vhf/uhf operations – are you ready for an emergency?

VHF/UHF Operations – VHF/UHF Operations – Are you ready for an Are you ready for an

emergency?emergency?

Mar 2011 BVARC MeetingMar 2011 BVARC Meeting

Kirk KK2Z – Basic FM OperationsKirk KK2Z – Basic FM OperationsAllen NQ5B – Emergency Ops, RACES, ARESAllen NQ5B – Emergency Ops, RACES, ARESMike N5VCX – Public Service EventsMike N5VCX – Public Service Events

What do you need?What do you need?

VHFVHF//UHFUHF/Microwave Bands/Microwave Bands

Icom America

FM Signals – what’s different?FM Signals – what’s different?

• Signal Strength

• Capture Effect

• Noise immunity

Repeaters – DiagramRepeaters – Diagram

Repeaters – Input/Output OffsetRepeaters – Input/Output Offset

Why an +/- Offset?Why an +/- Offset?  In order to receive and transmit at the same time, In order to receive and transmit at the same time,

repeaters use two different frequencies. repeaters use two different frequencies.

6 meters 1 MHz (0.5 MHz)

2 meters 0.6 MHz

1.25 meters 1.6 MHz

70 cm 5 MHz

33 cm 12 MHz

23 cm 20 MHz

Repeaters – TonesRepeaters – Tones

PL = Private Line (Motorola Proprietary Name)a.k.a

CTCSS = Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System

  67.0    94.8   131.8   171.3    203.5   69.3    97.4   136.5   173.8    206.5   71.9   100.0  141.3   177.3    210.7   74.4   103.5  146.2   179.9    218.1   77.0   107.2  151.4   183.5    225.7   79.7   110.9  156.7   186.2    229.1   82.5   114.8  159.8   189.9    233.6   85.4   118.8  162.2   192.8    241.8   88.5   123.0  165.5   196.6    250.3   91.5   127.3  167.9   199.5    254.1

Repeater ExampleRepeater Example

KK2Z

167.9 167.9

167.9 167.9

WA5CYIRepeater

Offset -0.600PL 167.9

W5RH

146.94146.34

146.94 146.34

TermsTerms

Simplex Kerchunk

Squelch Tail Full Quieting

Doubling

Repeater Etiquette Repeater Etiquette

• Listen, Listen, Listen

• Use Plain Language

Don’t use Q-signals

• Don’t have to call CQ…but…speak clearly

• Take a breath…let someone join!

…and…

• ID every 10 minutes…it’s the law!

Joining an existing QSOJoining an existing QSO

1. Wait for a break.

2. Say (Your Callsign) … e.g., KK2Z

3. Wait to be recognized

Give the ones talking a moment to finish their thoughts…they’ll let you join!

Initiating a Call…Initiating a Call…

1. LISTEN!!! For 1 to 2 min to insure frequency not in use

2. Wait to make sure it is not simply a pause in the call

3. If no call in progress...

4. Ask if the frequency is in use. If not in use… Say

(Your Callsign) Call any station

KK2Z

KK2Z listening

KK2Z monitoring

(Other Callsign)

(Your Callsign)

Call specific station

W5RH KK2Z

Ending a callEnding a call

When you finish a conversation…• Each side of the call should transmit their “final”

(…just like on the phone…Say goodbye)• Acknowledge all in the call …

(Other Callsigns) (Your Callsign)• If you are staying on frequency…

(Your Call) monitoring• If you are leaving (no longer listening)…

(Your Call) clear

In an Emergency…In an Emergency…

1. Wait for a pause in the repeater activity.

2. Say…

BREAK, BREAK BREAK (Your Callsign)“

…or…

EMERGENCY EMERGENCY (Your Callsign)

3. Allow net control or someone on frequency to respond all other traffic STOPS!

4. Pass all necessary emergency information.

Questions?Questions?

???

Backup SlidesBackup Slides

VHFVHF//UHFUHF/Microwave Bands/Microwave BandsUltra Frequencies:

2300 - 2310 MHz 2390 - 2450 MHz 3300 - 3500 MHz 5650 - 5925 MHz 10.0 - 10.5 GHz 24.0 - 24.25 GHz 47.0 - 47.2 GHz 76.0 - 81.9 GHz119.98 - 120.02 GHz142 - 149 GHz241 - 250 GHz

ALL above 300 GHz

6 M 50-54 MHz

2 M 144-148 MHz

1.25 M 219-220 MHz

222-225 MHz

70 cm 420-450 MHz

33 cm 902-928 MHz

23 cm 1240-1300 MHz