KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

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2020 Extra Class study guide: E1A - Operating Standards: frequency
privileges; automatic message forwarding; stations aboard ships or
aircraft; power restriction on 630 and 2200 meter bands

Posted: 02 Apr 2020 08:45 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kb6nu...m_medium=email


One of the most important things you must do when operating an amateur
radio station is to make sure that your signal stays within the amateur
radio band or sub-band. So, for example, you don’t want to operate at the
very bottom of the phone band, if operating phone, or at the very bottom of
the CW/data portion of a band if your operating LSB AFSK. Nor do you want
to operate at the upper end of the CW/data portion of the band if you’re
operating USB AFSK. The reason for this is that your signals will illegally
extend outside the band or portion of the band where you have operating
privileges.
QUESTION: Which of the following carrier frequencies is illegal for LSB
AFSK emissions on the 17 meter band RTTY and data segment of 18.068 to
18.110 MHz? (E1A01)

ANSWER: 18.068 MHz
If you set your carrier frequency to 18.068 MHz, your signal will extend
beyond the bottom of the 17-meter band.
QUESTION: What is the maximum legal carrier frequency on the 20 meter band
for transmitting USB AFSK digital signals having a 1 kHz bandwidth? (E1A03)

ANSWER: 14.149 MHz
If you set your carrier frequency to 14.149 MHz, your signal could
potentially extend beyond 14.150 MHz, which is the upper limit of CW/data
segment of the 20-meter band.

This may also happen if you operate phone. When operating phone using LSB
on 40m or 80m, you must set your transmitter carrier frequency to at least
3 kHz above the lower band edge to ensure that your signal does not extend
into the CW/data portion of the band. For example, if you hear a DX station
calling CQ on 3.601 MHz LSB, it would be illegal to return that call using
LSB on that same frequency because your signal will extend beyond the lower
edge of the phone band (3.598 – 3.601 MHz).
QUESTION: When using a transceiver that displays the carrier frequency of
phone signals, which of the following displayed frequencies represents the
lowest frequency at which a properly adjusted LSB emission will be totally
within the band? (E1A02)

ANSWER: 3 kHz above the lower band edge
QUESTION: With your transceiver displaying the carrier frequency of phone
signals, you hear a DX station calling CQ on 3.601 MHz LSB. Is it legal to
return the call using lower sideband on the same frequency? (E1A04)

ANSWER: No, the sideband will extend beyond the edge of the phone band
segment

Similarly, you must make sure that your SSTV signals stay with the phone
segments of the band on which you’re operating. So, make sure not to set
your carrier frequency too low if operating LSB or too high if operating
USB.
QUESTION: What special operating frequency restrictions are imposed on slow
scan TV transmissions? (E1A12)

ANSWER: They are restricted to phone band segments

60 meter, 630 meter and 2200 meter bands



The 60 m band is one of the oddest amateur radio bands. One of the reasons
for this is that the 60 meter band is the only amateur band where
transmission on specific channels rather than a range of frequencies is
permitted. Practically, what this means is that the carrier frequency of a
CW signal must be set at the center frequency of the channel.

The rules for power output are also a bit arcane. The maximum power output
permitted on the 60 meter band is 100 watts PEP effective radiated power
relative to the gain of a half-wave dipole. The rules are written this way
to minimize interference between amateur radio operators, who are secondary
users of this band, and the primary users, which are primarily government
radio stations.

