Handy Radio Operating Aids

  • BAND CHART - There are different levels of FCC Amateur Radio Licenses.  Each has different privileges on various bands and modes. Click for a color PDF that summarizes the privileges on the Amateur Ham Bands
  • THIRD PARTY - When passing messages to hams in foreign countries, it is illegal to pass messages for a third party (ie, someone who is neither of the control operators), unless both countries have reciprocal "third party operating agreements."  Click HERE to see which countries a U.S. operator may legally pass third-party traffic to.
  • RADIOGRAM - The standard form used by ham operators for decades when passing messages, prints two per 8-1/2 x 11 page, two different sets of artwork as an Acrobat PDF.   Click HERE for the ARRL version, HERE for a private version.
  • FSD-220 OPERATING AID - handy operating aids including phonetic alphabet, signal reports, time zones.  Click HERE.
  • FSD-218 MESSAGING AID - reference guide for the fields in the radiogram such as HX handling codes. Click HERE.
  • ARL NUMBERED MESSAGES - the ARRL has developed a list over the years of the most commonly needed phrases and numbered them.  Messages can be shortened considerably by using them - each message, no matter how long, takes up only three letter groups to transmit. Click HERE for a PDF of the official list.
  • COMMON TEXTS - Some messages passed by the National Traffic System are "pro forma" messages sent by individuals who greet all new hams when their call sign is listed on the FCC's website, remind people of expiring ham licenses, or just want to verify a ham's phone number or whether they are still alive. This is a compilation of about two dozen or so of the most common messages passed.  If you have this printout and you receive one of these messages, the sender only has to give you the addressee information over the air.  Several organizations compile these lists based on traffic through their location.  Click HERE for the ARRL's common text; HERE for Ohio; HERE for Idaho.

Other handy sites

Emergency Communications

ARES - Amateur Radio Emergency Service

ARES is a non-governmental volunteer organization is a creation of the ARRL, a national membership association of hams.  Its mission is to connect ham volunteers with served agencies who request radio operators.  ARES has agreements with the state of Connecticut, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other organizations who respond during emergencies and disasters.  It also has served many local charitable organizations during their public events.

The BEARS repeater coverage area falls within Connecticut ARES Region 3.  For more information about who to contact and what frequencies are used, go to www.ctregion3.net

Contesting

To come: links to Logbook of the World, logging and rig control programs, DX spotting, beacon mapping, shortest route mapping, propagation reports,