| Term |
Meaning |
Source |
| 30 |
End of message. |
ar-wiki |
| 33 |
Love sealed with friendship and mutual respect between one YL and another YL. (coined by Clara Reger W2RUF, adopted officially by YLRL in 1940) |
ar-wiki |
| 73 |
Best Regards (Source: "Morse Code: The Essential Language", 2nd Ed., ARRL Publishing) |
qrz.com |
| 73 |
Goodbye, best regards. |
ar-wiki |
| 88 |
Love and Kisses |
ar-wiki |
| 10 code |
A series of abbreviations (originally 10-1 through 10-29) created by APCO, the US association of public safety communications officers, for use on 1950's-era police radio. As many localities extended the series with their own non-standard codes, the same codes may have different meanings in different agencies (even between police and fire services in the same town). Ten codes are never used in amateur, marine or aviation radio as Q-codes already are in long-established international use but they may be heard in the unlicensed CB radio service and on local public-service frequencies. |
ar-wiki |
| 11 metres |
The 27MHz CB general radio service, nominally intended for local communications. As no license or callsign is required to transmit, quality of operating procedure employed on this band may be criticised as variable at best. Where existing citizen's band procedure, code abbreviation and slang terminology are incompatible with amateur radio operating convention, users will find much needs to be re-learned upon leaving 11 metre CB to become licensed radio amateurs. |
ar-wiki |
| 2, 6, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 metres |
See Bands. |
ar-wiki |
| 807 |
An old glass vacuum tube, several inches tall and around. Also, slang for a beer, as in "there's nothing like a cold 807 on a hot Arizona afternoon" (thanks to W7QY). According to our friends in Ireland, a pint of Guinness is known as a "Black 807" (thanks to GI4FUE). |
qrz.com |
| 88 |
Hugs and/or "Kisses" |
qrz.com |
| 92 code |
A series of telegraphic abbreviations devised by Western Union in 1859 (originally as numbers 1 to 92). The later Philips Code added abbreviations for news wire service. While many of the codes are long forgotten, 19 and 31 (absolute and permissive) train orders continue in railroad use, the "30" as used by news editors at the end of a story remains widely known and "73" / "88" greetings are common in amateur radio. |
ar-wiki |
| A-Index |
Linear index for measuring the disturbance level in the earth's magnetic field. The index is defined over a period of one day (Courtesy of IPS Radio and Space Services, Sydney, Australia). |
qrz.com |
| A/D |
Analog-to-Digital |
dslreports |
| AC |
Alternating Current |
ar-wiki |
| ACC |
ACCessory |
icom |
| ACSB |
Amplitude Compandored Sideband modulation |
qrz.com |
| Adaptive filter |
Digital filter associated with Digital Signal Processing. |
icom |
| ADC |
Analogue to Digital Converter. Also known as A/D and A-to-D. A device that samples an analogue wave and converts it into a digital signal, in which a series of numbers is used to represent the amplitude of the original wave. |
ar-wiki |
| ADIF |
Amateur Data Interchange Format, a standard specification for format of exported logbook files. |
ar-wiki |
| Adjacent-channel interference |
When a receiver is tuned to a specific frequency and interference is received on a nearby frequency. |
icom |
| Admittance |
The reciprocal of impedance of a component in a series or parallel tuned circuit. |
ar-wiki |
| AF |
Abbreviation for Audio Frequency. AF is in the range 20Hz to 20 000Hz |
ar-wiki |
| AF |
Audio Frequency |
icom |
| AFC |
Automatic Frequency Control - Automatically compensate frequency drift. |
icom |
| AFC |
Automatic Frequency Control - used to prevent drift in FM receivers |
ar-wiki |
| AFC |
Automatic frequency control. Used in FM receivers to prevent drifting off the received station's frequency. |
eham.net |
| AFSK |
Audio frequency shift keying (as opposed to frequency shift keying, FSK) |
eham.net |
| AFSK |
Audio Frequency Shift Keying, a form of digital signalling. |
icom |
| AFSK |
Audio Frequency Shift Keying. |
ar-wiki |
| AGC |
Automatic Gain Control - a feedback system to reduce fading by automatically adjusting gain |
ar-wiki |
| AGC |
Automatic Gain Control - Automatically optimize receiver amplifier gain. |
icom |
| AGC |
Automatic Gain Control; a circuit in a radio which automatically adjusts the overall gain of the receiver |
qrz.com |
| AGC |
Automatic Gain Control. A feedback voltage in the receiver circuit to prevent fading of a received signal. |
eham.net |
| AGL |
(Height) Above Ground Level, for antenna installations. |
ar-wiki |
| ALC |
Automatic Level Control - a feedback system in the transmitter output amplifier used to prevent overload. |
ar-wiki |
| ALC |
Automatic Level Control - Limits RF drive level to power amplifier during transmit to prevent distortion. |
icom |
| ALC |
Automatic level control. A feedback voltage in the transmitter's output amplifier used to prevent amplifier overload. Also used as feedback from a linear amplifier back to the exciter to prevent overdriving. |
eham.net |
| Alternating Current (ac) |
Electrical current that flows first in one direction in a wire and then in the other. The applied voltage is also changing polarity. This direction reversal continues at a rate that depends on the frequency of the ac. |
hamuniverse |
| Alternator |
A device use to produce alternating current (ac). |
hamuniverse |
| AM |
Amlpitude Modulation |
ar-wiki |
| AM |
Amplitude Modulation |
icom |
| AM |
Amplitude Modulation See: Modulation Modes |
dslreports |
| AM |
Amplitude Modulation; slang often used is "Ancient Modulation" (courtesy of VE3FFK). |
qrz.com |
| AM |
Amplitude Modulation. |
eham.net |
| Amateur Satellite |
A spacecraft dedicated to reception and retransmission of amateur radio signals. |
hamuniverse |
| Amateur Television (ATV) |
Transmitting visual images over the airwaves. Introduction to Slow Scan Television. |
hamuniverse |
| Ampere |
(A) The unit used for measurement of current. Usually abbreviated to Amps |
ar-wiki |
| Ampere (A) |
The basic unit of electrical current. It is measured in amperes. |
hamuniverse |
| Amplifier |
A device that is used to increase voltage, current or power. |
ar-wiki |
| Amplifier |
A device used to increase the output power of a device. |
icom |
| Amplitude |
the height of a wave from the average or median position. |
ar-wiki |
| Amplitude Modulation (AM) |
A method of combining an information signal (modulation) and an RF carrier. Shortwave broadcast stations use this type of modulation, as do stations in the Standard Broadcast Band (535-1705 kHz) AM usually consists of a carrier frequency and 2 sidebands, upper and lower....see Introduction to SSB here. |
hamuniverse |
| AMSAT |
AMateur SATellite |
icom |
| AMSAT |
Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation |
dslreports |
| AMSAT |
The name for amateur radio satellite organizations world-wide, but in particular the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. |
ar-wiki |
| AMSAT |
The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, non-for-profit corporation dedicated to the advancement of Amateur Radio satellites. |
hamuniverse |
| AMTOR |
A specialised form of RTTY protocol. An acronym for AMateur Teleprinting Over Radio or AMateur Teletype over Radio. |
ar-wiki |
| AMTOR |
Amateur Teleprinter Over Radio, a version of RTTY |
dslreports |
| AMTOR |
AMateur Teleprinting Over Radio - A form of RTTY, radio teletype. |
icom |
| AMTOR |
AMateur Teletype Over Radio. An advanced form of RTTY usually operated on the HF bands. |
eham.net |
| AMTOR |
Automatic Teleprinting Over Radio; popular digital mode on HF |
qrz.com |
| analog |
A signal that varies in a continuous manner as a wave as opposed to a discrete signal such as digital. |
eham.net |
| Analog (also analogue) |
a continuously varying signal. |
ar-wiki |
| ANC, ANR |
Active noise control, active noise reduction. Also referred to as automatic noise cancellation or antinoise on some transceivers. |
ar-wiki |
| Anderson power poles |
Used by many emergency radio operators to connect 12 volts DC to their radios. |
icom |
| ANF |
Automatic Notch Filter |
icom |
| ANL |
Automatic Noise Limiter - Eliminates impulse and static noise peaks. |
icom |
| ANT |
ANTenna |
icom |
| antenna |
a device that intercepts or radiates radio frequency energy |
dslreports |
| antenna |
a device that intercepts or radiates radio frequency energy. |
eham.net |
| Antenna |
a device to either radiate radio signals or to receive them from another station. |
ar-wiki |
| Antenna Gain |
The ratio of the power required at the input of a loss-free reference antenna to the power supplied to the input of the given antenna to produce, in a given direction, the same field strength at the same distance (def. courtesy of Telecom Glossary 2000) |
qrz.com |
| Antenna ground system |
Term used for a RF reference potential for some types of antennas. Most unbalanced or asymmetrical antennas need a good RF ground. |
icom |
| Antenna impedance |
The impedance of an antenna at its resonance. Although an antenna’s impedance fluctuates with the frequency of operation, an antenna should be 50 Ω for most transceivers. |
icom |
| Antenna matching |
When the antenna’s impedance at resonance is at optimum performance for your transmitter output circuit. |
icom |
| Antenna Party |
A long-standing tradition among hams where several gather to assist a fellow ham in mounting antennas and/or towers. Often accompanied by malt consumables and lies AFTER the tower and the antennas are up and working...well, the consumables anyway (thanks to WD5CTQ). |
qrz.com |
| Antenna Switch |
A switch used to change the output of a transceiver from one antenna to another. |
ar-wiki |
| Antenna Switch |
A switch used to connect one transmitter, receiver or transceiver to several different antennas. A two position antenna switch would connect two different antennas. |
hamuniverse |
| Antenna Tuner |
A device that matches the antenna system input impedance to the transmitter, receiver or transceiver output impedance. Also called an antenna-matching network, impedance-matching network or Transmatch. Sometimes called an ATU. How to use an antenna tuner. |
hamuniverse |
| Antenna Tuner |
A device used to match the output impedance of a transmitter to that of an antenna. |
ar-wiki |
| antenna tuner |
device that matches the antenna impedance to the receiver or transceiver output impedance |
dslreports |
| Antenna tuner |
Device used to match an antenna to the output impedance of a transmitter. |
icom |
| antenna tuner |
Impedance-matching device that matches the antenna system input impedance to the transmitter, receiver, or transceiver output impedance. |
dslreports |
| antenna tuner |
Impedance-matching device that matches the impedance of the antenna system input to the transmitter, receiver, or transceiver output impedance. |
eham.net |
| Anti-VOX |
Transceiver circuitry used in voice-operated (VOX) stations to prevent audio from the receiver's speaker from actuating the voice-operated transmitter. |
ar-wiki |
| AOS |
Acquisition of Signal from a satellite; occurs when the satellite becomes "visible" to the antenna as it comes up from the horizon. |
qrz.com |
| APC |
Automatic Power Control - Current limiting of power amplifier to prevent damage to finals in high SWR conditions. |
icom |
| APRS |
Automatic Packet Position Reporting System - See APRS |
dslreports |
| APRS |
Automatic Packet Position Reporting System. |
eham.net |
| APRS |
Automatic Packet Reporting System (Uses GPS + Packet Radio) |
qrz.com |
| APRS |
Automatic Position Reporting System - In conjunction with a GPS and TNC provide position reporting. |
icom |
| APRS |
Automatic Position Reporting System, Automated Packet Reporting System. |
ar-wiki |
| ARA |
Amateur Radio Association |
dslreports |
| ARC |
Amateur Radio Club (also ARA, ARS - Amateur Radio Association, Amateur Radio Society) - usually prefixed by the name of the community or region served |
ar-wiki |
| ARC |
Amateur Radio Club. Military Designation for Avionics (Aviation Radio Composite) |
dslreports |
| ARDF |
Amateur Radio Direction Finding |
ar-wiki |
| ARES |
Amateur Radio Disaster Services, Amateur Radio Emergency Services |
ar-wiki |
| ARES |
Amateur Radio Emergency Service |
dslreports |
| ARES |
Amateur Radio Emergency Service - ARES is a public-service organization of the ARRL. |
icom |
| ARES |
Amateur Radio Emergency Service: sponsored by ARRL, and presents a way for local amateurs to provide emergency communications while working with the Red Cross and Emergency Operations Centers. |
hamuniverse |
| ARES |
Amateur Radio Emergency Service. |
eham.net |
| ARISS |
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station. A program that allows schools, with the help of an amateur club, to contact the amateur station on board the International space station. |
ar-wiki |
| ARRL |
American Radio Relay League |
dslreports |
| ARRL |
American Radio Relay League , the national amateur radio organization in the USA |
eham.net |
| ARRL |
American Radio Relay League; A U.S.-based organization which exists to support Amateur Radio. For more information, please visit http://www.arrl.org. |
qrz.com |
| ARRL |
ARRL - The national association of amateur radio operators. ARRL home page. |
hamuniverse |
| ARRL |
The American Radio Relay League - The National Association for Amateur Radio in the US. |
icom |
| ARRL |
The American Radio Relay League [1]- the national ham radio association for the USA |
ar-wiki |
| ASCII |
American National Standard Code for Information Interchange - A seven-unit digital code for the transmission of teleprinter data. |
icom |
| ASCII |
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A seven bit code established by ANSI to achieve compatibility between digital devices. |
eham.net |
| ASL |
Above Sea Level. Vertical height in metres or feet above sea level. |
ar-wiki |
| ATS |
Automatic Transfer Switch, switches equipment to a backup power supply in event of power failure. |
ar-wiki |
| ATT |
ATTenuator - A network designed to reduce the amplitude of a signal. |
icom |
| Attenuator |
A resistive device to reduce the amplitude or power of a signal. |
ar-wiki |
| ATV |
Amateur Television - "moving picture" ham TV transmissions. |
ar-wiki |
| ATV |
Amateur Television - FSTV, SSTV |
icom |
| ATV |
Amateur Television; typically found on the 430 MHz and 1.2 GHz bands; see http://www.hampubs.com/atv.htm for more information (thanks to KG4LXA for the suggested link). |
qrz.com |
| Auto patch |
Used in repeater operation for telephone interconnect. |
icom |
| Autopatch |
a device that allows repeater users to make telephone calls through a repeater. |
hamuniverse |
| Average power |
Power measured on standard power meter. |
icom |
| AWG |
American Wire Gauge; a system of describing the diameter of wire by which the wire size increases as the gauge number decreases. |
qrz.com |
| Az/El |
used to describe an antenna rotator that can change both the Azimuth (horizontal) and the Elevation (vertical) direction of the antenna. |
ar-wiki |
| Azimuth |
The horizontal direction (angle) measured clockwise from North. |
ar-wiki |
| Backscatter |
Radio signals reflected back from ionized patches in the ionosphere. |
icom |
| Backstay |
Rigging to support the mast in maritime mobile installations, usually insulated for HF antenna purposes. |
icom |
| balanced line |
A feed line with two conductors having equal but opposite voltages, with neither conductor at ground potential |
dslreports |
| Balanced Line |
parallel conductors at equal and opposite potentials. Neither conductor is at ground potential. |
ar-wiki |
| Balun |
A passive electronic device that converts between balanced and unbalanced electrical signals using some form of electromagnetic coupling. |
ar-wiki |
| Balun |
A simple transformer used to change an unbalanced input to a balanced output. |
icom |
| balun |
balance to unbalance, a device used to couple a balanced antenna to an unbalanced feed line |
dslreports |
| balun |
balanced to unbalanced. A device used to couple a balanced antenna to an unbalanced feed line (e.g., dipole to coax) . |
eham.net |
| band |
a range of frequencies allotted for a particular use |
dslreports |
| band |
a range of frequencies allotted for a particular use (e.g., 20 Meter Band) |
eham.net |
| Band |
A range of frequencies. |
icom |
| Band |
The portions of the Electromagnetic Spectrum that are allocated to ham radio operators. |
ar-wiki |
| Band Plan |
Agreements between operators about how to use the band/s, rather than FCC regulations. Portions of each ham band are dedicated to certain modes of operation. See ARRL Band Plan here. |
hamuniverse |
| Band-Pass Filter |
A circuit that allows signals to go through it only if they are within a certain range of frequencies. It attenuates signals above and below this range. |
hamuniverse |
| band-pass filter |
a circuit that passes a range of frequencies and attenuates signals above and below this range. |
eham.net |
| bandpass |
range of frequencies permitted to pass through a filter or receiver circuit. |
eham.net |
| Bandpass (also Passband) |
the range of frequencies that a certain filter allows to pass. |
ar-wiki |
| Bandpass Filter |
a filter designed to pass a certain range of frequencies. |
ar-wiki |
| Bandwidth |
Frequency needed for particular type of emission. |
icom |
| Bank |
Memory bank |
icom |
| Barefoot |
Refers to running your transmitter without an amplifier (in other words, the "power out" is being produced entirely by the transmitter, without any assistance from an amplifier). |
qrz.com |
| barefoot |
transmitting with a transceiver alone and no linear amplifier |
dslreports |
| barefoot |
transmitting with a transceiver alone without a linear amplifier. |
eham.net |
| base |
a radio station located at a fixed location as opposed to a mobile. Used to identify the control location in a network of radio stations. |
eham.net |
| Base Station |
A ham station that has a fixed location |
ar-wiki |
| baud |
A unit of signaling speed equal to the number of discrete signal events per second. Baud is the same as BPS only if each signal event represents exactly one bit. |
eham.net |
| Baud |
The rate of transmission - in symbols per second, of digital data. The number of times a transmitted digital signal changes per second. In the one special case where data is transmitted one bit at a time serially, the baud rate will match the bps rate. |
ar-wiki |
| Baudot |
A five level code for the transmission of data in digital form. |
eham.net |
| BBS |
Bulletin Board System. An automated computer system which can be controlled from a remote location. Usually capable of sending and receiving messages and files. |
eham.net |
| BCI |
BroadCast Interference |
icom |
| beacon |
a station that transmits one-way signals for the purpose of navigation, homing, and determining propagation conditions. |
eham.net |
| beacon |
A station that transmits one-way signals for the purpose of navigation, homing, and propagation condition determination |
dslreports |
| Beacon |
A station that transmits signals either continuously or on a timed basis, for location and propagation purposes. |
ar-wiki |
| Beacon Station |
An amateur station transmitting communications for the purposes of observation of propagation and reception or other related experimental activities. |
hamuniverse |
| Beacons |
Ham radio signals used for propagation study, found on specific frequencies. |
icom |
| beam |
an antenna that gives a directional beam pattern. Also called a Yagi. |
eham.net |
| BFO |
Beat Frequency Oscillator |
qrz.com |
| BFO |
Beat Frequency Oscillator. An oscillator that is mixed with an incoming signal at the detector to produce an Audio Frequency (AF) tone for CW reception. In SSB operation, the beat frequency oscillator must replace the carrier which was suppressed when the signal was originally transmitted. |
ar-wiki |
| BFO |
Beat frequency oscillator. Used to mix with the incoming signal to produce an audio tone for CW reception |
dslreports |
| Bird |
1. nickname for "satellite", in the case of Amateur Radio, examples include RS-12/13 (Radio Sputnik) and AO-40 (AMSAT-OSCAR). See http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/n7hpr/satsum.html and http://www.hampubs.com/satellite . 2. brand name of a high-end, high quality directional wattmeter. |
qrz.com |
| Bird |
Slang term for an amateur or communications satellite. |
ar-wiki |
| Birdie |
A signal produced within a radio, typically by it's microprocessor or related circuitry, that appears at specific intervals across the tuning dial of a receiver. Usually it is a product of mixed intermediate frequencies within the radio. Considered bad form. |
qrz.com |
| Block Diagram |
A drawing using boxes to represent sections of a complicated device or process. |
hamuniverse |
| BNC |
A push-and-turn locking coaxial connector commonly used with VHF/UHF transceivers, as well as oscilloscopes and test equipment. |
ar-wiki |
| BNC |
Bayonet Neill-Concelman - A type of antenna connector. |
icom |
| BNC |
Coax connector commonly used with VHF/UHF equipment |
dslreports |
| BNC |
Coax connector commonly used with VHF/UHF equipment -- Bayonet Niell-Concelman (standard connector type used on COAX cable, named for its inventors). |
eham.net |
| Boat Anchor |
A slang term used to describe obsolete ham radio gear - often applied to old transceivers. |
ar-wiki |
| boat anchor |
antique ham equipment |
dslreports |
| Boat Anchor |
Slang for a large, heavy, usually old radio, typically restored (courtesy of VE3FFK). |
qrz.com |
| BPF |
BandPass Filter |
icom |
| BPL |
BroadBand Over Power Lines |
dslreports |
| bps |
Bits per second |
dslreports |
| BPS |
Bits per second, the rate at which digital data is transmitted. The number of characters transmitted per second will be a sub-multiple of this figure (for instance, if a character is sent with 8 data bits, 1 start bit, 1 stop bit, the number of actual characters transmitted per second would be one tenth the bps rate). |
ar-wiki |
| BPS |
Bits per second. A rate of data transfer. |
eham.net |
| BPSK |
(Binary Phase Shift Keying). A digital modulation method for transmitting data. |
ar-wiki |
| BPSK |
Binary Phase Shift Keying, digital DSB suppressed carrier modulation |
dslreports |
| BPSK |
Binary Phase Shift Keying; a modulation technique used in LowFER and MedFER operation, as well as HF operation. For more information, see http://www.computerpro.com/~lyle/watsbpsk.htm (courtesy of K?LR). |
qrz.com |
| BPSK |
Binary Phase Shift Keying. Digital DSB suppressed carrier modulation. |
eham.net |
| Brass Pounder |
Refers to someone who sends telegraphy by old fashioned "straight" key, i.e., without any keyers, etc., or paddles. |
qrz.com |
| Buffer Amplifier |
An amplifier usually attached to an oscillator so as to reduce the drain on the oscillator output. |
ar-wiki |
| Bug |
A mechanical keying device for transmitting Morse Code semi-automatically. |
qrz.com |
| bug |
a semi-automatic mechanical code key. |
eham.net |
| Bunny hunt |
Finding hidden transmitters, sometimes called "T HUNTING" and "Fox Hunting." |
icom |
| bureau |
International Amateur organizations set up to process QSL cards between countries. Provides an inexpensive way to send and receive QSL cards. |
eham.net |
| Bureau (also Burro) |
An organization set up to process QSL cards between amateurs. |
ar-wiki |
| Bureau or Buro |
See "QSL Bureau" |
qrz.com |
| burro |
Slang for bureau. |
eham.net |
| Busy lockout |
Inhibits transmit on a frequency in use. |
icom |
| call book |
a publication or CD ROM that lists licensed amateur radio operators. |
eham.net |
| Call sign |
Sequence of letter and numbers used to identify amateur radio operators and issued by the countries licensing bureau. |
icom |
| calling frequency |
A standard frequency where stations attempt to contact each other |
dslreports |
| calling frequency |
A standard frequency where stations attempt to contact each other. Example -- 146.52 is the North American FM simplex calling frequency. |
eham.net |
| Callsign |
A unique identifier for each radio amateur and licensed radio station throughout the world |
ar-wiki |
| CAP |
Civil Air Patrol - Volunteer affiliate of the United States Air Force. |
icom |
| Capacitive Hat |
Also known as a capacity hat. A system of wires, or at VHF and above a solid metal disk, added to the top of a vertical antenna to reduce its inductance and increase its bandwidth. |
ar-wiki |
| Capacitor |
A passive electronic component composed of two conducting plates separated by a dielectric (insulating material). |
ar-wiki |
| capacitor |
an electronic component composed of two or more conductive plates separated by an insulating material. A capacitor stores energy in an electric field |
dslreports |
| Capacitor |
An electrical component usually formed by separating two conductive plates with an insulating material. A capacitor stores energy in an electric filed. Old terminology, use the word condenser. |
hamuniverse |
| Capture effect |
Only the strongest signal heard over an FM receiver. |
icom |
| carrier |
a pure continuous radio emission at a fixed frequency, without modulation |
dslreports |
| carrier |
a pure continuous radio emission at a fixed frequency, without modulation and without interruption. Several types of modulation can be applied to the carrier, See AM and FM. |
eham.net |
| Carrier |
An unmodulated transmitted signal. |
icom |
| Carrier Frequency |
The centre frequency of a radio signal. |
ar-wiki |
| Carrier frequency offset |
Carrier Shift - Distance between mark and space of the carrier for RTTY or similar communications. |
icom |
| Carrier Power |
The average power supplied to the antenna when no modulation is taking place. |
ar-wiki |
| Cavity filter |
A very narrow RF filter used to pass one single frequency, common in repeater operations where the receiver must be protected from overload by a transmitter on the same band on the same antenna tower. |
ar-wiki |
| CBA |
Call Book Address |
qrz.com |
| CBR |
Cross Band Repeater - A repeater which receive incoming signal and retransmit it in different bands— e.g. receives 144 MHz bands and re-transmits 430(440) MHz bands. |
icom |
| CC&R's |
Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions - an extensive set of rules drawn up by homeowner's associations and their lawyers which, among other things, typically restrict or completely prohibit a homeowner from having most forms of antennas on their property. |
eham.net |
| CC&R's |
Covenents, Conditions, and Restrictions |
dslreports |
| CC&R's |
Covenents, Conditions, and Restrictions; an extensive set of rules drawn up by homeowner's associations and their lawyers which, among other things, typically restrict or completely prohibit a homeowner from having most forms of antennas on his/her property. Such regulations are formed and placed upon the property before the home is initially sold, and typically remains in effect for the life of the home. |
qrz.com |
| CCW |
Counter ClockWise |
icom |
| Centi |
The metric prefix for 10(-2), or divided by 100. |
hamuniverse |
| CG |
See "Call Guard" (Also CTCSS) |
qrz.com |
| CH |
CHannel - Sequence of memory positions where frequency and related information is stored. |
icom |
| Channel Guard |
General Electric's trademarked name for CTCSS. (RCA called it Quiet Channel, or QC) |
qrz.com |
| chassis ground |
the common connection for all parts of a circuit that connect to the negative side of the power supply |
dslreports |
| CI-V |
Icom computer Control Interface allows multiple radio control simultaneously. |
icom |
| Circular Polarization |
A method of polarizing the antenna such that the emmitted electric field rotates around the axis of the antenna |
ar-wiki |
| Clipping |
Overdriving an amplifier circuit, causing the signal to drop out on voice peaks. (AKA: Flat topping a signal) |
icom |
| Closed Repeater |
A repeater that is restricted in use to only those authorized by a club or group. |
hamuniverse |
| Closed, or Complete Circuit |
An electrical circuit with an uninterrupted path for the current to follow. Turning a switch on, for example, closes or completes the circuit, allowing current to flow. |
hamuniverse |
| CLOVER |
A PSK mode that allows full duplex communications. |
ar-wiki |
| CNDX |
Abbreviation for Conditions |
ar-wiki |
| coax |
A type of wire that consists of a center wire surrounded by insulation and a grounded shield |
dslreports |
| Coax |
Coaxial cable; RF transmission line; used to connect an antenna to a radio; "coaxial" indicates that the conductors are about the same axis, with a center conductor being on that axis, and the "shield" wrapped around the axis (dielectric separates the center conductor and the shield wires). |
qrz.com |
| coax ( coaxial cable) |
A type of wire that consists of a center wire surrounded by insulation and then a grounded shield of braided wire. The shield minimizes electrical and radio frequency interference. 50-ohm and 72 ohm characteristic impedances are typical. |
eham.net |
| Coaxial Cable |
Cable that has a central conductor and an outer shield as the second conductor. Known as coaxial because the cable is cylindrical and the conductors share the same central axis. |
ar-wiki |
| code |
usually refers to Morse code, but used for others such as baudot |
dslreports |
| code |
usually refers to Morse code, but used for others such as baudot. |
eham.net |
| coil |
a conductor wound into a series of loops |
dslreports |
| Color Code |
Also spelt colour code. Coloured bands on resistors and other components that show their value. |
ar-wiki |
| color code |
Colored stripes painted on the body of resistors and other components to show value |
dslreports |
| Condenser |
old name for Capacitor |
ar-wiki |
| condenser |
old term for capacitor composed of two or more conductive plates separated by an insulating material to store energy in an electric field |
dslreports |
| Conductor |
A material that has a loose grip on its electrons, so an electrical current can pass through it. Wire is a condcuctor of electricity. |
hamuniverse |
| Conductor |
A material through which electricity flows easily. |
ar-wiki |
| Contesting |
Working as many stations as you can over a specific amount of time. |
icom |
| Control Operator |
Am amateur operator designated by the licensee of a station to be responsible for the transmissions of an amateur station. Many control operators are sometimes used in large repeater systems. You are the control operator of your licensed call sign. |
hamuniverse |
| control operator |
the Amateur Radio operator designated to "control" the operation of the repeater, as required by FCC regulations |
dslreports |
| Controlled Environment |
Any area in which an RF signal may cause radiation exposure to people who are aware of the radiated electric and magnetic fields and who can exercise some control over their exposure to these fields. The FCC generally considers amateur operators to be in a controlled RF exposure environment to determine the maximum permissible exposure levels. |
hamuniverse |
| Conversion |
Number of IF circuits in the receiver. |
icom |
| core |
the material used in the center of an inductor coil, where magnetic fields is concentrated |
dslreports |
| Core |
The material used in the centre of an Inductor coil. |
ar-wiki |
| Coronal hole |
Sunspot activity that may lead to enhanced VHF and 10 meter propagation. |
icom |
| CPU |
Central Processing Unit |
icom |
| CQ |
calling any amateur radio station, may be sent in CW, phone or some digital modes |
eham.net |
| CQ |
CQ?"Calling any station" - the general call when requesting a conversation with anyone. |
hamuniverse |
| CQ |
Radio communications term used to call others. |
icom |
| CQ |
Request for contact - specifically "calling any operator" |
ar-wiki |
| CQ Magazine |
Published by CQ Communications. |
ar-wiki |
| Cross Modulation |
distortion caused by two or more carriers interfering with each other. |
ar-wiki |
| Crossband repeat |
A mode in many dual band radios where a radio transmits on one band, a crossband repeater transmits the received signal on another band, which is heard back by the radio on the other band. |
icom |
| CRRL |
Canadian Radio Relay League now called Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC). |
eham.net |
| Crystal Oscillator |
A circuit that uses a quartz crystal to keep the frequency of a transmitter constant or within certain limits as related to it's frequency. |
hamuniverse |
| Crystal-Controlled Transmitter |
A simple type of transmitter that consists of a crystal oscillator followed by driver and power amplifier stages. |
hamuniverse |
| CSCE |
Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (U.S.) issued when amateur radio license examinations passed |
dslreports |
| CTCSS |
(Repeater Term) abbreviation for continuous tone-controlled squelch system, a series of subaudible tones that some repeaters use to restrict access. |
eham.net |
| CTCSS |
abbreviation for continuous tone-controlled squelch system |
dslreports |
| CTCSS |
Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System - Adds a continuous sub-audible low frequency tone to the transmitted carrier. Receivers set for the same low frequency tone can decode signal to hear the audio. |
icom |
| CTCSS |
Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System - a sub-audible tone that is frequently used on repeaters. The signal "opens" the repeater for use. |
ar-wiki |
| CTCSS |
Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System, also known as "PL" ("Private Line", trademarked term by Motorola), "Call Guard" (trademarked by GE), or "subaudible tone". A means of transmitting a tone along with your signal. This tone tells a receiver to open up its squelch so that the signal is received. This method is commonly used with repeaters. |
qrz.com |
| CTCSS |
Continuous tone-coded squelch system, used to limit repeater interference. Also called PL tones, taken from Motorola "Private Line" system terminology. |
hamuniverse |
| current |
a flow of electrons in an electrical circuit |
dslreports |
| Current |
A flow of electrons in an electrical circuit. Measured in Amps or parts of an amp. |
hamuniverse |
| Current |
The flow of electricity through a conductor - usually associated with electron movement, but current is actually the transfer of charge between atoms. |
ar-wiki |
| CW |
1) Carrier Wave - 2) ClockWise |
icom |
| CW |
Continuous Wave - used in Morse code transmissions. |
ar-wiki |
| CW |
Continuous Wave, an unmodulated, uninterrupted RF wave used with Morse code |
dslreports |
| CW |
Continuous Wave, see carrier. In truth a continuous wave is an unmodulated, uninterrupted RF wave. However in common usage refers to Morse code emissions or messages which is an interrupted wave. |
eham.net |
| CW |
Continuous Wave; popular digital mode on HF which utilizes Morse Code; regarded by many as the *first* digital mode. |
qrz.com |
| CW |
(Morse code) A communications mode transmitted by on/off keying of a radio-frequency signal. |
hamuniverse |
| CW Abbreviations |
Used by CW operators to reduce the length of transmissions by shortening words or phrases to a 2 or three letter code. |
ar-wiki |
| CW filter |
Used to narrow the IF passband to improve reception selectivity in crowded band conditions. |
icom |
| cycles (cps) |
term used for measuring frequency prior to the term Hertz replaced it hence kc, Mc, etc. |
eham.net |
| D region |
The lowest region of the ionosphere. The D region contributes very little to the short-wave radio propagation. It acts mainly to absorb energy from radio waves as they pass through it. This absorption has significant effect of signals below about 7.5 MHz during daylight. |
hamuniverse |
| D-RATS |
Multi-platform integrated tool for communicating digital information, developed for First Responders, using D-STAR radios. |
icom |
| D-STAR |
Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio, an open protocol. |
icom |
| DAC |
Also known as D/A and D-to-A. Digital to Analogue converter. A device that converts digital signals into analouge signals. |
ar-wiki |
| Data |
Computer communications modes, often called digital communications because digital computers are used. |
hamuniverse |
| Data communications |
Transfer of data between two or more locations. |
icom |
| dB |
Decibel - the ratio of two power measurements. |
ar-wiki |
| dB |
Decibel (1/10 of a Bel); unit for the ratio of two power measurements |
dslreports |
| dBd |
dB relative to a dipole. Also known as dBD |
ar-wiki |
| dBd |
Unit of RF power as compared to an ideal half wave dipole antenna. |
icom |
| dBi |
dB relative to a theoretical isotropic (point) source. |
ar-wiki |
| dBi |
Unit of RF power as compared to an isotropic antenna. |
icom |
| dBm |
Decibels measure, 1 mW with a load impedance of 600 Ω (0 dBm=1 mW). |
icom |
| dBm |
The power compared to a 1 milliwatt (1mW) source, expressed in decibels (dB) |
ar-wiki |
| dBo |
Optical gain. An unofficial term used by some amateurs working with transmission of data using light. |
ar-wiki |
| dBuv |
a measure of voltage compared to one microvolt. 0dBuv = one microvolt. |
ar-wiki |
| DC |
Direct Current |
icom |
| DC ground |
A connection point directly to chassis or battery ground to prevent build-up of hazardous DC voltages. |
icom |
| DCS |
Digital Coded Squelch |
qrz.com |
| DCS |
Digital Coded Squelch, a method of silencing radios until a specific string of tones are received to open the audio stage. An alternate to CTCSS. |
icom |
| DE |
From in CW-speak |
qrz.com |
| de |
Morse code for "from" e.g., AC6V de WA0PPP |
dslreports |
| De or DE |
this is or "from" - for example an operator may use VL2TK de VK4ZW ....... |
ar-wiki |
| Deci |
The metric prefix for 10(-1), or dividing by 10. |
hamuniverse |
| demodulation |
the process of retrieving data from a modulated signal. (See modulation, modem.) |
eham.net |
| Detector |
The stage in a receiver in which the modulation (voice or other information) is recovered from the RF signal. |
hamuniverse |
| Deviation |
A measurement for an FM signal for the maximum frequency changes on either side of the carrier frequency. |
icom |
| Deviation |
The resultant frequency swing of a signal that is frequency modulated (FM). |
qrz.com |
| DF |
Direction finding. Also known as ARDF and "fox hunting", the use of triangulation and directional antennas to find a hidden transmitter. May be done recreationally, or as a means of locating the source of problematic radio frequency interference. |
ar-wiki |
| Dielectric |
A non-conductive material used to separate the center conductor and shield (conductor) in coaxial cable; typically made of foam or plastic. |
qrz.com |
| digipeater |
A simplex packet repeater which stores an incoming packet, and, if so instructed, re-transmits it. The digipeater does not retain a copy of the packet once sent or wait for an acknowledgement from the next node. |
eham.net |
| digital |
A discrete or discontinuous signal whose various states are identified with specified values. (See analog, RS-232, 7'TL.) |
eham.net |
| Digital |
Computer based communications. |
hamuniverse |
| Digital communications |
Information sent digitally, which may be decoded as voice, data, and/or video. |
icom |
| diplexer |
A frequency splitting and isolation device to couple two transceivers to a single or dual band antenna |
dslreports |
| Diplexer |
A frequency splitting device used to couple two transceivers to either a single antenna or a dual band antenna. |
ar-wiki |
| dipole |
the basic antenna consisting of a length of wire or tubing, open and fed at the center. The entire antenna is ½ wavelength long at the desired operating frequency. This antenna often used as a standard for calculating gain, dBd. |
eham.net |
| Dipole |
A half wave antenna, with a bi-directional radiation pattern. |
icom |
| Dipole |
An antenna with two collinear elements, usually of equal length, with feedpoint in the centre. Commonly used as the driven elements for more complex antennas such as the yagi or log-periodic, a dipole on its own is omnidirectional if mounted for vertical polarisation but has a figure-8 directional pattern if mounted horizontally. |
ar-wiki |
| Dipole |
Likely the most common wire antenna amongst hams, the easy-to-homebrew dipole consists of two legs (each 1/4 wavelength) which typically extend horizontally and away from each other. One leg connects to the coax's center conductor, and the other leg connects to the coax's shield as a counterpoise. The dipole antenna is usually strung in a horizontal fashion between trees, and works best when at least 1/4 wavelength above the earth. |
qrz.com |
| dipole |
the basic wavelength antenna consisting of a length of wire or tubing, open and fed at the center |
dslreports |
| Direct Current (dc) |
Electrical current that flows in one direction only. Batteries use direct current. |
hamuniverse |
| Dish |
