CB Ham Lingo Chart

CB & Ham Lingo

Compiled by Tech808

ACC

(Accessory)

ACI

(Adjacent Channel Interference) When a receiver is tuned to a specific frequency and interference is received on a nearby frequency.

(Audio Frequency)

AFC

(Automatic Frequency Control)Automatically compensate frequency drift.

AFSK

(Audio Frequency Shift Keying.)

AGC

(Automatic Gain Control) Automatically optimize receiver amplifier gain.

AGS

(Antenna Ground System the term is used for a RF potential for some types of antennas, most unbalanced or asymmetricial antennas need a good RF Ground.)

ALC

(Automatic Limiting Control

(Amplitude Modulation)

AMSAT

(Amateur Satellite)

AMTOR

(Amateur Teleprinting over radio) A forum of RTTY, "radio teletype"

ANF

(Automatic Notch Filter)

ANL

(Automatic Noise Limiter)

ANT

(Antenna)

Antenna Ground System

(Term is used for a RF potential for some types of antennas. Most unbalanced or asymmetricial antennas need a good RF Ground.)

Antenna Impedance

(The impedance of an antenna at its resonance. It should be at 50greek{W for most Tranceivers.)

Antenna Matching

(When the antennas impedance at resonance is at optimum performance for your transmitter output circuit.)

Antenna Tuner

(A device used to match an antenna to the output impedance of a transmitter.)

APC

(Automatic Power Control) (Currant limiting of a power amplifier to prevent damage to finals in high SWR conditions.)

APRS

("Automatic Position Reporting System", used in conjection with a GPS and TNC provide position reporting.)

ARES

(Amateur Radio Emergency Service.)

ARRL

(The American Radio Relay League)

ARQ

(One of two AMTOR communications modes in ARQ also called mode A the two stations are constantly confirming each other's signals.)

ASCII

(American National Standard Code for Information Interchange.)

ATT

(A network designed to reduce the amplitude of a signal.)

ATV

(Amateur Television / FSTV, SSTV,)

Audio Rectification

(Interference to electronic devices caused by a strong RF field that is rectified and amplified in the device.)

Auto Patch

(Used in repeater operation for telephone interconnect.)

Average Power

(Power measured on standard power meter.)

Balanced Line

(Feed line with two conductors having Equal but Opposite voltages with neither conductor at ground potential.)

Balanced Modulator

(A mixer circuit used in Single-Sideband suppressed carrier transmitter to combine a voice signal and the RF carrier- oscillator signal.)

Balun

(A simple transformar used to change unbalanced Input to a balanced Output.)

Band

(A range of Frequencies)

Band Pass Filter

(A circuit that allows signals to go through it only if they are within a certain range of frequencies, and attnuates signals Above and Below this range.)

Band Plan

(An agreement for operating within a certain portain of the radio spectram.)

Bandwidth

(Frequency need for a particular type of Transmission.)

Bank

(Memory Bank)

Baudot

(A five-bit digital code used in teleprinter applications.)

BCI

(Broadcast Interference)

BFO

(Beat Frequency Oscillator)

BNC

("Bayonet Neill-Concelman" a Type of antenna connector.)

BPF

(Band Pass Filter)

Busy Lockout

(Inhibits transmit on a Frequency.)

Call Sign

(A sequence of letters and numbers used to identfy Amateur Radio Operators and Issued by the FCC.)

CAP

(Civil Air Patrol ~ "A Volunteer affiliate of the United State Air Force")

Capacitor

(An electronic componet composed of two or more conductive plates separated by an insulating material. 'A capactor stores engery in an electric field'.)

Carrier

(An Unmodulated transmitted signal.)

Carrier Frequency Offset ie: Carrier Shift

(Distance between mark and space of the carrier for RTTY or similar communications.)

CBR

(Cross Band Repeater, A repeater which will receive an incoming signal and re-transmit it in different bands, ie: Receives 144 MHz band and re-transmits 430 (440) MHz Bands.)

