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Ham Radio
(See also: Software-Defined Radio)
Ham Radio is an old hobby that has origins as far back as the late 1800's. It was formalized as a hobby in the early 20th century. It is an over-regulated piece of shit, but what isn't now a days.
Contents
Testing In The US
Element 2 Technician 35 out of 426 questions from this pool
| Frequencies | 80m | 40m | 15m | 10m | 6m | 2m | 1.25m | 70cm | 33cm | 23cm |
Element 3 General 35 out of 462 questions from this pool
| Frequencies | 2200m | 630m | 160m | 80m | 60m | 40m | 30m | 20m | 17m |
| 15m | 12m | 10m | 6m | 2m | 1.25m | 70cm | 33cm | 23cm |
Element 4 Amateur Extra 50 out of 712 questions from this pool
| Frequencies | 2200m | 630m | 160m | 80m | 60m | 40m | 30m | 20m | 17m |
| 15m | 12m | 10m | 6m | 2m | 1.25m | 70cm | 33cm | 23cm |
Find Testing Locations In The US
Get Your FCC Registration Number
You will need either an FCC Registration or Social Security number in order to take the exam. It is not necessary to register beforehand with the FCC, but it will speed things along if you bring the paperwork.
FCC License Data Search
For a fee of $15 USD you may take one or all three tests in one sitting at no additional charge. If you fail a test, you may spend an additional $15 USD to retake it. Your license is good for 10 years with a 2 year grace period to retest after expiration. You are no longer required to know Morse code for any of these tests.
FCC Part 97 The US Amateur Rulebook
Maths You Should Know
Ohm's Law
| Solve For Watts | Amp2 x Ohm | Volt2 / Ohm | Volt x Amp |
| Solve For Volts | Amp x Ohm | √Watt x Ohm | Watt / Amp |
| Solve For Amps | Volt / Ohm | Watt / Volt | √Watt / Ohm |
| Solve For Ohms | Volt2 / Watt | Volt / Amp | Watt / Amp2 |
Speed of Light Is a Constant 299,792,458 Meters Per Second
Wavelength is represented in Meters as λ
Frequency is represented in Mega Hertz as f
Speed of Light c (300MM) / Frequency f (MHz) = Wavelength λ (Meters)
This is the basic formula to find full wavelength in meters for a given frequency.
Antennas
Loop Antennas are full wavelength with one element.
c/f=λ Element Length
Dipoles are half wave with two elements.
c/f/2 = λ/2 Element Lengths
Ground Planes must be at least quarter wave with one vertical and four radial elements.
c/f/4 = λ Vertical Element Length
c/f/4 = λ Radial Element Lengths
3 Element Yagi Yagis are directional antennas consisting of a boom with reflector, driven, and director elements.
c/f = λ*.495 = Reflector Element Length
c/f = λ*.125 = Boom Separation Length
c/f = λ*.473 = Driven Element Length
c/f = λ*.125 = Boom Separation Length
c/f = λ*.440 = Director Element Length
Polarization
Ionosphere
Electrical Components
ITU Radio Bands
| VLF | LF | MF | HF | VHF | UHF | SHF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 to 30 kHz | 30 to 300 kHz | 300 to 3 MHz | 3 to 30 MHz | 30 to 300 MHz | 300 to 3 GHz | 3 to 30 GHz |
Feedline
RG6 is common and cheap, but higher resistance at 75 Ohms. You should not use this.
RG58 is cheap, 50 Ohms, and perfectly acceptable for HF.
RG8X is slightly more expensive than RG58, but lower loss.
RG213 is double the price of RG58 and RG8X, but lower attenuation at higher frequencies.
RG8U is almost identical to RG213 in price and attenuation, but has lower loss per 100ft.
LMR400 is exceptional at higher frequencies as well as low. If your software radio can do 1GHz-6GHz, this is what you get.
Transceiver Type
Q Code
A Q Code is a shorthand for Ham Radio. It was formalized in the Morse Code days.
