ACADIANA AMATEUR RADIO

AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION, INC.

P.O. BOX 51174
LAFAYETTE, LA 70505-1174

AARA HANDBOOK
WEBSITE: www.w5ddl.org
WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO a.k.a. “HAM RADIO”?
Ham radio is a universal hobby enjoyed by millions of people world over where you use two
way radio transmissions to communicate with each other on certain designated ham frequencies.
It is a hobby that requires a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) but the
license is not that hard to obtain. It’s just a matter of studying the rules and regulations, passing a
test and paying a small fee – and of course getting your radio equipment. There are different lev-
els of licenses that allow you more band privileges and operating modes.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS I CAN DO ONCE LICENSED?

Most cities of any size will usually have numerous ham radio operators and more than likely at least on Amateur
Radio Club. These clubs usually participate in all kinds of special events, contests, nets, and casual conversation (we
call rag chewing) along with many other fun activities. Nation-wide contests, special event stations, are going on
each weekend. On the serious side, ham radio operators help in weather spotting and reporting, providing
communications during times of disaster, message handling over the National Traffic Service and providing
communication during local events such as marathons and parades.

HOW DO I GO ABOUT FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT AMATEUR

RADIO?
If you have Internet capabilities, you can go to the following URL’s for more information.
Local & National Information Links
Acadiana Amateur Radio Association, Inc. Website: http://www.w5ddl.org
Acadiana Amateur Radio Association, Inc. Website: http://www.w5ddl.org/clubsite/
American Radio Relay League: Website: http://www.arrl.org/newham/
eHam: Website: http://www.eham.net/newham/
Ham Universe: Website: http://www.hamuniverse.com/hamradio.html
The AARA General Meeting is held on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the
Lafayette Science Museum, 433 Jefferson St., Lafayette, Louisiana. VE Testing will take place
at 6:00 PM prior to the General Meeting. You can also drop a note to the AARA address shown
at the top of this flyer. Information and map can be found at:
http://www.w5ddl.org/clubsite/
For Practice Exams & Question Pools, go to:
http://www.w5ddl.org
Click on one of these links:
* Technician Class Presentations
* Practice Exam by Hamilton KD0FNR
* Technician Class Practice Exam
* General Class Practice Exam
* Extra Class Practice Exam
WE WILL BE LOOKING
FORWARD TO MEETING YOU &
GETTING YOU “ON THE AIR”!
 AARA HANDBOOK Page 2

