Questions about acronyms, words, phrases, or other terminology specific to amateur radio.
Questions tagged [jargon]
64 questions
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6 answers
Why do hams often conclude messages with "73"?
Looking at amateur radio forums and email threads, oftentimes amateur radio operators will use "73" or "73s" where one might otherwise expect to find "Sincerely" or "Regards". Why?
Amber
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What is a link budget, and how do I make one?
Like the question title says, what is a radio link budget? For what is it useful, and how do I make one?
user
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1 answer
Why do people say, "get a nickel," on repeaters?
Sometimes, I'll hear someone say "wait a moment, I'm getting a nickel," and then drop the carrier only to resume talking. Why?
webmarc
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5 answers
What do "QRM" and "QSB" refer to?
An answer on Basic QSO format? mentions things like "QRM" and "QSB". What do those terms mean?
Amber
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19
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3 answers
Why do amateur radio operators call an RF choke a balun?
When using a balanced antenna such as a half wave dipole, with an unbalanced feed line such as coax, an RF choke can be used to block RF current emitted by the transmitter from splitting up at the antenna feed point and traveling along the antenna…
Andrew
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6 answers
What's the difference between saying “CQ” or “QRZ” in a contest?
I'm listening to (or let's say I'm trying to participate in) a contest (or perhaps Field Day), using SSB.
I noticed that a station would, after completing a contact, sometimes say “CQ” and sometimes say “QRZ”. In either case, other stations then…
Kevin Reid AG6YO
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What does Ham mean?
Amateur radio operators are always referred to as Hams, it's basically the most common term for the hobby, at least around here. Where does the term come from? I heard that it's an acronym for something, is that true?
Dan KD2EE
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Is there a special name (and if so what is it) for this flush-style SMA variant?
I have some radios that have a special antenna connector. It looks like an SMA connector, but the dielectric is flush with the end of the connector:
rather than recessed the way "normal" SMA connectors are:
The consequence of this is that the…
user3486184
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What is the origin, history behind "Ben's Best Bent Wire"?
Bens Best Bent Wire
My uncle, who was a Merchant Marine in WWII used to tell me this. He was a ham, and said it would develop my fist musically.
I was a small child at the time, and through his enthusiasm for all things geeky, especially Ham Radio,…
tallship
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5 answers
What is the difference between channel & frequency & band in RF?
I am reading about wireless networks basics. I found three terms I cannot find exact definition for: channel, frequency band, frequency.
Can anyone give exact definitions for them?
ashok
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What do the three-letter modulation codes (emission designators) stand for?
I've seen these weird three-letter modulation codes like J3E, A3F, A1A, F3E and so on. Someone even wrote 2K40J3E or 12K5F3E. What do these codes stand for?
user
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12
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1 answer
What is a "roofing filter"?
What are roofing filters? Are there different kinds of things that are called roofing filter? Why would a circuit or component be called a roofing filter instead of just a IF bandpass filter? Why is the word “roofing” used? (as it seems to have…
hotpaw2
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What is dBm and why is it used rather than watts?
Reading through an RF power amplifier datasheet, I found the sheet only referenced dBm output power, rather than watts.
What is dBm?
How do I convert it to watts?
Why, or when, would you use dBm to specify power output rather than watts?
Are there…
Adam Davis
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2 answers
What is a fixed digital message forwarding system?
What is a fixed digital message forwarding system? I noticed this on the lower end of the 222MHz allocation in the US but it's not explained on the band chart:
Adam Davis
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10
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What does a lightning bolt symbol next to an antenna connector mean?
On the back of my Yaesu FT-897, next to each of the antenna connectors, there are lightning-bolt-ish symbols. What do these mean, and is there something I ought to be doing because of that?
I have not found any description of a meaning for these…
Kevin Reid AG6YO
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