Dictionary of Ham Radio Terms: Difference between revisions

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{{glossary}}
Related wiki pages [[FAQ]]
Related wiki pages [[FAQ]]


When adding information to this page, please link to other pages in the wiki wherever possible.
When adding information to these pages, please link to other pages in the wiki wherever possible.
 


==A==
==A==


'''AC''' : Alternating Current
'''AC''' : Alternating Current
'''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.
'''[[ADIF]]''' : Amateur Data Interchange Format, a standard specification for format of exported logbook files.
'''Admittance''' : The reciprocal of [[Impedance |impedance]] of a component in a series or parallel tuned circuit.


'''AF''' : Abbreviation for Audio Frequency. AF is in the range 20Hz to 20 000Hz
'''AF''' : Abbreviation for Audio Frequency. AF is in the range 20Hz to 20 000Hz


'''AFC''' : Automatic Frequency Control - used to prevent drift in FM receivers
'''AFC''' : Automatic Frequency Control - used to prevent drift in FM receivers
'''AFSK''' : Audio Frequency Shift Keying.


'''AGC''' : Automatic Gain Control - a feedback system to reduce fading by automatically adjusting gain
'''AGC''' : Automatic Gain Control - a feedback system to reduce fading by automatically adjusting gain
'''AGL''' : (Height) Above Ground Level, for antenna installations.


'''ALC''' : Automatic Level Control - a feedback system in the transmitter output amplifier used to prevent overload.
'''ALC''' : Automatic Level Control - a feedback system in the transmitter output amplifier used to prevent overload.
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'''[[Electromagnetic Waves |Amplitude]]''' : the height of a wave from the average or median position.
'''[[Electromagnetic Waves |Amplitude]]''' : the height of a wave from the average or median position.


'''AMSAT''' : The name for amateur radio [[Satellites |satellite]] organizations world-wide, but in particular the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation  
'''AMSAT''' : The name for amateur radio [[Satellites |satellite]] organizations world-wide, but in particular the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.
 
'''AM''' : Amlpitude Modulation
 
'''Amplifier''' : A device that is used to increase voltage, current or power.


'''AMTOR''' : A specialised form of RTTY protocol. An acronym for AMateur Teleprinting Over Radio or AMateur Teletype over Radio.
'''AMTOR''' : A specialised form of RTTY protocol. An acronym for AMateur Teleprinting Over Radio or AMateur Teletype over Radio.
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'''Analog''' (also analogue): a continuously varying signal.
'''Analog''' (also analogue): a continuously varying signal.


'''[[Antennas | Antenna]]''': a device to either radiate radio signals or to reveive them from another station.
'''ANC, ANR''' : Active noise control, active noise reduction. Also referred to as automatic noise cancellation or antinoise on some transceivers.
 
'''Antenna Tuner''' : A device used to match the output [[Impedance | impedance]] of a transmitter to that of an antenna.


'''[[Antennas | Antenna]]''': a device to either radiate radio signals or to receive them from another station.


'''ARRL''' : The American Amateur Radio League [http://www.arrl.org/]- the national ham radio association for the USA
'''Antenna Switch''' " A switch used to change the output of a transceiver from one [[Antennas | antenna]] to another.


'''[[APRS]]''' : Automatic Position Reporting System.
'''[[Antenna tuner | Antenna Tuner]]''' : A device used to match the output [[Impedance | impedance]] of a transmitter to that of an antenna.


'''[[Attenuators | Attenuator]]''' : A resistive device to reduce the amplitude or power of a signal.
'''Anti-VOX''' : Transceiver circuitry used in voice-operated (VOX) stations to prevent audio from the receiver's speaker from actuating the voice-operated transmitter.


'''[[ATV]]''' : Amateur Television - "moving picture" ham TV transmissions.
'''[[APRS]]''' : Automatic Position Reporting System, Automated Packet Reporting System.


==B==
'''[[Clubs|ARC]]''' : Amateur Radio Club (also '''ARA, ARS''' - Amateur Radio Association, Amateur Radio Society) - usually prefixed by the name of the community or region served


'''Balun''' : A passive electronic device that converts between balanced and unbalanced electrical signals using some form of electromagnetic coupling.
'''[[ARDF]]''' : Amateur Radio Direction Finding


'''Balanced Line''' : parallel conductors at equal and opposite potentials. Neither conductor is at ground potential.
'''[[ARES]]''' : Amateur Radio Disaster Services, Amateur Radio Emergency Services


'''Bandpass''' (also Passband): the range of frequencies that a certain filter allows to pass.
'''[[ARRL]]''' : The American Radio Relay League [http://www.arrl.org/]- the national ham radio association for the USA


'''Base Station''' : A ham station that has a fixed location
'''[[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.


'''[[Filters | Bandpass Filter]]''' : a filter designed to pass a certain range of frequencies.
'''ASL''' : '''A'''bove '''S'''ea '''L'''evel. Vertical height in metres or feet above sea level.


'''[[Bands |Band]]''' : The portions of the Electromagnetic Spectrum that are allocated to ham radio operators.
'''[[Attenuators | Attenuator]]''' : A resistive device to reduce the amplitude or power of a signal.


'''[[Beacons | Beacon]]''' : A station that transmits signals either continuously or on a timed basis, for location and propagation purposes.
'''ATS''' : Automatic Transfer Switch, switches equipment to a backup power supply in event of power failure.


'''BFO''' : Beat Frequency Oscillator. An oscillator that is mixed with an incoming signal to produce an Audio Frequency (AF tone for CW reception.
'''[[ATV]]''' : Amateur Television - "moving picture" ham TV transmissions.
 
'''Boat Anchor''' : A slang term used to describe obsolete ham radio gear - often applied to old transceivers
 
'''BNC''' :  A coaxial connector commonly used with [[Bands |VHF/UHF]] equipment.
 
'''BPSK''' : (Binary Phase Shift Keying). A digital modulation method for transmitting data.
 
'''[[QSL Bureaus |Bureau]]''' (also Burro) : An organization set up to process QSL cards between amateurs. 
 
==C==
 
'''[[Callsign Databases#Callsign |Callsign]]''' A unique identifier for each radio amteur throughout the world
 
'''[[Capacitors |Capacitor]]''' : A passive electronic component composed of two conducting plates separated by a dielectric (insulating material).
 
'''CNDX''' : Abbreviation for Conditions
 
'''[[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.
 
'''[[Codes and Alphabets#CW Abbreviations |CW Abbreviations]]'''  Used by CW operators to reduce the length of transmissions by shortening words or phrases to a 2 or three letter code
 
'''Conductor''' : A material through which electricity flows easily.
 
'''CQ''' : Request for contact - specifically "calling any operator"
 
'''CTCSS''' : Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch Syatem - a sub audible tone that is frequently used on repeaters. The signal "opens" the repeater for use.
 
'''Current''' : The flow of electicity through a conductor - usually associated with electron movement, but current is actually the transfer of charge between atoms.
 
'''CW''' : Continuous wave - used in morse code transmissions.
 
==D==
 
'''dB''' : Decibel - the ratio of two power measurements.
 
'''dBd''' : dB relative to a dipole. Also known as [[Gain#Gain_compared_to_a_half_wave_dipole_-_dBD |dBD]]
 
'''[[Gain#Gain_compared_to_an_isotropic_readiator_.3D_dBi |dBi]]''' : dB relative to a theoretical isotropic (point) source.
 
'''[[Radiated Power Measurement | dBm]]''': The power compared to a 1 milliwatt (1mW) source, expressed in decibels (dB)
 
'''dBo''' : Optical gain. An unofficial term used by some amateurs working with transmission of data using light.
 
''' De or DE''' : "this is" or "from" - for example an operator may use VL2TK de VK4ZW .......
 
'''[[Dipole]]''' : An antenna with two sides, usually of equal length.
 
'''[[Dish or Parabola | Dish]]''' : A highly directional [[Antennas|antenna]], parabolic in shape. Often used at [[Microwave and other bands |microwave]] frequencies.
 
'''DTMF''' Dual Tone Multi Frequency - the allocation of a unique tone to each button on an appliance (made up of two frequencies - high and low) that allows a computer to recognize the tone.
 
'''[[Dummy load |Dummy Load]]''' : An artificial [[Antennas |antenna]] that does not radiate. used when alligning transceivers.
 
'''Duplex''' : Transmit and receive are on two different frequencies - often use in repeaters with a shift (difference) of 600Hz.
 
'''[[DXCC]]''' : DX Century Club
 
'''DX''' : Distance or distant station
 
==E==
 
'''[[Electromagnetic Waves]]''' : The waves emitted by an [[Antennas |antenna]], having two dimensions, electric and magnetic.
 
