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G1 G1A – General class control operator frequency privileges; primary and secondary allocations

General class control operator frequency privileges --> The HF Bands, 80 meters, 40 meters, 20 meters, and 15 meters, have segments exclusively allocated to Amateur Extra licensees. [97.301(b)]  The HF and/or MF amateur bands, 80 meters, 40 meters, 20 meters, and 15 meters, have portions where General class licensees cannot transmit. [97.301(d)]  Communication is restricted to only specific channels, rather than frequency ranges, on the 60 meters band. [97.303(h)]  General class licensees are prohibited from operating as control operator from 7.125 MHz to 7.175 MHz. [97.301(d)]  Phone operation and Image transmission are prohibited on the 30 meters band. [97.305]  The frequency 21300 kHz is within the General class portion of the 15-meter band. [97.301(d)]  Stations with a General class control operators may transmit CW emissions on the entire 10-meter band amateur frequencies. [97.305(a)]  The portion of the 10-meter band above 29.5 MHz is available for repeater use. [97.205(b)]  When General class licensees are not permitted to use the entire voice portion of a band, the upper frequency portion of the voice segment is available to them. [97.301]

G2

When the FCC rules designate the amateur service as a secondary user on a band, amateur stations must not cause harmful interference to primary users and must accept interference from primary users.

Antenna structure limitations; good engineering and good amateur practice; beacon operation; prohibited transmissions; retransmitting radio signals

The maximum height above ground for an antenna structure near a public use airport without requiring notification to the FAA and registration with the FCC is 200 feet.
- State and local governments are permitted to regulate amateur radio antenna structures however Amateur Service communications must be reasonably accommodated, and regulations must constitute the minimum practical to accommodate a legitimate purpose of the state or local entity.
- A purpose of a beacon station, as identified in the FCC rules, is observation of propagation and reception.
- No more than one beacon station may transmit in the same band from the same station location.
Automatically controlled beacons are permitted on the HF frequencies, 28.20 MHz to 28.30 MHz.
The power limit for beacon stations is 100 watts PEP output.

*Permitted and Prohibited transmissions

Occasional retransmission of weather and propagation forecast information from US government stations is permitted for all amateur stations.
One-way transmissions to assist with learning the International Morse code are permitted.
It is permissible to communicate with amateur stations in countries outside the areas administered by the Federal Communications Commission when the contact is with amateurs in any country except
- those whose administrations have notified the ITU that they object to such communications.
The FCC determines “good engineering and good amateur practice,” as applied to
- the operation of an amateur station in all respects not covered by the Part 97 rules.

G1C – Transmitter power regulations; data emission standards; 60-meter operation requirements

Peak Envelope Power (PEP) output from the transmitter is the measurement specified by FCC rules that regulate maximum power
The maximum transmitting power an amateur station may use is 1500 watts PEP output on
- 10.140 MHz (30 meters),
- 12-meter band,
- 1.8 MHz band,
- and for a General Class control operator on the 28 MHz band.

Data emission standards

You must publicly document the technical characteristics of the protocol in order to use a new digital protocol on the air.

60-meter operation requirements

- When operating in the 60-meter band, the FCC rules require you to keep a record of the gain of your antenna, if you are using an antenna other than a dipole.
The maximum power limit on the 60-meter band is an Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of 100 watts PEP with respect to a dipole.
The maximum bandwidth permitted by FCC rules for amateur radio stations transmitting on USB frequencies in the 60-meter band is 2.8 kHz

G1D – Volunteer Examiners and Volunteer Examiner Coordinators; temporary identification; element credit; remote operation

Volunteer Examiners and Volunteer Examiner Coordinators

Volunteer Examiners (VEs) are accredited by a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) organization
At least three Volunteer Examiners of General class or higher must observe the administration of a Technician class license examination.
An accredited Volunteer Examiner holding a General class operator license may only administer Technician license examinations.
For a non-US citizen, the person must hold an FCC granted amateur radio license of General class or above to be an accredited Volunteer Examiner.
The minimum age that one must be to qualify as an accredited Volunteer Examiner is 18 years.

Temporary identification

You may operate on any General or Technician class band segment if you are a Technician class operator and have an unexpired Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) for General class privileges.
Until an upgrade to General class is shown in the FCC database, a Technician licensee identify with “AG” after their call sign whenever they operate using General class frequency privileges.

Element credit

A Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) is valid for exam element credit for 365 days.
Any person who can demonstrate that they once held an FCC-issued General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra class license, that was not revoked by the FCC, may receive partial credit for the elements represented by an expired amateur radio license.
To obtain a new General class license after a previously held license has expired and the two-year grace period has passed, the applicant must show proof of the appropriate expired license grant and pass the current Element 2 exam.

