OPERATING AND PROCEDURES

OPERATING AND PROCEDURES

References:
Almost Everything You Need to Know: Chapter 2:1- 9
RAC Basic Study Guide 6th Ed: 5.9, 8.7, 11.6, 12.2, 12.3,
12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.8, 12.9, 12.10, 12.12, 13.12, 14.4, 14.11
RAC Operating Manual 2nd Ed: 4:1-17, Appendix E., F.

Note: I highly recommend purchasing the RAC BAISC

STUDY GUIDE, RAC OPPERATING MANUAL, the
ARRL HAND AND ANTENA BOOK and becoming a
member of RADIO AMATUERS OF CANADA.
 AGENDA
1. PHONETIC ALPHABET

2. NUMBERS

3. VOICE OPERATING PROCEDURES

4. HF / UHF / VHF / BAND PLANS

5. TUNE UPS, TESTING, DUMMY LOADS

6. CW OPS, PROCEDURAL SIGNS / PROWORDS

7. Q SIGNALS

8. R.S.T. CODES - READABILITY, STRENGTH, TONE

9. EMERGENCY OPERATING PROCEDURES

10. RECORDING KEEPING, CONFIRMATION, MAPS, CHARTS,

ANTENNA ORIENTATION
 PHONETIC ALPHABET
A Alpha B Bravo C Charlie
D Delta E Echo F Foxtrot
GGolf H Hotel I India
J Juliet K Kilo L Lima
MMike N November
OOscar P Papa Q Quebec
R Romeo S Sierra T Tango
U Uniform V Victor W Whiskey
X X-Ray Y Yankee Z Zulu
 PHONETIC ALPHABET

Use words to represent letters

First letter corresponds to the letter
Prevents confusion on a radio, B can
sound much like D
B BRAVO VICTOR
D
ECH VE3EMO
DELTA 3O
THREE
ECHO
MIKE
OSCAR
THIS IS A CALL SIGN
 NUMBERS
Spell out numbers greater than 9
Some numbers are pronounced differently to
avoid confusion

0 ZEE-ROE 6 SIX
1 WUN 7 SAY-VEN
2 TOO 8 ATE
3 THU-REE 9 NINER
4 FOWER 10 WUN-ZEE-ROE
5 FIFE 11 WUN-WUN
 VOICE OPERATING PROCEDURES
UHF & VHF CHANELIZED / REPEATERS
The main purpose of a repeater is to increase the range of mobile and portable stations.
Repeaters use two frequencies or DUPLEX to transmit on one frequency and receive on a
different frequency.

When calling via a repeater, say the call sign of the desired station and then yours
i.e.VE3EOT THIS IS VA3SUG. Pause between transmission to listen to or allow anyone else
who wants to use the repeater. Keep transmissions short to allow for emergency use of
repeaters (don't tie them up).

Switch to SIMPLEX operation (transmitting and receiving on the same frequency) if

distance or time allows. If you can hear the station you are talking to on reverse or the
input frequency of the transmitter, you could and should use simplex. If operating simplex
on a repeater frequency dont try to change the repeater frequency because you cant
since repeater frequencies are set, change to another frequency!

To break into a conversation (non-emergency) on a repeater, wait for a pause and say your
call sign. The term contact although used is NOT proper procedure

To properly ask some ones location, you simple ask them what is your location, where are
you

An AUTOPATCH is a device to allow telephone calls via a station or radio (repeater)

Most repeaters have a TIME OUT timer function to limit the amount of transmit time .
An Autopatch is a feature of a repeater to access an
outgoing telephone connection. Users with a transceiver
capable of producing Dual-tone multi-frequency or touch
tones (DTMF) can make a telephone call via public
telephone system.
 VOICE OPERATING PROCEDURES
Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System CTCSS or Private Line PL
Tone, a sub-audible tone added to a carrier which causes a repeater to
accept a signal

2 Meter FM Repeaters use one frequency for transmit and one for receive
(duplex operation), The difference between the frequencies (or offset) is
usually 600 kHz.

i.e. if the repeater output was on 146.940 MHz, then an operator could
reliably assume that setting the input frequency 600 KHz lower to 146.340
MHz would allow him to communicate on this frequency.