There are also power output limitations on the relatively new 630 meter and
2200 meter bands. The power limits are 1 watt and 5 watts, respectively.
QUESTION: Where must the carrier frequency of a CW signal be set to comply
with FCC rules for 60 meter operation? (E1A06)

ANSWER: At the center frequency of the channel
QUESTION: What is the maximum power output permitted on the 60 meter band?
(E1A05)

ANSWER: 100 watts PEP effective radiated power relative to the gain of a
half-wave dipole
QUESTION: What is the maximum power permitted on the 2200 meter band?
(E1A07)

ANSWER: 1 watt EIRP (Equivalent isotropic radiated power)
QUESTION: Except in some parts of Alaska, what is the maximum power
permitted on the 630 meter band? (E1A14)

ANSWER: 5 watts EIRP
Winlink

Some amateur radio systems automatically forward messages for other amateur
radio stations. Winlink is one such system. There is always a question of
who is responsible when an automatically-controlled station forwards a
message that violates FCC rules. If a station in a message forwarding
system inadvertently forwards a message that is in violation of FCC rules,
the control operator of the originating station is primarily accountable
for the rules violation. This is very similar to the situation where a
repeater is used to send messages that violate FCC rules.
QUESTION: If a station in a message forwarding system inadvertently
forwards a message that is in violation of FCC rules, who is primarily
accountable for the rules violation? (E1A08)

ANSWER: The control operator of the originating station

The first action you should take if your digital message forwarding station
inadvertently forwards a communication that violates FCC rules is to
discontinue forwarding the communication as soon as you become aware of it.
This is also similar to what a repeater control operator should do if a
repeater user is violating FCC rules.
QUESTION: What action or actions should you take if your digital message
forwarding station inadvertently forwards a communication that violates FCC
rules? (E1A09)

ANSWER: Discontinue forwarding the communication as soon as you become
aware of it
Operating aboard a ship or airplane

Operating an amateur radio station aboard a ship or an airplane can be a
lot of fun, but there are some rules that govern this operation. First of
all, you need an FCC-issued amateur license to operate an amateur station
aboard a U.S.-registered vessel in international waters. Also, before
operating an amateur station is installed aboard a ship or aircraft, you
must get the approval of the master of the ship or the pilot of the
aircraft.
QUESTION: Which of the following describes authorization or licensing
required when operating an amateur station aboard a U.S.-registered vessel
in international waters? (E1A11)

ANSWER: Any FCC-issued amateur license
QUESTION: If an amateur station is installed aboard a ship or aircraft,
what condition must be met before the station is operated? (E1A10)

ANSWER: Its operation must be approved by the master of the ship or the
pilot in command of the aircraft

Even when operating from a ship, there must be a control operator. Someone
holding an FCC-issued amateur license or who is authorized for alien
reciprocal operation must be in physical control of the station.
QUESTION: Who must be in physical control of the station apparatus of an
amateur station aboard any vessel or craft that is documented or registered
in the United States? (E1A13)

ANSWER: Any person holding an FCC issued amateur license or who is
authorized for alien reciprocal operation

The post 2020 Extra Class study guide: E1A Operating Standards: frequency
privileges; automatic message forwarding; stations aboard ships or
aircraft; power restriction on 630 and 2200 meter bands appeared first on
KB6NUs Ham Radio Blog.


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2020 Extra Class study guide: E0A - Safety

Posted: 01 Apr 2020 11:18 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kb6nu...m_medium=email


No matter what amateur radio activities you engage in, I hope that you will
engage in them safely. Every year, we lose amateur radio operators because
of injuries they sustained while putting up antennas or doing things that
could be dangerous. We dont want to lose you.

Perhaps the most common danger is from lightning strikes. To protect your
station, use an external earth connection or ground rod.
What is the primary function of an external earth connection or ground rod?
(E0A01)

ANSWER: Lightning protection

RF exposure is another hazard. One of the ways that RF exposure can be
hazardous is by causing human tissue to heat up. The amount of heating is
proportional to the specific absorption rate (SAR), which is the rate at
which RF energy is absorbed by the body.
What does SAR measure? (E0A08)

ANSWER: The rate at which RF energy is absorbed by the body

In order to prevent injuries from RF exposure, the FCC has set maximum
permissible exposure (MPE) limits. An MPE limit is the level at which
harmful biological effects can occur. Several organizations, including the
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) and the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) have provided the
data used by the FCC to set MPEs. RF exposure limits are most restrictive
between 30 and 300 MHz because the human body absorbs radiation at those
frequencies more than others.
Over what range of frequencies are the FCC human body RF exposure limits
most restrictive? (E0A03)

