Signals and Emissions (T8)

Overview

This section will teach how signals are encoded in a radio wave and present some of the communication modes that amateur radio operators use. You will also learn some details about working with satellites, and some considerations specific to working with radios in orbit. This lesson will also cover some of the common “radio sports” like radio direction finding (Fox Hunting), DX contesting, grid square locations. You will also get an understanding of some of the non-voice modes, both analog and digital, that amateur radio operators use.

There are four topics covered by the questions in this lesson:

T8A – Basic characteristics of FM and SSB; Bandwidth of various modulation modes: CW, SSB, FM, fast-scan TV; Choice of emission type: selection of USB vs LSB, use of SSB for weak signal work, use of FM for VHF packet and repeaters

T8B - Amateur satellite operation: Doppler shift, basic orbits, operating protocols, modulation mode selection, transmitter power considerations, telemetry and telecommand, satellite tracking programs, beacons, uplink and downlink mode definitions, spin fading, definition of “LEO”, setting uplink power

T8C – Operating activities: radio direction finding, contests, linking over the internet, exchanging grid locators

T8D – Non-voice and digital communications: image signals and definition of NTSC, CW, packet radio, PSK, APRS, error detection and correction, amateur radio networking, Digital Mobile Radio, WSJT modes, Broadband-Hamnet

Exam Insight

Question pool subelement: T8 (48 questions)

Questions in the exam: 4 (11.4% of the exam)

Assignment

• Read Pages 57 - 63 of “The No-Nonsense Guide”

• Study Flashcards in HamStudy.org for Questions T8