WPARC Library

If you want to place any of the documents listed here on your web site, please just link to it here or contact the author for permission.

Help for new hams

• Operator's Guide for New Amateurs: Just get your license? This document will help you get started in Amateur Radio.

• Review of Simple VHF/UHF Repeater Operating Procedures: A repeater is a shared resource, sort of like a giant conference call party line. This document contains some basic operational procedures that Hams have generally agreed on so everyone can make the most of sharing a repeater.

• Repeater and Remote Operation: A repeater receives a signal and retransmits it, usually at higher power and from a better location, to provide a greater communication range. This document is part of an ARRL training class and explains repeaters, satellite operation, and other remote operations.

• Review of Simple HF Operating Procedures: HF Bands and frequencies are a shared resource. Think of a large conference or meeting room with many tables and people all of them wanting to talk with others in the room, especially to those on a table across the room. It’s easy to see that cooperation and courtesy are needed to make HF communication work. Here are some basic operational procedures that the International ruling organizations and Hams have generally agreed on so everyone can make the most of sharing the Ham bands.

• Some HF Transceivers to Consider: So, you finally upgraded and are ready to jump into HF. Here are some HF transceivers you might look at.

• Some HF Antennas to Consider: There are an overwhelming number of HF antennas available to Ham radio from many different manufacturers. Making a choice can be an intimidating and frustrating task, particularly for the new ham that simply wants to get a new rig on the air with minimal investment and construction. This paper is aimed toward providing hams with an overview of selected antenna manufacturers and their products.

• Understanding Antennas for the Non-Technical Ham: Information and descriptions of most Amateur Radio antennae. This is a large document and may take some time to download.

• Quick Guide to Operating the Yaesu 857-D: Through a series of five graduated exercises, this document introduces you to the operation of the Yaesu 857-D, its controls, and builds up confidence with the rig.

Digital modes

• A PSK Primer: Although written primarily for the Rascal GLX user, this document contains a lot of good information about the PSK 31 mode.

• Sound Card Packet: This page explains how to use the AGWPE utility program to send and receive packet -- a digital data mode -- using the sound card or sound chip of your PC instead of a traditional TNC or radio modem.

Club presentations

Listed here are some of the presentations the WPARC membership has seen at recent club meetings.

• APRS presentation by Greg Dolkas, KO6TH, at the September 9, 2009 meeting.

• Linux and Ham Radio by Clay Abrams, W6AEP, presented at our October 14, 2009 meeting. (large file...may take some time to download)

Emergency communication

Here are a series of documents pertaining to emergency communications.

• Public Service Communications Manual: Documentation for ARES, RACES, and NTS.

• NTS Training Manual: What is the National Traffic System (NTS) and how to use it.

QSLs

Here are a series of articles about the art and science of QSLing.

• How to Succeed At QSLing "Without Really Trying": This article is based on a post to the DX QSL reflector in May 2002. It was updated for publication in the June 2002 issue of the WASHRag, the newsletter of the Wireless Association of South Hills, Inc. N3SH/WA3SH of Pittsburgh, PA. This update was done at the request of a QSL Manager who wanted to pass these tips on to individuals who needed assistance in sending and receiving QSL cards.

• QSL Cards and QSL Card Mailing Systems: An article by Roger, K6OU, on QSL cards and QSL card mailing systems.

• Why eQSL: A short article on using eQSL.cc for digital QSLs.

• Sending a QSL Direct How to send a QSL directly to a contact and increase your chances of a response.

Other documents of interest to Amateur Radio operators

• How to get amateur radio license plates for your vehicle. This for California hams. Regulations may differ for your state. Check with your local DMV.

• Understanding and Eliminating Groundloops: Many designers and installers of audio/video systems think of grounding and interfacing as a black art. How many times have you heard someone say that a cable is picking up noise presumably from the air like a radio receiver? Or that the solution is better shielding? Even equipment manufacturers often don’t have a clue what’s really going on. The most basic rules of physics are routinely overlooked, ignored, or forgotten.

• Understanding How Ferrites Can Prevent and Eliminate RF Interference to Audio Systems: Over the past few years, we’ve been learning about some important mechanisms that can combine to cause radio frequency (RF) interference to sound systems. Analysis shows that RF shield current is a major contributor, so eliminating or reducing shield current should be the key to eliminating the interference. This document gives some suggestions.

• ARRL map for WAS: If you are trying for a Worked All States certificate, this may be of help to you.

• Grid map: ARRL map of North American Maidenhead grid squares. Lincoln is CM98iv, Rocklin and Loomis is CM98jt, and Roseville is CM98is. See the Million Mile Certificate page for instructions on finding the grid squares of other cities.

• Q-codes: These are short-hand signals used especially during CW transmissions (and to a lesser extent during voice transmissions) to help keep conversations short and convey as much information as possible in the shortest length of time.

• Band plans: Listing from ARRL of all U.S. ham bands with suggest band usage.