This section contains some supporting hints and tips to what MUST be a practical demonstration supervised by a licensed radio amateur. You must have the band plans of the bands that you use available. Different transceivers will have their controls in different places.
· Switch on the equipment. Don’t forget that if an external mains power supply is being used you will need to plug this into the mains and switch the mains socket switch on, and the mains switch on the power supply itself.
· If the equipment is multi-mode don’t forget to switch it to f.m.
· Referring to the band-plan, tune in an f.m. voice signal.
· Adjust the volume control.
· You may need to adjust the squelch control. This is used to stop the background noise being heard when there is no signal being transmitted by other stations on the frequency. It needs to be adjusted so that a fairly weak station that transmits can be heard, but that when no station is transmitting, nothing is heard from the loudspeaker.
· Once you have tuned in the signal, read the ‘S’ meter if one is fitted. Remember the stronger the signal the larger the ‘S’ meter reading. Valid readings are from 1 to 9.
· Get familiar with adjusting the frequency, squelch and volume (sometimes called audio gain) controls on the receiver.
· Listen for a CQ call, and then transmit a response. Don’t forget to give your call sign in accordance with your licence conditions.
· When you respond, you will say something like “M0ABC this is M6XYZ, M6XYZ”.
· The other station will then transmit. You may be asked some questions, so make a quick note of what is being asked.
· When it is you turn again, say something like “M0ABC from M6XYZ, your signal report is 5 and 7; my name is Fred and I am in Poole”. Don’t forget to answer any questions as far as you can. You can also ask some questions.
· The other station will then transmit. Hopefully your questions will be answered.
· It is your turn again, so perhaps you want to finish the contact. You might say something like “M0ABC from M6XYZ, thank you for the contact. Hope to talk to you again soon. Best wishes from M6XYZ”.
· In order to make a contact through a repeater, we need to transmit either a tone burst or use CTCSS tones to open the repeater.
· Your tutor will guide you through this process.
· You will need to do this with any v.h.f. / u.h.f. transmitter that you wish to use with repeaters. Refer to the instruction manual that comes with the transmitter. If using CTCSS tones, remember to set the correct tone for the area of the country in which you are located.
· Switch the transmitter back to Simplex (turn off the Tone Burst and CTCSS).
· Referring to the Band Plan, tune to the Calling Channel.
· Listen to make sure that nobody else is using the frequency.
· Press the microphone PTT button and call CQ. “CQ, CQ. This is M6XYZ calling CQ” and let go of the PTT.
· Now listen.
· If you don’t get a reply within 10 seconds call CQ again.
· If you get a reply, make a note of the call sign of the station replying.
· Return to the station that replied, “M0ABC, this is M6XYZ. Please QSY to nnn.nnn MHz” (nnn.nnn MHz will be the frequency you have chosen in accordance with the Band plan). “If the frequency is in use, return to the calling frequency”.
· Wait for a confirmation from the other station, and then tune to the new frequency.
· Listen on the new frequency. If it is occupied return to the calling frequency.
· If the new frequency seems unoccupied, ask if it is occupied. “M6XYZ is the frequency in use please?” If someone comes back, then move back to the calling frequency, otherwise call “M0ABC, M0ABC, this is M6XYZ”.
· The other station will then transmit. You may be asked some questions, so make a quick note of what is being asked.
· When it is you turn again, say something like “M0ABC from M6XYZ, your signal report is 5 and 7; my name is Fred and I am in Poole”. Don’t forget to answer any questions as far as you can. You can also ask some questions.
· The other station will then transmit. Hopefully your questions will be answered.
· It is your turn again, so perhaps you want to finish the contact. You might say something like “M0ABC from M6XYZ, thank you for the contact. Hope to talk to you again soon. Best wishes from M6XYZ”.