ANSWER: 30 to 300 MHz

Amateurs operating the microwave bands must also be careful. After all,
think about how a microwave oven works. High-power UHF or microwave
radiation can also heat up body tissue. Excessive RF exposure can also
result from using high-gain antennas when operating the microwave bands.
Which of the following injuries can result from using high-power UHF or
microwave transmitters? (E0A11)

ANSWER: Localized heating of the body from RF exposure in excess of the MPE
limits
What is one of the potential hazards of operating in the amateur radio
microwave bands? (E0A05)

ANSWER: The high gain antennas commonly used can result in high exposure
levels

MPE limits for the electric field and magnetic field of an electromagnetic
wave differ. There are several reasons for this. First, the body reacts to
electromagnetic radiation from both the E and H fields. Second, ground
reflections and scattering make the field impedance vary with location.
Third, E field and H field radiation intensity peaks can occur at different
locations.
Why are there separate electric (E) and magnetic (H) field MPE limits?
(E0A06)

ANSWER: All these choices are correct

The body reacts to electromagnetic radiation from both the E and H fields

Ground reflections and scattering make the field strength vary with location

E field and H field radiation intensity peaks can occur at different
locations

Remember to include your neighbors when evaluating RF exposure levels. In
some cases, your antennas may actually be closer to your neighbors’ houses
than they are to your house. That’s why FCC rules require that you must
make sure signals from your station are less than the uncontrolled MPE
limits when evaluating RF exposure levels from your station at a neighbor’s
home.
When evaluating RF exposure levels from your station at a neighbors home,
what must you do? (E0A02)

ANSWER: Ensure signals from your station are less than the uncontrolled
Maximum Permitted Exposure (MPE) limits

Typically, amateur repeater stations are located in places where there are
transmitters for other radio services, such as cell phone and pager
services. These sites should be regularly evaluated so that RF field
strengths don’t exceed the MPE limits. When evaluating a site with multiple
transmitters operating at the same time, the operators and licensees of
each transmitter that produces 5 percent or more of its MPE exposure limit
at accessible locations are responsible for mitigating over-exposure
situations.

When evaluating a site with multiple transmitters operating at the same
time, the operators and licensees of which transmitters are responsible for
mitigating over-exposure situations? (E0A04)

ANSWER: Each transmitter that produces 5 percent or more of its MPE limit
in areas where the total MPE limit is exceeded

Lightning and RF exposure are not the only dangers posed by an amateur
radio station. For example, in emergency situations, you may want to use a
gasoline-powered generator. One of the dangers posed by a gas-powered
generator is that its exhaust contains carbon monoxide. To ensure your
safety and those around you, make sure you use a carbon monoxide detector
wherever fumes may accumulate.
How may dangerous levels of carbon monoxide from an emergency generator be
detected? (E0A07)

ANSWER: Only with a carbon monoxide detector

Some of the materials used in electronics pose a danger to amateur radio
operators. They are used because they have some desirable electrical
property, but may be dangerous if used improperly. For example, beryllium
oxide is an insulating material commonly used as a thermal conductor for
some types of electronic devices that is extremely toxic if broken or
crushed and the particles are accidentally inhaled. Another toxic material,
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), can be found in some electronic
components, such as high-voltage capacitors and transformers.

Which insulating material commonly used as a thermal conductor for some
types of electronic devices is extremely toxic if broken or crushed and the
particles are accidentally inhaled? (E0A09)

ANSWER: Beryllium Oxide

What toxic material may be present in some electronic components such as
high voltage capacitors and transformers? (E0A10)

ANSWER: Polychlorinated biphenyls

The post 2020 Extra Class study guide: E0A Safety appeared first on KB6NUs
Ham Radio Blog.