BAND OFFSET
10 meters - 100 KHz
2 meters - 600 KHz
222 MHz - 1.6 MHz
70 centimeters - 5 MHz
33 centimeters - 12 MHz
23 centtmeters - 12 MHz
CONTINUOUS TONE-CODED SQUELCH SYSTEM CTCSS (OR PL PRIVATE LINE) TONE
 VOICE OPERATING PROCEDURES
HF / UHF / VHF SIMPLEX

Local communications should use VHF and UHF to reduce and free up
interference on High frequency (HF) Bands

To find out if HF band conditions are open in a specific area or distant

location, you should listen for a Beacon signal from that area, a foreign
broadcast, or TV station on a nearby frequency

Before transmitting you should always listen to ensure the frequency is not
occupied, you should also ask if the frequency is in use.

To call a station, Say CQ Three times and then your call i.e. CQCQCQ this
is VA3EOT, VA3EOT, VA3EOT

To answer, say the other stations call sign once followed by your own
Phonetically i.e. VA3EOT this VICTOR ALPHA THREE SERIA UNIFORM
GULF (VA3SUG)
 VOICE OPERATING PROCEDURES
HF / UHF / VHF SIMPLEX
If propagation or band conditions change during a contact and you notice
increasing interference you should move to a different frequency

During a contact you find you have a extremely strong signal into your contact
station, one adjustment you might consider is to turn down your output
power to the minimum necessary.

When selecting a single side band (SSB) phone transmitting frequency, the
minimum separation between you and a contact in progress is 3 KHz to
Avoid interference.

If your a net control station on a daily HF net and your normal frequency is
occupied you should conduct the net 3 to 5 KHz away from the normal net
frequency

If a net is about to begin on the frequency your on, as a courtesy to the net, you
should move to another frequency
BEACONS LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE

CHU

WWV
WWVH

CHU TIME SIGNAL- 3330, 7335, and 14 670 kHz

WWV TIME SIGNAL- 10,000 W on 5, 10, and 15 MHz; and 2500 W on 2.5 and 20 MHz
RADIO SPECTRUM ALLOCATIONS IN CANADA
 CANADIAN BAND PLAN
Lower side band is
used for 3755Khz
phone
HF LSB
CW & DIGITAL MODES ONLY

Upper side band is used

for 20 meters phone
HF USB
ENOUGH BW TO HAVE FM PHONE

VHF

UHF

The HF Band Plan is a voluntary,

gentleman's agreement,
intended for the guidance of and
observation by Canadian Radio
Amateurs.

A guideline for using different

operational modes within an
amateur band.
 CANADIAN HF BAND PLAN
160 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 6 kHz 30 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 1 kHz 15 Metre Band - maximum bandwidth 6 kHz
1.800 - 1.820 MHz - CW 10.100 - 10.130 MHz - CW only 21.000 - 21.070 MHz - CW
1.820 - 1.830 MHz - Digital Modes 10.130 - 10.140 MHz - Digital Modes 21.070 - 21.090 MHz - Digital Modes
1 830 - 1.840 MHz - DX Window 10.140 - 10.150 MHz - Packet 21.090 - 21.125 MHz - Packet
1.840 - 2.000 MHz - SSB / band modes 21.100 - 21.150 MHz - CW and SSB
20 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 6 kHz 21.150 - 21.335 MHz - SSB / wide band modes
80 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 6 kHz 14.000 - 14.070 MHz - CW only 21.335 - 21.345 MHz - SSTV
3.500 - 3.580 MHz - CW 14.070 - 14.095 MHz - Digital Mode 21.345 - 21.450 MHz - SSB / wide band modes
3.580 - 3.620 MHz - Digital Modes 14.095 - 14.099 MHz - Packet
3.620 - 3.635 MHz - Packet/Digital Secondary 14.100 MHz - Beacons 12 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 6 kHz
3.635 - 3.725 MHz - CW 14.101 - 14.112 MHz - CW, SSB, Packet 24.890 - 24.930 MHz - CW
3.725 - 3.790 MHz - SSB / side band modes 14.112 - 14.350 MHz - SSB 24.920 - 24.925 MHz - Digital Modes
3.790 - 3.800 MHz - SSB DX Window 14.225 - 14.235 MHz - SSTV 24.925 - 24.930 MHz - Packet
3.800 - 4.000 MHz - SSB / wide band modes 24.930 - 24.990 MHz - SSB / wide band modes
17 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 6 kHz
40 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 6 kHz 18.068 - 18.100 MHz - CW 10 Metre Band - Maximum band width 20 kHz
18.100 - 18.105 MHz - Digital Modes 28.000 - 28.200 MHz - CW
7.000 - 7.035 MHz - CW
18.105 - 18.110 MHz - Packet 28.070 - 28.120 MHz - Digital Modes
7.035 - 7.050 MHz - Digital Modes
18.110 - 18.168 MHz - SSB / wide band modes 28.120 - 28.190 MHz - Packet
7.040 - 7.050 MHz - International packet
28.190 - 28.200 MHz - Beacons
7.050 - 7.100 MHz - SSB
28.200 - 29.300 MHz - SSB /wide band modes
7.100 - 7.120 MHz - Packet within Region 2
29.300 - 29.510 MHz - Satellite
7.120 - 7.150 MHz - CW
CANADIAN VHF/UHF BAND PLAN 29.510 - 29.700 MHz - SSB, FM and repeaters
7.150 - 7.300 MHz - SSB / wide band modes
During a wide area
emergency, ARES
Ontario and the NTS
(National Traffic
System) will use 3.742
MHz and 7.153 MHz,
adjusted for QRM, for
Province wide voice
communications.
 TUNE UPS, TESTING, DUMMY LOADS
A dummy load is a device used to simulate an electrical load,
usually for testing purposes in place of an antenna

Tuning into a dummy load will shorten transmitter tune up

time on air and avoid interference to stations on frequency.

On air interference can be avoided by using a dummy load

to test transmissions, or loading up procedures.

Using a dummy antenna will allow tuning without causing

interference
TUNE UPS, TESTING, DUMMY LOADS
The "dummy load" is an
indispensable accessory
for any radio amateur.
Using a dummy load,
transmitter adjustments
can be made "off-the-air"
so that no unnecessary
interference is generated
on the ham bands.

Dummy loads are an

A dummy load capable of
easy useful project that
Cantenna dummy load dissipating four times the legal
just about anyone with
suitable up to 30 MHz limit (6 kW) for 2 to 3 minutes
moderate soldering skills
and up to 1 kW and legal limit (1500 watts)
can build.

A very simple and

effective dummy load
can be made from
several resistors, a
connector, and a small
metal plate or piece of
PC board stock.

25 Watt dummy Load

HOME BREW
 CW OPS, PROCEDURAL SIGNS / PROWORDS

LISTEN FIRST to ensure the frequency is NOT in use

Continuous wave/waveform (CW) or Morse code is sent at

any speed you can reliably receive.

CW Transmitting frequency should be between 150-500

Hrz for minimum interference

Full Break-in Telegraphy: Incoming signals received

between transmitted Morse code signals(dashes or
dots) this enables the other station to break-in while you
are still sending.
CW OPS, PROCEDURAL SIGNS / PROWORDS

CQ = Calling any station:

CQ Three time your call sign three times
CQ CQ CQ DE VE3EMO VE3EMO VE3EMO

To answer or reply
VE3EMO VE3EMO DE VA3SUG VA3SUG K

DE = from (like the French from or of)

K = any station transmit, or go ahead, or over to

you
CW OPS, PROCEDURAL SIGNS / PROWORDS

DX = Long distance
73 = Best wishes / Good Bye (not 73s)
AR = End of message
BT = Break in the text
SK = End of transmission
RST = Readability, Strength, Tone - Signal
report
 Q SIGNALS
The Q-code are a list of signals abbreviating a detailed
question or answer.

