Lesson 12:
Routine Operation of an Amateur Station
Objectives:
When your students have finished this chapter they will be
familiar with the basic operating procedures for different modes.
Handouts:
You can create a customized Azimuthal Map for your QTH online. This
site only generates a low resolution map online, but you can download
the programmes to generate a high resolution map on your own computer.
Apparatus:
- HT's or VHF stations
- HF station
Lesson Plan:
What you are trying to accomplish is best summed
up by the first two paragraphs of S12.1. Remember that much of the
content of this chapter will have been learned by the students during
sessions on the club station during this course. You have been giving
them operating time haven't you?
- Check for any problems with homework from Chapter 11.
- Don't spend a lot of time on the Q-Codes. Tell the class they
have to know them and explain how they are used in practice.
- Do a 'whip around' and see how many students have learned the
phonetic alphabet.
- Try to get some members of your club on-site to help you with the
next two activities.
- break the class up into small groups under the supervision of one
of the Guest Instructors. Assign a simplex frequency to each pair of
groups. Using the call sign of the Guest Instructor each member of
one group can try a simplex contact with members of the other group on
the same frequency. The second group will use the call sign of its
Guest Instructor. Explain how to dial in the appropriate frequency and
function of the offset. There is little you can do about those who are
mike shy - time is really the only cure for this.
- If you can access a repeater then have the groups make contacts as
above. Reinforce the concept of repeater offset.
- Unless you are running a code class then S12.5 can be omitted. If
you are running a CW class then this is something for the students to do
while practicing their sending. However a computer loaded with
some sort of public domain morse tutor program is a quick way to show
off this mode.
- If you have access to an HF station then have the students attempt a
contact under supervision using the club call or the call of the
person supervising the activity. Nets on 80 metres are good place to
start. Let the class hear a net in operation and then ask if anyone on
net might be willing to chat with your students. Alternately get one of
your club members to meet you on air.
- Demonstrating the digital modes is best done by those who are
comfortable with this aspect of Amateur Radio. Here is another
opportunity for a Guest Instructor, either in the class or at the
other Amateur's station.
You may wish to mention to the students that RAC has an excellent basic
handbook on operating practices called The RAC Operating Manual, Survival
Skills for the Active Radio Amateur. It can be ordered online or from the
RAC office and is also widely available through Ham Radio dealers.
Homework:
- Read Chapter 12
- Do the Chapter 12 Quiz questions
- Skim Chapter 13
Chapter 12 Quiz:
Printable copy of the Review
Quiz
Answers to Chapter 12 Quiz
1 |
D |
21 |
A |
41 |
B |
61 |
B |
81 |
B |
2 |
C |
22 |
D |
42 |
D |
62 |
A |
82 |
A |
3 |
C |
23 |
B |
43 |
B |
63 |
A |
83 |
A |
4 |
B |
24 |
D |
44 |
D |
64 |
C |
84 |
D |
5 |
A |
25 |
B |
45 |
B |
65 |
D |
85 |
A |
6 |
A |
26 |
C |
46 |
D |
66 |
A |
86 |
A |
7 |
D |
27 |
C |
47 |
D |
67 |
A |
87 |
B |
8 |
D |
28 |
A |
48 |
D |
68 |
C |
88 |
B |
9 |
B |
29 |
D |
49 |
A |
69 |
C |
89 |
D |
10 |
C |
30 |
A |
50 |
D |
70 |
A |
90 |
A |
11 |
A |
31 |
C |
51 |
A |
71 |
B |
91 |
C |
12 |
B |
32 |
B |
52 |
B |
72 |
B |
92 |
C |
13 |
A |
33 |
C |
53 |
A |
73 |
B |
93 |
C |
14 |
B |
34 |
A |
54 |
B |
74 |
D |
94 |
D |
15 |
D |
35 |
B |
55 |
D |
75 |
B |
95 |
C |
16 |
D |
36 |
B |
56 |
D |
76 |
A |
96 |
A |
17 |
A |
37 |
B |
57 |
D |
77 |
D |
97 |
A |
18 |
C |
38 |
B |
58 |
D |
78 |
C |
98 |
C |
19 |
D |
39 |
D |
59 |
C |
79 |
D |
99 |
C |
20 |
B |
40 |
A |
60 |
A |
80 |
B |
* |
* |
There are no diagrams in Chapter 12.