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WPARC K6PAC FM Repeater 147.300 + 67 Hz | KK6NFM/R C4FM/System Fusion Repeater 147.330 + 67 Hz
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Band Plans
Each band is segmented into subbands, typically by mode or power. As an example the low end of the two-meter (2M) band is set aside for Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) and weak signals. There are other portions of the 2M band carved out for simplex, national calling frequency, Single Sideband (SSB), OSCAR satellites, and repeater inputs and outputs. This allows the various ham operators to coexist on the single band. Ensure that you know where you are allowed to communicate. This ARRL page details United States Band Plans. A colorful ARRL Band Plan overview is available to download and print.

Emergency Communications (EmComm) or Disaster Communications
Several organizations assist with emergency or disaster communications during wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and similar emergencies. Examples include the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES), SkyWarn, and the Hurricane Watch Net. Communicators on these formal nets may require advanced training and certification before participating in an EmComm network. The American Radio Relay League provides information and training materials on the ARRL Public Service web page.

Learn about EmComm in this article Are we Prepared?

Exams
Western Placer Amateur Radio Club offers FCC Amateur Radio licensing examinations on the first Tuesday of each month. Review our Home page for exam times and location. Candidates can try a few practice exams on this ARRL page to prepare for the exam. Candidates will need to register for a free account to use this site. Google for additional preparation resources and practice exams online.

Ferrites
Radio frequencies (RF) can wriggle into places where they should not be, interfering with intermediate frequencies, oscillators, and other equipment. This article, Understanding How Ferrites Can Prevent and Eliminate RF Interference to Audio Systems [pdf], describes ferrites as a tool to help suppress unwanted (RF).

Fox Hunting | Radio Direction Finding (RDF)
Fox hunting is a technique where operators seek out a hidden transmitter. Ham radio clubs arrange an activity to hide a transmitter to train participants to locate the hidden transmitter. Sometimes an unintended transmitter, such as a powerline transformer or failing household device, might cause nuisance or harmful radio frequency interference. Simple devices such as the Tape Measure DF Antenna can be built to aid in locating transmitters. Special devices, such as Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) can further aid a user when hunting for a transmitters. Radio Direction Finding is a good skill to develop.
 • Tape Measure DF Antenna [pdf] - This article provides construction details to build a direction finding antenna using a tape measure, plastic pipe parts, hose clamps, and a few miscellaneous items.
 • Homing In - Joe Moell K0OV maintains this website offering guidance and numerous links on Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) and radio orienteering.
 • ARRL Direction Finding - This ARRL site is geared to developing fox hunt skills and locating transmitters.
 • ARRL Amateur Radio Direction Finding - This site is geared to the sport of radio orienteering. Fox hunting is raised to a timed skill covering challenging terrain.
 • Utah Radio Direction Finding - This Utah club webpage offers guidance on devices, circuits, and books for radio direction finding.
 • Handi-Finder Kits - Read more about this Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) tool. Ensure that you note the benefits and caveats in the text. Ordering information and pricing for the device is on the page.
 • VK3YNG Foxhunt Sniffer - This Australian ham created a device to help with fox hunting. This is the manual for the device. Links for pricing and more information at the top of the page takes the reader to additional fox hunting resources and links.

Grid Squares
Every place on earth can be located within a Maidenhead "grid square". This is a uniform and quick way to receive a location for the remote ham contact and for you to provide your location. There are both coarse locations within an approximate 70 x 100 mile square, and then more precisely to an approximate 3 x 4 mile square. The former is often used in contests or activities such as Field Day in June each year, and the latter might be used for two stations using microwaves when contacting one another. A grid square is usually in the form letter-letter-digit-digit, with the more precise location appending -letter-letter to the end. Generally Lincoln is CM98iv, Rocklin and Loomis are CM98jt, and Roseville is CM98is. Learn more about grid squares on this ARRL Grid Squares webpage. Use links on this page to help you locate your current grid square.

Ground Loops
Ham radio stations can pick up stray currents as noise due to poor grounding. This article, Understanding, Finding, and Eliminating Ground Loops in Audio and Video Systems [pdf], explains proper grounding techniques and guides the ham radio operator to locate grounding issues, thus better managing noise in equipment and antennas.

License Plates (CA)
Your amateur radio call sign can be proudly displayed on your vehicle. You pay for the initial set of license plates to display on your vehicle. These are not vanity plates requiring incremental registration fees each year at renewal. Find out more about Special License Plates at this California Department of Motor Vehicles webpage.

National Traffic System (NTS)
The National Traffic System (NTS) is a volunteer organization to pass radio messages in a formalized and organized way. It can span the gamut from health and welfare inquiries to greetings, to disaster traffic. Messages are passed by radio, but might use voice or digital modes. Information on NTS and the NTS manual can be found on this ARRL NTS webpage.

New Ham Quick Reference Guides
You are a newly minted FCC amateur radio licensee, now what? These guides provide guidance on some of the tech and terms to help you get started on the air.
 • WPARC New Ham Reference [pdf] - This reference provides helpful information to get started with ham radio terms and technology. This document was created a few years ago and some of the links have died. Yet it provides a good starting point.
 • New Hams Repeater Guide [pdf] - This short guide offers guidance on how to use a repeater.
 • Repeater and Remote Operation [pdf] - This document provides deeper information on how repeaters operate. It touches briefly on using an autopatch or telephone connection. The document touches on satellite communications, AMSAT, and how to listen for the International Space Station.
 • Basic HF Operation [pdf] - This short guide is intended to help you make your first HF radio contacts
 • Amateur Radio Equipment Reviews - The club had a really old web page, circa 2008, suggesting old radios, antennas, and ham gear. There is often good elder equipment available. This website offers real equipment reviews by real hams. Consider asking for equipment suggestions on air, at a club meeting or a ham fest.
 • Understanding Antennas for the Non-Technical Ham [pdf] - This e-book is a longer read to help the ham operator develop a better understanding of how an antenna works.

Q-Signals
Q-Signals are an international shorthand code to ask a question or respond to an inquiry. These shorthand codes are especially useful in CW communications. The ARRL posts this page of Q-Signals with a bonus recommended phonetic alphabet for reference. QSL?

QSL Cards and QSL-ing
QSL is a request for confirmation of a contact, typically on an HF radio contact. These contact confirmations are used for contests or awards such as Worked All States (WAS) or DX Century Club (DXCC) after working contacts in 100+ countries. In olden days this was a decorative postcard mailed by each contact to the other contact. It might include a picture of the station, the operator, or some locally known landmark. There are also QSL bureaus that can help to manage the bulk volume of physical cards for active operators. In modern times QSL'ing is often an electronic log entry uploaded to a log database to confirm a contact. Learn more about QSL'ing with these links.
 • Learn more about QSL cards. [pdf].
 • How to Succeed At QSLing "Without Really Trying" [pdf]
 • Using Electronic QSL Logs [pdf]
 • Tips for Sending QSL cards directly

Worked All States (WAS)
Some ham operators attempt to work at least one station in each state of the United States. Once a ham operator does that and completes the documentation either through QSL cards or electronic logging the candidate can apply for a Worked All States award. This download and print map will help you to track your progress.

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