A highly directional antenna, parabolic in shape. Often used at microwave frequencies. |
ar-wiki |
| Distress call |
Signals a life-threatening situation. Most commonly referred to as an SOS or MAYDAY call. |
icom |
| Distress frequency |
A frequency or channel specific for use in distress calling. Radiotelephone distress frequencies are 2.182 MHz and 156.8 MHz. Survival craft use 243 MHz. Maritime distress frequencies are the same, while general aviation frequencies are 121.5 MHz. |
icom |
| Domino EX |
a digital mode that uses a variant of MFSK known as IFK for transmission of information. |
ar-wiki |
| Doppler shift |
Common in satellite communications, where signals may very up or down in frequency, as the satellite approaches and departs from view. |
icom |
| Downconverter |
A device to take higher frequencies, and lower them to appear at a lower frequency, for reception. |
icom |
| Downlink |
[vs. Uplink] Frequency that repeater or satellite transmits on to a user. |
icom |
| downlink |
Channel used for satellite-to-earth communications |
dslreports |
| Downlink |
The channel or frequency used for satellite to earth communications. |
ar-wiki |
| DPSK |
Differential Phase Shift Keying - a form of BPSK |
ar-wiki |
| DPSK |
Differential Phase Shift Keying, a form of BPSK |
dslreports |
| DR |
A CW abbreviation for "dear", used as a respectful salutation. Example "GOOD EVENING, DR JOHN, HW ARE U?" |
qrz.com |
| Driven Element |
An "arm" of a yagi antenna to which RF power is fed from the coax. |
qrz.com |
| DRM |
Digital Radio Mondiale. A system of digital broadcasting developed by a consortium of manufacturers, researchers, broadcasters and governments. |
ar-wiki |
| DSP |
Digital Signal Processing - allows for filtering, noise reduction, audio equalization, etc. |
dslreports |
| DSP |
Digital Signal Processing. The digital processing of signals in filtering, noise reduction etc. |
ar-wiki |
| DSP |
Digital Signal Processor - Used to improve the signal to noise ratio for clearer and more legible communications. Relatively new to the ham radio. |
icom |
| DSP |
feature reduces unwanted signal noise |
icom |
| DSSB |
Double Suppressed Sideband modulation |
qrz.com |
| DSW |
Russian abbreviation for "goodbye" on CW. |
qrz.com |
| DTCS |
Digital Tone Coded Squelch - A Selective call system. |
icom |
| DTMF |
abbreviation for dual-tone multi-frequency, the series of tones generated from a keypad |
dslreports |
| DTMF |
Dual Tone Multi Frequency - the allocation of a unique tone pair to each button on an appliance (made up of two frequencies - high and low) that allows a computer to recognize the tone. Originally used on a wide scale in landline telephony to allow tone dialling using a small keypad on a telephone or handset, but has been used in amateur radio to remotely control repeaters, autopatch, IRLP or Echolink nodes. |
ar-wiki |
| DTMF |
Dual Tone Multi-Frequency [touch-tone] - Used for transmit/receive numeric information such as phone number, PIN, remote radio control commands, etc. |
icom |
| DTMF |
Dual Tone, Multiple Frequency; a tone that is actually comprised of two different tones sounded at the same time. It is what you hear when you use the pushbuttons on a standard non-pulse telephone in the U.S. It is also a common way to send analog numeric information, since each numeral between ? and 9 has its own separate tone (and also # and *, and in the case of some radios, A, B, C, and D). |
qrz.com |
| Dual Band Antenna |
An antenna designed to be used on two amateur Bands. |
ar-wiki |
| Dual-Band Antenna |
An antenna designed for use on two different Amateur Radio bands. |
hamuniverse |
| dual-band antenna |
antenna designed for use on two different Amateur Radio bands |
dslreports |
| Dualwatch |
Receiving two signals simultaneously. |
icom |
| Dummy Antenna |
A device for transmitter testing or adjusting that allows a signal to be generated but not transmitted over the air. Also called a dummy load. |
hamuniverse |
| dummy load |
a device which substitutes for an antenna during tests |
dslreports |
| dummy load |
a device which substitutes for an antenna during tests on a transmitter. It converts radio energy to heat instead of radiating energy. Offers a match to the transmitter output impedance. |
eham.net |
| Dummy load |
A non radiating 50 Ω load connected to the transmitter to replace the antenna for testing purposes. |
icom |
| Dummy Load |
An artificial antenna that does not radiate. A non-inductive power resistor, a dummy load is connected in place of the transmitting antenna and used when aligning transceivers. |
ar-wiki |
| Dummy Load |
Typically a power dissipating resistor or device substituted in place of an antenna on a transmitter, used for testing purposes. |
qrz.com |
| Duplex |
An operation mode in which the transmit and receive frequencies are different. |
icom |
| duplex |
mode in which a radio transmits on one frequency and receives on another |
dslreports |
| Duplex |
Transmit and receive are on two different frequencies - often use in repeaters with a shift (difference) of 600Hz. |
ar-wiki |
| Duplex |
Transmitting on one band or frequency while receiving on another. Such as a ham radio repeater system. More |
hamuniverse |
| Duplexer |
A device that allows a dual-band radio to use a single dual-band antenna. |
hamuniverse |
| Duplexer |
A device that allows an antenna to transmit and receive simultaneously. |
ar-wiki |
| Duplexer |
A device which divides transmit and receive signals. |
icom |
| duplexer |
device which allows a single antenna to transmit and receive simultaneously |
dslreports |
| Duty Cycle |
A measure of the amount of time a transmitter is operating at full output power during a single transmission. A low duty cycle means less RF radiation exposure for the same PEP output. Continuous key down of an am signal would be considered 100% duty cycle. |
hamuniverse |
| Duty cycle |
The ratios of transmit to receive time. |
icom |
| DVM |
Digital voltmeter |
dslreports |
| DVM |
Digital voltmeter. |
ar-wiki |
| DX |
a distant station or to contact a distant station |
dslreports |
| DX |
Distance or distant station. Originally "distant exchange", from landline telephony. On HF radio, normally used to refer to a station on another continent or in an exotic location. |
ar-wiki |
| DX |
Long distance; making contacts over long distances. For HF contacts, "DX" is typically considered as such if the station contacted is outside of your country. In some other cases, making a contact over what is considered extremely long distances (for the conditions and band) can be considered "DX" (i.e., a QSO from one end of a state to another, on 2 meters simplex, can be considered "'DX"). |
qrz.com |
| DX |
Distance, foreign countries. Stations outside your country boundries. |
hamuniverse |
| DXCC |
award for contacting and confirming 100 or more different countries |
dslreports |
| DXCC |
Award offered by ARRL for contacting and confirming 100 or more different countries first introduced in 1937. DXCC is copyright ARRL and its use here is printed with permission of the ARRL. |
eham.net |
| DXCC |
DX Century Club |
ar-wiki |
| DXCC |
DX Century Club. An ARRL-sponsored club by which membership is allowed only after showing proof of having made contact with at least 100 different countries. For more information, please see http://www.arrl.org. |
qrz.com |
| DXpedition |
An expedition by amateurs to a location that may be geographically or physically remote and from where amateur contacts are rare. |
ar-wiki |
| DXpedition |
Derived from the words "DX" and "expedition", this term typically refers to a trip made by experienced ham operator(s) to a "DX" country for the purpose of providing other hams an opportunity to make a contact (QSO) into that country. |
qrz.com |
| DXpedition |
Radio expedition to remote and rare locations |
eham.net |
| DXpedition |
Trip to foreign land or rare entity to operate ham radio. |
icom |
| dynamic range |
How well a receiver can handle strong signals with overloading; any measure of over 100 decibels is considered excellent |
dslreports |
| Dynamic Range |
How well a receiver can handle very strong signals wthout overloading. |
ar-wiki |
| E LAYER |
The ionospheric layer usually responsible for most 10 meter and 6 meter skywaves over 1500 mile paths. Appears especially in summer season. |
icom |
| E region |
The second lowest ionospheric region, the E region exists only during the day. Under certain conditions, it may refract radio waves enough to return them to Earth. |
hamuniverse |
| E-Skip |
Propagation through signals being refracted in the E-Layer |
ar-wiki |
| Earth |
A circuit connection to a ground rod driven into the ground or system of wires buried below the surface of the ground. |
ar-wiki |
| earth ground |
a circuit connection to a ground rod driven into the earth |
dslreports |
| Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) or Moonbounce |
A method of communicating with others stations by reflecting radio signals off the Moon?s surface. |
hamuniverse |
| EBS |
Emergency Broadcast System - A system where at first an attention tone is transmitted over all station ad the second tone followed with specific instruction regarding the receivable frequency in the national emergency. |
icom |
| EEPROM |
Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory |
icom |
| EHF |
Extremely High Frequency - from 30GHz to 300GHz |
ar-wiki |
| EIRP |
Effective Isotropic Radiated Power. The sum of transmitted power and antenna gain, minus any transmission line losses. |
ar-wiki |
| Electromagnetic Spectrum |
A graphic representation of a range of frequencies from 60 Hz electrical current, through radio waves, visible light, ultra violet light, X-rays and Gamma rays. |
hamuniverse |
| Electromagnetic Waves |
The waves emitted by an antenna, having two dimensions, electric and magnetic. |
ar-wiki |
| Electromotive Force (EMF) |
The force or pressure that pushes a current through a circuit. |
hamuniverse |
| Electron |
A tiny, negatively charged particle, normally found in an area surrounding the nucleus of an atom. Moving electrons make up an electrical current. |
hamuniverse |
| Electron Tube |
(Also known as an Vacuum Tube or a Thermionic Valve). A device that creates or modifies an electrical signal through the movement of electrons in a low pressure (vacuum) space. |
ar-wiki |
| Elevation (1) |
The angle that an antenna - often a beam - makes with the horizontal. |
ar-wiki |
| Elevation (2) |
How high an object/place/station is above sea level. Same as ASL (Above Sea Level) |
ar-wiki |
| eleven meters |
currently the CB band, once a Ham band |
dslreports |
| elmer |
a mentor; an experienced operator who tutors newer operators |
dslreports |
| Elmer |
Slang for a person who helps newcomers get started in amateur radio. |
ar-wiki |
| EME |
Earth Moon Earth - bouncing a signal off the moon to a remote station that would not normally be accessible. |
ar-wiki |
| EME |
Earth Moon Earth, also known as moon bounce, is a radio technique where amateur radio operators operate via reflected signals from the Moon. Making a signal path from an earth bound station, reflected off the moon, back to another earth bound station. |
icom |
| EME |
Earth-Moon-Earth communication; moonbounce; using the moon as a reflector to "bounce" your signal back down to Earth. For a complete resource, please see http://www.nitehawk.com/rasmit/ws1_1.html |
qrz.com |
| EME |
Earth-Moon-Earth; using the moon as a reflector for a signal path; moonbounce |
dslreports |
| Emergency |
A situation where there is a danger to lives or property. |
hamuniverse |
| Emergency Traffic |
Messages with life and death urgency or requests for medical help and supplies that leave an area shortly after an emergency. |
hamuniverse |
| Emergency Traffic |
Messages with life or death urgency or requests for medical help and supplies that leave an area shortly after an emergency. |
hamuniverse |
| EMF |
Electromotive Force - Voltage. |
ar-wiki |
| EMF |
Electromotive force; voltage |
dslreports |
| EMI |
Electromagnetic interference |
dslreports |
| EMI |
Electromagnetic Interference, sometimes caused by battery chargers and inverters. |
icom |
| EMI |
Electromagnetic Interference. |
ar-wiki |
| Emission |
The transmitted signal from an amateur station. |
hamuniverse |
| Emission |
Transmission of a signal |
icom |
| emission mode |
the form of a radio emission, such as AM, FM, or single sideband |
dslreports |
| EMR |
Electromagnetic Radiation |
hamuniverse |
| Energy |
The ability to do work; the ability to exert a force to move some object. |
hamuniverse |
| eQSL |
Electronic QSL - a website for sending and receiving QSL's online. |
ar-wiki |
| ERP |
Effective Radiated Power |
dslreports |
| ERP |
Effective Radiated Power; the power supplied to an antenna multiplied by the antenna gain in a given direction (if the direction is not specified, the direction of maximum gain is assumed). |
qrz.com |
| ERP |
Effective Radiated Power. |
ar-wiki |
| ERP |
ERP - Effecive Radiated Power - In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power (ERP) is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency (RF) energy using the unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains. ERP takes into consideration transmitter power output (TPO), transmission line attenuation (electrical resistance and RF radiation), RF connector insertion losses, and antenna directivity, but not height above average terrain (HAAT). ERP is typically applied to antenna systems. (Definition from Wikipedia). See ERP chart examples here! |
hamuniverse |
| ether |
Old theory for the medium once believed to conduct radio waves |
dslreports |
| Eu |
Europe |
ar-wiki |
| Eyeball |
Face-to-face meeting, as in "eyeball QSO" (to speak to one another in person). |
qrz.com |
| F CONNECTOR |
Found on 440 MHz and 1.2 GHz antenna circuits. |
icom |
| F region |
A combination of the two highest ionospheric regions, the F1 and F2 regions. The F region refracts radio waves and returns them to Earth. Its height varies greatly depending on the time of day, season of the year and amount of sunspot activity. |
hamuniverse |
| F/D |
The ratio of focal length to diameter of a parabolic dish antenna. |
ar-wiki |
| Fading |
Signal reduction due to atmospherics. |
icom |
| FB |
Fine Business; cheerful acknowledgement, or adjective for describing a good quality. |
qrz.com |
| FCC |
Federal Communications Commission, US governmental body that regulates the radio spectrum |
dslreports |
| FCC |
Federal Communications Commission. The US government body that regulates the use of the radio spectrum. |
ar-wiki |
| Feed Line |
The wires or cables used to connect a transmitter, receiver or transceiver to an antenna. Technicial characteristics of coaxial cable feed line here. |
hamuniverse |
| Feed point |
Where the coaxial cable or ladder line joins the active antenna. |
icom |
| Feedline |
The wire or cable that joins a transmitter or receiver to an antenna. Also known as a transmission line. |
ar-wiki |
| feedline |
wire or cable connecting a radio to an antenna |
dslreports |
| FET |
Field-effect transistor |
dslreports |
| FET |
Field-effect transistor, a semiconductor in which current between source and drain is controlled by voltage applied to a high-impedance gate |
ar-wiki |
| Field Day |
A once a year contest sponsored by the ARRL where hams go to remote sites and operate for 24 hours. Used to assist hams in emergency preparedness as well and to practice not sleeping, treating insect and other vermin bites and the drinking of cold coffee and the ever present telling of lies. Great fun for all! (thanks to WD5CTQ) |
qrz.com |
| field day |
Amateur Radio activity in June to practice emergency communications |
dslreports |
| Field day |
An annual event in which portable stations are deployed, contacts made and new or prospective operators encouraged to get on the air. |
ar-wiki |
| Field Strength Meter |
A devie used to measure the strength of an electromagnetic field. |
ar-wiki |
| field strength meter |
a test instrument used to show the presence and strength of RF energy |
dslreports |
| Filter |
A circuit designed to pass only the desired frequency(s). |
icom |
| filter |
A circuit or device that will allow certain frequencies to pass while rejecting others |
dslreports |
| filter |
A circuit or device that will allow certain frequencies to pass while rejecting others. |
eham.net |
| Filter |
A circuit that will allow some signals to pass through it but will greatly reduce the strength of others. |
hamuniverse |
| Filter |
An electric circuit (often called a network) that allows certain frequencies to pass but rejects (attenuates) other unwanted frequencies. |
ar-wiki |
| final |
The last transmission by a station during a contact. Also the last amplifying stage of a radio transmitter |
dslreports |
| Fist |
The sending style of a particular CW operator. In the old days, telegraphers knew each other by their "fists" (thanks to WD5CTQ). |
qrz.com |
| FM |
1) Frequency Modulation - 2) FM broadcast |
icom |
| FM |
Frequency Modulation |
qrz.com |
| FM |
Frequency Modulation. frequency - the rate of oscillation (vibration). Audio and radio wave frequencies are measured in Hertz. (cycles per second). |
eham.net |
| FM (Frequency Modulated or Frequency Modulation) |
The frequency of the carrier signal is changed (modulated) in direct proportion to the instantaneous amplitude of an input signal, usually the voice of the operator. The resulting transmitted signal is of constant amplitude, with increasing amounts of power removed from the carrier and displaced to the sidebands as the modulating signal increases in amplitude. |
ar-wiki |
| FOC |
First Class CW Operators' Club; an exclusive CW club based out of the United Kingdom. |
qrz.com |
| Foldback |
A circuit to limit power output when the transmitter senses elevated SWR or temperatures. |
icom |
| fox hunt |
a contest to locate a hidden transmitter |
dslreports |
| Fox Hunt |
Also known as ARDF (Amateur Radio Direction Finding). A contest to locate a hidden transmitter. |
ar-wiki |
| Frequency |
The number of complete cycles of an alternating current that occur per second. |
hamuniverse |
| Frequency |
The number of complete waves that pass a reference point per second. Expressed in Hertz (Hz) |
ar-wiki |
| frequency |
the rate of oscillation - audio and radio wave frequencies are measured in Hertz |
dslreports |
| Frequency Discriminator |
A type of detector used in FM receivers. |
hamuniverse |
| Frequency Modulation (FM) |
The type of signals used to communicate by voice (phone) over most repeaters. FM is a method of combining and RF carrier with an information signal, such as voice. The voice information (or data) changes the RF carrier frequency in the modulation process. |
hamuniverse |
| FSK |
Frequency Shift Keying |
icom |
| FSK |
Frequency-shift keying |
dslreports |
| FSK |
FSK Acronym for Frequency Shift Keying. A method of frequency modulation in which the frequency varies. (See AFSK, PSK). |
eham.net |
| FSK - Frequency Shift Keying |
A digital mode in which the signal is broken into "chunks". Each chunk is then shifted in frequency slightly above or below the central carrier. Effectively, frequency modulation used to carry a digital signal. |
ar-wiki |
| FSTV |
Fast Scan TV - Graphics (and audio) communication using TV broadcast signals, requires a wide bandwidth. |
icom |
| full duplex |
a communications mode in which a radios can transmit and receive at the same time by using two different frequencies |
dslreports |
| Full duplex |
An operation mode, which transmits and receives on different frequencies at the same time, as a telephone communication. |
icom |
| full-break in (QSK) |
allows a station to break into the communication without waiting for the transmitting station to finish |
dslreports |
| Fuse |
A device that self destructs when too much current passes through it - used for circuit protection. |
ar-wiki |
| Fuse |
An intentional weak link to guard against overload. |
icom |
| G-TOR (Golay - TOR) |
A digital FSK mode that offers faster transfer rate than PACTOR. Rarely used by ham radio operators. |
ar-wiki |
| GaAs FET |
Sensitive transistor, found in VHF/UHF receiver amplifiers, with a low noise floor. |
icom |
| Gain |
As it applies to antennas, see Antenna Gain |
qrz.com |
| Gain |
How much more effective an antenna is as a radiator than a half wave dipole (dBd) or a theoretical point source (dBi). A more directional antenna is considered to have higher gain. |
