HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

An amateur radio station is a radio station designed to provide radiocommunications in the amateur radio service for an amateur radio operator. Radio amateurs build and operate several types of amateur radio stations, including fixed ground stations, mobile stations, space stations, and temporary field stations. A slang term often used for an amateur station's location is the
shack A shack (or, in some areas, shanty) is a type of small shelter or dwelling, often primitive or rudimentary in design and construction. Unlike huts, shacks are constructed by hand using available materials; however, whereas huts are usually ru ...
, named after the small enclosures added to the upperworks of naval ships to hold early radio equipment and batteries. ;See also:


Types of stations


Fixed stations

An amateur radio station established in a permanent structure with equipment that is not intended for portable operation is referred to as a ''fixed station''. This is the most common form of amateur radio station, and can be found in homes, schools, and some public buildings. A typical fixed station is equipped with a transceiver and one or more antennas. For voice communications, the station will be equipped with a microphone; for communications using
Morse code Morse code is a method used in telecommunication to encode text characters as standardized sequences of two different signal durations, called ''dots'' and ''dashes'', or ''dits'' and ''dahs''. Morse code is named after Samuel Morse, one of ...
, a telegraph key is common; and for communications over digital modes such as RTTY and PSK31, a station will be equipped with a specialized interface to connect the transceiver to a
computer A computer is a machine that can be programmed to Execution (computing), carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as C ...
sound card. While not a requirement for radiocommunications, most fixed amateur radio stations are equipped with one or more
computer A computer is a machine that can be programmed to Execution (computing), carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as C ...
s, which serve tasks ranging from logging of contacts with other stations to various levels of station hardware control. Fixed stations might also be equipped with
amplifiers An amplifier, electronic amplifier or (informally) amp is an electronic device that can increase the magnitude of a signal (a time-varying voltage or current). It may increase the power significantly, or its main effect may be to boost the v ...
,
antenna rotators An antenna rotator (or antenna rotor) is a device used to change the orientation, within the horizontal plane, of a directional antenna. Most antenna rotators have two parts, the rotator unit and the controller. The controller is normally placed ...
,
SWR meter The standing wave ratio meter, SWR meter, ISWR meter (current "" SWR), or VSWR meter (voltage SWR) measures the standing wave ratio (SWR) in a transmission line. The meter indirectly measures the degree of mismatch between a transmission line a ...
s, antenna tuners, and other station accessories. Fixed stations are generally powered from the AC mains electrical supply available in the building. Some equipment in fixed stations may run off low voltage DC instead of AC, and require a separate power supply. Some fixed stations are equipped with auxiliary sources of power, such as electrical generators or
batteries Battery most often refers to: * Electric battery, a device that provides electrical power * Battery (crime), a crime involving unlawful physical contact Battery may also refer to: Energy source *Automotive battery, a device to provide power t ...
for use in emergencies.