These are the standardized, modern Q Codes recognized internationally.
| Question ? | Answer or Advice | |
|---|---|---|
| QRA | What is the name of your vessel (or station)? | The name of my vessel (or station) is ... |
| QRB | How far approximately are you from my station? | The approximate distance between our stations is ... nautical miles (or km). |
| QRC | By what private enterprise (or state administration) are the accounts for charges for your station settled? | The accounts for charges of my station are settled by the private enterprise ... (or state administration). |
| QRD | Where are you bound for and where are you from? | I am bound for ... from ... |
| QRE | What is your estimated time of arrival at ... (or over ...) (place)? | My estimated time of arrival at ... (or over ...) (place) is ... hours. |
| QRF | Are you returning to ... (place)? | I am returning to ... (place). or |
| QRG | Will you tell me my exact frequency (or that of ...)? | Your exact frequency (or that of ...) is ... kHz (or MHz). |
| QRH | Does my frequency vary? | Your frequency varies. |
| QRI | How is the tone of my transmission? | The tone of your transmission is ... 1. good 2. variable 3. bad. |
| QRJ | How many radiotelephone calls have you to book? | I have ... radiotelephone calls to book. |
| QRK | What is the intelligibility of my signals (or those of ...)? | The intelligibility of your signals (or those of ...) is ... 1. bad 2. poor 3. fair 4. good 5. excellent. |
| QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy (or I am busy with ...). Please do not interfere. |
| QRM | Are you being interfered with? [AP13] or |
I am being interfered with [AP13] or |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static? | I am troubled by static (1. nil 2. slightly 3. moderately 4. severely 5. extremely). |
| QRO | Shall I increase transmitter power? | Increase transmitter power. |
| QRP | Shall I decrease transmitter power? | Decrease transmitter power. |
| QRQ | Shall I send faster? | Send faster (... words per minute). |
| QRR | Are you ready for automatic operation? | I am ready for automatic operation. Send at ... words per minute. |
| QRS | Shall I send more slowly? | Send more slowly (... words per minute). |
| QRT | Shall I stop sending? | Stop sending. |
| QRU | Have you anything for me? | I have nothing for you. |
| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready. |
| QRW | Shall I inform ... that you are calling him on ... kHz (or MHz)? | Please inform ... that I am calling him on ... kHz (or MHz). |
| QRX | When will you call me again? | I will call you again at ... hours (on ... kHz (or MHz)). |
| QRY | What is my turn? (Relates to communication). |
Your turn is Number ... (or according to any other indication). (Relates to communication). |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by ... (on ... kHz (or MHz)). |
| QSA | What is the strength of my signals (or those of ...)? | The strength of your signals (or those of ...) is 1. scarcely perceptible 2. weak 3. fairly good 4. good 5. very good. |
| QSB | Are my signals fading? | Your signals are fading. |
| QSC | Are you a cargo vessel? [AP13] or |
I am a cargo vessel. [AP13] or |
| QSD | Is my keying defective? [AP13] or |
Your keying is defective. [AP13] or |
| QSE* | What is the estimated drift of the survival craft? | The estimated drift of the survival craft is ... (figures and units). |
| QSF* | Have you effected rescue? | I have effected rescue and am proceeding to ... base (with ... persons injured requiring ambulance). |
| QSG | Shall I send ... telegrams at a time? | Send ... telegrams at a time. |
| QSH | Are you able to home on your direction-finding equipment? | I am able to home on my D/F equipment (on station ...). |
| QSI | I have been unable to break in on your transmission. or | |
| QSJ | What is the charge to be collected to ... including your internal charge? | The charge to be collected to ... including my internal charge is ... francs. |
| QSK | Can you hear me between your signals and if so can I break in on your transmission? | I can hear you between my signals; break in on my transmission. |
| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I am acknowledging receipt. |
| QSM | Shall I repeat the last telegram which I sent you (or some previous telegram)? | Repeat the last telegram which you sent me (or telegram(s) number(s) ...). |
| QSN | Did you hear me (or ... (call sign)) on ... kHz (or MHz)? | I did hear you (or ... (call sign)) on ... kHz (or MHz). |
| QSO | Can you communicate with ... direct (or by relay)? | I can communicate with ... direct (or by relay through ...). |