'''EHF''' : Extremely High Frequency - from 30GHz to 300GHz
 
'''EME''' : Earth Moon Earth - bouncing a signal off the moon to a remote station that would not normally be accessible.
 
'''EMF''' : Electromotive Force - Voltage
 
'''EMI''' : Electromagnetic Interference.
 
==F==
 
'''[[Feedlines|Feedline]]''' : The wire or cable that joins a [[Transceivers |transmitter]] or [[Receivers |receiver]] to an [[Antennas |antenna]]
 
'''[[Filters |Filter]]''' : An electric circuit (often called a network) that allows certain frequencies to pass but rejects (attenuates) other unwanted frequencies.
 
'''[[Electromagnetic Waves |Frequency]]''': The number of complete waves that pass a reference point per second. Expressed in Hertz (Hz)
 
'''Frequency Shift Keying''': A digital mode in which the signal is broken int "chunks". Each chunk is then shifted in frequency slightly above or below the central carrier.
 
''' Fuse''' : A device that self destructs when too much current passes through it - used for circuit protection.
 
==G==
 
'''[[Gain |Gain]]''' : How much more effective an [[Antenna |antenna]] is as a radiator than a half wave [[Dipole |dipole]]
 
'''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.
 
'''GMT''' : Greenwich Mean Time - the time at Greenwich UK. Also known as zulu and UTC
 
==H==
 
'''[[Harmonics | Harmonic]] : Multiples and sub multiples of the frequency of a reference equation
 
'''Henry''' :(H)  The unit for [[Inductors |inductance]]
 
'''Hertz''' : Hz - The unit of measure for [[Frequency Wavelength and Period |frequency]].
 
'''[[HF]]''' : High Frequency. Frequencies in the range 3MHz to 30MHz
 
==I==
 
'''[[Inductors | Inductance]]''' : A measure of how well a coil stores energy in the form of a magnetic field.
 
'''[[Radio/PC Interfaces | Interface]]''': usually refers to a circuit used to connect the soundcard of a computer to a transceiver to allow digital [[Modes | modes]] to be used.
 
'''Insulator''' : A substance through which electricity does not pass easily - known as a dielectric in [[Capacitors | capacitors]]
 
'''[[IRLP]]''' Internet Radio Linking Project. A method of linking cross-world linking of repeaters so that very basic equipment can be used to communicate with hams in other countries.
 
==J==
 
'''[[International Events#Jota Jamboree on the air|JOTA]]''' : Jamboree On The Air - an annual event in which scouts worldwide can communicate with each other and radio amateurs using ham radio equipment.
 
==K==
 
'''Kilohertz''' : one thousand Hertz (Hz) or one thousand cycles per second.
 
==L==
 
'''[[Log Periodic (LPDA) |LPDA]]''' : Log Periodic Dipole Array. A multiband [[Antenna]]
 
==M==
 
'''[[Microphones |Microphone]]''' : A device that converts voice into electrical signals.
 
'''[[Modes |Mode]]''' : The way electromagnetic waves are changed so that transmission of information is possible.
 
'''[[Codes and Alphabets#Morse Code |Morse Code]]''' The code used by [[CW]] operators instead of voice communications
 
==N==
 
'''NB''': Narrow band. Also noise Blanker
 
'''NBFM''' : Narrow band FM
 
'''Negative''' : no, incorrect
 
'''Negative copy''' : unsuccessful transmission
 
'''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.
 
'''Negative Offset''' : Used in repeater systems where the the repeater input frequency is lower than the output frequency.
 
'''[[Nets | Net]]''' : a scheduled on on air meeting of amateurs - often run and controlled by clubs.
 
'''NiCad''' : Nickel Cadmium, generally refers to a type of rechargeable battery
 
'''NiMH''' : Nickel Metal Hydride, generally refers to a newer type of rechargeable battery
 
'''NPN''' : A type of transistor that has a layer of P-type semiconductor material sandwiched between layers of N-type semiconductor material.
 
'''NVIS''' : near-vertical-incidence-skywave, a [[Propagation | 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"
 
==O==
 
'''Ohm''' : (<math> \Omega</math>) The unit for [[Resistors | resistance]]
 
'''OM''' : Abbreviation meaning Old Man
 
'''OSCAR''' : Orbiting [[Satellites |Satellite]] Carrying Amateur Radio
 
'''OCF''' : Off Centre Fed [[Dipole]]. A dipole that has sides of unequal length. These are multiband wire antennas
 
==P==
 
'''[[Electromagnetic Waves |Period]]''' : the time it taks in seconds for a complete wave to pass a reference point.
 