The Q code is a standardised collection of three-letter

message encodings, all starting with the letter "Q",

Agreed upon by the International Telecommunication

Union (ITU), is used worldwide on radiotelegraph.

Abbreviations are given the form of a question when

followed by a question mark. i.e. QTH? what is your
location?
 Q SIGNALS
QRL Is this frequency in use? (or are you busy?)
QRM Im being interfered with Man Made (e.g. jamming)
QRN Im troubled by static Non Man Made interference
QRS Send more slowly
QRX I will call you again
QRZ Who is calling me?
QSO A contact is in progress (i.e. thanks for the QSO)
QSY Change frequency (QSY to 14.210)
QTH My location is My QTH is Toronto
QSL I acknowledge I understand, Roger
QRT Stop sending Im QRT for the day (finished, done)
 RST SIGNALS
Readability, Strength, Tone
A short way to describe or give a signal or reception report
(i.e. radio check) based upon your S meter reading and
what you actually hear.

An S meter is used to measure relative signal strength in

a receiver

Poor Good

RST = READABILITY 1-5

SINGNAL STRENGTH 1-9
TONE 1-9
 RST SIGNALS - READABILITY
A qualitative assessment of how easy or difficult it is to
correctly copy the information being sent

1 Unreadable
2 Barely readable, occasional words
distinguishable
3 Readable with considerable difficulty
4 Readable with practically no difficulty
5 Perfectly readable
 RST SIGNALS - STRENGTH
An assessment of how powerful the received
signal is at the receiving location

1 Faint signal, barely perceptible

2 Very weak
3 Weak
4 Fair
5 Fairly good
6 Good
7 Moderately strong
8 Strong
9 Very strong signals
 RST SIGNALS - TONE
Used only in Morse code and digital transmissions
therefore omitted during voice operations

1 Very rough and broad

2 Very rough, very harsh and broad
3 Rough, tone, rectified but not filtered
4 Rough note, some trace of filtering
5 Filtered rectified, but strongly ripple-modulated
6 Filtered tone, definite trace of ripple modulation
7 Near pure tone, trace of ripple modulation
8 Near perfect tone, slight trace of modulation
9 Perfect tone, no trace of ripple or modulation of any kind
 RST SIGNALS
AN RST OF 599 BEST READING i.e. youre 59

11 = Unreadable and barely perceptible

57 = Perfectly readable, moderately strong
33 = Readable, some difficulty, weak in strength
59 plus 20db = Signal strength is 20 dbs over strength 9 youre 20
over9

RST of 459 = Quite readable, fair strength, perfect tone (usually used for
CW and Digital Modes)

RST of 579 = Perfectly readable, moderately strong, perfect tone

An increase of power 4 times will raise your S meter by ONE S unit.

Thus to raise the meter from S8 to S9 your power on a transmitter would

need to increase power 4 time
 EMERGENCY OPERATING PROCEDURES
MAYDAY or SOS precedence over all calls!!!
REAL EMERGENCIES ONLY, IT IS ILLEGAL
TO KNOWENLY TRANSMIT A FALSE
DISTRESS SIGNAL!

URGENCY (PAN-PAN) Say three time, safety for

a person, vehicle, aircraft, vessel, residence etc
is threatened. "Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan
this is VE3EOT with ..

SECURITY (Securitay) Weather warnings, aids

to navigation, used mostly in or by maritime
situations. Scurit, Scurit, Scurit. All
ships, all ships, all ships this is VA3XMJ
EMERGENCY OPERATING PROCEDURES
If you need immediate emergency assistance, the appropriate voice
signal is MAYDAY and the appropriate Morse code signal is SOS

Used only in a life threatening situation to you or some one else

Derived from the French venez m'aider, meaning "come [to] help me,
venez" is dropped, thus MAYDAY.