| QSP | Will you relay to ... free of charge? | I will relay to ... free of charge. |
| QSQ | Have you a doctor on board (or is ... (name of person) on board)? | I have a doctor on board (or ... (name of person) is on board). |
| QSR | Shall I repeat the call on the calling frequency? | Repeat your call on the calling frequency; did not hear you (or have interference). |
| QSS | What working frequency will you use? | I will use the working frequency ... kHz (or MHz) (in the HF bands normally only the last three figures of the frequency need be given). |
| QSU | Shall I send or reply on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)) (with emissions of class ...)? | Send or reply on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)) (with emissions of class ...). |
| QSV | Shall I send a series of Vs on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz))? | Send a series of Vs on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)). |
| QSW | Will you send on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)) (with emissions of class ...)? | I am going to send on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)) (with emissions of class ...). |
| QSX | Will you listen to ... (call sign(s)) on ... kHz (or MHz)? [AP13] or |
I am listening to ... (call sign(s)) on ... kHz (or MHz). [AP13] or |
| QSY | Shall I change to transmission on another frequency? | Change to transmission on another frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)). |
| QSZ | Shall I send each word or group more than once? | Send each word or group twice (or ... times). |
| QTA | Shall I cancel telegram (or message) number ... ? | Cancel telegram (or message) number ... |
| QTB | Do you agree with my counting of words? | I do not agree with your counting of words; I will repeat the first letter or digit of each word or group. |
| QTC | How many telegrams have you to send? | I have ... telegrams for you (or for ...). |
| QTD* | What has the rescue vessel or rescue aircraft recovered? | ... (identification) has recovered ... 1. ... (number) survivors 2. wreckage 3. ... (number) bodies. |
| QTE | What is my TRUE bearing from you? or |
Your TRUE bearing from me is ... degrees at ... hours. or |
| QTF | Will you give me the position of my station according to the bearings taken by the direction-finding stations which you control? | The position of your station according to the bearings taken by the D/F stations which I control was ... latitude, ... longitude (or other indication of position), class ... at ... hours. |
| QTG | Will you send two dashes of ten seconds each followed by your call sign (repeated ... times) (on ... kHz (or MHz))? or |
I am going to send two dashes of ten seconds each followed by my call sign (repeated ... times) (on ... kHz (or MHz)). or |
| QTH | What is your position in latitude and longitude (or according to any other indication)? | My position is ... latitude, ... longitude (or according to any other indication). |
| QTI | What is your TRUE track? [AP13] | My TRUE track is ... degrees. [AP13] |
| QTI* | What is your TRUE course? [AP14] | My TRUE course is ... degrees. [AP14] |
| QTJ* | What is your speed? (Requests the speed of a ship or aircraft through the water or air respectively). |
My speed is ... knots (or ... kilometres per hour or ... statute miles per hour). (Indicates the speed of a ship or aircraft through the water or air respectively). |
| QTK* | What is the speed of your aircraft in relation to the surface of the Earth? | The speed of my aircraft in relation to the surface of the Earth is ... knots (or ... kilometres per hour or ... statute miles per hour). |
| QTL* | What is your TRUE heading? | My TRUE heading is ... degrees. |
| QTM* | What is your MAGNETIC heading? | My MAGNETIC heading is ... degrees. |
| QTN | At what time did you depart from ... (place)? | I departed from ... (place) at ... hours. |
| QTO | Have you left dock (or port)? or |
I have left dock (or port). or |
| QTP | Are you going to enter dock (or port)? or |
I am going to enter dock (or port). or |
| QTQ | Can you communicate with my station by means of the International Code of Signals (INTERCO)? | I am going to communicate with your station by means of the International Code of Signals (INTERCO). |
| QTR | What is the correct time? | The correct time is ... hours. |
| QTS | Will you send your call sign for tuning purposes or so that your frequency can be measured now (or at ... hours) on ... kHz (or MHz)? [AP13] or |
I will send my call sign for tuning purposes or so that my frequency may be measured now (or at ... hours) on ... kHz (or MHz). [AP13] or |