Remote operation

When operating a US station by remote control from outside the country, a US operator/primary station license is required of the control operator
When operating a station in South America by remote control over the internet from the US, the regulations that apply are only those of the remote station’s country.

0. Control categories; repeater regulations; third-party rules; ITU regions; automatically controlled digital station

Control categories

An amateur station may not communicate with non-licensed Wi-Fi stations in the 2.4 GHz band
The maximum PEP output of 10 watts is allowed for spread spectrum transmissions.
An amateur operator should normally avoid transmitting on 14.100, 18.110, 21.150, 24. 930 and 28.200 MHz because a system of propagation beacon stations operates on those frequencies.
The following conditions require a licensed amateur radio operator to take specific steps to avoid harmful interference to other users or facilities:
- When operating within one mile of an FCC Monitoring Station
- When using a band where the Amateur Service is secondary
- When a station is transmititng spread spectrum emissions (all choices are correct)

Repeater regulations

A 10-meter repeater may retransmit the 2-meter signal from a station that has a Technician class control operator only if the 10-meter repeater control operator holds at least a General class license

Third-party rules

If the third party’s amateur license has been revoked and not reinstated this would disqualify a third party from participating in sending a message via an amateur station.
The restrictions on messages sent to a third party in a country with which there is a Third-Party Agreement are that they must relate to amateur radio, or remarks of a personal character, or messages relating to emergencies or disaster relief.
Third-party messages may be transmitted via remote control under any circumstances in which third party messages are permitted by FCC rules.
The frequency allocations of ITU region 2 apply to radio amateurs operating in North and South America.
The station initiating the contact must be under local or remote control to conduct communications with a digital station operating under automatic control outside the automatic control band segments.
Automatically controlled stations transmitting RTTY or data emissions communicate with other automatically controlled digital stations anywhere in the 6-meter or shorter wavelength bands, and in limited segments of some of the HF bands.

ITU Regions

The frequency allocations of ITU region 2 apply to radio amateurs operating in North and South America.

Automatically controlled digital station

The station initiating the contact must be under local or remote control to conduct communications with a digital station operating under automatic control outside the automatic control band segments
Automatically controlled stations transmitting RTTY or data emissions communicate with other automatically controlled digital stations anywhere in the 6-meter or shorter wavelength bands, and in limited segments of some of the HF bands

G2A – Phone operating procedures: USB/LSB conventions, breaking into a contact, transmitter setup for voice operation; answering DX stations

Single sideband (SSB)

Single sideband (SSB) mode of voice communication is most commonly used on the HF amateur bands.
An advantage of using single sideband, as compared to other analog voice modes on the HF amateur bands is less bandwidth used and greater power efficiency.
For single sideband (SSB), only one sideband is transmitted; the other sideband and carrier are suppressed.

Upper Sideband (USB)/Lower Sideband (LSB) conventions

Lower sideband mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands.
Most amateur stations use lower sideband on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands because it is commonly accepted amateur practice.
Upper sideband mode is most commonly used for SSB voice communications on:
- frequencies of 14 MHz or higher
- the 17-and12-meterbands.
- in the VHF and UHF bands

Breaking into a contact

The recommended way to break into a phone contact is say your call sign once.

Transmitter setup for voice operation

VOX operation allows “hands free” operation versus PTT operation which does not.
Transmit audio or microphone gain control is typically adjusted for proper automatic level control (ALC) setting on a single sideband transceiver.

Answering DX stations

Generally, for a station in the contiguous 48 states calling “CQ DX”, any stations outside the lower 48 states should respond.

G2B – Operating effectively; band plans; drills and emergencies; RACES operation

Operating effectively

When selecting an SSB transmitting frequency, the minimum separation of 2kHz to 3kHz should be used to minimize interference to stations on adjacent frequencies.
If propagation changes during a contact creating interference from other stations using the frequency, attempt to resolve the interference problem with the other stations in a mutually acceptable manner. This is good amateur practice.
When selecting a CW transmitting frequency, the minimum separation of 150 Hz to 500 Hz from other stations should be used to minimize interference to stations on adjacent frequencies.
Send “QRL?” on CW, followed by your call sign; or, if using phone, ask if the frequency is in use, followed by your call sign to avoid harmful interference on an apparently clear frequency before calling CQ on CW or phone.
A good amateur practice for net management is to have a backup frequency in case of interference or poor conditions.

Band plans

A commonly accepted amateur practice when choosing a frequency on which to initiate a call is follow the voluntary band plan.
Only contacts with stations, not within the 48 contiguous states, is the voluntary band plan restriction for US stations transmitting within the 48 contiguous states in the 50.1 MHz to 50.125 MHz band segment.

Drills and emergencies

Except during emergencies, no amateur station has priority access to any frequency.
The first thing you should do if you are communicating with another amateur station and hear a station in distress break in is to acknowledge the station in distress and determine what assistance may be needed.

