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Table of Contents
Chapter
2. Your
First VHF/UHF
Radio
Mobile installation, Mobile Antennas, DC power supplies, Noise Abatement,
Mobile Power considerations, Coax Considerations, and VSWR checks.
Radio features check list--use for comparing transceivers.
Chapter
3. Operating Simplex
Review of simplex mode communication and how to operate simplex (without a repeater).
Covers the typical controls found on modern transceivers. Range to be
expected, antennas, cross polarization, and protocol. Includes a complete
list of simplex frequencies from 2 meters thru 1.2 GHz, including the
recommended National Calling frequencies.
VHF/UHF DXing techniques.
Chapter
4. How Repeaters Work
Simplified pictorial of a repeater. Covers simplex, half duplex, full
duplex operation. Explains monitoring the input, offsets, splits, input and output frequencies.
Lists the standard offsets for USA repeaters - 10 meters thru 2.4 GHz.
Thoroughly covered are CTCSS,
PL, SUBAUDIBLE TONES | TONE SQUELCH | DCS, DTCS |TONE BURST | DTMF | BEEPS
& BE-BOPS.
Chapter 5. Programming a
VHF/UHF Radio
Covers the often puzzling issue of programming a radio. Walks you through
the steps required to program repeater frequencies into memory. How to make a cheat sheet.
Using programming cables. A source for a handy wallet size programming
accessory. Generic outline for programming any radio.
Chapter
6. Antennas, Power Sources, VSWR, and DeciBels
Covers
rubber duck antennas, better antennas such as
¼ wave, ½ wave, ¾ wave and 5/8 wave, Yagis, and J-Poles. Gives numerous
URL's and tips for building your own antennas. The battery paragraphs
cover Sealed
Lead Acid (SLA),
Lithium,
NICAD
and NIMH
Batteries.
Power Supplies, VSWR, and dB are covered in an informative but non-technical
manner.
Chapter
7. Using Repeaters
This chapter covers
how to find repeaters, repeater guides on the internet. A complete rundown
on repeater protocol, soliciting a conversation, asking for information,
jargon heard, radio checks and signal reports, what to say, breaking in,
multiple conversations - rotations, nets, roll calls and demos,
autopatching. Also listed is a complete listing of 2 Meter repeater pairs,
packet simplex, and voice simplex frequencies.
This chapter shows you how to operate like a pro and avoid common
pitfalls.
Chapter
8. Phonetics, Callsigns and Q-Signals
All
about Q-Signals used on repeaters. Recommended Phonetics are covered
(Alpha, Bravo, etc). A
list of all USA callsign districts and classes of license callsigns are
explained.
Chapter
9. Funny Repeater Sounds and Myths
Helps
you recognize and diagnose the many sounds heard on a repeater: path noise, distortions, alternator
whine, ignition noise, capturing, picket
fencing,
Morse characters, hum, over and under
deviation, kerchunk, desense, motor
boating,
Station
is Calling - But No Beep,
Q-Signals,
CB talk & ten codes (a no no) etc.
Chapter
10. Cops and Jammers
When
and when not to play repeater policeperson. How to deal with interference,
jammers and
interlopers.
Chapter 11. Inside A Repeater
Detailed block
diagrams of the elements of a repeater, receivers, transmitters. Plain
language non- technical discussions of duplexers, limiters,
discriminators, deviation, bandwidth, channel spacing, modulation index,
FM modulation. In
a non-technical manner, this chapter provides amateurs a good grasp of
what is actually happening when using a repeater. Chapter
12. Cross Band Repeating, Long Range Intertie and Voice Over IP.
Glossary
and Index -- 16
pages of terms, slang and repeater speak
Testimonials
Universal
Radio comments: Many new hams find repeater
operation intimidating. This book lets you skip that awkward early stage.
It provides the knowledge and confidence you need to enjoy repeater
operation immediately.
I would like to send a thanx to you for
your book on repeaters. Just starting out in the hobby. I could not have
asked for a better guide to the world of fm repeaters. I have now
started working 2 m ssb and have logged over 17 grid squares in 4
months. Thanx again for a great start in the hobby. 73 George KG6TVC,
San Leandro, CA
KF6HBJ writes -- I purchased the FM101x
Guide last week and have gone through the material relating to my HT.
Basically I purchased it to bring me up to date as I had dropped off from
using my radio quite awhile ago. Being a computer guy, I found the
material easy to follow and found the essentials pointing me to further
readings on web links for increased knowledge and detail. From the first
page to the last page, I never felt slighted because I wasn't a seasoned
Ham Radio Operator. Rod's vernacular clearly expresses what I needed to
get accustomed to without the academia sort of information that I have
read in other technical types of volumes. Thanks Dave KF6HBJ, Temecula CA
Excellent Book. I recently
taught a one day ham class for new technician hams. I purchased a copy of
the FM101X book for each student. All the students had many
compliments for the contents of the books. One comment "including the
book in the course was a very good idea" Another comment"FM101X
answered all my questions about repeater operation as a new ham - great
book" The new hams loved it! For
new hams this is the book! Dick Decker
K6SUU, Turlock CA
N5ACM comments on eHam
reviews: Get up to Speed Quickly with this Guide. This book is well
worth the price. You get current, practical information on topics of
interest to both new and old HAMs. Information is presented in a
straightforward, succinct and readable manner, the illustrations are
basic, but adequate. You don't need or pay for glossy fluff here- the book
provides a well thought out treatise on FM ops in one place, from simplex,
repeaters, digital and the vagaries of Echolink. Lots of links for further
information too. A great place to get up to speed quickly. New
HAMS will feel completely comfortable on VHF/UHF after perusing this book.
Well Done. N5ACM,
Arlington TX
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