| QTT | The identification signal which follows is superimposed on another transmission. | |
| QTU | What are the hours during which your station is open? | My station is open from ... to ... hours. |
| QTV | Shall I stand guard for you on the frequency of ... kHz (or MHz) (from ... to ... hours)? | Stand guard for me on the frequency of ... kHz (or MHz) (from ... to ... hours). |
| QTW* | What is the condition of survivors? | Survivors are in ... condition and urgently need ... |
| QTX | Will you keep your station open for further communication with me until further notice (or until ... hours)? | I will keep my station open for further communication with you until further notice (or until ... hours). |
| QTY* | Are you proceeding to the position of incident and if so when do you expect to arrive? | I am proceeding to the position of incident and expect to arrive at ... hours (on ... (date)). |
| QTZ* | Are you continuing the search? | I am continuing the search for ... (aircraft, ship, survival craft, survivors or wreckage). |
| QUA | Have you news of ... (call sign)? | Here is news of ... (call sign). |
| QUB* | Can you give me in the following order information concerning: the direction in degrees TRUE and speed of the surface wind; visibility; present weather; and amount, type and height of base of cloud above surface elevation at ... (place of observation)? | Here is the information requested: ... (The units used for speed and distances should be indicated.) |
| QUC | What is the number (or other indication) of the last message you received from me (or from ... (call sign))? | The number (or other indication) of the last message I received from you (or from ... (call sign)) is ... |
| QUD | Have you received the urgency signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station)? | I have received the urgency signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station) at ... hours. |
| QUE | Can you use telephony in ... (language), with interpreter if necessary; if so, on what frequencies? [AP13] or |
I can use telephony in ... (language) on ... kHz (or MHz). [AP13] or |
| QUF | Have you received the distress signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station)? | I have received the distress signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station) at ... hours. |
| QUG | Will you be forced to alight (or land)? [AP13] | I am forced to alight (or land) immediately. or |
| QUH* | Will you give me the present barometric pressure at sea level? | The present barometric pressure at sea level is ... (units). |
| QUI | Are your navigation lights working? [AP13] | My navigation lights are working. [AP13] |
| QUJ | Will you indicate the TRUE track to reach you (or ...)? [AP13] | The TRUE track to reach me (or ...) is ... degrees at ... hours. [AP13] |
| QUK | Can you tell me the condition of the sea observed at ... (place or coordinates)? [AP13] | The sea at ... (place or coordinates) is ... [AP13] |
| QUL | Can you tell me the swell observed at ... (place or coordinates)? [AP13] | The swell at ... (place or coordinates) is ... [AP13] |
| QUM | May I resume normal working? | Normal working may be resumed. |
| QUN | 1. When directed to all stations: [AP13,14] Will vessels in my immediate vicinity ... |
My position, TRUE course and speed are ... |
| QUO* | Shall I search for ... 1. aircraft 2. ship 3. survival craft in the vicinity of ... latitude, ... longitude (or according to any other indication)? |
Please search for ... 1. aircraft 2. ship 3. survival craft in the vicinity of ... latitude, ... longitude (or according to any other indication). |
| QUP | Will you indicate your position by 1. searchlight 2. black smoke trail 3. pyrotechnic lights? |
My position is indicated by 1. searchlight 2. black smoke trail 3. pyrotechnic lights. |
| QUQ | Shall I train my searchlight nearly vertical on a cloud, occulting if possible and, if your aircraft is seen, deflect the beam up wind and on the water (or land) to facilitate your landing? | Please train your searchlight on a cloud, occulting if possible and, if my aircraft is seen or heard, deflect the beam up wind and on the water (or land) to facilitate my landing. [AP13] |
| QUR* | Have survivors ... 1. received survival equipment 2. been picked up by rescue vessel 3. been reached by ground rescue party? |
Survivors ... 1. are in possession of survival equipment dropped by ... 2. have been picked up by rescue vessel 3. have been reached by ground rescue party. |
| QUS* | Have you sighted survivors or wreckage? If so, in what position? | Have sighted ... 1. survivors in water 2. survivors on rafts 3. wreckage in position ... latitude, ... longitude (or according to any other indication). |
