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EE123: Digital Signal Processing

73

Spring, 2018

ham Radio

From ARRL: Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) is a popular hobby and service in which licensed Amateur Radio operators (hams) operate communications equipment. Although Amateur Radio operators get involved for many reasons, they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology and operating principles, and pass an examination for the FCC license to operate on radio frequencies known as the “Amateur Bands.”. These bands are radio frequencies reserved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for use by ham radio operators.

The role of amateur radio has obviously changed with the presence of the internet. Remarkably, amateur radio today offers unique opportunities and capabilities due to its independence on commercial infrastructure. For example, it is a legal ground for hands-on experimenting with wireless communication technology and it allows communication in emergencies and from remote areas.

What can you do as a ham?

  • Talk to people (near and far)

  • Build stuff (amps, sdr’s, antennas, receivers)

  • Emergency communications (emcom)

  • First person view (FPV) vehicles (drones) at much higher power

  • Hit satellites, moon, meteors, airplanes (with radio waves! … not something else)

  • Digital communication with Automatic Positioning and Reporting System, packet radio

  • Use Repeaters covering bay-area, California and the United States, mesh networks

ham in EE123

  • Each student will get a license

  • Each student will get a radio and an audio interface to a computer

  • Labs and a project based on the radios

Getting a License

* Important: please read this:

Exam

Exam Preparation (Very easy… but we will still help you prepare):

  • Get the Book Technician Ham Radio License Manual 21$ Amazon

  • On Campus Lectures: TBD

  • Practice Amature Exam On-line (Needs registration – free) QRZ.com

* Mailing list: eecs-ham@lists.berkeley.edu

Links

Resources: