This video explores Smith Chart basics, and uses that information to learn about the RF performance of a paperclip.
Would this make a good antenna, at what frequencies does it resonate?
A Smith chart makes this really easy to see.
Category: Education
FCC’s 2019 R&O on RF Exposure Standards: Effective May 3, 2021
On April 12, 2021, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) reminded us that the 2019 FCC Report and Oder (R&O) regarding regulatory RF exposure standards goes into effect on May 3rd, 2021. Part of the Vice President’s report in the coming club meetings will address this important topic at a high level, with a more detailed presentation being developed to share at a club meeting. More information will be provided as things develop. In the ARRL’s article (linked above), useful information has been shared, including a link to a document they titled RF Exposure and You that they are offering for free download.
A high-level overview of the document includes five sections pertinent to all licensed amateur radio operations –
- A Section on the ARRL RF Safety Committee
- The IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with respect to human exposure to RF
- A section on “Where do RF Standards come from?”
- The FCC RF Exposure Regulations
- Typical RF Field Strengths near Amateur Radio Antennas
I encourage you to review the ARRL Article linked at the beginning of this post. I will be providing updates on this important topic.
Operating Course: Free, Online
The National Electronics Museum is sponsoring its well-received Operating Course again starting April 15, 2021 and running each Thursday for 11 weeks from 6:30 to 9:30 EDST on Zoom. There is no charge for participation.
The purpose of these classes is to provide information to help licensed radio amateurs to participate in the many on-the-air activities available in the hobby. The presenters are very experienced in their topics—many are nationally known experts—and they will be available to answer your questions following the presentations.
Continue reading “Operating Course: Free, Online”COMM Academy 2021 April 11-12
Comm Academy 2021 is a free, virtual training conference on April 10-11, 2021, for anyone interested in emergency communications. CLICK HERE to get more information and to register. Read more for the Schedule details.
Continue reading “COMM Academy 2021 April 11-12”The History of the Phonetic Alphabet
From “Able-Baker” to Today: The History of the Phonetic Alphabet” by Sam Lichtman
Excerpt:
“From Marines in the most remote areas on Earth to airline pilots ferrying travelers across the world at 35,000 feet, nearly everyone who uses voice radio for important communication can understand each other using the phonetic alphabet. It took a herculean effort over half a century for the world to settle on a universal ‘language’ for voice radio. From the jungles of Vietnam to the arid highlands of northern Iraq, that same system has proven itself for more than half a century in all conditions.”