'''[[Codes and Alphabets#Phonetic Alphabet |Phonetic Alphabet]]''' Specific, easily identfiable, non-confusable words are used instead of the letters of the alphabet.
 
'''[[Attenuators | Pi pad]] ''' : one of the possible configurations used in [[Attenuators]]
 
'''[[Propagation]]''' : How well a signal is transferred from the sending station to the receiving station.
 
'''[[Modes#Phase Shift Keying (PSK) | PSK]]''' : Phase Shift Keying - a digital mode.
 
==Q==
 
'''[[Codes and Alphabets#Q Code |Q Code]]''' Three letter codes used instead of sentences or phrases.
 
'''[[Q of a circuit | 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.
 
'''QRM''' : Man made noise. Can be used to indicate noise interfering with an amateur station or an amateur station interfering with other spectrum users.
 
'''QRN''' : Electromagnetic noise from natural sources interfering with amateur transmissions.
 
'''[[QRP]]''' : Low power operations - usually understood to mean power at or below 5 watts.
 
'''QRPp''' : Very low power operation - at or below 1 Watt.
 
'''[[QSL]]''' : Confirmation of receipt of transmission
 
==R==
 
'''[[Repeater listings | 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.
 
'''RSGB''' : Radio Society of Great Britain - national amateur radio organisation of UK.
 
'''[[Codes and Alphabets#RSQ code |RSQ code]]'''  Used to describe the readability, strength and quality of digital modes.
 
'''[[Codes and Alphabets#RST code | RST code]]''' Used to describe the readability, strength and tone of voice or CW transmissions.
 
'''[[Codes and Alphabets#RSV code |RSV code]]''' used to describe the readability, stength and video quality of SSTV transmissions
 
'''RX''' : Abbreviation for receive or receiver
 
==S==
 
'''[[SSTV]]''' : Slow Scan Television - still picture ham transmissions.
 
'''[[SWR]]''' : Standing Wave Ratio. The ratio of the height of a standing wave on a transmission line to the height of an adjacent node.
 
==T==
 
'''[[Attenuators | T pad]] ''' : one of the possible configurations used in [[Attenuators]]
 
'''[[Feedlines | Transmission Line]]''' : Also known as [[Feedlines |feedline]].
 
'''TX''' : Abbreviation for transmit or transmission
 
==U==
 
'''[[UHF]]''' : Ultra High Frequency. Frequencies in the range 300MHz to 3 000MHz
 
==V==
 
 
 
'''[[Voltage | Volt]]''' : (V) The unit of electric potential difference ([[Voltage]]) between two points.
 
'''VA''' : Volt Amperes - measure of apparent power.
 
'''VAC''' : Volts Alternating Current.
 
'''Varactor Diode''' : a component whose capacitance varies as the reverse bias voltage is changed.
 
'''VCO''' : Voltage-controller oscillator
 
'''VFO''' : Variable Frequency Oscillator
 
'''Velocity Factor''' : the speed at which radio waves travel in a particular [[Feedlines | feedline]], expressed as a percent of the speed of light
 
'''[[VHF]]''' : Very High Frequency. Frequencies in the range 30MHz to 300MHz
 
'''VIS''' : Vertical Interval Signaling. Digital encoding of the transmission mode in the vertical sync portion of an [[Slow-Scan Television | SSTV]] image.
 
'''[[Bands | VLF]]''' : Very Low Frequency 3 - 30 KHz
 
'''VMOS''' : Vertical metal-oxide semiconductor
 
'''VOX''' : Voice Operated Transmit
 
'''VSWR''' : Voltage standing wave ratio
 
'''VXO''' : Variable crystal oscillator
 
==W==
 
'''[[Electromagnetic Waves |Wavelength]]''' : The distance in metres between corresponding points on a wave.
 
'''[http://www.wia.org.au/ WIA]''' : Wireless Institute of Australia. The national organisation for Australian hams.
 
'''[[WSPR |WSPR]]''' :  '''W'''eak '''S'''ignal '''P'''ropagation '''R'''eporter.
 