Local 2-Meter Nets AARA MEMBERSHIP ROSTER - May 2016

Monday Call Last Name First Name Call Last Name First Name
AARA Monday Night Net 7:00 PM NØJA Allen John K5VXX Konecni Joe
KG5MCY Ancelet Chris KG5HNP LeBlanc Chris
146.820 - PL 103.5 Lafayette, LA N5AUO Azar Barbara KE5KJD LeBlanc Larry
Tuesday N5AN Azar Bud KE5KJF LeBlanc Sandy
Acadiana ARES Net 7:00 PM W5DHP Bailey Karl KE5JXC Lemaire Arnold
145.370 - PL 103.5 Lafayette, LA W5KB Barnes Keith KG5KZH Lutz Theron
Wednesday KE5UTC Barnes Debbie KA9TWO Mahler Linda
Silent Key Memorial Net WB5AAA Barron Jim KF5VH Mahler Stephen
145.410 New Iberia, LA KD5JCT Begnaud Calvin KG5KZJ Malone Patrick
Thursday KE5IBM Begnaud Cheryl W5MLE Marshall Fred
N5HVY Bergeron Dalton KE5RPI Marshall Karen
Youth Net 7:00 PM KC5DPL Bienvenu David N5KNY McCasland Paul
146.820 - PL 103.5 Lafayette, LA KG5KFK Blanchard Bobby KG5JHR McCutcheon David
Friday KE5UPK Bookter Irma W5SIY McGrath Mike
N5NVP Bookter Jim WM5TS Meche Derek
N5CRR Born Jennifer KC5VDK Morgan Deborah
KF5ZSR Bost Benjamin KC5UGC Morgan Steve
AARA OFFICERS 2016 2017 N5LMM Bourgeois Roderick N5WE Morrison Charles
KD5NVC Breaux Glenn NZ5O Morvant Kevin
N5YCS Breaux Joy K5FNQ Mouton Art
President Mark Saltzman W5GTI KE5HSY Breaux Linda KD5VPC Murphy Gerard
Vice Pres. Larry LeBlanc KE5KJD N5RLM Breaux Rick W6DLN Neidetcher Demian
Secretary Ramona Jobe KG5HNO KC5AJL Breeden Lacy "Skip" KX5J Nelson Lee
Treasurer Tom Dischler W5OHJ KE5NTW Brockman Mark N5WXY Peyton Barry
KF5SEQ Broussard Jared N5OB Pierce Dave
KE5MLA Broussard Rolland KE5RPL Pugh Joann
BOARD MEMBERS N5QWA Broussard Terry K5QXJ Pugh Nick
Glen Thibodeaux KF5FNP KN5GRK Campbell Herman N4ELM Redfearn Dave
Ric Wallace KE5KEL N5MLJ Castille Randy N8OVD Reeves Jimmie
Archie Hill W5AG KG5NCB Cearley Melissa N5RNG Ritter John
KG5AYK Cleveland Robert KC5IJI Ritter Karen
Kendra Wilson KF5FYS K5IVR Cooley Robert K5JMR Robertson John
K5PCL Cooley Priscilla KG5CNU Romero James
QSL MANAGER/WEBMASTER K5BMC Cook Betty KB5TWL Romero Mitch
Roland Guidry NA5Q KE5LP Cook Fred KE5MWX Romero Nick
W4HVH Cunniff John KF5CNS Romero Paula
KD5JSM Daigle Danny W5GTI Saltzman Mark
AARA P.I.O. KD5TJZ Daigle Kathy AG5CB Runner Benjamin
Herman Campbell KN5GRK KF5THS Degeyter A.J. N5FJB Runner Bruce
kn5grk@lusfiber.net W5OHJ Dischler Tom KG5KFI Rushing Randy
337-234-5364 K5LFT Dolan Greg K5VSH Scallan Paul
N5DAL Doyle Mike N5YOP Simon Esther
KF5WP Fabacher Albert WD5CAE Simon Mel
NEWSLETTER EDITOR K5UA Fontenot Charles ND5C Soileau Pat
Mark Saltzman W5GTI KF5AHM Faulk James W5WMU Sonnier Pat
larc@w5ddl.org N5BMD Fuselier Herman KG5GKF Sorrell, Jr. John
WA5KNC Garcia Eugene KG5KZL Stacks Jerry
AARA REPEATER GROUP KC5VRN Gaudet Phoebe NJ5X Strodtman Don
WB5GAF Gaudet Ralph KF5FNP Thibodeaux Glen
Charlie Morrison N5WE - Trustee KF5LUL Gillion Jess KE5QKE Verret Keith
Derek Meche WM5TS KB1NRO Glisson Michael KF5PCH Wallace Jackie
Dave Redfern N4ELM KE5WZK Gordon Robert KF5KEL Wallace Ric
Glen Thibodeaux KF5FNP NA5Q Guidry Roland AF5VR Webre Steve
KG5AYJ Haviland Chad KK6EWB Werk Ingo
KG5JTA Haviland Owen KF5RBW Williams James
AARA REPEATERS KG5AYI Haviland Samuel KF5BEW Wilson Abbi
146.820 - PL103.5 KG5JTB Haviland Sonja KF5BET Wilson Galen
EchoLink Node: 370324 KG5AYI Haviland Samuel KF5FYS Wilson Kendra
147.040 + PL 103.5 N9QO Hayes William KG5FMP Woods John
145.410 - No PL KB5WI Hebert Weston KD5QYV Wotipka Kris
W5AG Hill Archie AI5O Wyatt Steve
443.000 + PL 103.5 KG5HNO Jobe Ramona
SKYWARN REPRATER NG5X Keller Roy
145.370 - PL 103.5
 AARA HANDBOOK Page 3

ORGANIZATIONS & INFORMATION

The Acadiana Amateur Radio Association, Inc.
The Acadiana Amateur Radio Association, Inc. (AARA) is a group of amateur radio operators n the south-central
Louisiana area known as Acadiana consisting of over 100 members that meet once a month.
We also have a club amateur radio station setup at the Red Cross building to let new operators get “hands on” ex-
perience in operating procedures. There are two “BIG” events that our club is involved. One is our “AARA Ham-
fest” held around the middle of March in Rayne, Louisiana and the second is the “ARRL Field Day” held the last
full weekend in June. There are also some “Special Event” stations happening at different times during the year that
make amateur radio a lot of fun.
The AARA operates a VHF repeater with EchoLink & Digital capabilities 146.820 PL 103.5
The AARA has website accessible to anyone interested or already a ham radio operator with lots of information
pertaining to this hobby such as membership information, repeater listings and nets, photo galleries, events, practice
exams, monthly newsletter, e-mail service and links to other clubs and much, much more. Our website can be found
at:
http://www.w5ddl.org

American Radio Relay League (ARRL)

