International goodwill - A great way to talk to people
in far away lands.
Experimentation - If you want, you can build your
own radio equipment, and many hams build their own
antennas. Some hams have come up with new
inventions, such as FM, SSB, Packet Radio, Automatic
Position Reporting Systems.
Communication skills - Because only one person
can talk at a time, you learn how to listen!
Self-training - You can learn by doing.
Requirement 9 a (1)
Amateur Radio Activities 1
 DX
 Many hams talk to other hams around the world
 They can collect QSL cards (postcards) to prove they did it. (Collect
countries!)
 It's a great way to have fun and learn about geography.
 Contests
 Held many weekends to contact as many people from a certain place
or in a certain way.
 Packet radio
 Some hams hook computers to radios to send electronic messages.
 Rather like wireless e-mail.
Requirement 9 a (1)
Amateur Radio Activities 2
 Camping
 Communications are easy even in the backcountry
 Can summon help or report back how things are going.
 “Fox” hunting (Radio Direction Finding)
 Used to locate:
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Hidden transmitters
Tagged wildlife
Downed aircraft
Life rafts
Stolen cars
 Jamboree On The Air
 (JOTA) is the third weekend every October
when Scouts all over the world talk to each
other on ham radio.
Requirement 9 a (1)
Amateur Radio Activities 3
 Public Service
 At parades & special events.
 From small carnivals all the way to the Tournament of Roses Parade.
 Ham radio operators are often the best to help with communication at
large community events
 Disasters
 Hams are often called on to help during fires, floods, earthquakes, and
other disasters.
 At these times, telephone lines and cell phone sites are often
damaged or overloaded,
 Ham radio is the only reliable communication.
 Skywarn
 National Weather Service uses Hams to report severe weather .
Requirement 9 a (1)
Q Signals and Amateur Terms
QRM
Man-made interference
QRN
Natural noise or interference
QRP
Low Power (< five watts)
QRS
Slow down Morse code speed
QRT
Quitting - off the air
QSB
Signal is fading
QSL
Acknowledge receipt (card)
QSO
Conversation ("cue-so")
QSY
Change frequency
QTH
Location (think H for Home)
Log
Record of QSOs
CW
Morse code (means Continuous Wave)
DX
Distant (foreign stations)
CQ
Calling any station ("seek you")
OM
Old man (male ham)
YL
Young lady (female ham)
Rig
Radio
Shack
Room the radio is in
HI
Laugh in Morse code
73, 88
Best regards, love and kisses
Requirement 9 a (3)
Licensing
 License required to
transmit, but not to
receive
 Tests given by
volunteer examiners
 No age limit
 No distance limit
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Amateur Radio License Classes
 Technician Class
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Starter license
Simple 35 question multiple-choice written test
All privileges above 30 MHz (VHF, UHF)
Mostly line-of-sight (but includes repeaters and satellites)
 General Class
 Standard license
 Additional 35 question multiple-choice test
 Adds HF (long distance)
 Extra Class
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Highest class of license
Detailed 50 question Radio Theory Test
A few more HF frequencies
Short Call Sign
Requirement 9 a (4)
Amateur Radio License Classes
Requirement 9 a (4)
Sending Out An Emergency Call - Voice
 You may use any radio at
any time to get help during
an emergency
 “Break Break” followed by
your call sign to interrupt a
radio conversation in
progress
 “Mayday Mayday Mayday”
followed by your call sign to
call on a clear frequency
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Emergency Radio Calls
 "MAYDAY" is the international word for requesting help by
radio.
 In the US, "EMERGENCY“ works too.
 In Morse code, send SOS ” ( . . . _ _ _ . . . ) slowly.
 Speak clearly and give complete information
 Similar to a 911 telephone call.
 Give detailed location of the emergency
 The person helping you on the radio may be in another state or even in
another country!
 Just because you have a radio doesn't mean someone will
be able to hear you.
 You might have to climb higher up a hill.
 FRS radios and cell phones have less power than ham radios.
Requirement 9 a (5)
Ham Radio Station Types
 Handheld Transceivers (HT): Small, light, portable, but not much
power. Some can fit in your pocket. Using repeaters, they can be quite
useful, and they can go on your hike easily.
 Base Station Transceivers : Permanent station in a building. More
power, easier to use, more features.
 Mobile Transceivers : Permanent station in a vehicle. More power.
That HT antenna doesn't work well inside a metal car.
 Repeaters: Located on high points (Mountains, tall buildings,
satellites) to automatically relay signals. Some have connections to the
telephone system or the internet.
 Which kind of radio is best? It depends on what you want to do. You
wouldn’t backpack with a heavy base station radio, but that base
station radio will let you talk farther when you are at home.
Requirement 9 a (6)
Types of Radios - Handhelds
•Bands – VHF / UHF
•Power – Up to 5 watts
•Range – 1 to 5 miles without
repeater, much more with repeater
•Price – $100 to $350
Single Band or Dual Band
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Requirement 9 a (6)
Types of Radios – Mobiles
Single Band
•Bands – VHF / UHF
•Power – Up to 50 watts
•Range – 5 to 10 miles without
repeater, much more with repeater
Dual Band
•Price – $150 to $500
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Requirement 9 a (6)
Types of Radios – Base Station
•Bands – HF (Sometimes VHF / UHF also)
•Power – Usually 100 watts
•Range – Worldwide
•Price – $700 to $10,000
..
Requirement 9 a (6)
Family Radio Service (FRS)
FRS is a radio service in the UHF band for use by
the general public.
 14 channels ½ watt of output power
 Range limited to couple of miles line-of-sight
 No license required
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
 22 channels higher output power
 Range up to 10 miles, line of sight
 License required
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Get On The Air For Free With Echolink
Free software lets you
link into distant
repeater towers over
an internet
connection
Only a computer,
headset and internet
connection required.
This is called VoIP
communications
www.Echolink.org
..
Requirement 9 a (6)
Repeaters
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Receive on one frequency and transmit on another.
Usually in the VHF and UHF bands
Allow much longer range for small radios.
Located on mountains, towers, buildings and in
space.
Repeater
146.07 MHz
Input
146.67 MHz
Output
146.67 MHz
Output
146.07 MHz
Input
Requirement 9 a (6)
NOAA Weather Radio
 Continuous Weather Forecasts & Warnings
 162.55, 162.475, 162.40, 162.45, 162.50
MHz
 Essential for boating, hiking and camping.
 Most Ham radios can also receive this.
 Special SAME (Specific Area Alert Encoding)
receivers actually turn themselves on when a
warning is sent for your county!