The Proper way to say is to say MAYDAY several times

I.E. MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY this is VA3NSC

For CW SOS ---

If your using a repeater and you want to interrupt a conversation with a

distress call, you say BREAK twice and then you call sign i.e. break
break this is VA3SUG with emergency traffic
EMERGENCY OPERATING PROCEDURES
During a contact you hear a distress call or break in, you:

A. ACKNOWLEDGE THE STATION IN DISTRESS

B. DETERMINE THEIR LOCATION QTH
C. ASK WHAT ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED

If you hear a distress call and can not assist, you maintain watch on the
frequency until certain that assistance is forthcoming to the caller

If you are in contact with a station and you hear a emergency call, on
your frequency you:
A. STOP YOUR CONTACT
B. TAKE THE CALL
EMERGENCY OPERATING PROCEDURES
HAVE BACK UP POWER TO USE YOUR
STATIONS IN AN EMERGENCY AND
NOT BY COMMERICAL AC LINES

HAVE SEVERAL SETS OF BATTEIRS

FOR HANDHELDS

DIPOLE ANTENNAS ARE A GOOD

CHOICE FOR PORTABLE AND OR
EMERGENCY HF STATIONS
RECORDING KEEPING, CONFIRMATION,
MAPS, CHARTS, ANTENNA ORIENTATION
QSL CARDS & STATIONS LOGS

QSL CARD IS WRITTEN PROOF OF COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN TWO

AMATEURS, TODAY THERE IS ALSO E-QSL VIA THE INTERNET.

QSL CARDS ARE A SIGNED POST CARD LISTING THE DATE TIME
FREQUENCY MODE AND POWER
 RECORDING KEEPING, CONFIRMATION,
MAPS, CHARTS, ANTENNA ORIENTATION
STATION LOGS AND QSL CARDS ARE ALWAYS
KEEP IN UTC (UNIVERSAL TIME COORDINATED /
FORMERLY GREENWICH MEAN TIME - GMT. GMT TO SET YOUR CLOCK TO GMT TIME
IS BASED ON THE LOCATION / MERIDIAN THAT LISTEN TO EITHER CHU CANADA, WWV
RUINS THROUGH GREENWICH ENGLAND. OR WWVH TIME SIGNALS IN THE
UNITED STATES

RECORDING CONTACTS AND KEEPING

STATION LOG BOOKS IS NO LONGER
REQUIRED BY INDUSTRY CANADA
 AZIMUTHAL MAPS
THE MOST USEFUL MAP TO USE WHEN
ORIENTING A DIRECTIONAL HF ANTENNA
TOWARDS A DISTANT STATION / CONTACT
IS A AZIMUTHAL MAP

A AZIMUTHAL MAP IS PROJECTED OR

CENTRED ON A SPECIFIC LOCATION AND IS
USED TO DETERMINE THE SHORTEST PATH
BETWEEN THE CENTRED AND DESIRED
LOCATIONS OF CONTACT.

A AZIMUTHAL MAP WILL ALSO SHOW A

COMPAS BEARING FROM YOUR LOCATION
TO ANY POINT ON THE MAP AND WILL
ASSIST IN ANTENNA PLANING AND
POINTING.
HF, VHF, Satellite Antenna Rotator
 LONG PATH

A DIRECTIONAL
ANTENNA POSITION
180 DEGREES
(REVERSE BEARING)
FROM THE SHORTEST
PATH IS REFEREED TO
LONG PATH.

IF LISTENING TO
LOCAL STATIONS
MAKING CONTACT
WITH DISTANT
STATIONS (I.E. DX
NEW ZEALAND) BUT
YOU CAN NOT HEAR
THE DX STATION, TRY
POINTING YOUR
ANTENNA IN A LONG
PATH DIRECTIONS
(BEAMED 180
DEGREES) AND
LISTEN FOR
INCOMING STATIONS.
QUESTIONS ????