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the largest membership association of amateur radio enthusiasts
in the USA. ARRL is a non-profit organization, and was founded in April 6, 1914 by
Hiram Percy Maxim of Hartford, Connecticut. The ARRL represents the interests of ama-
teur radio operators before federal regulatory bodies, provides technical advice and assis-
tance to amateur radio enthusiasts, supports a number of educational programs and spon-
sors emergency communications service throughout the country. The ARRL has approxi-
mately 154,000 members. In addition to members in the US, the organization claims over
7,000 members in other countries. The ARRL publishes many books and a monthly mem-
bership journal called QST. The ARRL held its Centennial Convention in Hartford, Con-
necticut in July 2014.
The ARRL is the primary representative organization of amateur radio operators to the US government. It per-
forms this function by lobbying the US Congress and the Federal Communications Commission. The ARRL is also
the international secretariat of the International Amateur Radio Union, which performs a similar role internationally,
advocating for amateur radio interests before the International Telecommunications Union and the World Adminis-
trative Radio Conferences.
The organization is governed by a member-elected, volunteer Board of Directors. Each director serves a three-
year term and represents the members within their particular region of the country. The national headquarters facili-
ties are located in Newington, Connecticut. Along with the administrative headquarters, the 7-acre (2.8 ha) site is
home to amateur radio station W1AW. The ARRL Field Organization carries out local and regional activities across
the United States. ARRL website:
http://www.arrl.org

Ham Radio Links

ARRL Delta Division Website http://www.arrldelta.org
ARRL Louisiana Section Website: http://www.laarrl.org
Lafayette SkyWarn Homepage http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~sjm8725/mahler/skywarn/
AC6V’s Amateur Radio & DX Reference Guide http://ac6v.com/
QRZ Callsign Lookup Data Base http://www.qrz.com/index.html
EchoLink Website (Setup, nodes, repeaters) http://www.echolink.org/
Acadiana Area Repeaters & Information http://www.w5ddl.org/clubsite/repeater.htm
US Amateur Radio Bands http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Band%20Chart/
Hambands_color.pdf
Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio http://www.hamradio-operating-ethics.org/files/36-Eth-
Amateur operating-EN-IARU-R2-V3-CORR-2011.pdf
 AARA HANDBOOK Page 4

What is Amateur Radio?

by Stratos Imvriotis KE5DCI
If you were to ask a dozen different amateurs what ham radio meant to them chances are you would get 12
different answers. Radio amateurs have discovered a richly rewarding high-tech hobby that has many different
appeals to different people. Whether it is the ability to talk to local friends over the radio waves using a hand-held
transceiver (HT), communicating digitally with packet radio to exchange personal messages or vital information in
an emergency, talking to other hams anywhere in the world, or engaging in contests with other Radio Amateurs over
the airwaves there is something for everyone.

Amateurs or Hams?
Amateurs are often affectionately called hams or ham radio operators and frequently the public is more familiar
with this term than with the legal term Radio Amateur. The source of the name ham is not known but it has been
around almost from the beginning of amateur radio in the early 1900s. The name amateur has nothing to do with
skill or knowledge but rather implies that ham radio cannot be used for commercial or revenue generating purposes.
It is truly a hobby but often one that makes a difference especially in emergency or disaster situations.

Modes of Communication
Amateur radio operators generally use radio transmitters and receivers to communicate with each other. As you
will discover in these pages there are many forms of communication although voice (also known as phone) is still
the most widely used. Some of the other forms of transmission are Radio Teletype (Rtty), Morse code (CW),
amateur television (ATV), and digital modes such as Packet, Pactor and PSK-31. A recent survey shows that phone
is the most widely used with CW standing second.

Getting Licensed
To become a radio amateur you will need to get a license. Licensing requirements are different in every country
with different rules, privileges, and classes of license. Basically different levels of license give different privileges on
the ham bands. The more challenging the license requirements the more privileges that are granted and the more
interesting and enjoyable ham radio becomes.

What Hams Do?

Whether you would like to chat with your friends on the way to work or school,
check into a net to discuss topics of a mutual interest, or volunteer for emergency
services, amateur radio is first and foremost about communication. With hams that
means two way communications by radio. Radios can be hand-held transceivers similar
to a walkie talkie, a mobile unit for use in a car or other vehicle, or a base station with
an outdoor antenna used for local or distance communication. Regardless of the type of
equipment radio amateurs have a wide range of activities they can pursue. Some of these are:
· Talking with friends within the local community using a hand-held transceiver (HT) on VHF (2 meters) or
UHF (70 cm.). You can extend your HT range up to 50 miles or more by transmitting through a local
repeater.
· DXing. DX means distance communication and with the right equipment worldwide communication on the HF
bands (10 through 160 meters) is a regular possibility.
· Assisting with emergency and disaster communication. Organizations in the amateur community such as the
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the National Traffic System (NTS) prepare amateurs with
the training needed to assist in emergency situations.
(continued on next page)
 AARA HANDBOOK Page 5