ar-wiki |
| gain, antenna |
increase in effective power radiated or receiveed by an antenna in a certain desired direction |
dslreports |
| Gel cell |
A small sealed lead-acid rechargeable battery which uses a gel instead of a liquid electrolyte. Often used as backup power in applications such as alarm panel installations. |
ar-wiki |
| General coverage |
The ability of a receiver to tune outside the amateur radio bands, typically over an extended continuous frequency range, to receive signals from non-amateur services such as shortwave broadcast or marine weather. |
ar-wiki |
| GHz |
gigahertz - billion (1,000,000,000) hertz |
dslreports |
| GHz |
Gigahertz - one billion Hertz (1 000 000 000 Hz) |
ar-wiki |
| Giga |
The metric prefix for 10(9), or times 1,000,000,000. |
hamuniverse |
| Global Positioning Service (GPS) |
A system utilizing satellites to determine the location of a person or object using a receiver. |
hamuniverse |
| GMT |
Greenwich Mean Time - the time at Greenwich UK. Related to Zulu and UTC. |
ar-wiki |
| GOTA |
(1) Get On The Air - a station available for supervised public use at Field Day events, |
ar-wiki |
| GOTA |
(2) Guides On The Air - a programme sponsored by YL organisations to introduce Girl Guides to amateur radio (see also: Jamboree on the Air) |
ar-wiki |
| gray line |
a band around the Earth that separates daylight from darkness |
dslreports |
| green stamp |
U.S. dollar bill sent along with a QSL card |
dslreports |
| Green Stamp |
U.S. dollar bill sent along with a QSL card (instead of an IRC) to offset postage costs of a return card. |
qrz.com |
| Grey Line also Gray Line |
a band around the earth that separates night from day. |
ar-wiki |
| Groud wave propagation |
Propagation via radio waves that travel along the surface of the earth. |
ar-wiki |
| Ground |
A direct connection from electrical equipment to the Earth - often achieved by driving a conducting spike into the ground, and connecting equipment to it. |
ar-wiki |
| ground |
Common zero-voltage reference point |
dslreports |
| Ground (2) |
A common zero voltage reference point. |
ar-wiki |
| Ground Plane |
A type of Omni-directional antenna. |
icom |
| Ground Wave |
Electrical wave directly travelling from transmitter. |
icom |
| ground wave propagation |
radio waves that travel along the surface of the earth, even beyond the horizon. |
dslreports |
| Ground-plane Antenna |
a quarter wavelength vertical antenna with radials extending horizontally from its base. |
ar-wiki |
| ground-plane antenna |
a quarter-wavelength vertical antenna with several radials extending horizontally from the base |
dslreports |
| Ground-Wave Propagation |
The manner in which radio waves travel along the Earth?s surface. |
hamuniverse |
| Grounding |
Electrical connection to the earth. |
icom |
| HAAT |
Height Above Average Terrain. |
ar-wiki |
| half duplex |
mode in which a radio transmits and receives on two different frequencies but performs only one of these operations at any given time |
dslreports |
| Half Duplex |
The ability for a transceiver to transmit and receive on two different frequencies, but ony one of these at any given time. |
ar-wiki |
| Half wave dipole |
An antenna that is half a wavelength total, fed at the centre. |
ar-wiki |
| half-wave dipole |
basic wavelength antenna consisting of a length of wire or tubing, open and fed at the center |
dslreports |
| Ham |
A licensed radio operator who enjoys the hobby and service of radio communications. |
icom |
| ham |
an amateur radio operator. |
eham.net |
| hamfest |
An event at which hams can buy sell and swap equipment. Often held in conjuction with lectures and demonstrations of equipment. |
ar-wiki |
| hamfest |
event at which hams meet to buy, sell, and swap equipment |
dslreports |
| hamfest |
ham festival, a social and commercial event at which hams meet to buy, sell, and swap equipment. |
eham.net |
| hand-held |
portable transceiver small enough to be carried easily |
dslreports |
| Harmonic |
1. Children. 2. Secondary RF emission that is a multiple of the fundamental emission. |
qrz.com |
| Harmonic |
A signal from an oscillator or transmitter that occurs on whole-number multiples (2x, 3x, 4x, etc) of the desired operating frequency. Example: The second harmonic of 7.00mhz would be 14.00mhz. The third harmonic would be 21.00mhz |
hamuniverse |
| Harmonic |
An integer multiple of a frequency |
ar-wiki |
| Harmonic |
Integer multiples of the fundamental frequency being generated, harmonics are present if a signal is not perfectly sinusoidal or is undergoing intermodulation distortion. Harmonics located outside the desired band for transmission are normally removed with low-pass filters to avoid interference to other radio services. |
ar-wiki |
| Harmonic |
Multiple of a fundamental frequency. |
icom |
| Harmonic (of a ham) |
Slang term for the child of a ham. |
ar-wiki |
| HASL |
Height Above Sea Level. Often used for mountaintop stations such as repeaters and portable operations to describe their elevation. Measured in either feet or metres depending on the country. |
ar-wiki |
| Health and Welfare Traffic |
Messages about the well being of individuals in a disaster area. |
hamuniverse |
| Heat sink |
The heavy fins on the back of a transmitter to dissipate heat buildup. |
icom |
| Hellschreiber (Hell) |
A digital mode for sending and receiving text using facsimile (fax) technology. |
ar-wiki |
| Henry |
(H) The unit for inductance |
ar-wiki |
| Hertz |
Hz - The unit of measure for frequency. Named after Heinrich Hertz |
ar-wiki |
| Hertz |
the standard unit used to measure frequency (one Hertz equals one complete cycle per second) |
dslreports |
| Hertz |
the standard unit used to measure frequency (one Hertz equals one complete cycle per second). |
eham.net |
| Hertz (Hz) |
An alternating-current frequency of one cycle per second. The basic unit of frequency. |
hamuniverse |
| HF |
High Frequency - 3 MHz to 30 MHz |
dslreports |
| HF |
High Frequency - 3 MHz to 30 MHz. |
eham.net |
| HF |
High Frequency - 3-30 MHz range signals. Normally, 1.9 MHz band also included. |
icom |
| HF |
High Frequency; generally regarded as the band of frequencies between 1.8 MHz and 30 MHz |
qrz.com |
| HF |
High Frequency. Frequencies in the range 3MHz to 30MHz, also known as shortwave. |
ar-wiki |
| hi hi |
ha ha (laughter) the Morse equivalent of a laugh |
dslreports |
| hi hi |
The morse equivalent of laughter. |
ar-wiki |
| High Frequency (HF) |
Radio frequencies from 1800 kHz up to 30 MHz |
hamuniverse |
| High Pass Filter |
A filter designed to pass high frequency signals. |
ar-wiki |
| high-pass filter |
a filter designed to pass high frequency signals, while blocking lower frequency signals |
dslreports |
| high-pass filter |
a filter designed to pass high frequency signals, while blocking lower frequency signals. |
eham.net |
| High-Pass Filter |
A filter that allows signals above the cutoff frequency to pass through. It attenuates signals below the cutoff frequency. |
hamuniverse |
| Hiram Percy Maxim |
AKA "The Old Man" 1AW, ARRL founder. |
dslreports |
| Homebrew |
Home built equipment. |
ar-wiki |
| Homebrew |
Refers to equipment that is "home built"; something you built yourself. |
qrz.com |
| homebrew |
term for home-built, noncommercial radio equipment |
dslreports |
| Horizontal Polarization |
An antenna which projects a radio signal in which the electric field is parallel to the surface of the earth OR a radio signal of which the electric field is propagated parallel to the surface of the Earth. |
ar-wiki |
| horizontally polarized wave |
an electromagnetic wave with its electric lines of force parallel to the ground |
dslreports |
| HPF |
High Pass Filter |
icom |
| HSMM |
High Speed Multi Media. An ARRL working group and individual Amateur effort as well. Primary to High speed Voice, Video, and Data transmission on the Amateur allocations within the 2.4GHZ and 5.8GHz bands using commonly available WiFi equipment with High Gain Directional Antennas. Often referred to as the "hinternet" hinternet- Slang term often used in reference to HSMM. |
dslreports |
| HT |
Handheld Transceiver, also known as a Handy-Talkie or Walkie-Talkie. A radio small enough to be held in your hand. Typically used with radios that operate on the VHF ham bands or above. |
dslreports |
| HT |
Handi Talkie-- A portable handheld transceiver, battery operated, designed for one or more VHF/UHF ham bands. |
hamuniverse |
| HT (1) |
Handheld Transceiver or HandiTalkie. Usually refers to transceivers that operate in the 2m and 70cm amateur bands; these are self-contained hand-held radios which include an antenna and battery and transmit at low power. |
ar-wiki |
| HT (2) |
High Tension Voltage. Voltages over 500V |
ar-wiki |
| Hz |
Hertz |
icom |
| Hz |
Hertz; a unit used to measure frequency. Typically used with "Kilohertz" (KHz) to indicate 1,000 Hertz, or "Megahertz" (MHz) to indicate 1,000,000 Hertz. |
qrz.com |
| I/O |
Input/Output |
dslreports |
| Iambic |
A method of Morse Code keying. Holding both paddles at same time sends alternating dits and dahs (courtesy of VE3FFK). |
qrz.com |
| IARU |
International Amateur Radio Union. An international society that works for and with national organisations to promote the interests of hams. |
ar-wiki |
| IC |
Integrated Circuit, found in large scale chips within a radio. |
icom |
| IC |
Integrated Circuit. |
eham.net |
| ID |
Identification, as announcing station callsign at intervals. |
eham.net |
| IF |
Intermediate Frequency - Intermediate frequency, resultant frequency from heterodyning the carrier frequency with an oscillator, mixing incoming signals to an intermediate frequency enhances amplification, filtering and the processing signals |
dslreports |
| IF |
Intermediate Frequency - Internally converted frequency for amplification and other signal processing. |
icom |
| IF |
Intermediate Frequency, at which signals are amplified and processed internally within a receiver. |
ar-wiki |
| IF shift |
A function that electronically shifts the IF frequency from a center frequency to reduce interference. |
icom |
| IFK |
Incremental Frequency Keying a variant of MFSK |
ar-wiki |
| image |
A false signal produced in a superheterdyne receivers circuitry |
dslreports |
| Image frequency |
A frequency separated from that of the desired received signal by twice the receiver's intermediate frequency. |
ar-wiki |
| IMD |
Inter-Modulation Distortion - Distortion within RF circuits made with upper and lower adjacent channel signals. |
icom |
| impedance |
opposition to the flow of electric current and radio energy measured in ohms |
dslreports |
| Inductance |
A measure of how well a coil stores energy in the form of a magnetic field. |
ar-wiki |
| inductance |
a measure of the ability of a coil to store energy in a magnetic field |
dslreports |
| Inductance |
A measure of the ability of a coil to store energy in the magnetic field. |
hamuniverse |
| Inductor |
a coil of wire. Inductors are often used with capacitors in tuned circuits such as filters and oscillators. Some inductors are wound around a core of metallic material. This affects their inductance. |
ar-wiki |
| inductor |
a component composed of a coil of wire wound on a central core that stores energy in a magnetic field |
dslreports |
| Inductor |
An electrical component usually composed of a coil of wire wound on a central core. An inductor stores energy in a magnetic field. |
hamuniverse |
| Input Frequency |
A repeater?s receiving frequency. To use a repeater, transmit on the input frequency and receive on the output frequency. Also the frequency an electronic circuit is tuned to respond. |
hamuniverse |
| input frequency |
the frequency of the repeater's receiver (and your transceiver's transmitter) |
dslreports |
| Insulator |
A substance through which electricity does not pass easily - known as a dielectric in capacitors |
ar-wiki |
| Insulator |
A material that maintains a tight grip on its electrons, so that an electric current cannot pass through it (within voltage limits). Glass is an insulator. |
hamuniverse |
| Interface |
usually refers to a circuit used to connect the sound card of a computer to a transceiver to allow digital modes to be used. |
ar-wiki |
| Interference |
The interaction between a desired frequency and an undesired frequency. |
ar-wiki |
| Intermediate Frequency (IF) |
The output frequency of a mixing stage in a superheterodyne receiver. The subsequent stages in the receiver are tuned for maximum efficiency at the IF. |
hamuniverse |
| Intermod |
Derived from the expression "Intermodulation Distortion" (IMD). A problem caused in the receiver of a radio by a nearby transmitter's spurious signals which may fall on or very near to the receiver's receive frequency. In some cases, a perfectly clean transmitter (i.e., no spurious signals) can produce intermod if it overloads a receiver or if there is some other point for 3rd order intercept. Intermod which is close, but not necessarily right on, the receiver's frequency can cause the receiver to become less sensitive (also known as "desense"). |
qrz.com |
| intermod |
Short for "intermodulation." This generally means false or spurious signals produced by two or more signals mixing in a receiver or repeater station. |
eham.net |
| Intermodulation |
The undesired mixing of two or more frequencies, producing sometimes undesirable additional frequencies. |
ar-wiki |
| International Telecommunication Union (ITU) |
International radio organization responsible for distribution of radio frequencies. |
hamuniverse |
| Internet Remote Base |
Controlling an Amateur Radio station remotely through a computer. |
hamuniverse |
| Inverter |
a device that converts a DC source to and AC output. |
ar-wiki |
| Inverter |
An electrical device that converts direct current, DC, to alternating current, AC. Can be a source of noise on HF bands. |
icom |
| Ionizing Radiation |
Electromagnetic radiation that has sufficient energy to knock electrons free from their atoms, producing positive and negative ions. X-rays, gamma rays and ultraviolet radiation are examples of ionizing radiation. |
hamuniverse |
| Ionosphere |
a region in the atmosphere that contains ionised gasses that refract (bend) radio waves and direct them back to earth. |
ar-wiki |
| Ionosphere |
A region of electrically charged (ionized) gasses high in the atmosphere. The ionosphere bends radio waves as they travel through it, returning them to Earth. |
hamuniverse |
| ionosphere |
electrically charged region of the atmosphere 40 to 400 miles above the surface that refracts radio signals |
dslreports |
| ionosphere |
The electrically charged region of the Earth’s atmosphere located approximately 40 to 400 miles above the Earth’s surface that refracts radio signals. |
eham.net |
| IOTA |
Islands on the Air; for more information, please see http://www.islandchaser.com/. |
qrz.com |
| IOTA |
Islands On The Air. |
eham.net |
| IQ? |
Slang for "IQ of zero"; an idiot (courtesy of GI4FUE). |
qrz.com |
| IRC |
International Reply Coupon, used for pre-paid postage to foreign locations IRC |
dslreports |
| IRC |
International Reply Coupon. A system by which most country's postal systems provide a coupon which can be purchased, and then used by a sender in any other country to obtain return mail postage. This system allows you to provide return postage for those in another country, especially useful when you do not have access to that country's postage stamps or currency. IRC's are frequently used to assure return postage for a QSL card. For more information, please see QRZ's "QSL Corner" at http://www.qrz.com/qsl.html. |
qrz.com |
| IRC |
International Reply Coupon. A coupon that can be purchased at post offices which can be exchanged in foreign countries for return postage for a surface mail letter to the country that issued the coupon. |
eham.net |
| IRLP |
Internet Radio Linking Project developed by David Cameron, VE7LTD. Uses a network protocol called VoIP (Voice over IP) audio streaming. There are now over 1000 repeaters around the world connected by the internet through the Amateur radio internet radio linking project, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. |
eham.net |
| IRLP |
Internet Radio Linking Project, allowing ham operators to join in on a party line, with the internet connecting repeaters together. |
icom |
| IRLP |
Internet Radio Linking Project. A method of cross-world linking of repeaters so that very basic equipment can be used to communicate with hams in other countries. |
ar-wiki |
| IRLP |
Radio Linking Project using VoIP |
dslreports |
| isotropic |
theoretical "Single Point" antenna used calculate gain |
dslreports |
| ISS |
International Space Station. |
hamuniverse |
| ITU |
International telecommunication Union. The international organisation set up to standardise and regulate radio communications. |
ar-wiki |
| ITU |
International Telecommunications Union, the body which specifies worldwide guidelines for use of electromagnetic spectrum for communications purposes |
dslreports |
| J antenna (J pole) |
a mechanically modified version of the zepp (zeppelin) antenna |
dslreports |
| J-Pole |
An antenna design that is relatively easy to assemble yourself. For more information, see http://www2.arrl.org/tis/info/JPole-V.html (Courtesy of ARRL). Note: The basic J-pole design can be applied to any frequency, as long as measurements are proper for that frequency. Furthermore, a 2-meter J-pole will also resonate on the 440 MHz (70 cm) ham band, making for a reasonable dual-band antenna. |
qrz.com |
| J-pole antenna |
Vertical antenna composed of two parallel elements of differing widths. The longer element is connected to signal and the shorter to ground at an intermediate point; the elements are connected to each other at the base.[1] |
ar-wiki |
| JOTA |
Jamboree On The Air - an annual event in which scouts worldwide can communicate with each other and radio amateurs using ham radio equipment. |
ar-wiki |
| JT65 |
A weak signal digital mode developed for use in the VHF and UHF bands for EME and other "reflected path" modes. The software for this mode, WSJT was written by Joe Taylor K1JT. |
ar-wiki |
| JT65 |
A weak signal digital mode, primarily used on HF and 6 m, for weak signal and EME type contacts (moon bounce, meteor scatter). |
icom |
| JT65-HF |
An adaptation of JT65, for use on the HF bands. |
ar-wiki |
| K |
The symbol used in CW ( Morse) and digital modes for "please respond" or "any station respond". The KN prosign is used to invite a specific station only to respond. |
ar-wiki |
| K- index |
A measure of the Earths magnetic field as measured at Boulder, Colorado |
dslreports |
| K-Index |
A three hourly index of geomagnetic activity relative to an assumed quiet day curve for the recording site. K index values range from 0 -very quiet- up to 9 -extremely disturbed- (Courtesy of IPS Radio and Space Services, Sydney, Australia). |
qrz.com |
| Kc |
Kilocycle; equivalent to KHz; regarded as an "old fashioned" way of describing frequency. |
qrz.com |
| Key |
A simple mechanical device used to send morse code |
ar-wiki |
| Key |
Device used by hand to produce Morse Code; can contain either a single, vertically travelling arm (see "Straight Key") or horizontally travelling paddles (see "Paddles") that are used to make ground connection and produce the Morse Code. |
qrz.com |
| key |
to press a key or button physically or electronically by computer. |
eham.net |
| Keyer |
An electronic circuit intended to interface an amateur CW transmitter to a paddle switch. While multiple variants exist, typically the keyer will send dit's when the paddle is held in one position and dah's in the opposite position. As the timing of the Morse dots and dashes is automatically controlled, code speed is more consistent than that sent manually using a straight key. |
ar-wiki |
| keyer |
device for sending Morse Code semi-automatically |
dslreports |
| Keyer |
Electronic device for sending Morse Code semi-automatically; connects to a key (see above). Dits are sent by pressing one paddle [of the key], dahs sent by pressing the other one (courtesy of VE3FFK). |
qrz.com |
| keyer |
Electronic device for sending Morse Code semi-automatically. Dits are sent by pressing one paddle of the key, dahs sent by pressing the other one paddle. |
eham.net |
| KHz |
See Hz |
qrz.com |
| Kilo |
Metric system multiplier x1000. Also Phonetic alphabet letter K |
ar-wiki |
| Kilo |
