RADIO PROCEDURES, Part 2
Most of this lesson is taken from Wikipedia with some from the ARRL website.
It was presented on the YL Net of Feb. 11, 2019 by AC4HH
Last week’s lesson stopped right before MICROPHONE PROCEDURE so that is where we will begin today.
First, we have a list of “dos” when using a microphone: --and some of these tips do not apply when talking on a net, such as this.
1. Do keep a correct distance between lips and microphone. If the distance is too great, speech is inaudible and background noises creep in; if too small, blaring and blasting result.
2. Do shield your microphone by turning your head away from loud noises when transmitting.
3. Do keep the volume low if you are using a headset with earphones.
4. Do keep speaker volumes to a moderate level.
5. Do give an accurate evaluation in response to a request for a radio check. A transmission with feedback and/or a high level of background noise is not loud and clear even though the message can be understood.
6. Do pause momentarily, when possible, and let the carrier drop. This allows other stations with higher precedence traffic to break in.
7. Do adhere strictly to prescribed procedures.
8. Do transact your business and get off the air.
Now, for the “Don’ts”
1. Don’t transmit while surrounded by people loudly discussing the next maneuver or event. It confuses receiving stations, and can result in a serious violation.
2. Don’t hold the microphone button in the push-to-talk position until ready to transmit. Your signal will block communications on the net.
3. Don’t hold a hand set in such a position while speaking the there is a possibility of having feedback from the earphone added to other noises.
4. Don’t hold a hand set loosely. A firm pressure on the microphone button prevents unintentional release and consequent signal drop-out.
5. Don’t send test signals for longer than 10 seconds, and don’t blow into the mike to test it.
Many radio systems also require the operator to wait a few seconds after depressing the PTT button before speaking, and so this is a recommended practice on all systems. . . . Pausing one second after depressing the push to talk button on the microphone or handset is sufficient in most cases to prevent missed words or responses.
Further, transmissions should be kept as short as possible; a maximum limit of 20 or 30 seconds is typically suggested. However, on this net, we do not have any time limits other than letting the repeater drop every 3 minutes to reset itself and the FCC requirement that every 10 minutes and at the end of a transmission we are required to give our ID call sign. We’ll talk more about nets in another lesson. Right now, we look at radio call signs.
Radio call signs are globally unique identifiers assigned to all stations that are required to obtain a license in order to emit RF energy. The identifiers consist of from 3 to 9 letters and numbers, and are specified by radio regulations.
Each country is assigned a range of prefixes then that country is responsible for allocating call signs.
The United States has been assigned the prefixes A, K, N, and W, which are used for amateur calls, as well as three-letter prefixes AAA-ALZ, which are reserved for the military branches. Amateur call signs have one or two-letter prefixes followed by a single number (0-9) then have two or three-letter suffixes.
That’s where we will stop for tonight. Next time we’ll start with “Radio Discipline.”
This is AC4HH returning to net control. Over