| QUT* | Is position of incident marked? | Position of incident is marked by ... 1. flame or smoke float 2. sea marker 3. sea marker dye 4. ... (specify other marking). |
| QUU* | Shall I home ship or aircraft to my position? | Home ship or aircraft ... (call sign) ... 1. to your position by transmitting your call sign and long dashes on ... kHz (or MHz) 2. by transmitting on ... kHz (or MHz) TRUE track to reach you. |
| QUW* | Are you in the search area designated as ... (designator or latitude and longitude)? | I am in the ... (designation) search area. |
| QUX | Do you have any navigational warnings or gale warnings in force? [AP14] | I have the following navigational warning(s) or gale warning(s) in force: ... [AP14] |
| QUY* | Is position of survival craft marked? | Position of survival craft was marked at ... hours by ... 1. flame or smoke float 2. sea marker 3. sea marker dye 4. ... (specify other marking). |
| QUZ | May I resume restricted working? [AP14] | Distress phase still in force; restricted working may be resumed. [AP14] |
These codes are specific to the Amateur Radio hobby
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| Code | Question | Answer or Statement |
|---|---|---|
| QLE | What is your expected signal? | The expected signal is low... |
| QNI | May I join the net? | You may check in... |
| QRA | What is the name (or call sign) of your station? | The name (or call sign) of my station is ... |
| QRG | Will you tell me my exact frequency (or that of ...)? | Your exact frequency (or that of ... ) is ... kHz (or MHz). |
| QRH | Does my frequency vary? | Your frequency varies. |
| QRI | How is the tone of my transmission? | The tone of your transmission is (1. Good; 2. Variable; 3. Bad) |
| QRJ | How many voice contacts do you want to make? | I want to make ... voice contacts. |
| QRK | What is the readability of my signals (or those of ...)? | The readability of your signals (or those of ...) is ... (1 to 5). |
| QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy. (or I am busy with ... ) Please do not interfere. |
| QRM | Do you have interference? [from other stations] | I have interference. |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static? | I am troubled by static. |
| QRO | Shall I increase power? | Increase power. |
| QRP | Shall I decrease power? | Decrease power. |
| QRQ | Shall I send faster? | Send faster (... wpm) |
| QRS | Shall I send more slowly? | Send more slowly (... wpm) |
| QRT | Shall I cease or suspend operation?/ shutoff the radio | I am suspending operation. /shutting off the radio |
| QRU | Have you anything for me? | I have nothing for you. |
| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready. |
| QRW | Shall I inform ... that you are calling him on ... kHz (or MHz)? | Please inform ... that I am calling him on ... kHz (or MHz). |
| QRX | Shall I standby / When will you call me again? | Please standby / I will call you again at ... (hours) on ... kHz (or MHz) |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by ... on ... kHz (or MHz) |
| QSA | What is the strength of my signals (or those of ... )? | The strength of your signals (or those of ...) is ... (1 to 5). |
| QSB | Are my signals fading? | Your signals are fading. |
| QSD | Is my keying defective? | Your keying is defective. |
| QSG | Shall I send ... telegrams (messages) at a time? | Send ... telegrams (messages) at a time. |
| QSK | Can you hear me between your signals? | I can hear you between my signals. |
| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I am acknowledging receipt. |
| QSM | Shall I repeat the last telegram (message) which I sent you, or some previous telegram (message)? | Repeat the last telegram (message) which you sent me (or telegram(s) (message(s)) numbers(s) ...). |
| QSN | Did you hear me (or ... (call sign)) on .. kHz (or MHz)? | I did hear you (or ... (call sign)) on ... kHz (or MHz). |
| QSO | Can you communicate with ... direct or by relay? | I can communicate with ... direct (or by relay through ...). |
| QSP | Will you relay a message to ...? | I will relay a message to ... . |
| QSR | Do you want me to repeat my call? | Please repeat your call; I did not hear you. |
| QSS | What working frequency will you use? | I will use the working frequency ... kHz (or MHz). |
| QST | – | Here is a broadcast message to all amateurs. |
| QSU | Shall I send or reply on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz))? | Send or reply on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)). |