The metric prefix of 10(3), or times 1000. |
hamuniverse |
| kilocycles |
thousand cycles per second, replaced by kiloHertz (kHz) |
dslreports |
| kilocycles |
thousand cycles per second. Replaced by kiloHertz (kHz). |
eham.net |
| kilohertz |
one thousand hertz (see "hertz") |
dslreports |
| kiloHertz |
one thousand Hertz (see "Hertz"). |
eham.net |
| Kilohertz (KHz) |
one thousand Hertz (Hz) or one thousand cycles per second. |
ar-wiki |
| Knife edge |
The refraction of a signal over tall buildings and mountains. |
icom |
| ladder line |
open wire transmission (antenna) line |
dslreports |
| landline |
ham slang for telephone lines |
dslreports |
| LCD |
Liquid Crystal Display |
dslreports |
| LCD |
Liquid Crystal Display, primarily used for displaying frequency and radios operations. |
icom |
| LCD |
Liquid Crystal Display. A display device commonly used in portable computers. Contains a crystalline liquid whose optical properties change in the presence of an electric field to appear either light or dark. Must have an external light source to be visible. |
eham.net |
| Lead acid |
A rechargeable battery type most commonly used in automobiles and marine applications. As some batteries can deliver large amounts of current instantaneously and contain sulphuric acid, these must be handled with caution. |
ar-wiki |
| LED |
Light Emitting Diode, a low current low voltage component to illuminate a radio dial. |
icom |
| LED |
Light-emitting diode |
dslreports |
| LF |
Low Frequency - 30 kHz to 300 kHz |
dslreports |
| LF |
Low Frequency - 30-300 kHz range signals. |
icom |
| Li-Ion |
Lithium Ion - Rechargeable battery which has better capacity than Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, etc., no memory effect after repeated non-full charge/discharge cycles. |
icom |
| lid |
a poor operator, one who does not follow proper procedures or sends sloppy morse code |
dslreports |
| Lid |
In amateur radio, used to denote a poor or inept operator: a term originally from landline telegraphy.[1] [2] |
ar-wiki |
| LID |
Slang term, often referring to a CW operator with very poor practices and manners. |
qrz.com |
| Limiter |
A stage of an FM receiver that makes the receiver less sensitive to amplitude variations and pulse noise. |
hamuniverse |
| line-of-sight propagation |
term used to describe straight line propagation |
dslreports |
| Line-of-Sight Propagation |
The term used to describe VHF and UHF propagation in a straight line directly from one station to another. |
hamuniverse |
| linear |
an amplifier used after the transceiver output named for its purity of amplification |
dslreports |
| LIon |
Lithium-Ion. A type of rechargable battery commonly used with radio equipment. |
qrz.com |
| LIon, Li-Ion |
Lithium-Ion, a small but powerful rechargeable battery often factory-installed in laptop computers and handheld devices. As these cells are highly flammable if overheated, they are normally distributed only as part of pre-fabricated battery packs which internally include the requisite temperature sensors and charging circuits. |
ar-wiki |
| Loading coil |
An inductor placed in series with an antenna element in order to lower the antenna's resonant frequency. May be used singly or in conjunction with a capacity hat. |
ar-wiki |
| Lobe |
a an area in the radiation pattern of an antenna where the radiation is a maximum |
ar-wiki |
| Logging software |
A computer log of contacts, used for QSL card confirmations on contacts. |
icom |
| LOS |
Loss of Signal from a satellite; occurs when the satellite becomes "invisible" to the antenna as it goes below the horizon. |
qrz.com |
| Low-Pass Filter |
A filter that allows signals below the cutoff frequency to pass through and attenuates signals above the cutoff frequency. |
hamuniverse |
| low-pass filter |
a filter that allows signals below the cutoff frequency to pass through and attenuates signals above the cutoff frequency. |
eham.net |
| Lowfer |
One who experiments with radio communications at unusually low frequencies (typically 1750 Meters, which is 160-190 kHz and can be used under FCC Part 15). For more information, take a look at http://www.altair.org/lowfer.htm (courtesy of N4YWK). |
qrz.com |
| LPDA |
Log Periodic Dipole Array. A multiband Antenna |
ar-wiki |
| LPF |
Low Pass Filter |
icom |
| LSB |
(1) Lower Sideband, used primarily in single sideband operation below 10 MHz |
ar-wiki |
| LSB |
(2) Least Significant Bit, in transmitted digital data |
ar-wiki |
| LSB |
Lower Side Band |
icom |
| LSB |
Lower Side Band, the common single-sideband operating mode on the 40, 80, and 160 meter amateur bands. |
eham.net |
| LSB |
Lower Sideband |
qrz.com |
| LW |
Long Wave 150 - 300 KHz |
dslreports |
| mA/h |
milliampere per hour |
dslreports |
| Machine |
Slang for "repeater", and sometimes for rig. |
qrz.com |
| magnetic mount or mag-mount |
antenna with a magnetic base |
dslreports |
| Maritime mobile |
Amateur radio operation from aboard a marine vessel. |
icom |
| MARS |
Military Affiliate Radio Service |
icom |
| MARS |
Military Affiliate Radio System |
dslreports |
| Matchbox |
A device placed between a transmitter and an antenna to tune the circuit to resonance. Normally called an Antenna Tuner (thanks to WD5CTQ). |
qrz.com |
| Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) |
The highest-frequency radio signal that will reach a particular destination using sky-wave propagation, or skip. The MUF may vary for radio signals sent to different destination. |
hamuniverse |
| Mayday |
A most urgent distress call (français «m'aidez» - help me) solely for use in life-threatening emergencies. The CW equivalent is SOS. Lesser incidents are signalled using "pan-pan" (français
«panne» - mechanical breakdown, typically a ship drifting helplessly or an aircraft's emergency landing) or "security" (français
«sécurité» - safety, for warnings such as reports of icebergs in shipping lanes). |
ar-wiki |
| MAYDAY |
International distress call for voice communications. The word MAYDAY is NEVER used unless of dire emergency. It can be used in a normal sentence that does not mean or intend or can be mistaken for an emergency situation. |
hamuniverse |
| Mc |
Megacycle; equivalent to MHz; regarded as an "old fashioned" way of describing frequency. |
qrz.com |
| MCW |
Modulated Continuous Wave, a fixed audio tone modulates a carrier |
dslreports |
| Medfer |
One who experiments with radio communications at low frequencies such as those on the edges of the AM broadcast band (under FCC Part 15). |
qrz.com |
| Mega |
The metric prefix for 10(6), or times 1,000,000. |
hamuniverse |
| megacycles |
million cycles per second |
dslreports |
| megacycles |
million cycles per second. This terminology has been replaced by MegaHertz (MHz) |
eham.net |
| MegaHertz |
million hertz (see Hertz) |
eham.net |
| Megahertz |
One million Hertz (HZ) - same as one million cycles per second. |
ar-wiki |
| Memory bank |
A set of memory channels organized into a group. |
icom |
| Memory effect |
Rechargeable batteries such as Ni-Cd and Ni-MH types may be temporality getting less capacity as a result of repeated non-full charge/discharge cycles. It is called so since rechargeable batteries lose capacity as if "memorize" wrong full capacity level at less than full charge. Li-Ion batteries are free from this effect. |
icom |
| meteor scatter |
ionized trails of meteors used as a reflecting media |
dslreports |
| Metric Prefixes |
A series of terms used in the metric system of measurement. We use metric prefixes to indicate multiples of 10. |
hamuniverse |
| Metric System |
A system of measurement developed by scientists and used in most countries of the world. This system uses a set of prefixes that are multiples of 10 to indicate quantities larger or smaller than the basic unit. |
hamuniverse |
| MF |
Medium Frequency - (300-3,000 kHz) |
dslreports |
| MF |
Medium Frequency - 300 kHz-3 MHz range signals. |
icom |
| MHz |
See Hz |
qrz.com |
| MIC |
MICrophone |
icom |
| mic (mike) |
microphone |
dslreports |
| Micro |
The metric prefix for 10(-6), or divided by 1,000,000. |
hamuniverse |
| Microphone |
A device that converts sound waves into electrical energy. |
hamuniverse |
| Microphone |
A device that converts voice into electrical signals. |
ar-wiki |
| Microwave |
signals above 1GHZ in frquency. |
ar-wiki |
| microwave |
the region of the radio spectrum above 1 gigahertz (GHz) |
dslreports |
| Microwave Bands |
Division of the range of frequencies above 1GHz into a series of bands. |
ar-wiki |
| Milli |
The metric prefix for 10(-3), or divided by 1000. |
hamuniverse |
| Mobile |
A mode of operation in which a station may operate from a moving vehicle (mobile) or a ship at sea (maritime mobile). In CW, mobile and maritime mobile operators may identify using /M and /MM respectively. As a class of transceiver, mobile units fall between hand-held (5W or less) and base stations in both physical size and transmitted power. These units typically operate from the vehicle's battery and often transmit 50 watts or more using a vertical antenna mounted to use the metal vehicle body as a ground plane. |
ar-wiki |
| mobile |
an amateur radio station installed in a vehicle |
dslreports |
| mobile |
an amateur radio station installed in a vehicle - a mobile station can be used while in motion. (see also, portable). |
eham.net |
| Mobile |
In a vehicle, or other type station no fixed at a specific location. |
icom |
| Mobile Device |
A radio transmitting device designed to be mounted in a vehicle. |
hamuniverse |
| mode |
(see emission mode) |
dslreports |
| Mode |
The way electromagnetic waves are changed so that transmission of information is possible. |
ar-wiki |
| Modem |
Short for modulator/demodulator. A modem modulates a radio signal to transmit data and demodulates a received signal to recover transmitted data. |
hamuniverse |
| modulate |
create a radio emission so that it contains information (voice, Morse code, music, binary) |
dslreports |
| Modulate |
To vary the amplitude, frequency or phase of a radio-frequency signal. |
hamuniverse |
| Modulation |
Method of adding information to a radio frequency carrier. |
icom |
| Modulation |
The process of adding information to a carrier signal. |
ar-wiki |
| modulation |
The process of adding a signal to a carrier to transmit information. Can be used in reference to voice communications, but refers to digital data in the context of packet radio. (See demodulation, modem.) |
eham.net |
| Modulation |
The process of varying a radio wave in some way to send information. |
hamuniverse |
| Modulator |
A device that adds information to a carrier signal. |
ar-wiki |
| Morse Code |
The code used by CW operators instead of voice communications |
ar-wiki |
| MP73N |
A narrow band SSTV Mode |
ar-wiki |
| MPR |
Mass Produced Rig; a radio which is produced in large quantities; often used to describe radios that are NOT originally purchased in "kit" form. |
qrz.com |
| MSK |
Minimum Shift Keying. A modulation method similar to FSK in which the shift in Hertz is equal to half the signaling rate in BPS. (see AFSK, FSK, PSK). |
eham.net |
| MT63 |
A weak signal, digital communications mode, being used in MARS net traffic. |
icom |
| MUF |
Maximum Usable Frequency, the highest frequency that may return a skywave back to earth. |
icom |
| MUF |
Maximum Usable Frequency, the highest frequency that will support transmissions off of the ionosphere |
dslreports |
| MUF |
Maximum usable frequency. The highest frequency at which a skywave is reflected back to Earth at the ionosphere under current propagation conditions. Can vary rapidly depending on time of day and sunspot activity. |
ar-wiki |
| MUF |
Maximum Useable Frequency; that frequency above which expected propagation no longer exists. |
qrz.com |
| mV |
millivolt (1/1,000 volt) |
dslreports |
| MW |
Medium Wave - 300 - 3000 kHz |
dslreports |
| MW |
Medium Wave, 300-3000 kHz. This range includes the 160 metres amateur band, the AM broadcast band and the 2182 kHz marine radiotelephone band. |
ar-wiki |
| mW |
milliwatt (1/1,000 watt) |
dslreports |
| N-P Junction |
See "P-N Junction". |
qrz.com |
| NB |
Narrow band. Also noise blanker. |
ar-wiki |
| NB |
Noise Blanker |
qrz.com |
| NB |
Noise Blanker - A function reducing pulse-type noises. |
icom |
| NBFM |
Narrow band FM |
ar-wiki |
| NBFM |
Narrow Band FM |
icom |
| NCS |
Net Control Station |
qrz.com |
| NCS |
Net Control Station |
dslreports |
| Negative |
no, incorrect |
ar-wiki |
| Negative copy |
unsuccessful transmission |
ar-wiki |
| Negative Feedback |
A process in which a portion of the amplifier output is returned to the input, 180 degrees out of phase with the input signal. |
ar-wiki |
| Negative Offset |
Used in repeater systems where the repeater input frequency is lower than the output frequency. |
ar-wiki |
| net |
A group of stations that meet on a specified frequency at a certain time |
dslreports |
| Net |
a scheduled and structured on-air meeting of amateurs - often run and controlled by clubs. A directed net designates one station to act as net controller; that station is responsible for inviting other stations to check in (by sending their call signs) and then sequentially assigns each station a window of time in which to send traffic to other stations on the net. Intent is to avoid message collisions which otherwise may be caused by multiple stations attempting to send simultaneously. |
ar-wiki |
| Ni-Cd |
Nickel-Cadmium |
icom |
| Ni-MH |
Nickel-Metal Hydride |
icom |
| NiCad |
Nickel Cadmium, generally refers to a type of rechargeable battery |
dslreports |
| NiCad |
Nickel Cadmium, generally refers to a type of rechargeable battery with 1.2 volts per cell. |
ar-wiki |
| NiCd |
Or "Ni-Cad"; "Nickel Cadmium". A type of rechargable battery commonly used with radio equipment. |
qrz.com |
| NiMH |
Nickel Metal Hydride, generally refers to a newer type of rechargeable battery |
dslreports |
| NiMH |
Nickel Metal Hydride, generally refers to a newer type of rechargeable battery with the same voltage as NiCad cells but increased capacity. NiMH cells do not exhibit the memory effects associated with partial discharge of NiCads, but do still need to be recharged before use if they have been stored for a month or more. |
ar-wiki |
| NiMH |
Nickel Metal Hydride. A type of rechargable battery commonly used with radio equipment. |
qrz.com |
| NIST |
National Institute of Standards and Technology. US Government Standards Body for Time, Frequency, Measures, Weights. Formerly known as The National Bureau of Standards(NBS). |
dslreports |
| NODE |
A remotely controlled TNC/digipeater - used as a connect point in packet radio |
dslreports |
| node |
A general term used to indicate the different stations in a packet network. Nodes may be terminal nodes, network nodes, station nodes, and others. (see TNC, digipeater). |
eham.net |
| Noise |
Unwanted elecromagnetic energy that can interfere with signal transmission or reception. |
ar-wiki |
| Nonionizing Radiation |
Electromagnetic radiation that does not have sufficient energy to knock electrons free from their atoms. Radio frequency (RF) radiation is nonionizing. |
hamuniverse |
| Notch filter |
Sharp and narrow rejection filter for elimination of interfering signals |
icom |
| NPN |
A type of bipolar transistor that has a layer of P-type semiconductor material sandwiched between layers of N-type semiconductor material. |
ar-wiki |
| NPN |
A type of transistor that has a layer of P-type semiconductor material sandwiched between layers of N-type semiconductor material |
dslreports |
| NPN |
See "P-N Junction". |
qrz.com |
| NR |
Noise Reduction |
icom |
| NTS |
National Traffic System. Please see http://www.weca.org/nts.html for more information. |
qrz.com |
| Null |
A position in the radiation pattern of an Antenna where the radiation is zero or approaches zero |
ar-wiki |
| NVIS |
Near Vertical Incidence Skywave, a method of lowering a dipole, or an angled vertical, to enhance a high elevation of signal radiation and reception. |
icom |
| NVIS |
near-vertical-incidence-skywave, a propagation mode where signals are reflected back down from directly overhead. Useful for relatively short-distances, overcoming the limitations of the usual "skip-zone" distance" |
ar-wiki |
| Ø |
Slashed Zero - distinguishes a ZERO from the letter "O". Intended to resolve ambiguity in callsigns like ""W?OF". Not needed for callsigns like "W0RK". Can be produced by pressing Alt-216 on your PC keyboard (Note: you must use the numeric keypad, not the numbers across the top row of the keyboard. This method should work in most PC-based editors such as e-mail clients, word processors, etc.) |
qrz.com |
| OCF |
Off Centre Fed Dipole. A dipole that has sides of unequal length. These are multiband wire antennas |
ar-wiki |
| OFDM- Orthogonal Frequency |
Division Multiplexing. Common modulation type used in HSMM work. |
dslreports |
| offset |
(a repeater term) In order to listen and transmit at the same time, repeaters use two different frequencies. On the 2 metre ham band these frequencies are 600 kilocycles/second (or 600 kHz) apart. As a general rule, if the output frequency (transmit) of the repeater is below 147 MHz then the input frequency (listening) is 600 kHz lower. This is referred to as a negative offset. If the output is above 147 MHz then the input is 600 kilohertz above. This is referred to as a positive offset. |
eham.net |
| Offset |
Usually refers to the difference between a repeaters input frequency and output frequency. |
hamuniverse |
| Offset frequency |
Frequency difference between transmits and receives. |
icom |
| Ohm |
(<math> \Omega</math>) The unit for resistance |
ar-wiki |
| Ohm |
The basic unit of electrical resistance, used to describe the amount of opposition to current. |
hamuniverse |
| Ohm |
The fundamental unit of resistance offered when a potential of one Volt results in a current of one Ampere |
dslreports |
| Ohm |
Unit of resistance. |
icom |
| Ohm?s Law |
A basic law of electronics. Ohm?s Law gives a relationship between voltage (E), current (I), and resistance R. The voltage applied to a circuit is equal to the current through the circuit multiplied by the resistance of the circuit (E=IR). |
hamuniverse |
| Ohm's Law |
Named after George Ohm; V = IR. V = voltage, I = current, R = resistance |
ar-wiki |
| OLIVIA |
A digital mode using multiple FSK carriers: intended for operation under QRP or weak-signal conditions.[1] |
ar-wiki |
| OM |
Abbreviation meaning Old Man - any male operator, regardless of age or marital status. |
ar-wiki |
| OM |
friendship term, friend, pal or buddy |
dslreports |
| OM |
Old Man; affectionate way to address a fellow ham operator, like saying "Old Buddy!" |
qrz.com |
| OO |
Official Observer; a volunteer of the ARRL's Official Observer program who monitors the airwaves for FCC rules violations. For more information, please see http://www.arrl.org. |
qrz.com |
| Open Circuit |
An electrical circuit that does not have a complete path, so current can?t flow through the circuit. |
hamuniverse |
| open repeater |
(Repeater Term) a repeater whose access is not limited |
dslreports |
| Open Repeater |
A repeater that can be used by all hams who have a license that authorizes operation on the repeater frequencies. |
hamuniverse |
| Optoisolator |
Found in tuning knob circuits, where an LED shines through an interrupter to signal a data pulse. |
icom |
| OSC |
OSCillator |
icom |
| OSCAR |
Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio |
ar-wiki |
| oscillate |
vibrate, generate an AC or other periodic signal |
dslreports |
| Oscillator |
Also known as a frequency synthesiser - A device that produces a signal at a particular frequency. |
ar-wiki |
| Oscillator |
The heart of all radios, needing a small amount of feedback to keep it oscillating. |
icom |
| oscilloscope |
an electronic test instrument used to observe wave forms and voltages on a cathode-ray tube. Displays time on the X-axis and amplitude on the Y-axis, Z-axis is intensity of the CRT spot |
dslreports |
| Output Frequency |
A repeater?s transmitting frequency. Can also be used when refering to a transmitter's fundamental transmitted frequency. |
hamuniverse |
| P-N Junction |
A P-N junction (or N-P junction) is formed by creating two substrate materials of P type and N type on a semiconductor. P type means it is doped with "free holes" (electron depletion) and the N type is doped with electrons. Of course by physics, the free holes and free electrons would like to neutralize each other.
