27 / 40
25
FIND FREDDIE
1. The transmission of music is unacceptable in amateur radio.
2. Electrical current is a measure of how much electricity is flowing. It is measured in Amps.
3. Potential Difference is measured in volts. An AA battery has a potential difference between its connectors of 1.5
volts and is safe to handle although its connectors must not be shorted out. The mains is 230 volts and can kill a
person.
4. Band Plans are voluntary but the frequencies allocated to each amateur band are legally binding and you are only
licensed to transmit on the frequencies which are shown in the Licence Schedule.
5. A simple transmitter consists of a microphone and Audio Stage (picks up and amplifies your voice), a Radio
Frequency (RF) Generator (oscillator), a Modulator (the process of superimposing your voice signal on the
oscillator signal is called modulation), an RF Power Amplifier, and an Antenna.
6. Amplitude Modulation AM, Frequency Modulation FM, and Single Sideband SSB are all types of modulation.
7. Foundation licence holders can construct equipment using commercially available kits. Intermediate and Full
licence holders can design and build their own.
8. During transmissions the station must be clearly identifiable at all times. Unless specific requirements relating to
band/mode apply then callsigns should be transmitted as frequently as is practicable.
9. A Dipole is a type of antenna. It consists of two elements, often lengths of wire at HF, with a connection in the
middle to the radio.
10. VHF and UHF frequencies are used for line of sight communications.
11. Broadcasting, sending messages for general reception, is not permitted.
12. The Standard Phonetic Alphabet is not compulsory but it avoids confusion when talking to radio amateurs from
other countries that do not speak the same language.
13. Transmitters can cause interference to your own, and neighbours, televisions and some other electrical/electronic
appliances. EMC, Electromagnetic Compatibility, is the avoidance of such interference and has to be studied for
the licence exam.
14. The Tuning and Radio Frequency stages of a receiver tune in (select) the wanted signal and amplify it.
15. The ionosphere has a greater bending effect on the lower radio frequencies than on the higher radio frequencies
which are often not bent sufficiently to return to earth at all.
16. With VHF and UHF signals the best way to increase the range is to put the antenna as high as possible.
17. Where a UK call sign has a two character prefix the second character is a letter known as the Regional Secondary
Locator.
18. The Morse character for the letter E is a single dot.
19. Software Defined Radio allows you to change the design and performance of different parts of the radio without
changing the hardware (components).
20. Once you have been issued with an Official Record of Achievement you can legally operate an Amateur
Transmitter under supervision.
21. The use of offensive or threatening language whilst on the air is unacceptable in amateur radio. If it is heard it is
best ignored. Best practice is to let them be and tune to a different frequency. Responding can give the offender a
feeling of power and can even encourage them to step up their efforts to annoy you and others!
22. OFCOM stands for Office of Communications - it is the regulator authority for the UK communications industries.
23. In the early days many Radio Amateurs set their station up in a shed or “shack” in the garden away from the house.
We still refer to the room with our amateur radio station in it as our “shack” even if it is in the house.
ANSWERS ARE ON THE BOTTOM OF PAGE 28
Here are 23 facts. Some have already been mentioned. All are correct facts
that you might like to know. To help
you absorb
them Freddie the ARDF fox is
hidden 12 times in this booklet - each time close to one of the important facts
listed below. Three times before Quiz 1, twice between Quiz 1 and 2, three
times between Quiz 2 and 3, three times between Quiz 3 and 4, and once
between Quiz 4 and this page. Can you find Freddie in each section and tick
the 12 facts in the list below that Freddie is hiding close to in the pictures?