'''[[WSJT |WSJT]]''' : '''W'''eak '''S'''ignal '''J'''oe '''T'''aylor - named after Joe Taylor who wrote the software.
 
==X==
 
'''XCVR''' : Transceiver
 
'''XTAL''' : Crystal
 
'''XYL''' : Wife of an amateur operator
 
==Y==
 
'''Yagi''' : A directional antenna consisting of a dipole and two additional elements, a slightly longer reflector and a slightly shorter director. Invented in 1926 by Hidetsugu Yagi and Shintaro Uda.
 
'''YL''' : Abbreviation for Young lady
 
==Z==


'''Zero Beat''' : one or both of two signals are adjusted so that they are identical and in phase.
'''Az/El''' : used to describe an antenna rotator that can change both the '''Az'''imuth (horizontal) and the '''E'''levation (vertical) direction of the antenna.
'''Zulu''' : (z) Time compared to GMT. Also known as UTC


== 0-9 ==
'''Azimuth''' : The horizontal direction (angle) measured clockwise from North.
'''30''': End of message


'''73''': Goodbye


'''88''': Love and Kisses


{{operation}}
{{operation}}

Latest revision as of 01:54, 2 April 2011

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0 - 9

Related wiki pages FAQ

When adding information to these pages, please link to other pages in the wiki wherever possible.


A

AC : Alternating Current

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.

ADIF : Amateur Data Interchange Format, a standard specification for format of exported logbook files.

Admittance : The reciprocal of impedance of a component in a series or parallel tuned circuit.

AF : Abbreviation for Audio Frequency. AF is in the range 20Hz to 20 000Hz

AFC : Automatic Frequency Control - used to prevent drift in FM receivers

AFSK : Audio Frequency Shift Keying.

AGC : Automatic Gain Control - a feedback system to reduce fading by automatically adjusting gain

AGL : (Height) Above Ground Level, for antenna installations.

ALC : Automatic Level Control - a feedback system in the transmitter output amplifier used to prevent overload.

Ampere :(A) The unit used for measurement of current. Usually abbreviated to Amps

Amplitude : the height of a wave from the average or median position.

AMSAT : The name for amateur radio satellite organizations world-wide, but in particular the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.

AM : Amlpitude Modulation

Amplifier : A device that is used to increase voltage, current or power.

AMTOR : A specialised form of RTTY protocol. An acronym for AMateur Teleprinting Over Radio or AMateur Teletype over Radio.

Analog (also analogue): a continuously varying signal.

ANC, ANR : Active noise control, active noise reduction. Also referred to as automatic noise cancellation or antinoise on some transceivers.

Antenna: a device to either radiate radio signals or to receive them from another station.

Antenna Switch " A switch used to change the output of a transceiver from one antenna to another.

Antenna Tuner : A device used to match the output impedance of a transmitter to that of an antenna.

Anti-VOX : Transceiver circuitry used in voice-operated (VOX) stations to prevent audio from the receiver's speaker from actuating the voice-operated transmitter.

APRS : Automatic Position Reporting System, Automated Packet Reporting System.

ARC : Amateur Radio Club (also ARA, ARS - Amateur Radio Association, Amateur Radio Society) - usually prefixed by the name of the community or region served

ARDF : Amateur Radio Direction Finding

ARES : Amateur Radio Disaster Services, Amateur Radio Emergency Services

ARRL : The American Radio Relay League [1]- the national ham radio association for the USA

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.

ASL : Above Sea Level. Vertical height in metres or feet above sea level.

Attenuator : A resistive device to reduce the amplitude or power of a signal.

ATS : Automatic Transfer Switch, switches equipment to a backup power supply in event of power failure.

ATV : Amateur Television - "moving picture" ham TV transmissions.

Az/El : used to describe an antenna rotator that can change both the Azimuth (horizontal) and the Elevation (vertical) direction of the antenna.

Azimuth : The horizontal direction (angle) measured clockwise from North.


Operating procedures
Operation Callsigns and ITU prefixes * Codes and Alphabets * Modes * Morse code * Nets * UK licensing * Terminology
DX and Contesting Awards and Certificates * DXCC * DX cluster * Field day * Gridsquares * Logging * QSL and QSL Bureaus * Records - Distance
Emergencies Emergency Frequencies * ARES * IRESC * SATERN * Weather spotting
QRP Trail-Friendly Radio
Utilities Beacons (/B) and Time Beacons
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