Professional Documents
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the rules:
The Transmitter allows operation between 10 watts (Low power, Knob setting 2)
and 2.5 kW input (High power, Knob setting 11). Sometimes, when conditions are
bad, you might need to increase your power (QRO), and when the conditions are
better you would need to decrease your power (QRP).
Please understand that increasing your power will only make the transmitter
splatter.
Splatter = Your signal with will emit noise at frequencies other than your own.
Keeping good ALC levels are also essential for trouble free operation.
HamSphere AGC
The AGC, Automatic gain control can be set in both a slow or fast mode. It will limit
the incoming signal when the signals are strong and amplify the signals when they
are low (producing more noise)
The AGC will also control the S-meter response time to Fast / Slow.
HamSphere has a built in warning system for over modulation or excessive audio
input.
Your HamSphere transmitter is transmitting in DSB mode, which means double side
band modulation.
(Modulation = combining an information signal with a radio signal)
The DSB signal is wide, it uses both side bands and thus it is prone to splatter
(Adjacent frequency interference from over modulation) if you inject too much
audio or power into the transmitter.
Hence you will be given 3 warnings and after that the system will automatically kick
you off the system.
The remedy is to lower the microphone input either by using the mic setting or mic
volume mixer.
You should always strive to produce to a clear audio sound with good speech.
Speaking in a good clear tone and signal strength is also favorable.
* Reply to a CQ, or call CQ yourself. It helps keep alive the magic of ham radio.
* Speak clearly and slowly, especially when giving your call sign to someone you
have never worked before.
* Promote friendship and goodwill to DX contacts. Look for ways to get to know each
other rather than simply exchanging signal reports and 73s!
* Try to keep track of everyone in the QSO. Hopefully someone has assumed the role
of "traffic director" to make sure everyone has a chance to contribute to the
discussion. If not, don't hesitate to .
* Make it clear at the end of each transmission which station is expected to transmit
next.
* Operate on frequencies that are in whole KHz (e.g. 7.065 Khz). This alleviates
ambiguity and makes it easier for everyone to be on the same frequency.
* Do not transmit before first determining that the frequency is clear.
* Try to keep a separation of at least 3 kHz.
* Please refrain from breaking into an ongoing QSO unless you can hear the majority
of the participants.
HamSphere Cluster.
The Cluster shows activity by other users frequency / messages /alerts etc.
You can click on a frequency directly in the cluster window to make a quick jump to
that users frequency.
HamSphere Filter.
Hamsphere has 3 filters. Wide (3.8 kHz), Narrow (2.8kHz) and CW (800Hz).
The filters are used to remove QRM and to enhance readability of weak stations.
The CW filter will only be on in CW mode.
HamSphere Bands.
The VFO (Variable Frequency Oscillator) can be tuned to the following frequencies:
The VFO is displaying XX.YYY.ZZ (Example 07.055.00) where XX = Mhz, YY KHz and
ZZ Hertz.
07.055.00 is equal to 7055 kHz in the 7 MHz Band (40 meter)
The BC Band can be a good band to get away from QSO's and only listen to live and
preloaded Broadcast Stations. Users can also experiment as DJ (Disc Jockeys)
Q-Codes:
QRL Is this frequency busy? Used almost exclusively with Morse code
QRM Man-made interference There's another QSO up 2 kHz causing a lot of QRM
QRN Static crashes The band is noisy today; I'm hearing a lot of QRN
QRO Increase transmitting power I need to QRO when propagation is poor.
QRP Low(er your) transmitting power I'm using a QRP transmitter here, running
only 3 watts
QRS Send your Morse code more slowly Please QRS, I'm new to Morse code
QRT Stop sending I've enjoyed talking to you, but I have to QRT for dinner now
QRV Ready to receive Will you be QRV in the upcoming contest?
QRX Hang on a minute, I'll be right back Please QRX one
QRZ Who is calling me? QRZ? I hear someone calling, but you're very weak
QSB Fading of signal I'm hearing a lot of QSB on your signal
QSL Acknowledge receipt I QSL your last transmission
QSO A conversation with another Radio Station. Thanks very much for the QSO
QSY Change frequency Let's QSY up 5 kilohertz
QTH Location My QTH is Ystad, Sweden
QTR Exact time QTR is 2000 Z
ITU Phonetic:
You hear "Alfa Bravo Charlie One Two Three this is Delta Echo Foxtrot four five six,
DEF456 calling."
You respond by saying "DEF456 (using phonetics is best) this is ABC123.
Ending QSOs
You are required to at least give your own callsign when ending a QSO.
You can also end a HamSphere QSO by giving both call signs and signing off. For
example: "... thanks Luis for the contact and 73 to you and your family. DEF456 this
is ABC123 signing off and clear."
Callsigns
Amateur radio Call signs consist of a prefix and a suffix. The prefix is usually
composed of one or two letters and a number such as VE4 in Canada for the region /
province meaning Manitoba.
The number in the call sign generally refers to an area or a region of the country.
But some countries have prefixes that are composed of a number and a letter such
as 4X for Israel or 9K for Kuwait.
Signal reports
In SSB (DSB on HamSphere), if you clearly heard the message give 59. If the signal is
very weak and if you have to request the repetition or to guess words give 43 or so.
Give 31 if you did not understand, and in this case you would not confirm by saying
QSL. Avoid to systematically give 59 or 599, when you do not understand and have
asked your contact to repeat information ten times, like his callsign !
Instead of giving a 59++ report your signal is booming, do not hesitate to give him
the real signal strength report with dB (e.g. 59+20 d , especially if the station is
DXing.
Working CW
CW means Contineous Wave and operators use the Morse code (dots / dashes) to
key CW.
Some CW Jargon:
FB - Fine business
GL - Good Luck
TNX - Thanks
ABT - About
BK - Break (Usually used to let the other station come in with a comment)
AGN - Again
CQ - Calling any station
CU - See You
GB - Good bye, God Bless
GE - Good Evening
GA - Go ahead; Good Afternoon
GD - Good
HI - The telegraph laugh; High
73 - Best Regards
XYL - Wife
TU - Thank you (Usually used to end a QSO such as TU EE)
HR - Here; Hear
PSE - Please
R - Received as transmitted (Also keyed EN to confirm an over)
SRI - Sorry
RX - Receive, Receiver
TX - Transmitter; Transmit
UR - Your; You're
W - Watts
FER - For
GUD - Good
VY - Very
Readability
1 -- Unreadable
2 -- Barely readable, occasional words distinguishable
3 -- Readable with considerable difficulty
4 -- Readable with practically no difficulty
5 -- Perfectly readable
Signal Strength
RST Reports
Characteristics of a signal, its readability, strength and optional its tone quality, if
you work in Morse code are transmitted using the RST code. The signal strength is
usually based on the receiver S-meter reading, where readability and tone are
subjective values.
Each step of the signal strength double of intensity, beginning at 0.2 mV to end at 50
mV. Over 9 on the S-meter, the strength is given in dB, e.g. 59+10.
In CW, the tone can be followed with a letter : X stands for crystal clear tone, C
stands for chirp tone and K stands for clicks. The number 9 is often replaced with
the letter "N" (for nine) and 0 by T. So "599" gives "5NN".
LOG BOOKS
It is customary to keep a log book of your QSOs. Times should be written in UTC
(Universal Coordinated Time) also know as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) or ZULU
time. The log entries should reflect UTC, Station, QRG, Power etc.