| QSW | Will you send on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz))? | I am going to send on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)). |
| QSX | Will you listen to ... (call sign(s) on ... kHz (or MHz))? | I am listening to ... (call sign(s) on ... kHz (or MHz)) |
| QSY | Shall I change to transmission on another frequency? | Change to transmission on another frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)). |
| QSZ | Shall I send each word or group more than once? | Send each word or group twice (or ... times). |
| QTA | Shall I cancel telegram (message) No. ... as if it had not been sent? | Cancel telegram (message) No. ... as if it had not been sent. |
| QTC | How many telegrams (messages) have you to send? | I have ... telegrams (messages) for you (or for ...). |
| QTH | What is your position in latitude and longitude (or according to any other indication)? | My position is ... latitude...longitude |
| QTR | What is the correct time? | The correct time is ... hours |
| QTU | At what times are you operating? | I am operating from ... to ... hours. |
| QTX | Will you keep your station open for further communication with me until further notice (or until ... hours)? | I will keep my station open for further communication with you until further notice (or until ... hours). |
| QUA | Have you news of ... (call sign)? | Here is news of ... (call sign). |
| QUC | What is the number (or other indication) of the last message you received from me (or from ... (call sign))? | The number (or other indication) of the last message I received from you (or from ... (call sign)) is ... |
| QUD | Have you received the urgency signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station)? | I have received the urgency signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station) at ... hours. |
| QUE | Can you speak in ... (language), – with interpreter if necessary; if so, on what frequencies? | I can speak in ... (language) on ... kHz (or MHz). |
| QUF | Have you received the distress signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station)? | I have received the distress signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station) at ... hours. |
Notes for response to radiotelegraph Q-codes: Responses to a radiotelegraph Q-code query or a Q-code assertion may vary depending upon the code. For Q-code assertions or queries which only need to be acknowledged as received, the usual practice is to respond with the letter "R" for "Roger" which means "Received correctly". Sending an "R" merely means the code has been correctly received and does not necessarily mean that the receiving operator has taken any other action. For Q-code queries that need to be answered in the affirmative, the usual practice is to respond with the letter "C" (Sounds like the Spanish word "Si"). For Q-code queries that need to be answered in the negative, the usual practice it to respond with the letter "N" for "no". For those Q-code assertions that merely need to be acknowledged as understood, the usual practice is to respond with the prosign SN or VE which means "understood". On telegraph cable networks "KK" was often used at the end of a reply to a Q Code to mean "OK" or "Acknowledged". This practice predates amateur radio as telegraph operators in the late 19th Century are known to have used it.
Radiograms
To ease congestion on the line, the ARRL has made numbered radiograms to summarize direct messages to other users. These also are primarily used on CW transmissions. Other services, including the US Military, and the police, have their own Radiogram systems that are incompatible with this. The ARRL has other forms of radiograms, but the numbered system is the most common. An example of this in practice would be saying CALLSIGN CALL CALLSIGN2 ARRL SIXTY TWO CHRISTMAS. These are what are more commonly known as "Brevity Codes"
| Codeword | Expansion |
|---|---|
| Group One—For Possible Relief Emergency Use | |
| ONE | Everyone safe here. Please don't worry. |
| TWO | Coming home as soon as possible. |
| THREE | Am in _____ hospital. Receiving excellent care and recovering fine. |
| FOUR | Only slight property damage here. Do not be concerned about disaster reports. |
| FIVE | Am moving to new location. Send no further mail or communication. Will inform you of new address when relocated. |
| SIX | Will contact you as soon as possible. |
| SEVEN | Please reply by Amateur Radio through the amateur delivering this message. This is a free public service. |
| EIGHT | Need additional _____ mobile or portable equipment for immediate emergency use. |
| NINE | Additional _____ radio operators needed to assist with emergency at this location. |
