1	Amateur Radio KA6ACS A. C. Stelle Middle School
2	What do I have to do? Pass the qualifying exam for school credit. Pass the Federal Amateur Radio Exam Only those who pass the qualifying exam Privileges to operate on ham frequencies Your own station call letters Member of the ham radio fraternity
3	Why should I get on ham radio? (besides being fun) Cell phones work just fine, don’t they? Isn’t radio old technology – if I’m going to learn anything, it’ll be about computers. Don’t you have to be older to have a full ham license? Can’t I just get on CB or Family Radio Service? How is this going to help me? Except in emergencies, as we learned recently with Katrina. All around you, wireless technology is based on radio. Hams use computers with radios. No, there’s no age limit to getting a ham license with full privileges. Sure, but with limited choices and low power Self education, public service, competitive advantage, respect, sense of accomplishment, confidence, new skills
4	The fun part – a BIG party line! No limits, no charges, and doesn’t tie up the phone
5	Ham Radio Regulations Regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) No music, obscene language, payments for services, and no personal business No intentional interference No false signals or ciphers Equal rights to allocated frequencies 10 year license, renewable - no fee Self Regulating, but FCC-enforced – serious fines and prison for violations
6	Unique Amateur Radio Privileges Talk to stations in other countries, even astronauts! Talk through directly through satellites Output over 1000 Watts vs. 5 or less Communicate over long distances without infrastructure using ionespheric refraction. Voice, data, & video - yes, you can have your own TV station!
7	FCC Exam & Radios Pass a 35 question exam Rules, regulations, privileges, procedures and electronics 390 Published Questions and Answers! Passing = 26/35 (multiple choice questions) Take the Exam right at school ($4 fee). Buy a radio for $200 to $300 Operate School Club Station KA6ACS
8	What kinds of things are on the exam? Safety (High voltage, Radio Frequency Energy, Antennas) Regulations – what you can and can’t do Operating Practices – what do you say and some jargon Physical Science: Metric Units (SI): mega, kilo, milli, micro, pico Electromagnetic Spectrum Waves: frequency vs. wavelength, speed of light, refraction, reflection, amplitude modulation, frequency modulation Formulas: Voltage (E) = Current (I) x Resistance (R) Power (P) = Current (I) x Voltage (E) Wavelength = 300/f(MHz)
9	What will you have to do on your own? Read all 390 Q&As at least four times. Learn: Rules & Regulations Operating Practices Radio Waves Ohm’s Law, Power, Frequency & Wavelength Take practice exams at home, on-line, until you get 85% every time. Pass the qualifying exam. Pass the real exam at a noon session at school.
10	What will you do with your license? Talk to friends – make new friends – talk to people across the country and even the world and outer space – have fun! Provide Public Service: Sheriff’s Dept (DCS/RACES), Emergency Services, City, State, Country, and International Experiment – build, test, operate. Killer Science Projects! Gain a real hands-on understanding of current and future radio technology – prepare for high school and college physics. Join the USA pool of trained radio operators and electronics experts, and improve international goodwill (primary purpose!)
11	What’s Next? Learn the Questions & Answers; take practice exams. Operate the classroom station at lunch time. Set up your own station and get on the air! Join or start a service group. Help others get their license. Upgrade to General and Extra Class. More privileges and frequencies Harder exams Join Explorers, DCS, ARES or other service groups. Enjoy a BIG advantage in high school, college and in the job market!
12	Resources Mr. Beutel, KE6MAO and Guest Speakers Class Web Page Question & Answer List – 390 Questions Study Guides http://arrl.org for info about ham radio Practice exams http:aa9pw.com http://eham.net