Mobile stations

An amateur radio station installed in a vehicle is referred to as a ''mobile station''. A typical mobile station is equipped with a transceiver, one or more antennas, and a microphone. The transceiver may be specially designed for installation in vehicles. It may be much smaller than transceivers designed for fixed station use, to facilitate installation under a seat or in a trunk, and it may feature a detachable control head that can be mounted in a separate location from the rest of the radio. Antennas designed for mobile stations must accommodate the unique physical constraints of the vehicle and travel lanes which it occupies, allowing for clearance under overpasses and bridges, and safe passage by vehicles in adjacent lanes. Most antennas used in mobile stations are omnidirectional. Few mobile stations are equipped to communicate with Morse code or digital modes. Most mobile stations are designed to be operated by the vehicle operator while driving. Most transceivers installed in vehicles are designed to run on 12-16 VDC, and are generally powered by the starting battery in the vehicle. Because of the power demands placed on the vehicle battery, most mobile stations either do not include external amplifiers or include amplifiers with power outputs that are more modest than those commonly found in fixed stations. A specialized form of mobile station used for competition in a
VHF Very high frequency (VHF) is the ITU designation for the range of radio frequency electromagnetic waves (radio waves) from 30 to 300 megahertz (MHz), with corresponding wavelengths of ten meters to one meter. Frequencies immediately below VHF ...
amateur radio contest in
North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...
is called a ''rover station''. A rover station is often designed to be operated by a passenger in the vehicle rather than the driver, and may include multiple transceivers,
transverter In radio engineering, a transverter is a radio frequency device that consists of an upconverter and a downconverter in one unit. Transverters are used in conjunction with transceivers to change the range of frequencies over which the transceiver ...
s,
directional antenna A directional antenna or beam antenna is an antenna which radiates or receives greater power in specific directions allowing increased performance and reduced interference from unwanted sources. Directional antennas provide increased performance ...
s, and a laptop computer to log contacts made. While it may not be a regulatory requirement, many mobile stations will append a ''/M'' to end of their call sign (pronounced as "slash mobile" on
phone A telephone is a telecommunications device that permits two or more users to conduct a conversation when they are too far apart to be easily heard directly. A telephone converts sound, typically and most efficiently the human voice, into ele ...
) while operating to identify themselves to other stations as a mobile station. Rover station operating in a VHF contest will append a ''/R'' to the end of their call sign (pronounced "slash rover"). '' Maritime mobile'' stations are mobile stations installed in a watercraft, usually an ocean-going vessel. When in international waters, these stations are operated under the regulatory authority of the
flag A flag is a piece of fabric (most often rectangular or quadrilateral) with a distinctive design and colours. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design empl ...
under which the vessel is registered. In addition to the regulatory requirements of amateur radio, operation of maritime mobile stations also requires the permission of the captain of the vessel. Maritime mobile stations append a ''/MM'' to end of their call sign (pronounced as "slash maritime mobile"). ''Aeronautical mobile'' stations are mobile stations installed in an aircraft. In addition to the regulatory requirements of amateur radio, operation of aeronautical mobile stations also requires the permission of the pilot of the aircraft. Aeronautical mobile stations append a ''/AM'' to end of their call sign (pronounced as "slash aeronautical mobile").


Portable stations

An amateur radio station set up in a temporary location is referred to as a ''portable station''. A portable station might be established to provide emergency communications in a disaster area, to provide public service communications during a large organized event such as a charity bicycle ride, to provide communications during an expedition, or for the recreational enjoyment of operating outdoors. Portable stations include the same basic equipment as fixed and mobile stations, although transportation of the transceiver, antennas, power supplies or batteries and necessary accessories often influences the particular selection. Equipment that does not weigh very much, or that can be broken down for shipment or transportation in luggage is especially popular with amateur radio operators travelling on DX-peditions. Most portable stations rely upon generator or battery power. Because this form of power might be of limited supply, portable stations often operate at lower transmitter power output to conserve energy. Some portable stations append a ''/P'' to end of their call sign (pronounced as "slash portable") to indicate their status as a portable operation. In some countries, this is a regulatory requirement, whereas in others it is done at the option of the operator.


Space stations

An amateur radio station that is located in a satellite, the Space Shuttle, or on the International Space Station is referred to as a ''space station''. Some countries, including the United States, have additional or different regulations regarding the operation of space stations than other amateur radio stations. Most space stations are located on satellites that orbit the earth. These stations are frequently either transponders or repeaters that operate under automatic control and can be used by ''ground stations'' (any station that is not a space station) to relay their signal to other ground stations.


Handheld stations

Handheld radios contain all the necessary equipment for radiocommunications with another station. A typical radio used as a ''handheld station'' integrates a transceiver with an antenna and a battery in one handheld package. Most handheld transceivers used in amateur radio are designed for operation on the VHF or
UHF Ultra high frequency (UHF) is the ITU designation for radio frequencies in the range between 300 megahertz (MHz) and 3 gigahertz (GHz), also known as the decimetre band as the wavelengths range from one meter to one tenth of a meter (on ...
amateur radio bands and most often are capable of only FM voice communications transmissions. To conserve battery power, they have limited transmitter power, often below 1W, to cover a local range of typically a few km or miles.


Repeater stations

An amateur radio repeater is a specialty amateur radio station that extends the range of communications for other stations. A repeater uses a receiver tuned to one radio frequency and a transmitter tuned to another radio frequency. Other stations using a repeater station transmit on one frequency but listen for signals on the other frequency. If a repeater station is in a favorable location, such as on a tall tower, the top of a tall building, or on a mountaintop, stations that otherwise would not be able to communicate with each other can each use the repeater and establish two-way communications. Repeater stations generally operate under automatic control. The control equipment is responsible for transmitting the repeater station's call sign at regular intervals. This identification is often done in Morse code. Some US repeater stations append a ''/R'' to end of their call sign or not (used to be required in the 80s and early 90s but no longer). Some may still have a vanity "WR#xxx" repeater license where #=0 thru 9 and xxx is any 3 letter combo but these callsigns won't be renewed and will be forced to change when their current license expires.