· Assisting with emergency and disaster communication. Organizations in the amateur community such as the
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the National Traffic System (NTS) prepare amateurs with
the training needed to assist in emergency situations.
· Technical experimenting. Hams come from all walks of life ranging from technicians to engineers, teachers to
scientists, and students to retirees. For many of them the attraction to the hobby is to build their own
equipment whether it is just a simple antenna, something as complex as a transmitter, or an interface between
their radio and a computer.
· Contesting. Contesting is often called the "sport" of ham radio. Almost every weekend there is some form of
amateur radio contest. Hams get on the air and compete to see who can make the most contacts in a limited
period of time.
· Talk to an astronaut. Yes, it is really possible. Space stations do have ham radio equipment and licensed ham
astronauts take the time to make contacts with amateurs on earth. Hams also have satellites where you can
bounce a signal to communicate with other hams on earth.
· Use digital communication. Connect a computer to your radio and install some software and you can be
communicating digitally over the air. Some of these digital modes can be more effective in marginal
transmission conditions and some even sport error free transmission.
· Internet communication. Using some of the latest technologies hams can supplement a modest station with
Internet connections. Using features such as URL or IRLP or ECHOLINK on a local repeater a ham in
Toronto can talk to one in Vancouver or even Australia using a simple hand-held transceiver.
To get involved with any of these activities requires an amateur radio license and maybe a little help from a
neighborly ham or your local ham club.
Call Signs
Every licensed Radio Amateur is given a call sign that is used to identify you and your location of license.
Each country that has Amateur Radio status is allocated a range of call signs by the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU).
Prefix and Suffix
Call signs consist of a prefix and a suffix. The prefix is usually composed of one or two letters and a number
such as VE4 in Canada for the province of Manitoba or K9 in the U.S. for the states Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
Some countries have prefixes that are composed of a number and a letter such as 4X for Israel or 9K for Kuwait.
While the prefix uniquely identifies a country the suffix is unique for the individual. In Canada a call sign such as
VE3ABC has VE3 (Ontario) as the prefix and ABC as the suffix. In the U.S the call sign N2MG has a prefix of N2
and suffix of MG. U.S. hams may also have a two letter prefix thus AB2Z is a valid call. Suffixes may also be less
than three letters so you have call signs such as VE7AB in British Columbia and KH6Y in Hawaii.
Call Areas
In North America the number in the call sign generally refers to an area of the country. The 3 in VE3 refers to
Ontario and the 6 in K6 refers to California. The number may be shared between states in the U.S. so that 1 as in K1
or W1 can refer to the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Usually in Canada the number refers to a single province although VE1 can refer to the Maritime provinces New
Brunswick or Nova Scotia. Other countries follow a similar practice so you can have states in Brazil and Prefectures
in Japan.
U.S. Prefixes
Prefixes used by Amateurs in the United States are shown in the following table. U.S. Radio Amateurs may
have either a single letter or two letters in the prefix. See the two letter allocations at the bottom of the table. The
single letter prefixes K, and N are also in use by U.S. Amateurs. To further complicate matters Amateurs that have
moved to a different area of the country may retain their existing call sign so when you hear W8ABC you may be
receiving a signal from other than the W8 states.
International Call Sign Allocation
Prefixes beginning with both letters and numbers are allocated to countries around the world that have
Amateur Radio licensing.
(continued on next page)
 AARA HANDBOOK Page 6

Special Call Signs

In many countries special call sign allocations may be made to commemorate a special event. These special
event call signs usually have an unusual prefix so that the station using the call will be easily recognized. For
example the calls M2000A and 7S2000M were heard quite often commemorating the year 2000. CI3O was used in
1996 for the Charles Island DX-PEDITION. Many of these special events also have unique QSL cards that are well
worth the effort to make the contact and to send for the card.

Vanity Call Signs

Another type of call sign is the vanity call as it is called in the United States. The FCC in the U.S. and
Industry Canada permit hams to apply for a call that has special meaning to them. For example, Bob R. might apply
for the call KA5BOB or Pam W. might ask for VE3PAM for obvious reasons.

Operating Portable or Mobile

If an amateur operator is in a province, state or country other than his or her own then he/she is working
portable. If he was in Florida then the call sign KE5DCI/W4 would be used. KE5DCI in New York would use
KE5DCI/W2 and in Quebec would use KE5DCI/VE2. Although a common practice for U.S. hams who have moved
to a new state is to continue with their old call sign. Thus KE5DCI who moves to Florida might be using the same
call without the portable indication. But he could sign KE5DCI/4. In most areas of the world the portable prefix
comes before the call. Thus if KE5DCI was active in Australia the call would be VK1/KE5DCI pronounced "VK1
portable KE5DCI" or ZL1AM in California might use W6/ZL1AM although ZL1AM/W6 would also be acceptable
there. When working mobile you would use a call such as KE5DCI/M pronounced as "KE5DCI mobile."