RACES operation

Only a person holding an FCC-issued amateur operator license may be the control operator of an amateur station transmitting in RACES to assist relief operations during a disaster.
RACES training drills and tests may be routinely conducted no more than 1 hour per week without special authorization.

G2C – CW operating procedures and procedural signals; Q signals; full break-in

CW operating procedures and procedural signals

The term “zero beat”, in CW operation, matching the transmit frequency to the frequency of a received signal.
The best speed to use when answering a CQ in Morse code is the fastest speed at which you are comfortable copying, but no faster than the CQ.
When sending CW, when added to the RST report, a “C’ means chirpy or unstable signal.When a CW operator sends “KN” at the end of a transmission it means listening only for a specific station or stations.
The AR prosign is sent to indicate the end of a formal message when using CW.

Full break-in

Full break-in CW operation (QSK) is transmitting stations can receive between code characters and elements.

Q signals

if CW station sends QRS = send slower
QRL? = Are you busy?/Is this frequency in use?
QSL = I have received and understood
QRN = I am troubled by static
QRV = I am ready to receive

Volunteer Monitor Program The Volunteer Monitor Program is amateur volunteers who are formally enlisted to monitor the airwaves for rules violations.  Objectives of the Volunteer Monitor Program are to encourage amateur radio operators to self-regulate and comply with the rules.  Volunteer Monitors compare beam headings on the repeater input from their home locations with that of other Volunteer Monitors to localize a station whose continuous carrier is holding a repeater on in their area.

HF operations

An azimuthal projection map is a map that shows true bearings and distances from a specific location
The following indicates that you are looking for an HF contact with any station: Repeat “CQ” a few times, followed by “this is,” then your callsign a few times, then pause to listen, repeat as necessary.
A directional antenna is pointed 180 degrees from the station’s short-path heading when making a “long- path” contact with another station. Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta are examples of the NATO Phonetic Alphabet. Many amateurs keep a station log to help with a reply if the FCC requests information about your station.

Many amateurs keep a station log to help with a reply if the FCC requests information about your station.  When participating in a contest on HF frequencies it is required that you identify your station according to normal FCC regulations.  QRP operation is low-power transmit operation.  Signal reports are typically exchanged at the beginning of an HF contact to allow each station to operate according to conditions.

G2E – Digital mode operating procedures'

Most digital mode operations are commonly found between 14.070 MHz and 14.100 MHz in the segment of the 20-meter band.
The primary purpose of an Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) mesh network is to provide high-speed data services during an emergency or community event.

RTTY

Lower Sideband (LSB) mode is normally used when sending RTTY signals via AFSK with an SSB transmitter.
The most common frequency shift for RTTY emissions is 170 Hz in the amateur HF bands.
If you cannot decode an RTTY or other FSK signal even though it is apparently tuned in properly:

o The mark and space frequencies may be reversed o You may have selected the wrong baud rate o Youmaybelisteningonthewrongsideband (All these choices are correct)

FT8

A good practice when choosing a transmitting frequency to answer a station calling CQ using FT8 is find a clear frequency during the alternate time slot to the calling station.
Upper sideband is the standard sideband for JT65, JT9, FT4, or FT8 digital signal when using AFSK.
Computer time accurate to within approximately 1 second is a requirement when using FT8.
The common frequency location of FT8 is approximately 14.074 MHz to 14.077 MHz.

Winlink

VARA is a digital protocol used with Winlink.
A Gateway is another name for a Winlink Remote Message Server (RMS).
A way to establish contact with a digital messaging system gateway station is to transmit a connect message on the station’s published frequency. Winlink is best described as:
An amateur radio wireless network to send and receive email on the internet o A form of Packet Radio
A wireless network capable of both VHF and HF band operation (All of these choices are correct)

PACTOR

PACTOR connections are limited to two stations. It is not possible to join an existing contact of two other stations while using PACTOR protocol.
Symptoms that may result from other signals interfering with a PACTOR or VARA transmission:
- Frequent retries or timeouts
- Long pauses in message transmission
- Failure to establish a connection between stations
- (All these choices are correct)

Sunspots & Solar Radiation

For HF propagation, higher sunspot numbers generally indicate a greater probability of good propagation at higher frequencies.
A sudden ionospheric disturbance disrupts signals on lower frequencies more than those on higher frequencies affecting the daytime ionospheric propagation.
It takes approximately 8 minutes for increased ultraviolet and X-ray radiation from a solar flare to affect radio propagation on Earth.
The 15 meters, 12 meters, and 10 meters bands are the least reliable bands for long-distance communications during periods of low solar activity.
At any point in the solar cycle, the 20-meter band usually supports worldwide propagation during daylight hours.
Rotation of the Sun’s surface layers around its axis causes HF propagation conditions to vary periodically in a 26-day to 28-day cycle.
It takes 15 hours to several days for a coronal mass ejection to affect radio propagation on Earth.
HF communication is disturbed by the charged particles that reach Earth from solar coronal holes affecting long distance radio communication.
The solar flux index is a measure of solar radiation with a wavelength of 10.7 centimeters.