Computer-control software

Some modern amateur transceivers have embedded computers with
firmware In computing, firmware is a specific class of computer software that provides the low-level control for a device's specific hardware. Firmware, such as the BIOS of a personal computer, may contain basic functions of a device, and may provide h ...
which is executed to provide the functions and features of the transceiver. This software must be provided by the original manufacturer of the equipment. Another type of software is that required to control a receiver (or transceiver) without a front panel provided. Examples of this are the Kenwood TS-B2000 and the Ten-Tec Pegasus; both transceivers are sold with PC software to provide the human interface for operation. Most transceivers with front control panels (and many receivers popular among shortwave listeners) have a computer interface such as a serial port, USB or Ethernet port. These ports are useful for satellite-tracking frequency control ( Doppler tuning), station logging, digital operation, internet and special-needs accessibility. In many cases, the software adds improved or extra functions and features beyond that provided by the original design. For this reason, some operators purchase radio-control software for non-computerized operation even if their radio has a front control panel.May 2009 ''QST'' "Short Takes" software review of CallSign Software's TS-2000 HamStationUltra program
Archived fro
the original
2012-04-19.


Station identification

During transmissions, an amateur radio station must identify itself with a call sign issued by the authorized regulatory authority of the country in which the station is located. Most regulatory agencies worldwide issue amateur radio call signs to the operator licensee, and not to the station: In effect, any radio transmitter a licensed operator touches the controls of, becomes the radio station on that amateur's license. An amateur radio station may be operated under the call sign of the owner of the station (if she or he is nearby the controls), or the call sign of the person operating the station as a guest. In some countries, special call signs might be made available for clubs, and are frequently used at a club station established for use of the club's members. Other special call-signs similar to club stations are sometimes temporarily assigned for "event stations" on special occasions, such as public events or radio-amateur expeditions to transmit from distant locations ( DX-peditions). Like a club station, all the operators present for the event use the event call sign rather than their own.


Gallery

Image:Collins speaker, 75S-3C receiver and 32S-3 transmitter.jpg, Amateur station with separate transmitter, receiver and power supply Image:AmateurRadioStation.JPG, Amateur station featuring some older transceivers Image:G0RTN shack.jpg, A compact amateur station in
Central London Central London is the innermost part of London, in England, spanning several boroughs. Over time, a number of definitions have been used to define the scope of Central London for statistics, urban planning and local government. Its characteris ...
, England Image:Sm0tqx.jpg, A temporary amateur station set up on a kitchen table Image:M0TCX_radio_station.jpg, Amateur statio
M0TCX
featuring modern and old transceivers Image:W6om.png, Amateur station W6OM featuring all vintage radio equipment Image:Gonset G-50 Communicator (WA8GFP) in 1963.jpg, VHF amateur station ( WA8GFP) for communication on the 6-meter band


References


General references

:Australia ::*Wireless Institute of Australia (2005). ''The Foundation License Manual: Your Entry into Amateur Radio''. Wireless Institute of Australia, November, 2005. :Canada ::*Cleveland-Iliffe, John, and Smith, Geoffrey Read (1995). ''The Canadian Amateur Study Guide for the Basic Qualification''. Fifth Edition, Second Printing. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Radio Amateurs of Canada. :India :
Amateur radio licensing in India
Retrieved Aug. 13, 2007. :United Kingdom ::*Betts, Allen (2001). ''Foundation Licence - Now!''. London, United Kingdom: Radio Society of Great Britain, December, 2001. :United States ::*Straw, R. Dean, Reed, Dana G., Carman, R. Jan, and Wolfgang, Larry D. (ed.) (2003). ''Now You're Talking!''. Fifth Edition. Newington, Connecticut, U.S.: American Radio Relay League, May, 2003. ::*American Radio Relay League (2003). ''The ARRL FCC Rule Book: Complete Guide to the FCC Regulations''. 13th Edition. Newington, Connecticut, U.S.: American Radio Relay League, August, 2003. ::*Silver, H. Ward (2004). ''Ham Radio For Dummies''. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., April, 2004. {{DEFAULTSORT:Amateur radio station
Station Station may refer to: Agriculture * Station (Australian agriculture), a large Australian landholding used for livestock production * Station (New Zealand agriculture), a large New Zealand farm used for grazing by sheep and cattle ** Cattle statio ...
Radio stations and systems ITU