Amateur Radio Bands

Just as many of us have a favorite fast food that we come back to time after time Radio Amateurs tend to have
a favorite band that they use more frequently than other bands. The question of what band to use may be secondary
to that favorite band. But the first question should be what band(s) am I licensed to use? From the beginning of the
licensing process you will find out what bands your license covers.
Next it is a matter of having the right equipment for the bands you want to use. As an entry level license
generally covers VHF (2m) and UHF (70cm) and many beginning hams will use one of both of these bands. Also
hand-held single-band or dual-band radios for these bands are affordable and don't require a sophisticated antenna or
power source. Most metropolitan areas also have amateur repeaters to extend the coverage when using VHF or UHF
radios.

Popular Bands
So what are the bands that most Radio Amateurs use? The table below shows bands that are relatively common
and how and when they are in use. Again your license will determine which bands and what portions you are eligible
to use.
Band (meter) MHz Use*
HF 160 1.8 - 2.0 night
80 3.5 - 4.0 night and local day
40 7.0 - 7.3 night and local day
30 10.1 - 10.15 CW and digital
20 14.0 - 14.350 world wide day and night
17 18.068 - 18.168 world wide day and night
15 21.0 - 21.450 primarily a daytime band
12 24.890 - 24.990 primarily a daytime band
10 28.0 - 29.70 daytime during sunspot highs
VHF 6 50 - 54 local to world-wide
2 144 - 148 local and medium distance
UHF 70 cm 430 - 440 local

(continued on next page)

 AARA HANDBOOK Page 7

Band Restrictions
In addition to deciding what band to use there may also be restrictions within the band depending on your level
of license? Canada and the U.S. each have slightly different band allocations which amateurs in each country must
follow. See the sidebar for links to web sites where the band plans are defined.
Also the world is divided into 3 ITU regions each of which have their own band plan. These plans all have a great
deal of overlap so you can usually talk to anyone anywhere providing you get onto a frequency acceptable to both.

HF Bands
For amateurs who have an interest in long distance communication the HF (high frequency) bands will be of
great interest. These bands offer propagation to all parts of the world at some time during the day, night or season.
Do you want to talk to Japan from the east coast or Europe from the west? There will often be a time and a band
where this communication is possible.
During a sunspot high cycle conditions are best for the higher HF frequencies and during a low the low
frequencies are often in demand with all kinds of variation in between. Magazines such as QST and CQ Amateur
Radio publish charts monthly that predict the best propagation to different areas of the world. These are just best
guesses and will help you to choose your times and a band but there is no substitute for getting on the air.

Basic Radio Operating Practices

So you now have your license and you are ready to get on the air. The most important thing to do before
beginning is, to listen and observe how other hams are making their contacts. As different modes and bands seem to
have slightly different approaches, it helps to have heard a few exchanges on a band before you make that first
contact.
Depending on your radio and license, you may have to decide on where and how you want to begin operating. If
you are using a hand-held transceiver you may begin through a local repeater or direct (simplex) on the VHF and
UHF bands. If you passed a CW test you may begin on some of the HF bands using CW or SSB. So let's give a
quick run-down of each of these operations.

The Amateur's Code

The Radio Amateur is…….
CONSIDERATE...never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
LOYAL...offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the American Radio
Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.
PROGRESSIVE...with knowledge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station and operation above
reproach.
FRIENDLY...slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly
assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur
spirit.
BALANCED...radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.
PATRIOTIC...station and skill always ready for service to country and community.

--The original Amateur's Code was written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA,

in 1928.
 AARA HANDBOOK Page 8

How to Use Amateur (Ham Radio) Repeaters by N4UJW

Simple enough for even me to understand!
This article will help the New Ham to be more at home on repeaters and understand the operation and procedures
on Ham Radio Repeaters.
It contains a basic description of a ham radio repeater, how to use it properly and is written with the NEW HAM
in mind for one of the most popular ham bands....2 meters.
then re-transmits what it receives on another frequency; at exactly the same time. It's nothing more than a "dumb
electronic machine" with some smart people behind it.
What is a Repeater and Why is it Needed, and How Does It Work?
What: It's a two-way radio system that receives on one frequency,
Why it's needed: Your mobile or hand held transceiver, has a limited range due to it's antenna height with re-
spect to the radio horizon and rf attenuating surroundings. Repeater systems are used to "transfer" your transmitted
and received signals to much higher levels electronically using large, very efficient high gain antennas, low loss
feed-lines and a transmitter and receiver that is rated for heavy or continuous duty. A repeater "gets out" your signal
and receives the station you are talking to with a far greater range and coverage area! You take advantage of the re-
peater's higher elevation to increase your effective transmitting and receiving coverage versus your mobile or hand
held transceiver!
How does a Repeater work?
Here's a simple block diagram of a repeater below:

