• Common Radio Terms

• Station Switching

• Operating Techniques

• Optimising your Radio

• Split Frequencies

• VHF and UHF Repeaters

• Repeater Networks

24 - Operating Procedures24 - Operating Procedures

Radios – New and Old

Kenwood TS-530, 1980

Icom IC-7000

Yaesu FT 890 - 1990

Yaesu FT1000D - 1995

A Modern Amateur Transceiver

ICOM IC-756 Pro111

Common Radio Terms

• “AGC” circuit minimizes need for adjustments to receiver gain control

knobs [

• “ALC” stands for automatic level control

• “Break-in keying” means (Morse or electronic) key down changes

station to transmit, key up changes station to receive

• “Gain controls’. Receivers having both RF and AF gain controls permit

operator to vary the gain of the radio frequency and audio frequency

amplifiers independently

• “National System” is a series of nationwide amateur radio linked

repeaters in the 70 cm band

• “Noise blanker” is most effective to reduce ignition noise on receive

• “Pileup” means a large group of stations all calling the same DX station

• “PTT” means push to talk

Common Radio Terms

• “RIT” stands for receiver incremental tuning. Changes receive frequency

• “S meter “ on a receiver indicates relative incoming signal strengths • “Split frequency” function on transceiver allows operator to transmit on

one frequency and receive on another . Usually this is only a few kHz – useful under “pileup” conditions.

• “Squelch” or “muting” circuitry inhibits audio output unless a signal is

being received

• “Dropping out” on a VHF repeater means your signal does not have

enough strength to operate the repeater (to keep the repeater receiver

squelch open all the time you are transmitting)

• “SWR” bridges allow you to adjust antenna matching units for minimum

reflected power

• “VOX” stands for voice operated transmit & enables change from

receive to transmit using the sound of the operator’s voice

A Typical VHF Repeater

Using a Repeater A special set of rules apply because it is

unlike operating on the HF bandsKeep contacts short. Three minutes is the accepted

maximum length for an over

2. Pause between overs. This is to enable weak stations break in. A 3 second break is fine

3. Don't tune up on a repeater's input frequency.

4. Don’t keep triggering the repeater to make sure it’s there

5. No CQs – Just a simple “ZL2XY listening 670 “

Repeater “Splits” ZL Repeaters have standard splits • The standard for repeaters operating in the 2M

146 to 148 MHz band is +600 kHz above

147 MHz, and -600 kHz on or below 147 MHz.

• The NZART CallBook gives details of the bandplans adopted

in New Zealand and lists the frequencies and locations of amateur radio repeaters.

• UHF repeaters operating in the 430 to 440 MHz band use a 5

MHz split.

Careful when putting up antennas!

Good operating Practice!