Posted: 9/10/2008 5:01:15 AM EDT
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Looking to upgrade to General and thus upgrade radios (Yaesu 897D), but I haven't quite grasped the connection between mode and band. For example, which "mode" should I choose when operating on 2m, etc. I know what CW, DIG, PKT is. But is I'm confused as to which band is in what mode. Any helpfull hams out there?? Been using a simple HT and TM271 for 2m comms, but these HF rigs seem complicated right now. |
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Generally, you can use any mode on any band, with a few exceptions, like on the 60m band you can only use USB as per FCC regulations. However, there are voluntary bandplans (gentlemen's agreements) that pretty much everybody follows that have other guidelines. Things like, we'll use SSTV at this frequency on this band, and this other frequency on that band. EDIT: Here's the US Amateur Bands saying what you can use where: www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/Hambands_color.pdf Note that PDF isn't a voluntary bandplan, it's the FCC's rules, so that's the basis on which US bandplans are built. |
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Generally, for phone (voice) communication, here's how it goes, by gentleman's agreement: LSB for 160 through 40 meters, except for 60 meters. USB for remaining HF. FM for VHF/UHF. It's very likely that your radio will default to the "proper" mode for any given band. I never play around on 6 meters, so I can't say if it's mostly USB or FM, although I think it's mostly FM. CW is, of course, pretty common throughout HF as well. You'll find many of the bands split about evenly between CW and SSB (whichever sideband it is). I don't think anything in the FCC regulations specifies that you have to use one sideband or the other, it's just like a band plan, a gentleman's agreement so folks can hear each other. There are a few exceptions, like 60 meters. The "ham radio bands" chart that you can find on google will list the exceptions for any band. Generally, if you're curious about what a mode is, simply google it or look it up on wikipedia. Few of them are very complicated in basic theory. |
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Mode = type of radio transmission. How the radio signal is modulated or information is encoded. Band = range of radio frequencies. Example: 2m band = 144 to 148 MHz radio frequencies. Within that band, and in accordance with legal restrictions and good practice (gentleman's agreements), you can conduct voice communication using FM, AM, Single Sideband (SSB), or digital modes like P25 or Dstar. You can operate using CW (morse code), or send data via PSK, FSK. Not a comprehensive list. |