A diode is formed with a P-N junction.
Basically, when you have a NPN transistor, you have two junctions ... an NP junction between the collector and base, and a PN junction between the base and emitter. Vice-versa with a PNP transistor. How you bias those junctions controls how the transistor works. |
qrz.com |
| P5 |
North Korea. For DX'ers, the most unattainable contact or a non-existent station. The rarest callsign prefix as one of two countries worldwide (the other is 7O Yemen) to have had no licensed radio amateur service at all since 2002. |
ar-wiki |
| PA |
Power Amplifier |
icom |
| packet |
A group of bits including data and control elements which is transmitted as a whole. |
eham.net |
| packet controller |
Term used for a hardware TNC with an on-board modem. |
eham.net |
| Packet Radio |
A communications system in which information is broken into short bursts. The bursts (packets) also contain addressing and error-detection information. |
hamuniverse |
| packet radio |
a system of digital communication whereby information is transmitted in short bursts |
dslreports |
| packet radio |
a system of digital communication whereby information is transmitted in short bursts. The bursts ("packets") also contain callsign, addressing and error detection information. |
eham.net |
| Packet radio |
An early digital radio mode developed in Canada in 1978. |
ar-wiki |
| PACTOR |
An FSK mode that combines packet and AMTOR technologies. |
ar-wiki |
| PACTOR |
Digital radio modulation used mostly on the HF bands for digital messaging. |
icom |
| paddle |
Morse code key |
dslreports |
| Paddles |
Short for "Morse Code Key", one that contains small paddles that are tapped in order to produce semi-automatic Morse Code (when connected to a "keyer"). |
qrz.com |
| Parabolic Antenna |
An antenna in the shape of a dish with a parabolic cross section. |
ar-wiki |
| Parallel Circuit |
An electrical circuit in which the electrons follow more than one path in going from the negative supply terminal to the positive terminal. |
hamuniverse |
| Parallel circuit |
usually used to describe a tuned circuit in which the capacitive and inductive elements are parallel to each other. |
ar-wiki |
| Parawatch |
[Dualwatch] |
icom |
| Patch |
Short for "Phone Patch". |
qrz.com |
| PBT |
PassBand Tuning - A function to reduce interference by electronically narrowing the IF bandwidth. |
icom |
| PC |
Printed Circuit |
dslreports |
| PCM |
pulse code modulation based on the Shannon's communication theory |
dslreports |
| peak-inverse-voltage (PIV) |
the maximum voltage a diode can withstand when it is reverse biased (not conducting) |
dslreports |
| PEP |
Peak Envelope Power - RF power at maximum amplitude. |
icom |
| PEP |
Peak envelope power - the average power of a signal at its largest amplitude peak |
dslreports |
| PEP |
Peak Envelope Power; used to measure power output of an single sideband signal. |
qrz.com |
| PEP |
Peak envelope Power. The average power sent to the transmission line by the transmitter. Can be calculated by multiplying Peak Envelope Voltage (PEV) by 0.707 |
ar-wiki |
| Period |
The time in seconds taken for a complete wave to pass a reference point, period is the reciprocal of frequency. |
ar-wiki |
| PEV |
Peak Envelope Voltage. The maximum voltage on a transmission line during transmission. |
ar-wiki |
| phase |
the time interval between one event and another in a regularly recurring cycle |
dslreports |
| phase modulation |
varying the phase of an RF carrier in response to the instantaneous changes in an audio signal |
dslreports |
| Phone |
Another name for voice communications. |
hamuniverse |
| phone |
voice modulation |
dslreports |
| phone patch |
A connection between a two-way radio unit and the public telephone system |
dslreports |
| Phone Patch |
Device allowing audio from a telephone line to be placed in the audio circuits of a transmitter/receiver (thanks to WD5CTQ). |
qrz.com |
| Phonetic Alphabet |
Specific, easily identifiable, non-confusable words are used instead of the letters of the alphabet. |
ar-wiki |
| Phonetic Alphabet |
Standard words used on voice modes to make it easier to understand letters of the alphabet, such as those in call signs. |
hamuniverse |
| Photovoltaic |
Solar cell, converting photons to electricity. |
icom |
| Pi pad |
one of the possible configurations used in Attenuators |
ar-wiki |
| picket fencing |
condition experienced on VHF and above where a signal rapidly fluctuates in amplitude causing a sound akin to rubbing a stick on a picket fence |
dslreports |
| Pico |
The metric prefix for 10(-12), or divide by 1,000,000,000,000. |
hamuniverse |
| pico |
the metric prefix for 10^-12, or divide by 1,000,000,000,000 |
dslreports |
| Piezoelectric Effect |
the ability of a substance to produce an electric charge when it is deformed physically. |
ar-wiki |
| pileup |
multiple stations calling a DX or contest station |
dslreports |
| Pink Ticket |
FCC Notice of Rule Violation |
qrz.com |
| pirate |
Station using an existing callsign and illegally operating on the air |
dslreports |
| PL |
Private Line with repeaters, same as CTCSS-- low frequency audio tones used to alert or control receiving stations |
dslreports |
| PL |
Private Line, Motorola's trademarked name for CTCSS. |
qrz.com |
| PL |
Private Line, used to block repeater interference. Referred to as PL tone. |
hamuniverse |
| PLL |
Phase Locked Loop - Circuit to synthesize the different frequencies a radio will operate on. |
icom |
| PLL |
Phase-lock loop |
dslreports |
| PM |
Phase Modulation or Pulse Modulation |
qrz.com |
| PM |
Phase Modulation, similar to Frequency Modulation |
dslreports |
| PNP |
A semiconductor device composed of an N layer sandwiched between two P layers. |
ar-wiki |
| PNP |
a type of transistor that has a layer of N-type semiconductor sandwiched between layers of P-type semiconductor material |
dslreports |
| PNP |
See "P-N Junction". |
qrz.com |
| Pocket beep |
Beeping function when specific signal is received. |
icom |
| Polarization |
Used to describe the orientation of the electric field produced by an antenna compared to the surface of the Earth. |
ar-wiki |
| Portable |
A mode of operation in which a station may be moved for rapid deployment from a temporary location, but is not able to operate while mobile. In CW, portable operators may identify using /P. Portable stations differ from mobile stations in that large antennas or other structures must be folded or stowed away in order to move the station to a new location. While well-suited to field day or emergency/disaster operations, portable stations normally do not have a mobile station's ability to continue transmission while in motion. |
ar-wiki |
| portable |
A portable station is one that is designed to be easily moved from place to place but can only be used while stopped. Portable operation is away from the home base station. (see also, mobile). |
eham.net |
| Portable Device |
A radio transmitting device designed to have a transmitting antenna that is generally within 20 centimeters of a human body. A transceiver that is handheld like "HT". |
hamuniverse |
| Power |
The rate of energy consumption. Calculated by multiplying voltage by current, P = VI |
ar-wiki |
| Power |
The rate of energy consumption. We calculate power in an electrical circuit by multiplying the voltage applied to the circuit times the current through the circuit (P=IE). |
hamuniverse |
| Power Supply |
A circuit that provides a direct-current (dc) output at some desired voltage from an ac input voltage. |
hamuniverse |
| Power supply |
Usually converts household (110/220/230/240) Volts AC to 12 Volts DC. Sometimes built in, sometimes external to the equipment. |
icom |
| Priority Traffic |
Emergency-related messages, but not as important as Emergency traffic. |
hamuniverse |
| Priority watch |
Reception mode, which by a selected frequency is always periodically, checked when VFO is set to different frequency |
icom |
| Product Detector |
A device that allows a receiver to process CW and SSB signals. |
hamuniverse |
| Propagation |
How well a signal is transferred from the sending station to the receiving station, as a function of the path type (ground wave, sky wave reflection or direct line-of-sight) and related atmospheric conditions. |
ar-wiki |
| propagation |
the means or path by which a radio signal travels from a transmitting station to a receiving station |
dslreports |
| Propagation |
The manner in which radio waves travel. |
hamuniverse |
| PSK |
Phase Shift Keying - a digital mode. |
ar-wiki |
| PSK |
Phase Shift Keying. A method of transmitting digital information in which the phase of the carrier is varied in accordance with the digital signal. |
eham.net |
| PSK31 |
A digital mode which is rapidly growing in popularity; utilizes phase shift keying (PSK) which is transmitted at 31 baud (speed). For more information, please see http://www.psk31.org. |
qrz.com |
| PSK31 |
A digital transmission mode - Phase Shift keying with 31.25 baud rate - See PSK31 |
dslreports |
| PSK31 |
A type of radio-teletype using Phase Shift Keying with a very narrow bandwidth as an efficient way of communicating. |
icom |
| PTT |
Push to talk |
ar-wiki |
| PTT |
Push To Talk |
icom |
| PTT |
Push To Talk, the switch in a transmitter circuit that activates the microphone and transmission circuitry. |
eham.net |
| PTT |
Push To Talk, the switch in a transmitter circuit that activates the microphone circuitry |
dslreports |
| PTT |
Push to Talk; a button on a microphone or on the side of a handheld radio which activates the transmitter. |
qrz.com |
| PWR |
PoWeR |
icom |
| Q |
figure of merit with regard to a tuned circuit (source: ARRL Handbook). With regard to an antenna circuit, the Q has an inversely proportionate relationship to useable bandwidth (with reasonable SWR). For example, an antenna with "high Q" will not provide a good SWR over a very wide range of frequencies. |
qrz.com |
| Q |
Response of a circuit over a specific bandwidth. Also, Ham Slang for a contact, or QSO. |
icom |
| Q Code |
Three letter codes used instead of sentences or phrases. |
ar-wiki |
| Q of a circuit |
The quality factor of a resonant circuit - the ratio of stored power to dissipated power in the Reactance and Resistance of the circuit. |
ar-wiki |
| Q signals |
Three-letter symbols beginning with Q. Used on CW to save time and to improve communication. |
hamuniverse |
| Q-signals |
a set of three-letter codes which are used by amateurs as abbreviations |
dslreports |
| Q-Signals |
Originally developed by CW (Morse Code) operators to make certain, frequently used phrases short and concise -- a sort of Morse Code "shorthand". Common signals include "QST" (announcement), "QSL" (confirmation), and "QTH" (location), and "QRZ" ("who is calling me?"). For more Q-signals, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_code. |
qrz.com |
| QAM |
Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. A method that allows simultaneous frequency and amplitude modulation of a signal. |
ar-wiki |
| QCWA |
Quarter Century Wireless Association, a radioamateur club with local chapters in which membership is offered solely to operators who were first licensed twenty-five or more years ago. |
ar-wiki |
| QCWA |
Quarter Century Wireless Club, an organization for hams who have held a license for 25 or more years. For more information, see http://www.qcwa.org. |
qrz.com |
| QPSK |
Quadrature Phase Shift Keying. Also known as Quadraphase Phase Shift Keying. A method of modulating a carrier in digital transmissions by changing its phase four times, with each change being represented by two binary digits. |
ar-wiki |
| QRM |
Are you being interfered with? I am being interfered with. |
dslreports |
| QRM |
Man made noise. Can be used to indicate noise interfering with an amateur station or an amateur station interfering with other spectrum users. |
ar-wiki |
| QRN |
Are you troubled by static? I am being troubled by static. |
dslreports |
| QRN |
Electromagnetic noise from natural sources interfering with amateur transmissions. |
ar-wiki |
| QRO |
Should I increase power? Increase power |
dslreports |
| QRP |
Low power operation, usually 10 Watts or less. |
icom |
| QRP |
Low power operation, usually 5 watts output or 10 watts input power |
dslreports |
| QRP |
Low power operation, usually 5 watts output or 10 watts input power. |
eham.net |
| QRP |
Low power operations - usually understood to mean power at or below 5 watts. From QRP, a code requesting that a station reduce its transmitted power. |
ar-wiki |
| QRPp |
Very low power operation - at or below 1 Watt. |
ar-wiki |
| QRSS |
Very low speed operation - typically CW below one character per minute, intended for machine-assisted reception under extreme QRP or noisy/weak signal conditions. Bandwidth used is a small fraction of 1 Hz. From QRS, a code requesting "send more slowly". |
ar-wiki |
| QRT |
Shall I stop sending? Stop sending |
dslreports |
| QRZ |
Who is calling me? You are being called by --- |
dslreports |
| QSB |
Fading (of signals). Used in signal reports eg "your signal is experiencing rapid QSB tonight" |
ar-wiki |
| QSL |
Confirmation of receipt of transmission |
ar-wiki |
| QSL |
to acknowledge receipt; also commonly used to indicate "I understand", "I copied all OK" and term for sending cards by mail to confirm contact |
dslreports |
| QSL |
to acknowledge receipt. Commonly used to indicate "I understand", "I coped your transmission (or report) all OK". Also used as a term for sending cards by mail to confirm a two way contact with a station, such as QSL via the bureau. (see bureau or burro). |
eham.net |
| QSL Bureau |
Also known as the "buro"; an organization that provides a collecting and distributing point for QSL cards. In large scale situation, typically broken into an "incoming" and "outgoing" bureaus. A good example is the biggest QSL Bureau representing the U.S., the ARRL QSL Bureau. For more information, see ARRL's Incoming Bureau at http://www.arrl.org/qsl/qslin.html and their Outgoing Bureau at http://www.arrl.org/qsl/qslout.html. |
qrz.com |
| QSL Card |
A postcard that serves as a confirmation of communication between two hams. |
hamuniverse |
| QSL Card |
Often referred to as simply a "QSL"; similar in size to a postcard, it is used to "confirm" (or show proof of) having made contact with another station on the air; applies to both "two-way" and "one-way" (SWL) communications; the QSL card is filled out by the issuer/sender, and by convention it contains (1) the station contacted, (2) UTC date and time of contact, (3) frequency/band, (4) signal report (RST), and (5) callsign and address of issuer/sender. QSL cards are commonly used as proof of fulfilling various operating awards such as DXCC, WAS, etc. |
qrz.com |
| QSL Manager |
A person, commonly an Amateur Radio operator, who manages the receiving and sending of QSL cards for a particular Amateur Radio station (the "managed" station). Often, a QSL Manager performs this service because the managed station either has difficulty handling the volume of incoming QSL cards, or the station is geographically located such that it is difficult or impossible for that station to accept and/or send QSL cards. It is very common for "rare" DX stations and DXpeditions to have a QSL Manager. |
qrz.com |
| QSL Manager |
A person, usually an Amateur Radio operator, who manages the receiving and sending of QSL cards for a managed station) |
dslreports |
| QSL Manager |
A person, usually an Amateur Radio operator, who manages the receiving and sending of QSL cards for a managed station). A QSL Manager is needed because the managed station either has difficulty handling the volume of incoming QSL cards, or the station is geographically located such that it is difficult or impossible for that station to accept and/or send QSL cards. It is very common for "rare" DX stations and DXpeditions to have a QSL Manager. |
eham.net |
| QSO |
Can you communicate with ---? Also a common way to refer to a contact with another ham |
dslreports |
| QSO |
two way conversation |
dslreports |
| QSO |
two way conversation. |
eham.net |
| QST |
Another Q-signal. Refers to News Bulletin, also the monthly magazine published by the ARRL. |
dslreports |
| QSY |
Shall I change frequency? Change frequency to ---- |
dslreports |
| QTH |
Home, home location, station location |
ar-wiki |
| Quartz crystal |
a crystal of ?silicon dioxide cut to vibrate at a particular frequency when an electric current is applied to it. Used in high stability oscillators |
ar-wiki |
| RAC |
Radio Amateurs of Canada, a national amateur radio organization in Canada. |
eham.net |
| RAC |
Radio Amateurs of Canada, a national amateur radio organization in Canada. See leagues |
dslreports |
| RACES |
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service |
dslreports |
| Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) |
a part of the Amateur Service that provides radio communications for civil preparedness organizations during local, regional or national civil emergencies. |
hamuniverse |
| Radioteletype (RTTY) |
Radio signals sent from one teleprinter machine to another machine. Anything that one operator types on his teleprinter will be printed on the other machine. |
hamuniverse |
| ragchewing |
chatting informally via radio |
dslreports |
| RDF |
Radio Direction Finding |
dslreports |
| reactance |
opposition to current that a capacitor or inductor creates in an AC circuit |
dslreports |
| reading the mail |
to listen to a QSO without participating |
dslreports |
| Receiver |
A device that converts radio signals into audio signals or some other form of information. |
hamuniverse |
| Reflected power |
Non-radiated power dissipated as heat when the transmitter is mismatched to the antenna or load. |
icom |
| Reflection |
Signals that travel by line-of-sight propagation are bounced off of large objects like buildings, mountains, etc. |
hamuniverse |
| Refraction |
Radio waves are bent back to earth, via the ionosphere, by refraction. |
icom |
| Regulator |
A device - often built to employ a Zener Diode as reference - which maintains a constant output voltage over a range of load currents and input voltages. |
ar-wiki |
| Remote Base |
An HF amateur station setup to operate by remote control, usually by connecting to the Internet through a computer. |
hamuniverse |
| repeater |
a receiver/transmitter that listens for transmission and re-transmits them |
dslreports |
| Repeater |
A system consisting of at least one transmitter, one receiver, and a controller, which receives a signal on one frequency and retransmits it on another frequency. Repeaters are typically located in high locations so that they have greater coverage area. They greatly increase a user's communication range since they can retransmit his/her signal across all of its coverage area. Repeaters are most commonly used on the 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands. See also "Simplex Repeater". |
qrz.com |
| Repeater |
A transceiver - often comprised of separate transmitted and receiver linked by controlling hardware. A repeater picks up a radio signal and re-transmits it, allowing weak stations to be heard from further away than normally possible. |
ar-wiki |
| Repeater |
An amateur station that receives a signal and retransmits it for greater range. |
hamuniverse |
| Repeater |
Radio systems, which receive incoming signal and re-transmit it for extended communication area. Normally put on geographically high locations for VHF/UHF hand portables. |
icom |
| Repeater council |
A voluntary regional amateur organisation coordinating repeater frequency pair assignments to minimise interference. As no individual amateur group owns any given radio frequency, a council does not exercise legal authority to force individual repeater operators onto a specific frequency, height, location, power or directional pattern. Nonetheless, amateurs are obligated by national laws to avoid interference to other amateur stations and official regulatory agencies will resolve interference complaints between repeater operators by forcing uncoordinated repeaters to move off frequencies where their operation interferes with any coordinated repeater. |
ar-wiki |
| Resistance |
The ability to oppose or resist an electric current. |
hamuniverse |
| Resistance |
The measure of how much an object (a resistor) opposes the flow of electric current. |
ar-wiki |
| Resistivity |
The measure of how strongly a material (eg plastic) opposes the flow of electric current. |
ar-wiki |
| Resistor |
A device that opposes the flow of electric current. |
ar-wiki |
| Resistor |
Any material that opposes a current in an electrical circuit. An electronic component especially designed to oppose current. |
hamuniverse |
| resonance |
condition where Xc = XL, establishing a resonant circuit - used for selectivity (parallel circuit) or a maximum impedance circuit (series) |
dslreports |
| Rettysnitch |
See definition of Wouff-Hong |
dslreports |
| RF |
Radio Frequencies: Frequencies that can pass through space as electromagnetic radiation. |
ar-wiki |
| RF |
Radio Frequency |
icom |
| RF |
Radio Frequency, emissions in the radio portion of the electromagnetic spectrum |
dslreports |
| RF |
Radio Frequency, emissions in the radio portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. |
eham.net |
| RF |
Radio Frequency; typically used as slang for "Radio Frequency Energy". |
qrz.com |
| RF Burn |
A burn produced by coming in contact with exposed RF voltages. |
hamuniverse |
| RF Burn |
A painful sensation felt when coming into direct contact with RF energy; can be dangerous when experienced with high levels of RF power. |
qrz.com |
| RF Carrier |
The electromagnetic wave produced by a transmitter at a particular frequecy. |
hamuniverse |
| RF ground |
Connection of amateur equipment to earth ground to eliminate hazards from RF exposure and reduce RFI. |
icom |
| RF Radiation |
Waves of electric and magnetic energy. Such electromagnetic radiation with frequencies as low as 3 kHz and as high as 300 GHz are considered to be part of the RF region. |
hamuniverse |
| RF Safety |
Preventing injury or illness to humans from the effects of radio-frequency energy. |
hamuniverse |
| RFI |
Radio Frequency Interference |
dslreports |
| RFI |
Radio Frequency Interference (also BCI - broadcast interference, TVI - television interference). Normally resolved by installation of filters at the transmitter, the affected receiver(s) or both. |
ar-wiki |
| RFI |
Radio Frequency Interference. |
eham.net |
| rig |
a radio (transmitter, receiver, or transceiver) |
dslreports |
| Rig |
Radio |
qrz.com |
| Ripple |
The residual AC left over after rectification and filtering when an AC supply has been converted to DC' |
ar-wiki |
| RIT |
Receive Incremental Tuning, Receive Independant of Transmit. The ability to shift the receive frequency of a transceiver away from the transmit frequency by a small amount. |
ar-wiki |
| RIT |
Receive Incremental Tuning; a common feature on HF radios that allows the user to slightly change the receive frequency while leaving the transmit frequency the same. |
qrz.com |
| RIT |
Receiver Incremental Tuning - Fine-tuning receive frequency without changing displayed or memory frequency. |
icom |
| RIT |
Receiver incremental tuning. Also known as a Clarifier |
dslreports |
| RMS |
Root mean square |
dslreports |
| RMS |
Root Mean Square. Calculated by squaring each of the values on a signal, calculating the mean of the squares, and then taking the square root of the mean. approximately 0.707 of the peak value. |
ar-wiki |
| roger |
I understand - Received 100% In CW: "R" |
dslreports |
| ROS Digital |
An MFSK digital mode created in 2009. |
ar-wiki |
| rotator |
a device attached to an antenna mast which rotates it |
dslreports |
| rotor |
(see "rotator") |
dslreports |
| Rover |
A station that operates from several grid squares or counties during a contest |
dslreports |
| RSGB |
Radio Society of Great Britain - national amateur radio organisation of UK. |
ar-wiki |
| RSQ code |
Used to describe the readability, strength and quality of digital modes. |
ar-wiki |
| RST |
Readability, Signal, and Tone, a three-digit report indicating how well an operator's emissions are being received |
dslreports |
| RST |
Readability, Strength, Tone; a system by which a received signal quality is graded, and a signal report is given. "Readability" is judged on a scale from 1 to 5, and "Strength" and "Tone" are judged on a scale from 1 to 9. "Tone" does not apply to a "phone" (voice) signal. A very high quality CW signal is "599" (pronounced "five nine nine"), and such a phone signal is "59" (pronounced "five nine"). |
qrz.com |
| RST code |
Used to describe the readability, strength and tone of voice or CW transmissions. |
ar-wiki |
| RSV code |
used to describe the readability, stength and video quality of SSTV transmissions |
ar-wiki |
| RTTY |
Radio TeleTYpe |
icom |
| RTTY |
radio teletype - A form of digital communications |
dslreports |
| RTTY |
radio teletype - A form of digital communications. |
eham.net |
| RTTY |
Radio Teletype; popular digital mode on HF |
qrz.com |
| RTTY |
Radioteletype. |
ar-wiki |
| Rubber Duck |
Also known as "Rubber Duckie", a flexible antenna normally found on hand-held tranceivers. Inefficient, but useable, and they don't poke you in the ribs too badly either! (thanks to WD5CTQ). |
qrz.com |
| Rubber duck |
Nickname for the flexible rubber antennas supplied with many handheld transceivers. |
ar-wiki |
| RX |
Abbreviation for "receiver" or "receive". |
qrz.com |
| RX |
Abbreviation for receive or receiver |
ar-wiki |
| RX |
Receive |
icom |
| S meter |
A meter on a receiver that displays the relative strength of an incoming signal. |
ar-wiki |
| S-Meter |
Signal Strength Meter |
dslreports |
| S/N |
Signal to Noise ratio |
icom |
| S/N |
Signal-to-noise ratio |
dslreports |
| Safety |
RF exposure limits, set by ANSI (American National Standards Institute), to minimize over exposure to RF signals from a nearby antenna. |
icom |
| SAR |
Search And Rescue |
icom |
| SASE |
Self Addressed, Stamped Envelope; for more information, please see QRZ's "QSL Corner" at http://www.qrz.com/qsl.html. |
qrz.com |
| SASE |
Self-addressed, stamped envelope |
dslreports |
| SASE |
Self-addressed, stamped envelope. |
eham.net |
| Scan |
Continually sweeping frequencies looking for signals. |
icom |
| Scan Edge |
End and start frequencies for a scanning range. |
icom |
| Scratch Pad Memory |
Temporary frequency memories for quick access. |
icom |
| selectivity |
Ability of a receiver to reject signals adjacent to tuned signal |
dslreports |
| Semi Duplex |
An operation mode in which transmits and receives is accomplished on different frequencies alternatively. |
icom |
| Semiconductor |
an element that is normally an insulator but which can, under certain physical conditions, be made to conduct. |
ar-wiki |
| sensitivity |
A receivers ability to receive weak signals |
dslreports |
| Sensitivity |
Indicates how weak a signal the receiver can detect. |
icom |
| separation or split |
the difference (in kHz) between a repeater's transmitter and receiver frequencies |
dslreports |
| series circuit |
an electrical circuit in which all the electrons must flow through every part of the circuit |
dslreports |
| Series Circuit |
an electrical circuit in which all the electrons must flow through every part of the circuit. There is only one path for the electrons to follow. |
hamuniverse |
| Series circuit |
Usually used to describe tuned circuits in which the capacitive and inductive elements are in series with each other. |
ar-wiki |
| Set mode |
An operation mode used for radio. To set less frequently used control features. |
icom |
| SFI |
See "Solar Flux Index" |
qrz.com |
| shack |
Ham station operating area |
dslreports |
| SHF |
Super High Frequency 3 - 30 GHz |
dslreports |
| Short Circuit |
An electrical circuit in which the current does not take the desired path, but finds an unintended shortcut instead. Often the current goes directly from the negative power-supply terminal to the positive one, bypassing the rest of the circuit. Often called a "short". |
hamuniverse |
| short path |
in degrees - the direct great signal bearing path between two locations. Long path is the reciprocal bearing |
dslreports |
| signal |
a radio emission |
dslreports |
| Signal Report System (RST) |
A system of numbers used for signal reports: R is readability, S is strength and T is tone. |
hamuniverse |
| Signal to Noise Ratio S/N |
the ratio of signal power to noise power. The better the S/N ratio, the better the quality of the signal and the easier it is to decode. |
ar-wiki |
| silent key |
a deceased amateur operator |
dslreports |
| simplex |
a communications mode in which a radio transmits and receives on the same frequency |
dslreports |
| Simplex |
An operation mode where transmit and receive frequency is same. |
icom |
| Simplex |
Communicating directly from radio to radio (without the use of an intermediary repeater). This term is normally used in the context of environments that frequently use repeaters. |
qrz.com |
| Simplex |
Transmit and receive on the same frequency - most often used when communicating directly (not used when operating via voice repeaters). |
ar-wiki |
| Simplex Operation |
Receiving and transmitting on the same frequency. Both stations use the same frequency by taking turns. |
hamuniverse |
| Simplex Repeater |
A radio that has a digital audio store-and-forward relay system. Produces results similar to that of a conventional repeater. |
qrz.com |
| Sine Wave |
electricity building slowly to a peak voltage in one direction, then decreasing to zero and reversing to build to a peak in the opposite direction. |
hamuniverse |
| Single Sideband (SSB) |
Emission mode that describes the type of voice emission used on the ham bands. There is no carrier produced in a SSB transmission. Only the side band/s are transmitted. USB = upper side band...LSB = lower side band. Introduction to SSB here! |
hamuniverse |
| SITOR-A |
Simplex teleprinting over radio system, mode A |
dslreports |
| SITOR-B |
Simplex teleprinting over radio system, mode B (FEC mode) |
dslreports |
| SK |
Silent Key, a term used in memory of a deceased radio operator. The SK prosign in Morse code indicates the end of a message. |
ar-wiki |
| SK |
Silent Key, an amateur term for indicating that a ham has passed away. Also one of the prosigns - meaning "end of contact" |
dslreports |
| Skip |
Skip is a radio phenomenon in which signals are reflected or refracted by the atmosphere and return to earth in unexpected places, far away from the normal reception zones. In between transmitter and receiver there is a zone where no transmissions can be heard |
ar-wiki |
| Skip Distance |
The shortest distance, for a fixed frequency, between transmitter and receiver. |
ar-wiki |
| Skip Zone |
An area of poor radio communication, too distant for ground waves and too close for sky waves. Radio waves ‘skip or hop over it.’ |
hamuniverse |
| skip zone |
dead zone, too far for ground wave propagation and too near for sky wave propagation |
dslreports |
| Skip Zone |
The distance between the point of no reception and the closest point of reception. |
ar-wiki |
| sky wave propagation |
the transmitting of radio waves which reflect off of the ionosphere |
dslreports |
| Sky-Wave Propagation |
The method by which radio waves travel through the ionosphere and back to Earth. Sometimes called skip, sky-wave propagation has a far greater range than line-of sight and ground-wave propagation. |
hamuniverse |
| skyhook |
antenna |
dslreports |
| Skywarn |
Trained volunteer storm spotters for the National Weather Service. |
icom |
| Slug |
A short, cylindrical unit that is inserted into a Bird? Wattmeter (or similar) that allows the unit to read power (watts) for a particular frequency range. A slug always has a finite frequency range and a maximum power rating. By swapping out different slugs, the wattmeter can be used for many different frequencies and power ranges. |
qrz.com |
| SMA |
Sub-Miniature a connector - Type of antenna connector, used in VHF/UHF portable. |
icom |
| SNP, SNPF |
Shared non-protected pair, shared non-protected frequency. In repeater coordination, an input/output frequency pair on which no fixed/permanent repeater stations have been deployed. These frequencies remain available for temporary use only within a very limited coverage area by portable public service, emergency, search and rescue operations or short experiments. Individual temporary repeaters on these frequencies are not regionally-coordinated, so are not protected from mutual interference with other temporary repeaters on the same frequency.[1] |
ar-wiki |
| Solar Flux Index |
A measurement of radio emission from the sun. HF propagation conditions are considered good when this number is high and the A- and K-index numbers are low. |
qrz.com |
| SOS |
A Morse Code call for emergency assistance. Three short, three long and three short transmissions using CW. |
hamuniverse |
| SOTA |
Summits On The Air. An international event in which operators gain points from contacts to and from mountain summits over 500m. |
ar-wiki |
| SP |
SPeaker |
icom |
| Space Station |
An amateur station located more than 50 km above the Earth?s surface. |
hamuniverse |
| Special Event |
A radio operating event, usually on HF, in which a group or organization celebrates an event or holiday by making contacts and offering special QSL cards or certificates to confirm the contact. Ham Radio magazines, such as QST, usually publish a monthly list of Special Events. |
qrz.com |
| Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) |
A term that describes the rate at which RF energy is absorbed into the human body. Maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits are based on whole-body SAR values. |
hamuniverse |
| speech processor |
A circuit that increases the average level of the modulating signal applied to a transmitter |
dslreports |
| splatter |
a type of interference to stations on nearby frequencies |
dslreports |
| Split |
An operating mode in which the transmit and receive frequency is different. |
icom |
| split |
DX stations often operate split - that is transmitting on one frequency and listening at a different frequency |
dslreports |
| Split operation |
Direct communications where transmit and receive are offset from each other in frequency - most often used by DXpedition stations which must accommodate large numbers of incoming calls. |
ar-wiki |
| Sporadic E-Skip |
Unexpected and unpredictable propagation using refraction in the E Layer. |
ar-wiki |
| SQL |
Squelch - A circuit that mutes the receiver when no signal is present, thereby eliminating band noise |
dslreports |
| SQL |
SQueLch - A function muting audio output for set conditions. |
icom |
| Squelch |
A user-adjustable electronic circuit in a receiver or transceiver which masks unwanted noise in the absence of a signal. |
ar-wiki |
| squelch tail |
(Repeater Term) A brief bit of noise heard between the end of a radio transmission and the reactivation of the receivers squelch circuit |
dslreports |
| SSB |
Single Side Band |
dslreports |
| SSB |
Single Side Band. |
eham.net |
| SSB |
Single Sideband |
qrz.com |
| SSB |
Single Sideband. A transmission mode used mainly in the HF bands. |
ar-wiki |
| SSTV |
Slow Scan Television |
dslreports |
| SSTV |
Slow Scan Television - still picture ham transmissions. |
ar-wiki |
| SSTV |
Slow Scan Television. |
eham.net |
| SSTV |
Slow Scan TV - Graphics communication using narrow bandwidth. |
icom |
| Standing Wave |
The vector sum of two waves - in ham radio, this most usually refers to the forward and reflected waves in a feedline |
ar-wiki |
| Straight Key |
A device for sending Morse Code, consisting of a single arm making contact with another point to complete a circuit and key a transmitter (thanks to WD5CTQ). |
qrz.com |
| straight key |
a non-electronic Morse code key with one paddle |
dslreports |
| Sunspot |
A region on the sun where an electromagnetic "storm" is happening. These have an effect on propagation |
ar-wiki |
| Sunspot Cycle |
A cycle of approximately 11 years in which the number of sunspots increases and decreases. The broader sunspot cycle is 22 years as the polarity of the sunspots reverses every 11 years. |
ar-wiki |
| Sunspot Cycle |
The number of sunspots increases and decreases in a predictable cycle that lasts about 11 years. |
hamuniverse |
| Sunspots |
Dark spots on the surface of the sun. When there are few sunspots, long-distance radio propagation is poor on the higher-frequency bands. When there are many sunspots, long-distance HF propagation improves. |
hamuniverse |
| superheterodyne |
a radio receiver scheme which beats or heterodynes a second radio frequency to the incoming radio signals. The combined frequencies form an intermediate (IF) third frequency |
dslreports |
| Susceptance |
the reciprocal of Reactance, measured in Siemens: symbol S |
ar-wiki |
| SW |
Short Wave |
dslreports |
| Switching Power Supply |
A power supply that uses switching transistors (on-off) to increase the efficiency of the power conversion, rather than the simple transformer/rectifier design of traditional power supplies. |
qrz.com |
| SWL |
Short Wave Listener |
icom |
| SWL |
Short Wave Listening |
dslreports |
| SWL |
Shortwave Listener; one who enjoys listening to shortwave transmissions, without intention of transmitting. |
qrz.com |
| SWL |
Shortwave listener. While SWL's do not operate licensed transmitting stations, some are using equipment capable of receiving both radioamateur and broadcast signals. For both, SWL's may submit reception reports in order to receive QSL cards. On VHF/UHF and above, one who can receive (but not transmit) is a scanner operator. |
ar-wiki |
| SWR |
Standing Wave Ratio - Measurement of forward vs. reflected power output during transmit. |
icom |
| SWR |
Standing Wave Ratio, a measure of how much radio energy sent into an antenna system is being reflected back to the transmitter |
dslreports |
| SWR |
Standing Wave Ratio, a measure of how much radio energy sent into an antenna system is being reflected back to the transmitter. |
eham.net |
| SWR |
Standing Wave Ratio; an indication of how well matched an antenna is to its transmitter. A "one to one" (1:1) SWR indicates a perfect match. Anything less than 1:1 (i.e., 2:1) indicates that the antenna is not perfectly resonant for the transmit frequency, and that some RF power is being reflected back down the transmission line into the transmitter. In general, any SWR which is 3:1 or better is acceptable. |
qrz.com |
| SWR |
Standing Wave Ratio. The ratio of the height of a standing wave on a transmission line to the height of an adjacent node. |
ar-wiki |
| SWR meter |
a device used to determine the Standing Wave Ratio of an antenna system |
dslreports |
| SWR Meter |
A measuring instrument that can indicate when an antenna system is working well. |
hamuniverse |
| T pad |
one of the possible configurations used in Attenuators |
ar-wiki |
| Tactical Communications |
Names used to identify a location or function during local emergency communications. |
hamuniverse |
| Talk-Around |
Same as "Simplex" (see definition above). |
qrz.com |
| TCXO |
Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator - Heated crystal oscillator for better frequency stability. |
icom |
| Telegraphy |
text based modes. Includes morse and RTTY. |
ar-wiki |
| telegraphy |
the transmission of information in Morse code format |
dslreports |
| telephony |
the transmission of information in voice format |
dslreports |
| Teleprinter |
A machine that can convert keystrokes (typing) into electrical impulses. The teleprinter can also convert the proper electrical impulses back into text. Computers have largely replaced teleprinters for amateur radioteletype work. |
hamuniverse |
| Temperature Inversion |
A condition in the atmosphere in which a region of cool air is trapped beneath warmer air. |
hamuniverse |
| Terminal |
An inexpensive piece of equipment that can be used in place of a computer in a packet radio station. |
hamuniverse |
| Thermionic Valve |
(Also known as an Electron Tube or a Vacuum Tube). A device that creates or modifies an electrical signal through the movement of electrons in a low pressure (vacuum) space. |
ar-wiki |
| third-party communications |
messages passed from one amateur to another on behalf of a third person |
dslreports |
| third-party communications |
messages passed from one amateur to another on behalf of a third person. |
eham.net |
| Third-Party Communications |
Messages passed from one amateur to another on behalf of a third person. |
hamuniverse |
| THROB |
An MFSK digital mode based on tone pairs. |
ar-wiki |
| TI |
Talk-In Frequency |
dslreports |
| Ticket |
Slang for "FCC License" |
qrz.com |
| ticket |
slang for an amateur radio license |
dslreports |
| ticket |
slang for an amateur radio license. |
eham.net |
| TNC |
1)Terminal Node Controller - Modem for data communication. - 2) A type of antenna connector. |
icom |
| TNC |
Terminal Node Controller - a device used in packet radio that disassembles and re-assembles packets of data. |
ar-wiki |
| TNC |
Terminal Node Controller, a device which interfaces a computer to a transceiver and performs a function similar to a modem |
dslreports |
| TNC |
Terminal Node Controller, a device which interfaces a computer to a transceiver and performs a function similar to a modem. |
eham.net |
| TNC |
Threaded Niell-Concelman (standard connector type used on Coax cable, named for its inventors) |
dslreports |
| tone pad |
an array of 12 or 16 numbered keys that generate the standard telephone dual tones |
dslreports |
| top band |
160 Meter Ham Band (highest number meter band) |
dslreports |
| TOR |
Telex over radio |
dslreports |
| TOR (Teleprinting Over Radio) |
Used in three digital modes: AMTOR, PACTOR and G-TOR. |
ar-wiki |
| Toroid |
A donut-shaped solid usually constructed of ferrite, used as the former for transformers and inductors' |
ar-wiki |
| TOT |
Time Out Timer - Time limiting function for continued repeater or other operations. |
icom |
| Towers |
Antenna support structures. |
icom |
| traffic |
a message or messages sent by radio |
dslreports |
| traffic |
a message or messages sent by radio. |
eham.net |
| transceiver |
a radio that both transmits and receives |
dslreports |
| transceiver |
a radio that both transmits and receives. |
eham.net |
| Transceiver |
A radio that has both a transmitter and a receiver, which either share common circuitry or a common housing or both. |
ar-wiki |
| Transceiver |
A radio transmitter and receiver combined in one unit. |
hamuniverse |
| Transient |
A short spike or trough on a power line, usually lasting for a few microseconds. |
ar-wiki |
| Transistor |
See "P-N Junction". |
qrz.com |
| Transmission Line |
Also known as feedline. |
ar-wiki |
| Transmitter |
A device that produces radio-frequency signals. |
hamuniverse |
| Transverter |
A device similar to a downconverter, but used for both receive and transmit. |
icom |
| Troposphere |
The region in Earth?s atmosphere just above the Earth?s surface and below the ionosphere. |
hamuniverse |
| Tropospheric Bending |
When radio waves are deformed in the troposphere, they return to Earth farther away than the visible horizon. |
hamuniverse |
| Tropospheric Ducting |
A type of VHF propagation that can occur when warm air overruns cold air (a temperature inversion). |
hamuniverse |
| TS |
Tuning Step - Incremental steps |
icom |
| TSQL |
Tone SQueLch - Squelch function using subaudible tones, selective call. |
icom |
| Tuned Circuit |
A capacitor and an inductor, usually in parallel. The circuit responds strongly at its resonant frequency and is used to select or tune in wanted signals. |
ar-wiki |
| TVI |
Interference to television reception. |
ar-wiki |
| TVI |
TeleVision Interference |
icom |
| TVI |
Television interference. |
eham.net |
| twisted pair |
ham slang for telephone or telephone lines |
dslreports |
| two-tone test |
A method of testing a side-band transmitter |
dslreports |
| TWT |
Traveling Wave Tube, found in microwave amplifier circuits. |
icom |
| TX |
Abbreviation for "transmitter" or "transmit" |
qrz.com |
| TX |
Abbreviation for transmit or transmission |
ar-wiki |
| TX |
Transmit |
icom |
| U |
CW abbreviation for "you" |
ar-wiki |
| UFB |
CW abbreviation for "Ultra Fine Business" or "excellent" |
ar-wiki |
| UHF |
Ultra High Frequency - 300 MHz-3 GHz range signals. |
icom |
| UHF |
Ultra High Frequency 300 - 3000 MHz |
dslreports |
| UHF |
Ultra High Frequency. Frequencies in the range 300MHz to 3 000MHz |
ar-wiki |
| UHF connector |
A threaded co-axial RF connector (PL-259, SO-239) originally designed in the 1930's for use at frequencies in the 30-300MHz range. (These frequencies are now considered to be VHF.) Most commonly used in amateur radio stations to make RG-8 or RG-213 cable connections to HF transceivers. |
ar-wiki |
| UHF connector |
Sometimes called a PL-259 plug, for coaxial cable, on VHF. |
icom |
| Uncle Charlie |
The FCC |
dslreports |
| Uncontrolled Environment |
Any area in which an RF signal may cause radiation exposure to people who may not be aware of the radiated electric and magnetic fields. When a pedistrian walks by your mobile radio, he is in an uncontrolled environment as an example. He is not aware of the rf radiation coming from your antenna when you are transmitting but is being subjected to rf exposure. |
hamuniverse |
| Uplink |
[vs. Downlink] - Frequency that user transmits to the repeater or satellite. |
icom |
| uplink |
Channel used for earth-to-satellite communications |
dslreports |
| UR |
CW abbreviation for "your" |
ar-wiki |
| USB |
(1) Upper Sideband, used primarily for single sideband operation above 10MHz |
ar-wiki |
| USB |
(2) Universal Serial Bus, an interface to desktop PC peripherals |
ar-wiki |
| USB |
1) Upper Side Band - 2) Universal Serial Bus |
icom |
| USB |
Upper Side Band the common single-sideband operating mode on the 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meter HF amateur bands, and all the VHF and UHF bands. |
eham.net |
| USB |
Upper Side Band common for the 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meter HF amateur bands, VHF and UHF bands |
dslreports |
| USB |
Upper Sideband |
qrz.com |
| UTC |
Coordinated Universal Time |
dslreports |
| UTC |
Coordinated Universal Time; a single time reference to be used worldwide (reduces the confusion that can occur when considering multiple time zones). |
qrz.com |
| UTC |
Coordinated Universal Time. A corrected - using atomic clocks- version of GMT |
ar-wiki |
| UTC |
Universal Time Coordinated - An astronomical time based on the Greenwich meridian (zero degrees longitude). |
icom |
| utility stations |
Stations other than broadcast, or amateur stations not intended to be heard by the public including aviation, radiotelephone, marine, embassy, and military |
dslreports |
| VA |
Volt Amperes - measure of apparent power |
dslreports |
| VA |
Volt Amperes - measure of apparent power. |
ar-wiki |
| VAC |
Volts Alternating Current |
dslreports |
| VAC |
Volts Alternating Current. |
ar-wiki |
| Vacuum Tube |
(Also known as an Electron Tube or a Thermionic Valve). A device that creates or modifies an electrical signal through the movement of electrons in a low pressure (vacuum) space. |
ar-wiki |
| Varactor Diode |
a component whose capacitance decreases as the reverse bias voltage is increased. |
ar-wiki |
| varactor diode |
a component whose capacitance varies as the reverse bias voltage is changed |
dslreports |
| VCO |
Voltage Controlled Oscillator, found in the PLL section of the modern radio. |
icom |
| VCO |
Voltage-controlled oscillator |
ar-wiki |
| VCO |
Voltage-controller oscillator |
dslreports |
| VDT |
Video Display Terminal |
hamuniverse |
| VE |
Volunteer Examiner, a person authorized to administer examinations for amateur radio licenses. |
eham.net |
| VE |
Volunteer Examiner, in countries in which government radio inspectors no longer conduct examinations for prospective new licensees but delegate this task to a few experienced radio amateurs. (Also: VE as a callsign prefix refers to the Dominion of Canada - so "W/VE stations" would indicate the continent of North America.) |
ar-wiki |
| VEC |
Volunteer Exam Coordinator. Examples include the ARRL (http://www.arrl.org) and W5YI (http://www.w5yi.org) |
qrz.com |
| VEC |
Volunteer Examiner Coordinator |
ar-wiki |
| VEC |
Volunteer Examiner Coordinator, an amateur radio organization empowered by the FCC to recruit, organize, regulate and coordinate Volunteer Examiners |
dslreports |
| Velocity Factor |
the speed at which radio waves travel in a particular feedline, expressed as a fraction of the speed of light |
ar-wiki |
| Vertical Polarization |
Used to describe a transmission or antenna in which the electric field is propagated perpendicular to the surface of the Earth. Antennas intended for two-way radio communication with mobile stations (where vertical antennas are common) typically use vertical polarization, while broadcast TV/FM signals are most often horizontally polarised. |
ar-wiki |
| VFO |
Variable Frequency Oscillator |
ar-wiki |
| VFO |
Variable Frequency Oscillator - An operation mode in which operator can change frequency freely. |
icom |
| VFO--Variable-Frequency Oscillator |
An oscillator used in receivers and transmitters. The frequency is set by a tuned circuit using capacitors and inductors. The frequency can be changed by adjusting the components in the tuned circuit. (The knob on your transceiver that changes your frequency). |
hamuniverse |
| VHF |
Very High Frequency - 30-300 MHz range signals. |
icom |
| VHF |
Very High Frequency 30 - 300 MHz |
dslreports |
| VHF |
Very High Frequency. Frequencies in the range 30MHz to 300MHz |
ar-wiki |
| VIS |
Vertical Interval Signalling. Digital encoding of the transmission mode in the vertical sync portion of an SSTV image. |
ar-wiki |
| Visible Horizon |
The most distant point on the earth one can see by line of sight. |
hamuniverse |
| VK |
Australia |
ar-wiki |
| VLCA |
Very limited coverage area. Typically used in reference to small portable repeaters deployed by emergency/disaster or public service groups to temporarily provide local communication within a relatively-small area. |
ar-wiki |
| VLF |
Very Low Frequency 3 - 30 KHz |
ar-wiki |
| VMOS |
Vertical metal-oxide semiconductor |
ar-wiki |
| VOA |
Voice Of America. |
dslreports |
| Volt |
(V) The unit of electric potential difference (Voltage) between two points. |
ar-wiki |
| Volt (V) |
The basic unit of electrical pressure or EMF. |
hamuniverse |
| Voltage |
The EMF or pressure that causes electrons to move through an electrical circuit. |
hamuniverse |
| VOM |
Volt-ohm-meter |
dslreports |
| VOX |
Voice Operated Relay; allows the presence of a sound to trigger the PTT. |
qrz.com |
| VOX |
Voice Operated transmission - A function that automatically switches the transmitter to transmit when you talk into the microphone. |
icom |
| VOX |
Voice Operated Transmit |
ar-wiki |
| VOX |
Voice Operated Transmit. |
eham.net |
| VSC |
1) Voice Scan Control - 2) Voice Squelch Control |
icom |
| VSWR |
Voltage standing wave ratio |
ar-wiki |
| VTVM |
Vacuum tube voltmeter |
dslreports |
| VXO |
Variable crystal oscillator |
ar-wiki |
| VY |
CW abbreviation for "very" |
ar-wiki |
| W1AW |
Official ARRL station callsign, also transmits Amateur Radio News Bulletins, Propagation Conditions and Forecasts, and Morse Code Practice. Former Call of Hiram Percy Maxim, ARRL founder. |
dslreports |
| WAB |
Worked All Britain. |
ar-wiki |
| WAC |
Worked All Continents award from the IARU, administered by ARRL |
dslreports |
| WAC |
Worked All Continents; an award issued to those who make, and have proof of, contact to at least one ham on each continent. |
qrz.com |
| WAC |
Worked All Continents. |
ar-wiki |
| wallpaper |
QSL cards, awards, special event certificates |
dslreports |
| Wallpaper |
Slang for QSL Cards and operating/contest certificates. |
qrz.com |
| WAN |
Worked All Neighbors; a station that continually gets complaints about signals showing up on the telephone or televisions at neighbor's houses. Not a desired situation. Polite conversation and changes in operation practices are a common solution. Another is providing simple and often inexpensive filters for the offended neighbor. See the TVI solutions page at the ARRL web site for more information on cures (courtesy of K4GVN). |
qrz.com |
| WAN |
Worked All Neighbours. Used to refer to a powerful station in a densely-populated area where strong signals overload broadcast receivers in the immediate vicinity. |
ar-wiki |
| WARC |
World Administrative Radio Conference |
dslreports |
| WARC |
World Administrative Radio Conference; most commonly associated with the "WARC Bands", those bands added to the Amateur Radio band plan which include the 30, 17, and 12 meter HF bands. |
qrz.com |
| WARC |
World Administrative Radio Conference. Also used to reference the WARC bands 10, 12 and 17 meters. |
eham.net |
| WARC Bands |
Agreed to at the 1979 WARC, they consist of the 30m ( 10.100Mhz - 10.150MHz), 17m (18.086MHz - 18.186MHz) and 12m (24.890MHz - 24.990MHz) amateur bands. |
ar-wiki |
| WARC Bands |
An expression to indicate the bands allocated in 1979 - 17M, 12M and 30M |
dslreports |
| WARC, WRC |
World (Administrative) Radio Conference. Run by the International Telecommunications Union. |
ar-wiki |
| WAS |
Worked All States award from ARRL |
dslreports |
| WAS |
Worked All States; an award issued to those who make, and have proof of, contact to at least one ham in each U.S. state. |
qrz.com |
| WAS |
Worked All States. In the US, contacts with stations in each of the fifty US states. |
ar-wiki |
| Watt |
The unit of power in the metric system. |
hamuniverse |
| WAVE |
Worked All VE. Contacts with stations in each of the Canadian provinces. |
ar-wiki |
| Waveguide |
A hollow tube, typically square in cross-section, used to carry microwave signals. |
ar-wiki |
| Waveguide |
The carrier of microwaves from radio to antenna, and back. |
icom |
| Wavelength |
The distance an ac signal will travel during the time it takes the signal to go through one complete cycle. |
hamuniverse |
| Wavelength |
The distance in metres between corresponding points on a wave. |
ar-wiki |
| WAXE |
Worked All XE / México. |
ar-wiki |
| WAZ |
Worked All Zones award from CQ magazine for confirmed contact with each of 40 zones |
dslreports |
| Weather Alert |
NOAA broadcast station transmitting alert signals. |
icom |
| WEFAX |
Weather facsimile, reconstructed satellite images and photographs |
dslreports |
| WFM |
Wideband FM |
icom |
| WIA |
Wireless Institute of Australia. The national organisation for Australian hams. |
ar-wiki |
| wireless |
radio (As opposed to wired telegraph) |
dslreports |
| WKD |
CW abbreviation for "worked" |
ar-wiki |
| WOLF |
Weak-signal Operation on Low Frequency - for more information, see http://www.computerpro.com/~lyle/wolf/wolf4dummies.htm (courtesy of K?LR). |
qrz.com |
| Wouff Hong |
An instrument of sadistic torture for hams who do not follow generally accepted rules of courtesy on the air. It looks something akin to a Saguaro cactus with one arm missing (courtesy of AA7VP) Note: [the truth] The Wouff Hong sprang from the imagination of ARRL cofounder Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW, as a means to combat poor operating. |
qrz.com |
| Wouff-Hong |
Mystical Ham Torture Device invented by "The Old Man"(T.O.M) 1AW ARRL founder Hiram Percy Maxim. |
dslreports |
| WPM |
Words per minute; as in Morse code or typing speed |
dslreports |
| WPM |
Words per minute; as in Morse code or typing speed. |
eham.net |
| WPM |
Words per minute. |
ar-wiki |
| WRK |
CW abbreviation for "work" |
ar-wiki |
| WSJT |
Weak Signal Joe Taylor - named after Joe Taylor who wrote the software. |
ar-wiki |
| WSPR |
Weak Signal Propagation Reporter. |
ar-wiki |
| WWV |
A radio station located in Fort Collins, Colorado, that continuously broadcasts standard time of day and other radio and navigation information. For more information, see http://www.lerc.nasa.gov/WWW/MAEL/ag/wwv.htm. |
qrz.com |
| WWV |
National Bureau of Standards radio station (time signals) |
dslreports |
| WWVB |
NIST radio station (broadcasts time signals) |
dslreports |
| WWVH |
A radio station located in Kauai, Hawaii, that continuously broadcasts standard time of day and other radio and navigation information. For more information, see http://www.chem.hawaii.edu/uham/wwvh.html. |
qrz.com |
| WX |
Abbreviation for "weather" |
qrz.com |
| WX |
weather |
dslreports |
| WX |
Weather. See weather spotting, APRS for transmission of current meteorological readings via amateur radio. Many 2 metre handheld transceivers are also capable of extended tuning to permit reception of forecasts over VHF bands assigned to other services, such as marine radio. |
ar-wiki |
| XCVR |
Transceiver |
ar-wiki |
| XCVR |
Transceiver (a unit integrating both a transmitter and a receiver). |
qrz.com |
| XCVR |
Transceiver. |
eham.net |
| XFMR |
Transformer |
dslreports |
| XIT |
The ability to shift the transmit frequency of a transceiver while maintaining a constant receive frequency. |
ar-wiki |
| XIT |
Transmit Incremental Tuning; a common feature on HF radios that allows the user to slightly change the transmit frequency while leaving the receive frequency the same. |
qrz.com |
| XTAL |
Crystal |
ar-wiki |
| XYL |
Ex-Young Lady, wife |
dslreports |
| XYL |
Short for "wife" (i.e. ex-YL) |
qrz.com |
| XYL |
Wife of an amateur operator. (A lady operator is referred to as YL - young lady.) |
ar-wiki |
| Yagi |
A directional antenna consisting of a dipole and at least two additional elements, a slightly longer reflector and one or more slightly shorter directors. Invented in 1926 by Hidetsugu Yagi and Shintaro Uda. |
ar-wiki |
| Yagi |
An antenna consisting of two or more elements ("arms" that run perpendicular to a common boom) which are fed parasitically from one or more "driven" elements. The number of elements is proportionate to the gain (more elements means more gain). |
qrz.com |
| Yagi |
beam directional antenna array |
dslreports |
| Yagi |
Directional antenna. |
icom |
| yagi |
in 1926 Hidetsugu Yagi and Shintaro Uda invented the "beam" antenna array. A directional antenna consisting of a dipole and two additional elements, a slightly longer reflector and a slightly shorter director. Electromagnetic coupling between the elements focuses maximum power (or reception) in the direction of the director. |
eham.net |
| YF |
short for "wife" |
qrz.com |
| YL |
Abbreviation for Young Lady, any female operator regardless of age or marital status. |
ar-wiki |
| YL |
Young Lady, any female amateur radio operator or the significant other of a amateur. |
eham.net |
| YL |
Young Lady; short for "girlfriend" |
qrz.com |
| Z code |
Three letter codes for use in military radio instead of sentences or phrases. An extension (not a replacement) of the existing Q Code, these added codes are not in use by any of the civilian services (amateur radio, aviation, marine) currently using Q code. |
ar-wiki |
| Zed |
A way of saying the letter "Z"; considered by many to be a more precise way of expressing that letter "Z"; prevents others from confusing "Z" with "E", "P", etc. |
qrz.com |
| zed |
phonetic for letter "Z" |
dslreports |
| Zener diode |
A diode used to regulate the operating voltage. |
icom |
| Zepp antenna |
simply a weighted wire reeled down and up from early lighter-than-Zeppelin air-ships |
dslreports |
| zero beat |
Adjust the frequencies of two signals so that they are exactly equal and in phase |
dslreports |
| Zero Beat |
one or both of two signals are adjusted so that they are identical and in phase. |
ar-wiki |
| ZL |
New Zealand. |
ar-wiki |
| Zulu |
(z) Another term for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Also known as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) |
ar-wiki |
| Zulu |
Coordinated Universal Time. Also the phonetic for the letter Z |
dslreports |
| Zulu |
Often used to refer to UTC (see above), as in "Zulu Time". |
qrz.com |