Geomagnetic Field & Stability Indices

Geomagnetic Field & Stability Indices

A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance in Earth’s geomagnetic field.
A geomagnetic storm can affect HF propagation by degrading high-latitude HF propagation.
High geomagnetic activity can benefit radio communications by creating auroras that can reflect VHF signals.
The K-index measure is the short-term stability of Earth’s geomagnetic field.
The A-index measure is the long-term stability of Earth’s geomagnetic field.

80% of interference problems are due to bad cables or connectors.

G3B – Maximum Usable Frequency; Lowest Usable Frequency; short path and long path propagation; determining propagation conditions; ionospheric refraction

Maximum Usable Frequency

0 - MUF: The Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) for communications between two points.

The frequency, just below the MUF, will have the least attenuation for long-distance skip propagation.  Factors that affect the Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF): o Path distance and location o Timeofdayandseason o Solar radiation and ionospheric disturbances (All these choices are correct)

Lowest Usable Frequency  LUF: Lowest Usable Frequency (LUF) for communications between two specific points.  Radio waves with frequencies below the LUF are usually attenuated before reaching the destination.

Short path and long path propagation  A characteristic of skywave signals arriving at your location by both short-path and long-path propagation is a slightly delayed echo might be heard.

Determining propagation conditions

A way to determine current propagation on a desired band from your station is to use a network of automated receiving stations on the internet to see where your transmissions are being received.

Ionospheric refraction

The ionosphere affects radio waves with frequencies below the MUF and above the LUF by refracting back to Earth.
The approximate maximum distance of 2500 miles along the Earth’s surface is normally covered in one hop using the F2 region.
The approximate maximum distance of 1200 miles along the Earth’s surface normally covered in one hop using the E region.
When the LUF exceeds the MUF, HF propagation via ordinary skywave communications is not possible over that path.
High levels of atmospheric noise or static are typical of the lower HF frequencies during the summer.

Ionospheric regions

The D region, ionospheric region, is closest to the surface of Earth.
Skip propagation via the F2 region is longer than that via the other ionospheric regions because it is the highest.
Long-distance communication on the 40-, 60-, 80-, and 160-meter bands is more difficult during the day because the D region absorbs signals at these frequencies during daylight hours.
The D region, ionospheric region, is the most absorbent of signals below 10 MHz during daylight hours.

Critical angle and frequency

The term “critical frequency” at a given incidence angle is the highest frequency which is refracted back to Earth.
The term “critical angle”, as applied to radio wave propagation, is the highest takeoff angle that will return a radio wave to Earth under specific ionospheric conditions.

HF scatter

A characteristic of HF scatter is signals have a fluttering sound.
Energy scattered into the skip zone through several different paths often makes HF scatter signals sound distorted.
HF scatter signals in the skip zone are usually weak because only a small part of the signal energy is scattered into the skip zone.
Scatter propagation allows signals to be heard in the transmitting station’s skip zone.

Near vertical incidence skywave (NVIS)

Near vertical incidence skywave (NVIS) propagation is short distance MF or HF propagation at high elevation angles.

G4A – Station configuration and operation

The purpose of the notch filter found on many HF transceivers is to reduce interference from carriers in the receiver passband.
The benefit of using the opposite or “reverse” sideband when receiving CW is it may be possible to reduce or eliminate interference from other signals.
A noise blanker works by reducing receiver gain during a noise pulse.
 An automatic level control (ALC) is used with an RF power amplifier to prevent excessive drive.
The ALC system should be inactive when transmitting AFSK data signals because the ALC action distorts the signal. The purpose of an antenna tuner is increase power transfer from the transmitter to the feed line
As a receiver’s noise reduction control level is increased received signals may become distorted
A pronounced dip is the effect on plate current of the correct setting of a vacuum-tube RF power amplifier’s TUNE control.
The correct adjustment for the LOAD or COUPLING control of a vacuum tube RF power amplifier is the desired power output without exceeding maximum allowable plate current.

 The purpose of delaying RF output after activating a transmitter’s keying line to an external amplifier is to allow time for the amplifier to switch the antenna between the transceiver and the amplifier output.  The function of an electronic keyer is automatic generation of dots and dashes for CW operation.  A common use of the dual-VFO feature on a transceiver is to transmit on one frequency and listen on another.  The purpose of using a receive attenuator is to prevent receiver overload from strong incoming signals.

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Questions & Explanations

G1 G1A – General class control operator frequency privileges; primary and secondary allocations

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