WELCOME TO J O T A Badge and

WELCOME TO J. O. T. A Badge and Patch Activity Presented by: Mark Spencer, WA 8 SME Patch ordering info

Overview • Junior Girl Scout Amateur Radio Patch – The who, what, how, and fun of Amateur Radio – How radio waves travel – Use of “codes” to expedite communication • Cadette or Senior Girl Scout Amateur Radio Patch – – Journey inside of a radio Open, closed, and short circuits…a shocking experience Call signs…radio names On-the-air

What is Amateur (Ham) Radio? FUN

What is Amateur (Ham) Radio (government definition) • Amateur Radio is a radio communications service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal (nonbusiness) aim. – FCC Rules Part 97. 3

Ham Radio Operators • Come from all walks of life: young and old, boys and girls; without regard to ability. • Shared interest in many things including: – Communicating and meeting new people – Talking to new places around the world, around the block, or in space – Science and technology – Computers – Community service and helping others – Competitions – Learning new things and applying what you learn

How Do I Become a Ham? • Takes a few hours to study for a Ham Radio Operator’s exam – Study by yourself, with a group, or both – Books are available that have all the information you need, INCLUDING THE EXAM QUESTIONS • The entry level (Technician) exam is 35 questions, multiple choice – Exams are given frequently in this area • When you pass the exam (and you will), the FCC will issue your own, unique radio name…your call sign

Local Radio Clubs • Newington Amateur Radio League (NARL) – The local Ham Radio club that meets once a month – Participates in community activities and events – Holds Ham Radio classes throughout the year • Connecticut Amateur Radio League of Youth (CARL) – Ham club who's members are primarily young Ham Radio Operators – Participates in community activities and events – Conducts a weekly net (on-the-air gathering for chat) – Have their own club call sign K 3 KID • American Radio Relay League (ARRL) – National organization that supports Ham Radio

How Do Radio Waves Travel? Line of Sight

How Do Radio Waves Travel? Repeaters

How Do Radio Waves Travel? Sky Wave

How Do Radio Waves Travel? Via Space

Communication With Codes (Radio Shorthand) • • Morse Code abbreviations “Q” Codes Phonetic Alphabet Signal Reports…”I read you 5 by 5. ”

Morse Code abbreviations

“Q” Codes

Phonetic Alphabet

Signal Reports… ”I read you 5 by 5. ”

Radiogram Message Form

The Journey Inside a Radio • Major Radio Station Components – Transceiver • Transmitter • Receiver – Antenna • Antenna feed line – Input device • • Microphone Telegraph key Computer TV camera

Station Block Diagram Antenna Feed Line Mic or Key Transmitter T/R Switch Power Supply Receiver Antenna

Basic Electricity • The fundamental principle of electronics 1. Moving electrons create a magnetic field 2. Changing magnetic fields cause electrons to move • Electronics is how we manipulate moving electrons to create the desired effect

The Three Parts of Electricity • Voltage • Current • Resistance

The Three Parts are Related by Ohm’s Laws • Voltage = E • Current = I • Resistance = R • Ohms law is the most important relationship (formula) in electronics

Two Types of Electric Current • Direct Current – Electrons flow in only one direction – Batteries • Alternating Current – Electrons flow back and forth in a conductor – Electricity from your wall sockets

Electronic Circuits (pathways for electrons) • Complete (Closed) – Proper circuit to cause electrons to do something useful • Short – Direct path that bypasses a portion of a circuit (usually a bad/dangerous thing) • Open – A broken circuit with no completed pathway for electrons (usually a safety condition)

Electronic Schematics • Roadmaps of the inside of a radio • Used to build, trouble- shoot, and repair electronics

The Resistor • The component that impedes or restricts the flow of electrons in a circuit

The Capacitor • The component that acts like a very small battery. The capacitor temporarily stores energy in an electrostatic field between two metal plates

The Inductor • The component that stores energy by creating a magnetic field. The inductor is a coil of wire

The Transistor • Think of the transistor as an electronic valve that we use to control the flow of electrons

The Vacuum Tube • The predecessor of the transistor. Also a valve used to control the flow of electrons. • Not very energy efficient, used a lot of energy in heat • Some tubes still in use today (your computer/TV monitor)

Switches • Many kinds and types of switches. Opens and closes a circuit to either stop or allow the follow of elections. • Here a just a few symbols for various switches

Integrated Circuits • Integrated means to “place together” • Integrated circuits are collections of electronic components put together to do a particular task

Ham Radio Call Signs • WA 8 SME – W (A, K, N) = United States – 8 = from the 8 th call district (MI, OH, W. Va) – SME = The next letters in line when issued

Ham Radio Call Signs • DA 1 OY – D = West Germany • G 5 EPV – G = England • HL 9 AW – HL = South Korea

Ham Radio Call Signs • • VE = Canada XE = Mexico U = Russia BY = China J = Japan VK = Australia ZL = New Zeeland • • I = Italy F = France CO = Cuba PY = Brazil 4 X = Israel 5 V = Togo 8 Z = Saudi Arabia

Operating a Ham Radio Station • Calling any station “CQ” • Talk like you normally would except…only one person can talk at a time, that is called half duplex • Non Ham Operators talking on the radio is called “third party” traffic…some minor restrictions • Give your station call sign each 10 minutes • Contacts will be “logged” (recorded) so that QSL cards can be issued if requested

Operating a Ham Radio Station • Don’t be afraid to talk, you won’t break anything! • Have fun meeting new people…across the street, around the world, or in space: Ham Radio