Standard Repeater Input/Output Offsets

Band Offset (Note that input/output offsets are voluntary among local and regional
6 meters 1 MHz "Frequency Coordination Groups".
2 meters 600 kHz They are not fixed in stone by the FCC! They are "recommended" off-
1.25 meters 1.6 MHz sets for a particular area.
70 cm 5 MHz Your area may be different. Check with your local repeater operators.
33 cm 12 MHz More information can be found at:
23 cm 20 MHz http://www.hamuniverse.com/repeater.html
 AARA HANDBOOK Page 9

CTCSS (PL) Tones Frequencies

Metropolitan Coordination Association, Inc.
CTCSS stands for Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System, it is the generic abbreviation and is used to mini-
mize co-channel interference.
Below is the terminology used by different commercial companies for CTCSS:
PL is the Motorola Abbreviation for "Private Line".
QC is the RCA abbreviation for "Quiet Channel".
CG is the General Electric abbreviation for "Channel Guard".
CTCSS is often referred to as a "PL" tone by many users.
Many repeaters require the use of a PL tone to access the repeater.
The frequency that a user transmits to access a repeater is the Repeater CTCSS Encode Frequency.
The frequency that the repeater transmits to the user is the Repeater Decode Frequency.
Deviation of a transmitted tone should be a maximum of 500Hz.
Contrary to popular belief, the requirement of a PL tone to access a repeater does NOT mean it is closed. A PL
is frequently used to preclude interference in high RF environments and lessen what is called kerchunking
(unnecessary keying of the repeater). Some repeaters may also generate a PL tone on the repeater output so that re-
peater users who are equipped with a radio capable of decoding PL will not hear other interference sources on the
channel that would otherwise open the squelch on the user's radio.
It is up to the owner / trustee of the repeater to decide whether or not to make public the PL tone for a particular
repeater. MetroCor follows the wishes of the owner / trustee in publishing the PL code only when so requested.
MetroCor strongly recommends the use of PL on repeaters' receivers. PL is a minor inconvenience when you
consider how many potential problems it can eliminate. The use of PL may be required for a coordination to be
granted if conditions so warrant, such as proximity to a co-channel repeater, or in an area where band openings fre-
quently aggravate co-channel interference problems.
MetroCor hopes that repeater owners / trustees in a given area will standardize on a particular PL tone and incor-
porate it into their operational plans. The reason for this is to make it easier for users to operate the local repeaters in
an area, as some older radios are only capable of a single PL tone as compared to modern radios which can have PL
tones selected on a per-channel basis.
Today most radios have encode PL devices. Some radios have both, encode and decode. If anyone needs a PL
board for their radios they can check with the radio manufacturer and see if the tone boards are available. If they are
not there are third party companies that manufacture PL units that fit into most models of radios. If you do not feel
comfortable in installing a PL in your radio ask someone at your local radio club or contact any 2-way radio repair
shop and they will be able to assist you.

The following chart showing each PL tone's two-character alphanumeric designator and the corresponding tone fre-
quency in Hertz.
 AARA HANDBOOK Page 10

Acadiana area hams should use repeaters in the order shown below. If a repeater goes down, switch
to simplex frequencies. Use the 145.370 (pl 103.5) repeater for SkyWarn in the city of Lafayette, otherwise
use the pl for the quadrant you are in. Acadiana area simplex frequency (147.420) should be monitored
along with the repeater frequency for the quadrant you located. If you are working with the Red or at a
shelter, use the 147.520 simplex for voice and 145.000 (center on 1500) for digital. Monitor the Red Cross /
shelter voice frequency (147.520) for information regarding digital modes.

REPEATER FREQUENCY OFFSET PL TONE EACH QUADRANT IS

PRIMARY 145.370 — 103.5 MONITORED IN 15 MINUTE IN-
BACKUP #1 146.820 — 103.5 CREMENTS. IF THERE IS AN
BACKUP #2 147.040 — 103.5 EMERGENCY, USE THE REPEAT-
ERS AS LISTED TO THE LEFT.
ACADIANA SIMPLEX 147.420 NONE NONE

NW QUADRANT NE QUADRANT
SKYWARN PL 114.8 SKYWARN PL 127.3
SIMPLEX = 147.500 SIMPLEX = 147.440
MONITORED 46-00 min- MONITORED 00-15 min-

SE QUADRANT
SKYWARN PL 94.8
SIMPLEX = 147.400
MONITORED 16-30 min-

SW QUADRANT
SKYWARN PL 141.3
SIMPLEX = 147.480
MONITORED 31-45 min-

During extreme severe weather, the 145.370 PL 103.5 SkyWarn Repeater may be
activated for local weather reports from amateur radio operators.
Check out the Acadiana ARES Net on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM Central on
the 145.370 PL 103.5 repeator.

