Basic Qualification Course

Details
Written by: Administrator
Category: Getting Licensed
Hits: 8

{This site has broken links and is in the process of being updated...grey text is still being revised}

Introduction

We have not run a basic qualification course since 2016.  Generally we direct persons wanting to do the course to the basic qualification course run periodically by Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), but there are other courses run by other amateur radio societies in Canada.  The RAC course is cheaper than what the Society can offer. Many persons come to us already prepared to write the ISED examinations having studied on their own.  We do have Industry, Science and Economic Development (ISED) accredited examiners who can assist with administering the exam and getting your paperwork in to ISED and getting you licensed.  These examiners can only administer the amateur radio examinations. This page is intended to assist the public by making available an online course with some supplementary materials.  Users may find the Introductory Physics materials on the Technical Resources page helpful.  If you are really keen, you might have a look at the other resources on that page - university level books in physics, math and engineering (hardcore STEM).  

Objective

The object of this course is to prepare you to pass the examination that is set by Industry Canada for the Basic Qualification.  By passing the exam you will be able to obtain an amateur radio licence and become a full member of the Society or the amateur radio service. It is in the public interest that you pass the course and get licensed. There is a shortage of amateur radio operators in the North. The Society also needs more members.

Design

The course consists of modules that follow closely the Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide (New Market, Ontario: Coax Publications Inc., 2009). The Society has been informed that Coax Publications Inc. has ceased operations (see:  https://coaxpublications.ca/ ).  We are removing the references to that publication from this page.  The references were complementary and our materials are independent of that publication.

The level of materials is at about the high school level and you will need to study the materials and put some effort into the course.  The aim will be to prepare you to write and pass the examination set by Industry Canada to become licensed as an amateur radio operator.

We can accommodate students as much as possible with extra classes and tutorials or specific areas of difficulty. You should bring a scientific calculator (or "slide rule"), notebook and pen or pencil to each class.

It is possible to study for the exam without taking the course.  If you opt to do that you may be able to purchase the course manual from the Society or alternatively from Radio Amateurs of Canada.  Following the manual and the materials on this page and trying out test exams will sufficiently prepare you to pass the exam.  Let us know if you plan to do that as we can provide you with guidance and set up a time and date for the writing of the exam. 

Class 1 – Orientation

An outline and introduction to this online course and to the amateur radio service.

Class 2 - Regulations

Regulations and policies.  Since the licence is issued under the Radiocommunication Act (Canada) and its regulations, this module covers details about the legal requirements in Canada of an amateur radio operators. 

Classes 3 and 4 - Basic Electrical Theory

Basic electrical theory and simple circuits.  Resistance, capacitance and inductance.  Ohm’s Law and Power. Q factor.  A bit on impedance.  AC and DC currents.  RMS.

Class 5 - Active Devices and Power Supplies

This module covers active devices including diodes, transistors, field effect transistors and vacuum tubes.  A very basic explanation of doping is presented.  The use of these devices in rectifiers and amplifiers is discussed.  This module also discusses power supplies in a very general way.  There is a great deal of information on line, including on YouTub and information that is supplementary to electronics courses.  If interested in building circuits, one should download a circuit simulator such as in Module 2 and try building circuits using that software first.  

Class 6 - Modulation and Demodulation and Receivers

This module is an overview of modulation, demodulation, receivers and transceivers.  Such systems for AM, DSB, SSB and FM are considered.   

Class 7 - Wave Theory and Propagation

Basic wave theory including their characteristics.  Bands, frequencies and properties of waves.  Electromagnetic waves.  How radio waves interact with different parts of the atmosphere and what it is that allows radio amateurs to communicate thousands of miles on very little power.  Solar effects including aurora.  D layer, E layer, F1 and F2 layers.  Survey of all HAM bands.  

Class 8 - Transmission Lines and Antennas

Transmission line theory and antennas.  What is a transmission line is discussed along with characteristic impedance, balanced lines, unbalanced lines, coaxial cable and ladder line, connectors and matching baluns.  Standing waves, VSWR etc. are discussed.  Antennas are discussed and how they function in propagating an EM wave into space.  Voltage distribution and elementary dipole design are presented.  Radiation patterns, various designs, tuning, dumm loads, etc. are all discussed. 

Class 9 - Amateur Radio Station and Safety

This module deals with establishing an amateur radio station and its routine operation.  Equipment, location, operating modes etc. are discussed with a physical demonstration of the VE8PAT operating station.  Q-codes, the phonetic alphabet, voice procedure and the use of repeaters (including VE8YK/R locally) are discussed.  CW operation (i.e. Morse Code) is discussed - a seemingly antiquated operating mode that we have discovered to be extremely reliable and robust in the North.  Other modes are discussed including telephony and digital modes.  PSK31 will be demonstrated along with APRS and ATV.  QSL cards are discussed along with time zones.  Emergency communications are also discussed.  Radio operating procedures will be discussed with reference to RIC-22.  Time permitting some discussion of ergonomics may occur.

Class 10 - Exam Study Tactics

And for additional classes until we think you are ready to write the Exam.

This will give us lots of time to work through the  Industry Canada Exam Generator.  We can go over particular areas of difficulty and write practice exams.  Exam will be written before mid December.

If you have suggestions to improve the course outline, please contact us.

 

Weather

Latest

Login Form