CCW

(Counter Clock Wise)

(Channel)

COAX / Coaxial Cable

( Feed line with a central conductor surrounded by plactic, foam, or gaseous insulation, which in turn is covered by a shielding conductor and the entire cable is then coversd with vinyl insulation.)

COIL

(A conductor wound into a series of loops.)

Conversion

(Number of IF Circuits in the Receiver.)

CPU

(Central Processing Unit)

(A radio term used to call others.)

CTCSS

("Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System" Adds a continuous sub-audible low frequency tone to the transmitted carrier and Receivers that are set for the same low frequency tone can decode the signal.)

Cubical Quad Antenna

(A full wavelength loop antenna built with it's elements in the shape of Squares

Current

(A flow of electrons in an electric circuit.)

CW #1

(Carrier Wave ie: Morse Code or #2 ~ ClockWise.)

CW Filter

(Used to narrow IF passband reception in crowded band conditions.)

D-Region

(The LOWEST Region of the Ionosphere.)

dBd

(Unit of RF Power as compared to a Dipole Antenna.)

dBi

(Unit of RF Power as compared to an Isotropic Antenna.)

dBm

(Decibels measure, 1mW with a load impedance of 600greek{W (0 dBm=1mW.)

(Direct Ground.)

DC Ground

(A connection point directly to to chassis or battery ground to prevent buildup of hazardous DC Voltages.)

Decibel

(dB) The smallest change in sound level that can be detected by the human ear, Power Gains and Losses are also expressed in decibels.)

Delta Loop Antenna

(A Full wavelength loop antenna built with it's elements in the shape of equilateral triangles.)

Deviation

(A measurement for FM signals for the maximum carrier frequency changes either side of the carrier frequency.)

Director

(A parasitic element in Front of the Driven element in a multielement antenna.)

Directional Antenna

(An antenna that concentrates more of the transmitted energy in a particular directions, aka: Beams.)

Distress Call

(ie: SOS or MAYDAY ~ Signals a Life Threatening Situation.)

Downlink ~ Uplink

(A frequency that a Repeater or Satellite transmits on to a user.)

Driven Element

(The element connected directly to the FEED line in a multi element antenna.)

DSP

(Digital Signal Processor ~ used to improve noise to ratio for cleaner and more legible communications.)

DTCS

(Digital Tone Coded Squelch ie: A Selective call system.)

DTMF

(Dual Tone Multi Frequency ie: Touch Tone, Used for Transmit / Receive, numeric information such as Repeater Frequencies, phone number, PIN.)

DUALWATCH

( Receiving two signals simultaneously.)

DUMMY LOAD

(A Non-Radiating 50greek{W load connected to the Transmitter to replace the antenna for testing purposes.)

Duplexer

(A device which divides Transmit and Receive signals.)

Duty Cycle

(The ratio between the actual RMS value of an RF signal and the RMS value of a continous signal having the same PEP value expressed as a percentage. A duty cycle of 100% corresponds to a continious carrier, such as a Test signal.)

E-Region

(The SECOND LOWEST ionospheric region.)

EME

("EARTH - MOON EARTH", ie: Moon Bounce communication.)

EMI

( Electro Magnetic Interference ofton called RFI (Radio-Frequency Interference.)

Emission

(Transmission of a signal.)

F Region

(The HIGHEST ionospheric region) the F Region refracts radio waves and returns them to earth. Dirung the day this Region often splits into Two Regions called the F-1 and F-2 Regions. The height of the F region varies greatly depending on the time of day, season of the yesr and amount of Sun Spot activity.)

Fading

(Signal reduction due to atmospherics.)

Filter

(A circuit designed to pass only the desired frequencies.)

(Frequency Modulation or FM Brodcast.)

Frequency Privileges

(The specific band segments assigned to holders of each particular license.)

Front to Back Ratio

(The energy radiated from the front of a directive antenna divided by the energy radiated from the back of the antenna.)

FSK

(Frequency Shift Keying.)

Full Duplex

(An operation mode which Transmits and Receives on different frequencies at the same time as a telephone commuincation.)

Gain

(An increase in the effective power radiated by an antenna in a certain desired direction, or an increase in Received signal strength from a certain direction.)

Ground Plane

(A type on Omni-directional Antenna.)

Ground Wave

(Electrical wave directly travelling from transmitter.)

Grounding

(Electrical connection to earth.)

Harmonic

(Multiple of a fundamental frequency.)

(High Frequency ~ 3-30 MHz range signals, normanally the 1.9 MHz band is also included.)

HPF

(High Pass Filter." A filter that allows signals above the cutoff frequency to pass through and attenuates signals below the cutoff frequency.)

(Hertz)

Impedance

(A term used to describe a combination of reactance and resistance in a circuit.)

(Integrated Circuit)

(Intermediate Frequency)

IF Shift

(A function that electronically shifts IF Frequency from a center frequency.)

IMD

(Distortion within RF Circuits made with upper and lower adjacent channel signals.)

Inductor

(An electrical component usually composed of a coil of wire wound on a central core. An inductor stores energy in a magnetic field.)

International Telecommunication Union

(ITU = The International organization with the responsibility for dividing the range of communications frequencies between the various services for the ENTIRE WORLD.)

Ionosphere

(A region in the atosphere about 30 to 260 miles above the earth. The ionosphere is made up of charged particles, or ions.)

Junction Diode

(AN electric component formed byn placing a layer of N-type semiconductor material next to a layer of P-type material. Diodes allow current to flow in one direction Only.)

(Low Frequency 30-300 kHz range signals.)

Li-lon

(Rechargeable battery which has a better capacity than Ni-Cad, Ni-MH, and others, No memory effect after re-peated non-full charge/discharge cycles.)

LPF

(Low Pass Filter)

LSB

(Lower Side Band)

Main Lobe

(The direction of maximum radiated field strength from an antenna, also called Major Lobe.)

MARS

(Military Affiliate Radio Service)

Maximum Usable Frequency

(MUF) (The highest frequency that allows a radio wave to reach a desired destination.)

Memory Bank

(A set of memory channels organized into a group.)

Memory Effect

(Rechargeable batteries such as Ni-cad and Ni-MH types that may be getting capacity as a result of repeated non-full charge/dis-charge cycles.)

(Medium Frequency)

MIC

(Microphone)

Modulation

(The process of varying some characteristic (Amplitude, Frequency or phase of an RF Carrier for the purpose on conveying information.)

(Noise Blanker, a function that reduces pilse-tpe noises.)

NBFM

(Narrow Band FM)

Negative Feedback

(The process in which a portion of the amplifier Output is returned to the Input, 180ch{deg out of phase with the Input signal.)

Net

(A group of people who meet at regular times on a specific frequency to share common interests, ie: The CEF Nets

Noise Bridge

(A test instrument used to determine the impedance of an antenna system.)

Ni-Cad

(Nickel Cadmium)

Ni-MH

(Nickel-Metal-Hydride)

(Noise Reduction, DSP feature that reduces unwanted signal noise.)

Offset Frequency

(Frequency difference between Transmit and Receive.)

Ohm

(The basic unit of Resistance, Reactance, and Inpedance.)

Ohm's Law

(A basic law of electronics, it gives a relationship between Voltage, Resistance and Current: E=IR.)

Oscilloscope

(An electric test instrument used to observe wave forms and voltages on a cathode-ray tube.)

OSC

(Oscillator)

(Power Amplifier or Public Address System.)

PBT Pass Band Tuning A

(A function that electronically reduces interferance by narrowing IF bandwidth.)

PEP

(Peak Envelope Power, RF power at Maximum amplitude.)

