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.

Ham Radio

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

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.

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 Return to ... (place).
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 Is my transmission being interfered with? [AP14]	I am being interfered with [AP13] or Your transmission is being interfered with ... [AP14] (1. nil 2. slightly 3. moderately 4. severely 5. extremely).
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 Are you a low traffic ship? [AP14]	I am a cargo vessel. [AP13] or I am a low traffic ship. [AP14]
QSD	Is my keying defective? [AP13] or Are my signals mutilated? [AP14]	Your keying is defective. [AP13] or Your signals are mutilated. [AP14]
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 Will you inform ... (call sign) that I have been unable to break in on his transmission (on ... kHz (or MHz)).
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 Will you listen to ... (call sign(s)) on ... kHz (or MHz), or in the bands ... / channels ... ? [AP14]	I am listening to ... (call sign(s)) on ... kHz (or MHz). [AP13] or I am listening to ... (call sign(s)) on ... kHz (or MHz), or in the bands ... / channels ... [AP14]
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 What is my TRUE bearing from ... (call sign)? or What is the TRUE bearing of ... (call sign) from ... (call sign)?	Your TRUE bearing from me is ... degrees at ... hours. or Your TRUE bearing from ... (call sign) was ... degrees at ... hours. or The TRUE bearing of ... (call sign) from ... (call sign) was ... degrees at ... hours.
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 Will you request ... to send two dashes of ten seconds followed by his call sign (repeated ... times) on ... kHz (or MHz)?	I am going to send two dashes of ten seconds each followed by my call sign (repeated ... times) (on ... kHz (or MHz)). or I have requested ... to send two dashes of ten seconds followed by his call sign (repeated ... times) on ... kHz (or MHz).
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 Are you airborne?	I have left dock (or port). or I am airborne.
QTP	Are you going to enter dock (or port)? or Are you going to alight (or land)?	I am going to enter dock (or port). or I am going to alight (or land).
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 Will you send your call sign (and/or name) for ... seconds? [AP14]	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 I will send my call sign (and/or name) for ... seconds. [AP14]
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 Can you speak in ... (language), - with interpreter if necessary; if so, on what frequencies? [AP14]	I can use telephony in ... (language) on ... kHz (or MHz). [AP13] or I can speak in ... (language) on ... kHz (or MHz). [AP14]
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 I shall be forced to alight (or land) at ... (position or place) at ... hours. [AP13]
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 ... or (in the vicinity of ... latitude, ... longitude) or (in the vicinity of ...) please indicate their position, TRUE course and speed? or 2. When directed to a single station: [AP14] please indicate their position, TRUE course and speed?	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.

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.