| TEN | Please contact _____. Advise to standby and provide further emergency information, instructions or assistance. |
| ELEVEN | Establish Amateur Radio emergency communications with _____ on _____ MHz. |
| TWELVE | Anxious to hear from you. No word in some time. Please contact me as soon as possible. |
| THIRTEEN | Medical emergency situation exists here. |
| FOURTEEN | Situation here becoming critical. Losses and damage from _____ increasing. |
| FIFTEEN | Please advise your condition and what help is needed. |
| SIXTEEN | Property damage very severe in this area. |
| SEVENTEEN | REACT communications services also available. Establish REACT communication with _____ on channel _____. |
| EIGHTEEN | Please contact me as soon as possible at _______. |
| NINETEEN | Request health and welfare report on _____. (State name, address and telephone number.) |
| TWENTY | Temporarily stranded. Will need some assistance. Please contact me at _____. |
| TWENTY ONE | Search and Rescue assistance is needed by local authorities here. Advise availability. |
| TWENTY TWO | Need accurate information on the extent and type of conditions now existing at your location. Please furnish this information and reply without delay. |
| TWENTY THREE | Report at once the accessibility and best way to reach your location. |
| TWENTY FOUR | Evacuation of residents from this area urgently needed. Advise plans for help. |
| TWENTY FIVE | Furnish as soon as possible the weather conditions at your location. |
| TWENTY SIX | Help and care for evacuation of sick and injured from this location needed at once. |
| Group Two—Routine Messages | |
| FORTY SIX | Greetings on your birthday and best wishes for many more to come. |
| FORTY SEVEN | Reference your message number _____ to _____ delivered on _____ at _____ UTC. |
| FIFTY | Greetings by Amateur Radio. |
| FIFTY ONE | Greetings by Amateur Radio. This message is sent as a free public service by ham radio operators at _______. Am having a wonderful time. |
| FIFTY TWO | Really enjoyed being with you. Looking forward to getting together again. |
| FIFTY THREE | Received your _______. It's appreciated; many thanks. |
| FIFTY FOUR | Many thanks for your good wishes. |
| FIFTY FIVE | Good news is always welcome. Very delighted to hear about yours. |
| FIFTY SIX | Congratulations on your _______, a most worthy and deserved achievement. |
| FIFTY SEVEN | Wish we could be together |
| FIFTY EIGHT | Have a wonderful time. Let us know when you return. |
| FIFTY NINE | Congratulations on the new arrival. Hope mother and child are well. |
| SIXTY | Wishing you the best of everything on _______. |
| SIXTY ONE | Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. |
| SIXTY TWO | Greetings and best wishes to you for a pleasant _______ holiday season. |
| SIXTY THREE | Victory or defeat, our best wishes are with you. Hope you win. |
| SIXTY FOUR | Arrived safely at _______. |
| SIXTY FIVE | Arriving _______ on _______. Please arrange to meet me there. |
| SIXTY SIX | DX QSLs are on hand for you at the _______ QSL Bureau. Send _______ self addressed envelopes. |
| SIXTY SEVEN | Your message number _______ undeliverable because of _______. Please advise. |
| SIXTY EIGHT | Sorry to hear you are ill. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. |
| SIXTY NINE | Welcome to the _______. We are glad to have you with us and hope you will enjoy the fun and fellowship of the organization. |
Morse Code
Morse Code, also known as Continuous Wave (or CW) was once required for passing your test. It now is no longer required, but a good skill to have. Morse Code is easier to learn than you'd think. Each letter and number actually is based in the shape of the character. Learning this way is known as the Mnemonic method.
A person with satisfactory understanding has a WPM of about 30, while more advanced operators can have upwards to 90-110 WPM. Once you are an advanced user, you will no longer hear dits and das but you will hear the words as its own language.
Lightning Protection
If your antenna is outdoors, you should take precaution to prevent yourself and your gear from becoming dead. Metal antenna mounts should be grounded using 10 gauge insulated solid core copper wire. Your coax should have a lightning arrestor between the antenna and your equipment. The arrestor should be mounted near the lightning rod it's grounded to. To prevent moisture ingress, the arrestor and coax connectors should be placed in a plastic electrical box. If you have a wire dipole antenna, you should use ceramic insulators at both ends and guy rope to tie between two points.
