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Subelement T8
SIGNALS AND EMISSIONS
Section T8C
Operating activities: radio direction finding, contests, linking over the internet, exchanging grid locators
Which of the following methods is used to locate sources of noise interference or jamming?
  • Echolocation
  • Doppler radar
  • Correct Answer
    Radio direction finding
  • Phase locking

When there is radio interference, whether intentional or unintentional, you can use radio direction finding to track down the interfering noise source. This can be a directional antenna or some other means of determining where the offender is located. After you have a direction from two locations you can pinpoint where to go to find your culprit.

Last edited by aj9r. Register to edit

Tags: troubleshooting noise and interference definitions activities arrl chapter 6 arrl module 14

Which of these items would be useful for a hidden transmitter hunt?
  • Calibrated SWR meter
  • Correct Answer
    A directional antenna
  • A calibrated noise bridge
  • All these choices are correct

A hidden transmitter hunt, also known as a "Fox Hunt", involves having a hidden transmitter (the "fox") that transmits periodically while other operators attempt to find it. The simplest way to do this is to watch the signal strength meter on your radio while rotating a directional antenna to find out from which direction the signal is the strongest.

A calibrated SWR meter might be helpful for tuning your antenna, but for a fox hunt you may actually want an out of tune antenna -- since it wouldn't receive as well, it would be easier to see where the signal is coming from =]

Last edited by michael gaetano. Register to edit

Tags: directional antenna activities arrl chapter 6 arrl module 14

What operating activity involves contacting as many stations as possible during a specified period?
  • Simulated emergency exercises
  • Net operations
  • Public service events
  • Correct Answer
    Contesting

Contests are a very popular and fun use of HF. During a contest, all operators participating keep a log of what stations they have contacted and rather than having a conversation with them will exchange the minimum information required to confirm the contact and for the contest rules with as many stations as possible for the duration of the contest.

Last edited by loubarchey. Register to edit

Tags: activities arrl chapter 6 arrl module 14

Which of the following is good procedure when contacting another station in a contest?
  • Sign only the last two letters of your call if there are many other stations calling
  • Contact the station twice to be sure that you are in his log
  • Correct Answer
    Send only the minimum information needed for proper identification and the contest exchange
  • All these choices are correct

Since the purpose of a radio contest is to see how many stations you can contact during the duration of a contest, the most important things are to make sure that both stations have accurately recorded the identification of the stations (so you should certainly not use only two letters of your call) and that you don't take more of their time than necessary, thus slowing them down (and so you shouldn't work the station more than once).

Always be brief, but also be concise and complete.

Last edited by seriousworm. Register to edit

Tags: activities best practices arrl chapter 6 arrl module 14

What is a grid locator?
  • Correct Answer
    A letter-number designator assigned to a geographic location
  • A letter-number designator assigned to an azimuth and elevation
  • An instrument for neutralizing a final amplifier
  • An instrument for radio direction finding

A Grid Locator, also known as a Grid Square, is basically a shorthand for location based on latitude and longitude. For more information visit http://www.arrl.org/grid- squares

Last edited by rccapps. Register to edit

Tags: definitions arrl chapter 6 arrl module 14

How is over the air access to IRLP nodes accomplished?
  • By obtaining a password that is sent via voice to the node
  • Correct Answer
    By using DTMF signals
  • By entering the proper internet password
  • By using CTCSS tone codes

IRLP: Internet Radio Linking Project DTMF: Dual Tone - Multi Frequency

DTMF is the generic term for Touch-Tone, which is a registered trademark of ATT. Your touch-tone® phone is technically a DTMF generator that produces DTMF tones as you press the buttons.

Communicating with an IRLP node requires the keying of DTMF signals, sent manually by key pad or automatically.

A repeater could require CTCSS (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System) or DCS (Digital Code Squelch) to communicate with it, regardless of IRLP, but IRLP itself does not depend on CTCSS or DCS tones.

Also, some repeaters require a special password that you send along with the DTMF signals, but the IRLP access is still accomplished by using DTMF signals.

Last edited by shivanshyshukla. Register to edit

Tags: arrl chapter 5 arrl module 10

What is Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?
  • A set of rules specifying how to identify your station when linked over the internet to another station
  • A technique employed to “spot” DX stations via the internet
  • A technique for measuring the modulation quality of a transmitter using remote sites monitored via the internet
  • Correct Answer
    A method of delivering voice communications over the internet using digital techniques

Think of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as Vonage or Skype. You're using the Internet to send the audio signal (voice) from a receiver (or a computer) to another radio or another computer for transmission through a radio

Last edited by y_ham. Register to edit

Tags: arrl chapter 6 arrl module 15

What is the Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP)?
  • Correct Answer
    A technique to connect amateur radio systems, such as repeaters, via the internet using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
  • A system for providing access to websites via amateur radio
  • A system for informing amateurs in real time of the frequency of active DX stations
  • A technique for measuring signal strength of an amateur transmitter via the internet

IRLP is one of several projects used for linking repeaters and other systems across the internet.

Amateurs use DTMF tones (phone keypad) on a radio to send control codes to the repeater to link or unlink with another repeater or node.

Similar technologies include EchoLink, AllStar, and Icom's D-Star network.

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Tags: arrl chapter 6 arrl module 15

Which of the following protocols enables an amateur station to transmit through a repeater without using a radio to initiate the transmission?
  • IRLP
  • D-STAR
  • DMR
  • Correct Answer
    EchoLink

Memory Aid: Echo = Repeat(er)

Technically there are ways with IRLP, D-Star, and DMR to access a repeater without using a radio, but they are generally discouraged by the maintainers of the technology.

By contrast, EchoLink is designed so that you can use the EchoLink application and a verified account to access any EchoLink-enabled repeater.

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Tags: none

What is required before using the EchoLink system?
  • Complete the required EchoLink training
  • Purchase a license to use the EchoLink software
  • Correct Answer
    Register your call sign and provide proof of license
  • All these choices are correct

Echolink is a system of Internet-connected repeaters that can be connected to with client software and used to receive and transmit on amateur radio bands (VHF and UHF). It is essentially a method of remotely controlling a station, so when using it you are the control operator of whichever station you are using.

Since you can't legally be a control operator of an amateur station without a license, whether control is remote or local, you must register your call sign and provide proof of license to use the network.

The other options describe things that are not required to use Echolink. Any licensed amateur radio operator can use Echolink and register for a login. But keep in mind you are still responsible for your actions and must still ensure that you do not violate any regulations when using it. This is particularly important to keep in mind when connecting to repeaters in other countries where you may or may not be allowed to operate a station!

Echolink clients are available for desktop/laptop operating systems, and less sophisticated clients are available for use on mobile devices.

Last edited by rjstone. Register to edit

Tags: arrl chapter 6 arrl module 15

What is an amateur radio station that connects other amateur stations to the internet?
  • Correct Answer
    A gateway
  • A repeater
  • A digipeater
  • A beacon

In computer terms a gateway is the name of a device that connects two different networks together; a router is a type of gateway. Thus, a station that connects a packet radio network to the Internet is also a gateway.

A digipeater is a station that receives packets and then retransmits them; it's the only distractor that would make any sense, but it has nothing to do with the Internet, though it is possible for a digipeater to also be a gateway.

Repeaters simultaneously retransmit signals on another frequency and are used for voice operation; beacons transmit some form of information periodically. Neither has anything to do with packet radio.

Last edited by dankleinman. Register to edit

Tags: repeater digital modes arrl chapter 5 arrl module 12

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