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Learn / Amateur Extra course

Lesson 2: Operating Procedures

Lesson 2 of 10, syllabus topic E2. The exam asks 5 questions from this topic, one from each of its 5 groups.

Operating procedures cover satellites, television, contests, DX and digital modes, building on the General operating lesson.

What you will learn

  • E2A Amateur radio in space: amateur satellites; orbital mechanics; frequencies and modes; satellite hardware; satellite operations
  • E2B Television practices: fast-scan television standards and techniques; slow scan television standards and techniques
  • E2C Contest and DX operating; remote operation techniques; log data format; contact confirmation; RF network systems
  • E2D Operating methods: digital modes and procedures for VHF and UHF; APRS; EME procedures; meteor scatter procedures
  • E2E Operating methods: digital modes and procedures for HF

1. Read

  1. Working amateur satellites: FM satellitesHelps with E2A
  2. Working amateur satellites: Linear transpondersHelps with E2A
  3. Working amateur satellites: Uplink, downlink and mode namesHelps with E2A
  4. Working amateur satellites: Low Earth orbit and pass timingHelps with E2A
  5. Working amateur satellites: Doppler shiftHelps with E2A
  6. Operating on HF: Contests and field activitiesHelps with E2C
  7. Operating on HF: DX etiquette and split operationHelps with E2C
  8. Operating on HF: Logging and QSL cardsHelps with E2C
  9. Digital modes: Packet and APRSHelps with E2D
  10. Digital modes: FT8 and FT4Helps with E2E
  11. Digital modes: PSK31 and RTTYHelps with E2E
  12. Digital modes: JS8Helps with E2E
  13. Digital modes: WinlinkHelps with E2E
  14. All 60 E2 questions with their answers and explanationsEvery group, with the rule or source behind each answer

2. Explore

  • Grid square locator

    Find the distance and heading to another grid square, as you would when arranging a VHF contact by meteor scatter.

  • UTC clock

    Convert a contest start time from UTC to your local time, including any change of date.

3. Practice

Practice one group at a time. A group is ready when you have answered every one of its questions and learned at least 80 percent of them; a question counts as learned when your last three answers to it were correct. To review quickly, go through this lesson’s questions as flashcards.

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