VHF and Above Opportunities for Technicians
Trent Fleming, N4DTF
RadioN4DTF@gmail.com
It seems today that the focus on licensing for most new amateurs is to upgrade quickly. Perhaps, especially for younger folks, there is a bit of the gaming mentality - completing a level, checking the box, and moving on. Some even take the first two tests - or all three tests - together. If this works for you, I say go ahead. But I find too many folks who pass the General or Extra exam and then sit back and say "what do I do now?" Ham radio is a hands-on, discovering and learning environment. The book knowledge and theory is important, but so is your experience.
In my opinion, one of the best things about our hobby is the wide variety of things you can do under the umbrella of ham radio. I think this is also true when discussing why people choose to enter the hobby. For me, shortwave listening and CB radio created my interest in radio communications. Others are interested in emergency communications, radio-controlled aircraft, or just obtaining their grandfather's call sign to keep it in the family.
Whatever the reason that gets you started, I think there is value in holding each class of license for a period of time, getting your feet on the ground, and gaining understanding. Some of the basics of using transceivers, connecting power supplies and antennas, and making your first contacts (QSOs) are the same across all bands and modes. I'd like to make an argument for exploring the privileges of each license class, and building on that knowledge to work toward the next. Test preparation and test taking is a lot easier when you have some context within which to understand the materials you are studying.
While it seems obvious, technician class really is a great place to start. Establishing yourself on FM in the local community is a great way to get your feet wet. Many hams start off with a handheld (HT) radio and are often disappointed when their signal is not heard well - or when they can't hear as much as expected. The key limitation is the antenna system, of course. But in denser metropolitan areas, repeater coverage (specialized radios that receive your signal and rebroadcast it with more power from a location with a good antenna) is so good that even your basic HT with a stock antenna will allow you get on the air. Repeaters level the playing field by providing good line of sight communications over a wide range, taking away the variables of point-to-point communications. On the local repeaters you will meet other hams in the area, participate in "nets" (which are roundtable exercises designed to both encourage activity and prepare for emergency communications), and learn of clubs and local activities. For many hams, repeater life becomes a foundation of our other activities, and you will find us using repeaters daily to keep up with friends, coordinate satellite contacts or exchange “spots” when chasing an exotic foreign (DX) station.
The Technician class license offers much more than FM repeaters of course. Technicians have access to voice, and CW modes on selected HF bands, and complete access in terms of modes and frequency on bands above 50mhz. In those bands two in particular stand out: 6 meters (50.0 to 54.0 Mhz) and 2 meters (144-148 Mhz).
In many areas, you will find FM simplex (point to point communications) activity on selected frequencies. The basic 2 meter simplex calling frequency is 146.520, and many of us monitor that frequency regularly, especially when traveling. You will typically find other simplex activity from 146.400 to 146.600. There's some use 146.460 as an off-road calling channel, for example. FM simplex will demand more from you in turns of antenna systems and operating practices. Many clubs and organizations sponsor periodic simplex nets to encourage members to be prepared to communicate in the event repeater systems are not available. I'm a big fan of this, as it advances our cause of preparation for service to the community during emergency situations. Simplex nets will also help you better understand the variety of propagation modes available on the 2 meter band.
Speaking of propagation, many hams work "weak signal" on 2 meters, using sideband, digital or CW, in order to make contacts when conditions are right (the sought after "band opening" ) using meteor scatter, tropospheric propagation, (a mode driven by temperature inversions or other weather phenomena) or sometimes even Sporadic E (which is not as common on 2 meters and above as it is on 6 meters)
6 meters (50mhz) is often called the Magic Band. It offers a myriad of propagation types, depending on the time of day and the time of year. Six is a band that shares many of the characteristics of HF frequencies, as well as those of VHF and above. The amateur bands have had a 6 meter allocation for many years, and in the 50s and 60s AM was even a popular mode. Today there are still some proponents of 6 meter AM and you will find them around 50.4. Over the last couple of decades, Six has gotten a boost from its inclusion on most modern HF rigs. All the features of the HF side of the radio are generally available on Six, including 100w output. Many hams run far less power than that and do quite well. My first 50 QSOs on Six were made with a TenTec 2 meter to 6 meter transverter pushing 8 watts into a simple loop at about 20 feet. When the band is open, especially during the late spring and early summer, there will be exciting periods of high activity and you'll be amazed at the contacts you can make.