PLL

(Phase Locked Loop, a circuit to synthesize the different frequencies a radio will operate on.)

Power Supply

(A device that is used to convert the available voltage and currant source ofton 120V AC to a form that is required for a specific circuit requirement such as 12 Volt DC.)

Priority Watch

( A reception mode that when selected for a frequency is always periodcally checked when the VFO is set to a different frequency.)

Propagation

(The means by which radio waves travel from one place to another.)

PTT

(Pust to Talk)

PWR

(Power)

RACES

(Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, the Part of the Amateur service that provides radio communications only for civil defense purposes.)

Random Length Wire Antenna

(A multi band antenna consisting of any convenient length of wire, connected directly to a Transmitter or impedance matching network without the use of feed line.)

Reactance

(The opposition to currant that a capacitor or inductor creates in an AC circuit.)

Rectifier

(An electronic component that allows current to pass through it in only one direction.)

Reflected Power

(Non-radiated power dissipated as heat when the Transmitter is mis-matched to the Antenna or Load.)

Reflector

(A parasitic element placed "behind" the driven element in a directive antenna.)

Repeater

(Radio Systems, which receive incoming signals and re-transmit it for an extended communication area.)

(Radio Frequency)

RF Ground

(Connection for Amateur radio equment to earth ground to eliminate hazards from RF Exposure and reduce RFI.)

RFI

(Radio Frequency Interference.)

RIT

(Receiver Incremental Tuning ( Fine tuning the receive frequency without changing the displayed or memory frequency.)

RTTY

(Radio TeleType

(Receive)

S/N

(Signal to Noise Ratio)

SAR

(Search And Rescue)

Scan

(Continually sweeping frequencies looking for signals.)

Scan Edge

(End and Start frequencies for a scanning range.)

Scratch Pad Memory

( Tempory frequency memories for Quick reference.)

Simi Duplex

(AN operation mode in which transmits and receives is acomplished on different frequencies alternatively.)

Sensitivity

(Indicates how week a signal the Receiver will pick up.)

Simplex

(An operation mode where the Transmit and Receive frequency is the same.)

Skywarn

(Trained volunteer storm spotters for the National Weather Service.)

SMA

(Sub Minature a connector)

Solor Flux Index

(A measure of solor activity, "The Solor Flux" is a measure of the Radio Noise on 2800MHz.)

(Speaker)

Speech Processor

(A device used to increase the averagepower contained in a speech waveforum.)

Split

(A mode in which the Transmit and Receive frequency is the same.)

Splatter

(Interference to adjacent signals caused by overmodulation of a transmitter.)

SQL

(Squelch)

SSB

(Single Side Band)

SWL

(Short Wave Listner)

SWR

(Measurement of Forward vs Reflected power output during Transmit.)

TCXO

("Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator" heated crystal oscillator for better frequency stability.)

TNC

(Terminal Node COntroller Modem for data communication or A type of antenna connector.)

TOT

(Time Out Timer)

TR Switch

(Transmit/Receive) A mechanical switch relay or electronic circuit used to switch and antenna between a receiver and transmitter.)

(Tuning Step)

TSQL

(Tone Squelch)

TVI

(Television Interference)

(Transmit)

UHF

(Ultra High Frequency

Unbalanced Line

(Feed line with one conductor at ground potential, such as Coaxial cable ie:Coax)

USB

(Upper Side Band)

UTC

(Universal TIme Coordinated)

Vertically Polarized Wave

( A radio wave that has its electric lines of force perpendicular to the surface of the earth.)

VFO

(Variable Frequency Oscillator, an operation mode in which an operator can change frequency freely.)

VHF

(Very High Frequency)

VOX

(Voice Operated Transmission.)

VSC

(Voice Scan Control or Voice Squelch COntrol.)

Weather Alert

(NOAA broadcast station transmitting alert signals.)

WFM

(Wideband FM)