We are part of the world regulation of all things Broadcasting, Communications, Television and Radio. The regulating

body is the ITU, the International Telecommunications Union

23 – Radio Regulation In New 23 – Radio Regulation In New ZealandZealand

Frequency BandFrequency Band 1800-1950 kHz1800-1950 kHz 3.50-3.90 MHz3.50-3.90 MHz 7.00-7.30 MHz7.00-7.30 MHz 14.00-14.350 MHz14.00-14.350 MHz 21.00-21.45MHz21.00-21.45MHz 28.00-29.70 MHz28.00-29.70 MHz 50.00-54.00 MHz50.00-54.00 MHz 144.0-148.0 MHz144.0-148.0 MHz 430-440 MHz430-440 MHz

Metre BandMetre Band 160 metres160 metres 80 metres80 metres 40 metres40 metres 20 metres20 metres 15 metres15 metres 10 metres10 metres 6 metres6 metres 2 metres2 metres 70 70

centimetrescentimetres

The ZL Amateur Radio The ZL Amateur Radio BandsBands

• Signal Reporting

• Q-Codes

• Phonetic Alphabet

• Abbreviations

• Split Frequencies

• Repeaters

• Having a QSO

Operating PracticesOperating Practices

Golden Rules of Operating

LISTEN: Reason: You won't interfere with anyone already using the frequency.

Reason: Listening will tell you a great deal about the condition of the bands.

KEEP IT SHORT:

If we all listened and never called, the bands would be very quiet indeed.

After listening, you have not made a contact, call CQ.

THE RULES FOR CALLING CQ ARE:

1. Use your callsign frequently. Whoever you are calling knows their own callsign. They are interested in finding out yours.

2. Keep it short. Either they have heard you or they haven't. Either way, it is a waste of time giving a long call. If they are having difficulty in hearing you, use phonetics, but keep the overs as short as possible.

How to make a CQ CALL on HF For voice operation you should repeat your call

phonetically, for example:

“CQ CQ CQ from (or) ZL2XY - ZULU LIMA TWO XRAY YANKEE”

maybe 2 or 3 times and finish with “Calling CQ and listening”.

And then Listen, Listen and LISTEN!!! **If nothing happens – Call CQ again

Good God – Somebody just called me ……….. HELP!!!!!

Don’t Panic! In a clear slow voice : “ZL1ABC” this is ZL2XY….. “Good evening your

signal report is 5 and 9 into Napier and my name is {YOUR NAME}

“How’s the copy? ZL1 Alpha Bravo Charlie from ZL2XY Over”

TWO RULES: 1. The other station’s call first and yours last2. “Over” and not “Back to You”

Signal Reporting How Honest should you be?

Readability 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 (5 is max)Strength 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 7 – 8 – 9 (9 is max)Tone 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 7 – 8 – 9 (9 is max)

The first 2 numbers are used on phone modes and the 3rd number is used on CW

SSB CW 5 and 9 or 599 is a really strong signal5 and 7 or 579 is a good signal with some QRN5 and 5 or 559 is pretty average4 and 4 is below average3 and 3 (You are struggling)2 and 3 (You are heavily into ESP)

Q Codes• These abbreviated three letter “Q” Codes were evolved by old-time

telegraphy operators as a shorthand means for exchanging information.

• You will be tested on only 10 of the 40 or so Q Code messages that are used in amateur radio communication. Pay attention to the 10 below!!!

• All Q codes may be used while operating CW and some are used during phone transmissions.

QRL? QRM

QRN QRP?

QRQ QRS

QRZ? QSB

QSY? QTH?

Q Codes• These abbreviated three letter “Q” Codes were evolved by old-time

telegraphy operators as a shorthand means for exchanging information.

• You will be tested on only 10 of the 40 or so Q Code messages that are used in amateur radio communication. Pay attention to the 10 below!!!

• All Q codes may be used while operating CW and some are used during phone transmissions.

QRL? “Are you Busy” or “Is the Frequency in Use?” QRM “Your transmission is being interfered with”

QRN “I am troubled by static” QRP ? “Shall I decrease transmitter power?”

QRQ “Please send faster” QRS “Please send slower”

QRZ? “Who is calling me?” QSB “your signals are fading”

QSY? “Shall I change to another frequency?” QTH? “What is your location?”

QUESTION FILE 25 (1 question)

Q CODES

You will be tested on 10 of the 40 or so Q Code messages that are used in amateur radio. Many are used as a query if followed by a question mark, e.g. QRM? QTH? or as an answer to a

query or as a statement of fact with no question mark; QTH Auckland or QTH San Francisco All Q codes may be used while operating CW and some are used during phone transmissions.

QRL? Means “Are you busy” [25.6] Commonly means “is the frequency in use?” QRM Means “Your transmission is being interfered with” [25.1] QRN Means “I am troubled by static” [25.2] QRP? Means “Shall I decrease transmitter power?” [25.7] Without the query means “I am running low power” QRQ Means “Please send faster” [25.10] QRS Means “Please send slower” [25.3] With a query could mean “shall I (or we) send slower?” QRZ? Means “Who is calling me?” [25.4] Commonly means “who is on this frequency?” if you were unable to copy a callsign QSB As part of a signal report means “your signals are fading” [25.8] QSY? Means “Shall I change to transmission on another frequency?” [25.9] Without the query means “I am going to change frequency/up 5 (kHZ)/ to 28.459 etc.” QTH? Means “What is your location?” [25.5] Without the query “QTH Melbourne” means “my location is Melbourne”

The Phonetic AlphabetA ALPHA J JULIET S SIERRA

B BRAVO K KILO T TANGO

C CHARLIE L LIMA U UNIFORM

D DELTA M MIKE V VICTOR

E ECHO N NOVEMBER W WHISKY

F FOXTROT O OSCAR X X-RAY

G GOLF P PAPA Y YANKEE

H HOTEL Q QUEBEC Z ZULU

I INDIA R ROMEO

These phonetics are often spoken evenly when communication is good, sometimes with heavy emphasis when receiving conditions are poor. A natural, unforced, speaking voice is best, but try to make each word clear to the last syllable.

QSLing – Confirming the ContactIt is a nice gesture to send a card and sometimes very necessary as many awards require written proof of the QSO.

John sent me this card on the left

I returned my card (on the right) A QSL card must have DATE – TIME – BAND – MODE – REPORT and THE COUNTRY or ISLAND to be legal for awards. You should also state your address, equipment, zones, grid square etc to tell the other station about you.