LAFAYETTE PARISH SKYWARN

2 Meter EMCOMM Frequencies
 AARA HANDBOOK Page 11

Shown below are the 2 meter frequencies for EMCOMM. Acadiana area hams should use the
repeaters in the order listed below first. If the repeaters go down, switch to the simplex frequencies.
Use PL-103.5 for SkyWarn in the city of Lafayette, otherwise use the PL tone for the quad you are
in. There is one simplex frequency for the Acadiana area (147.420) which should be monitored
along with the simplex frequency for the quadrant you are in. The intersection of I-49/HWY-90
South and I-10 East/West has been chosen for the center of the quadrant. If you are working in
support of Red Cross or at a shelter, use 147.520 simplex for voice and 145.000 simplex for digital.
Monitor the Red Cross/Shelter voice frequency for information regarding digital modes.
Repeater #1 145.370 (-) PL Tone 103.5 SkyWarn
Repeater #2 146.820 (-) PL Tone 103.5 AARA
Repeater #3 147.040 (+) PL Tone 103.5 AARA
Acadiana Area Simplex 147.420
Red Cross/ Shelter Simplex Voice 147.520
Red Cross/ Shelter Simplex Digital 145.000 (Center on 1500)
Shown below are the Lafayette Parish Quadrants. Shown are the Simplex frequencies and the PL
tones for the SkyWarn 145.370 repeater receiver settings for that quadrant.
 AARA HANDBOOK Page 12

Using a HT and a Repeater

Many amateurs begin by getting the Basic Technician (U.S.) class license. By far the most common mode of
operation for them is the HT through a local repeater. Assuming you have the HT set up to the appropriate
frequency, offset, and if necessary, CTCSS tone then you are ready to make your first contact.
To Initiate a Call
For this instruction let's assume you live near a repeater that services your area.
1. Press the mike button on the HT and say "Your Call listening." Of course you would use your own call
sign.
That might be all you need for a response. But if there is no response (which is quite likely) then you might try
again but this time say "Your Call is monitoring and listening for a call."
Usually you don't need to call CQ on a repeater, although there is nothing wrong with that. We will look at
calling CQ shortly.
2. You get a response something like "Your Call this is Their Call returning. My name is JOHN. Back to
you."
At this point you want to wait for the repeater's courtesy tone to indicate it is okay to proceed.
3. Press you mike button and respond. At this point the discussion can be whatever you make it. Give your name
and location and any other information you wish to JOHN and when you are ready say "Over" or "Back to you."
It is a good idea to give your call sign frequently so after a longer transmission you would say "Their Call this is
Your Call . Over."
The use of the terms "over" or "back to you" are a courtesy that lets the other operator know that you are finished
talking and are turning the operation back to him or her.
4. At the end of the contact you would finally say good-bye or 73 and sign off by saying "Their Call this is
Your Call clear and monitoring." That is if you intend to continue to monitor. If not you could say "...clear and
QRT" instead.
To Respond to a Call
To respond to a call over the repeater with a HT you would take on the role of the opposite person in the above
discussion. You hear Their Call calling on the repeater so answer as follows after the repeater tone drops:
1. "Their Call this is Your Call Good morning my name is Your Name and my location is Your Location LA.
Over to you."
2. Basically the exchange would proceed as discussed above. Be sure to identify your station occasionally and
definitely identify yourself at the end of the contact as explained above.
Making Direct Phone Contacts
Whether you are operating HF, VHF or UHF without a repeater the procedure is essentially the same. In each case you will be
transmitting directly by radio waves to another amateur's radio. You only need to set the operating band and frequency without
the need for an offset or tone to access a repeater. However, depending on your radio and antenna it may be necessary to
tune the antenna before beginning.
Calling CQ to Make a Contact
Let's assume your license permits you to operate SSB on 10 meters.
1. Begin by finding a clear frequency such as 28.460. Speak clearly into the mike and ask "Is this frequency in use? This is
Your Call ." If you get no response you might ask a second time just to be sure. Again if there is no response then proceed to
step 2. If someone says that the frequency is in use then just move to another clear frequency and try again.
2. Now call "CQ CQ CQ. This is Your Call in Phonetics calling CQ CQ CQ. This is Your Call in Phonetics calling CQ and
waiting for a call."
Now you listen for the return call. Being on an HF band (10 meters) it is possible to get a call ranging from very strong to very
weak.
3. You hear "Your Call this is Their Call in Phonetics calling."
4. You respond by saying "Their Call (using phonetics is best) this is My Call. Thanks for the call your signal is 59. My
name is Your Name and my QTH is Your Location in LA. So how do you copy? Their Call this is My Call over."
You have made your first HF contact. At this point you can make the contact as long or short as you like depending on the
band conditions and what you find to discuss with your new friend.
5. You end an HF contact by giving both call signs and signing off. For example: "... Thanks Their Namefor the contact and
73 to you and your family. Their Call this is My Call signing off."

