Operating Practices and Procedures

Revision Part 1

Learning outcome this part

• Know the meaning and the reason for use of the Q codes: QRL, QRM, QRN, QRP, QRT, QRZ, QSB, QSL, QSO, QSY, QTH.

• Know the meaning and the reason for use of the following : CQ, DE, DX, R, RST, SIG, UR, WX.

• Know the meaning of the RST code, the number of divisions of each of the three items, and their order of merit.

• Know the relative operational advantages of CW, SSB and FM.

• Know that types of modulation other than CW, SSB and FM are available to the Intermediate licensee (e.g. packet, PSK31, SSTV and FSTV).

• Know that several types of transmission can be generated and received with the use of a personal computer and a suitable interface.

• Know that call sign prefixes, station locations and addresses can often be found in call books and from the internet.

• Know the concept of sending and receiving QSL cards.

• >Know common international call sign prefixes; EI (Eire), F (France), I (Italy), JA (Japan), PA (the Netherlands), VE (Canada), VK (Australia), W (USA), ZL (New Zealand).

• Know that there is a competitive element in amateur radio: achievement awards, DX operation and contests. Be aware of their basic operating practices.Achievement awards, e.g. for contacting country prefixes, 'squares' on a map or islands; normally confirmed by QSL cards. Contests involve exchanging call signs and a serial number or location.