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Subelement E2

OPERATING PROCEDURES

Section E2E

Operating methods: operating HF digital modes; error correction

Which type of modulation is common for data emissions below 30 MHz?

  • DTMF tones modulating an FM signal
  • Correct Answer
    FSK
  • Pulse modulation
  • Spread spectrum

Below 30 megahertz, DTMF with FM signal would take a large amount of bandwidth as well as spread spectrum. The only other options left are Pulse modulation, and FSK.

Commonly, Frequency shift keying is used on these bands, which modulates the frequency a bit with data.

Silly memory aid: The question asks about modulation below 30 MHz. FSK is the shortest/smallest answer.

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What do the letters FEC mean as they relate to digital operation?

  • Correct Answer
    Forward Error Correction
  • First Error Correction
  • Fatal Error Correction
  • Final Error Correction

Forward Error Correction is a means to prevent transmitted data that has been corrupted by noise or signal loss from being misinterpreted at the receiving device. It involves transmitting redundant data bits that the receiving device can use to verify the accuracy of the transmission. A simple form of forward error correction would be transmitting each bit of data three times (a triplet). The receiver uses an algorithm to interpret this data stream averaging the bits in each triplet to correct for noise. It then "decides" what the correct interpretation of the data should be based on that computation. Forward Error Correction does require more bandwidth than Backward Error Correction due to the additional data being sent as well as more processor time. But FEC is preferred for long range, single data transmissions that are subject to noise, as can occur with amateur radio transmissions.

SillyHint: we're all trying to move 'Forward' with our communications :)

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How is Forward Error Correction implemented?

  • By the receiving station repeating each block of three data characters
  • By transmitting a special algorithm to the receiving station along with the data characters
  • Correct Answer
    By transmitting extra data that may be used to detect and correct transmission errors
  • By varying the frequency shift of the transmitted signal according to a predefined algorithm

In Forward Error Correction (FEC), an algorithm computes "parity" information from the user data that is "sent forward" to the receiver so it can verify and correct transmission errors without necessarily relying on retransmission. Note the answers: An algorithm is used to encode and decode the data, but the algorithm itself is not sent, as the receiver should already have it.

HINT: Both the question & and the correct answer only contains the word "error."

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What is indicated when one of the ellipses in an FSK crossed-ellipse display suddenly disappears?

  • Correct Answer
    Selective fading has occurred
  • One of the signal filters has saturated
  • The receiver has drifted 5 kHz from the desired receive frequency
  • The mark and space signal have been inverted
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How does ARQ accomplish error correction?

  • Special binary codes provide automatic correction
  • Special polynomial codes provide automatic correction
  • If errors are detected, redundant data is substituted
  • Correct Answer
    If errors are detected, a retransmission is requested

In automatic repeat-request (ARQ) systems the transmitter sends the data and also an error checking code. The receiver checks for errors and request retransmission of erroneous data.

The key thing to understand is just the name – Automatic Repeat Request, sometimes called Automatic Repeat Query. It automatically requests that the packet be retransmitted when it detects that the previously received packet was corrupted.

Hint: When you see ARQ, think "reQuesT".

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What is the most common data rate used for HF packet communications?

  • 48 baud
  • 110 baud
  • Correct Answer
    300 baud
  • 1200 baud

This data rate allows HF packet transmissions to stay within the bandwidth used by other transmission modes such as SSB speech. This is important on the crowded HF bands.

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What is the typical bandwidth of a properly modulated MFSK16 signal?

  • 31 Hz
  • Correct Answer
    316 Hz
  • 550 Hz
  • 2.16 kHz

MFSK16 (Multi Frequency Shift Keying) is a way of transmitting digital data using multiple tones. In MFSK16 the number of tones is 16. Relatively high data throughput is attainable at unusually narrow bandwidth.

For example, a MFSK16 transmission at 62.5 bits/second (80 words/minute) has a bandwidth of 316 Hz. In practice, this text throughput figure is reduced by the need for forward error correction (FEC) characters.

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Which of the following HF digital modes can be used to transfer binary files?

  • Hellschreiber
  • Correct Answer
    PACTOR
  • RTTY
  • AMTOR

PACTOR is a radio modulation mode used by amateur radio operators, marine radio stations, and radio stations in isolated areas to send and receive digital information via radio. Of the choices presented it is the best mode to transfer binary files. Not to say it cannot be done in other modes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PACTOR

Silly Hint: You need to PAC(k) your files before you send them.

Silly Hint 2: PACTOR and binary both have 6 letters.

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Which of the following HF digital modes uses variable-length coding for bandwidth efficiency?

  • RTTY
  • PACTOR
  • MT63
  • Correct Answer
    PSK31

Similar to the way Morse Code has different lengths for different characters (E is one dot) PSK31 uses variable length coding where the most used characters are given shorter lengths to save bandwidth.

It was originally called varicode by its inventor, an amateur radio operator.

SILLY HINT: Question has "length" in it. Only two answers have numbers in them that you could use to measure a length. The correct "ONE," has "1" in it - D

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Which of these digital communications modes has the narrowest bandwidth?

  • MFSK16
  • 170-Hz shift, 45 baud RTTY
  • Correct Answer
    PSK31
  • 300-baud packet

PSK31 operates with a very narrow bandwidth of only 31Hz, with contacts spaced as close as 100Hz apart. As many as 20 conversations can be realistically squeezed into the bandwidth of a single 2.5KHz SSB transmission. [PSK31 Spectrum efficiency on Wikipedia]

MFSK16 uses about 316 Hz bandwidth.

Hint: (PSK) Pretty SKinny

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What is the difference between direct FSK and audio FSK?

  • Correct Answer
    Direct FSK applies the data signal to the transmitter VFO
  • Audio FSK has a superior frequency response
  • Direct FSK uses a DC-coupled data connection
  • Audio FSK can be performed anywhere in the transmit chain

Amateur transceivers use two different methods to modulate a signal using FSK: direct FSK and audio FSK. The difference between direct FSK and audio FSK is that direct FSK applies the data signal to the transmitter VFO. (E2E11) When using audio FSK, audio, typically from a computer sound card, is used to shift the frequency of the transmitted signal.

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Which type of digital communication does not support keyboard-to-keyboard operation?

  • Correct Answer
    Winlink
  • RTTY
  • PSK31
  • MFSK

Winlink is a store and forward type of messaging system offering worldwide radio email service that uses radio pathways where the internet is not present. Winlink users email with attachments, position reporting, weather and information bulletins, and used in emergency and disaster relief communications. winlink.org

For more on winlink, see Winlink network on Wikipedia.*

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