(continued on page 13 column 1)

 AARA HANDBOOK Page 13
(continued from page 12) 2. The other station may respond as
What do you do if more than one station responds to your call? If you hear one "My Call de His Call, His Call K"
call clearly then simply respond to that station as discussed above. If you hear only 3. Now it's your turn. "His Call de My
parts of call signs, maybe "Alpha November" then in step 4 begin by saying "the Call GM UR RPT IS 599 599 NM IS
station with Alpha November make your call." Once you have heard the
complete call sign you can proceed as in step 4. My Name ES QTH IS My Location
LA His Call DE My Call KN"
1. "Their Call this is My Call. Good morning my name is My Name and my
location is My Location LA. Over to you." To avoid confusion I have left out
the punctuation in the above line.
2. Basically the exchange would proceed as discussed above. Be sure to identify Normally punctuation is not used for
your station occasionally and definitely identify yourself at the end of the contact as casual contacts to reduce the amount
explained above. of sending needed. It usually is quite
obvious to both operators where the
Making Direct Phone Contacts punctuation should go.
Whether you are operating HF, VHF or UHF without a repeater the procedure is Notice the use of abbreviations. de,
essentially the same. In each case you will be transmitting directly by radio waves GM, UR, RPT, NM, ES, QTH, KN are
to another amateur's radio. You only need to set the operating band and frequency all commonly used. The table shows
without the need for an offset or tone to access a repeater. However, depending on the meaning of common abbreviations
your radio and antenna it may be necessary to tune the antenna before beginning. used in CW.
Calling CQ to Make a Contact The underlined codes are sent without
Let's assume your license permits you to operate SSB on 10 meters. a pause between the letters.
1. Begin by finding a clear frequency such as 28.460. Speak clearly into the mike 4. The exchange of information
and ask "Is this frequency in use? This is My Call." If you get no response you continues as for phone except that CW
might ask a second time just to be sure. Again if there is no response then proceed operators will use the abbreviated form
to step 2. If someone says that the frequency is in use then just move to another of words on a regular basis during their
clear frequency and try again. exchange.
2. Now call "CQ CQ CQ. This is My Call in Phonetics calling CQ CQ CQ. This 5. At the end of the contact you might
is My Call in Phonetics , My Call calling CQ and waiting for a call." finish as follows: "... tnx His Name fer
Now you listen for the return call. Being on an HF band (10 meters) it is possible to the QSO 73 es gud DX. His Call de
get a call ranging from very strong to very weak. My Call SK"
3. You hear "My Call this is Other Station in Phonetics calling." Again several abbreviations were used
4. You respond by saying "Other Station (using phonetics is best) this is My but these are obvious I hope. "fer"
Call. Thanks for the call your signal is 59. My name is My Name and my QTH instead of "for" is simply less keying
is My Location in LA. So how do you copy? Other Call this is My Call over." and "gud" for "good" also saves the
wrist.
You have made your first HF contact. At this point you can make the contact as
long or short as you like depending on the band conditions and what you find to Abbreviation Use
discuss with your new friend.
5. You end an HF contact by giving both call signs and signing off. For example: "... AR over
Thanks His Name for the contact and 73 to you and your family. His Call this de from or “this is”
is My Call signing off." ES and
What do you do if more than one station responds to your call? If you hear one call GM good morning
clearly then simply respond to that station as discussed above. If you hear only K go
parts of call signs, maybe "Alpha November" then in step 4 begin by saying "the KN go only
station with Alpha November make your call." Once you have heard the NM name
complete call sign you can proceed as in step 4.
QTH location
Responding to a CQ RPT report
Begin by tuning within the range of frequencies that you are permitted to operate R roger
and find a station calling CQ. To respond to the station you take on the role of the SK clear
other station in the above exchange. The one difference is that after you call you tnx thanks
may find out that other stations are also calling and that your call is not immediately UR your, you are
recognized. If so wait until the stations complete their contact and then try again. If
you don't want to wait then tune for another station calling CQ and answer this call.
73 best regards
CW Contacts
Making a CW contact is very similar to making a phone contact except of course
you are using Morse Code. The process of CQ’ing and exchanging information is
about the same although CW operators use more abbreviations to make sending
Thanks to Herman KN5GRK
faster. and Stratos KE5DCI for the infor-
1. Call CQ as follows: "CQ CQ CQ My Call, My Call, My Call K" and wait for a
mation on putting together this
response. brochure.
(continued on next column) Updated 9/5/2016
 AARA Technician Contest
Started September 1, 2011 - no ending date.. Contacts can be made with any class license operators on 2 me-
ter & 440 repeaters, Simplex, IRLP, or EchoLink. Use “Honor System”, no QSL cards needed to be exchanged. Use
last letter in suffix of call. Submit log to Herman KN5GRK for a nice certificate.

NAME: _________________________ CALL: ___________ DATE FINISHED: _______________________

CALL: NAME: DATE: TIME: (local) MODE:

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