One of the key ways 6 meters opens up is via Sporadic E. During the late spring and early summer, as well as in December and January, the E layer of the atmosphere behaves in such a way as to provide reflection for 50Mhz signals along single and double hop paths of 700 to 1400 miles. As mentioned, these openings are exciting to participate in, but not as predictable or reliable as propagation on the HF frequencies. Many of us keep a radio on 50.125 USB most of the time and occasionally call CQ to help in identifying an opening. 6 meters is also suitable for making meteor contacts. Signals are reflected from the ionization trails of ever-present meteors, allowing brief QSOs, generally for distances under 1000 miles. There is a regular meteor scatter group that meets on 50.145 USB daily between 7 and 8 am local time. Long distance voice contacts are also possible on FM mode, and there are a number of dedicated 6 meter FM operators around the country. These opportunities follow those on USB and CW, leveraging sporadic E to allow exciting contacts. From the Memphis area, (EM55), I have made contacts while mobile into Michigan, North Dakota, and Texas. Most FM work is centered around 52.525.
On 50Mhz and above, Maidenhead "grid squares" are the key exchange of any QSO, and many are working to gather contacts from all 488 of the grid squares in the continental US. You can also work toward "worked all states" on the VHF and above bands and VUCC which is a minimum of 100 contacts on 6 and 2, fewer on the higher frequencies. So there's no lack of paper chasing if you are so inclined.
Finally, you may have 6 meter FM repeaters in your local area, another way to help you establish a reliable system (radio and antenna and operator) on that band. As noted, many areas have 70cm (440 Mhz) and some may also have 1.25m (222 Mhz) band activity on FM repeaters. A lot of handhelds have 2 meters, 70 cm, and 1.25 meter bands these days, while some substitute 6 meters for 1.25 meters.
The Importance of Antennas
I came of age in the 70s, and my stereo system was critically important to my high school self. Thanks to mentoring from an older cousin and his friends in the music business, I learned early on that the needle on my turntable and the speakers on my shelves were the most important components. In ham radio, there's a similar axiom: the antenna is the most important thing. While many are tempted to run high power to get their signal out, a well-tuned antenna system will provide you with many opportunities for successful QSO's (contacts). First and foremost, you will have the best chance of hearing any signals on the band. Second, a properly tuned antenna system will protect your radio from damage when transmitting and allow you to transmit at the maximum power possible from a given system.
As I said earlier, f you live within 10-15 miles of the repeater(s) you wish to access, you will be able to stand outside in your back yard and make contacts with a simple handheld radio. But you will find that your home and car present obstacles to your signal getting out, so you will want to make plans to have an external antenna. In most cases, a simple magnetic mount antenna will work great on your car and can easily be removed and transferred from vehicle to vehicle.
For your home, you will find that a simple vertical antenna, mounted in your attic or (better) mounted on a 20-foot pole (two sections of chain link fence tops) will give you a much better signal and reception. For a simple, inexpensive antenna google "J-pole" and see how easy it is to build one. Such a setup will of course require some installation work, and a length of coax (connecting cable) but look, you signed up for a technical hobby: you can do it! And lots of local hams will help!
Take time to be sure you have the right connectors for your radio, again referencing your manual to understand the exact type of connector your radio has and comparing that to what is offered with the various antennas you will review.
In summary, here are some key points for you. First, get on the air. Ham radio is a social activity, and you will quickly tire of only listening once you have that license in hand. Every single one of us had that moment of fear and hesitation before we made our first contact. The most important thing you can do is to listen and understand the type of communications you are hearing. The typical evening nets in most areas are a great opportunity for you to make a first contact and break through your fear! Listen to the net control, and pay attention to how others communicate (we call this giving their exchange) it is generally quite simple: name, call, location, perhaps the weather at your QTH (location) or some other factoid. Just follow the leader. While there are - sadly - some grumpy hams, you will find that the great majority of us are friendly, and eager to welcome and help new hams. Note: if you are an established ham and find yourself in the aforementioned grumpy ham category, shake it off and find a new ham to help!!!!
SIDEBAR - programming a repeater offset
To get on the air with your local repeater, the most complex thing you will have to do is program your radio to properly access the repeater. Repeaters use tones and a frequency offset to do their work. The repeater offset allows the repeater to receive on one frequency and transmit on another. The tone controls access to the repeater so that unusual propagation events don't allow you to access the "wrong" repeater. You will hear the terms "repeater pairs" and "offsets," and we will cover this in more detail later. For now, you will just want to identify the local repeater and the tone that is used. Your local club's web site, or local repeater council's website, and often other sources, will offer a list of local repeaters with frequencies and tones. Then, it is time to have a look at the manual that came with your radio and learn how to program the necessary information. While it seems a bit intimidating at first, it is important to take time and figure out how to manually program a frequency. You may want to invest in software to allow you to simplify the process, but again, understanding the basic operation of the unit is important to your success with the radio. Many local hams are glad to help you.
Conclusion
Even if you sit for and pass all three license elements at one (wow! Good job!) you will find that the technician privileges are a great place to get started, and meet other hams who will help you on your journey. Get on the air and have fun!
