146.550 MHz HAM Radio NEEDS a dedicated NATIONAL EMERGENCY Frequency!

by Dale R. Kubichek, N6JSX

Source: N6JSX via eham.net forums

EMERGENCY communications are defined as communications concerning the immanent pearl to human life or loss of personal property. Communications concerning hazards to the public's safety that may cause a loss of life or property.

Other communications services have a specific EMERGENCY calling frequency or channel. CB has channel nine (27.065 MHz), boaters have Marine VHF channel sixteen (156.800 MHz), the International Maritime Distress frequency is 2182 KHz, and the Aviation EMERGENCY frequency is 121.500 MHz.

The 146.550 MHz was selected for this effort due to accommodating most old and new 2 meter transceivers. This frequency is not, typically, a repeater frequency or in the satellite, CW, or beacon operational areas. Local area repeaters (on 6m, 2m, 220, 440, etc.) could monitor this SINGLE frequency with an auxiliary receiver.

When a signal is received on 146.550 MHz, with either the EMERGENCY PL tone (recommended 100.0 Hz) or a DTMF tone of at least three seconds (recommended DTMF #0), i.e. LTZ, long-term-zero, the repeater could automatically re-transmit the received audio through a local repeater. This would alert monitoring HAM's that a need of immediate assistance is being requested on 146.550 MHz.

Amateur's in rural areas using a scanner or a simple crystal monitoring receiver could detect an EMERGENCY transmission on 146.550 MHz. This rural HAM could then render assistance separate from any repeater service. This frequency gives ALL of Amateur Radio (and SWL's) a single focal point frequency across the USA to monitor or to use in getting EMERGENCY HELP!

The traveling Amateur would NO longer need repeater guides or repeater PL knowledge to get EMERGENCY life-saving assistance. Just a FM transceiver that can transmit on 146.550 MHz.

The 2 meter band is the MOST logical beginning for this, type of dedicated, EMERGENCY frequency as 2 meters is the most commonly used HAM band with nearly all scanners covering this frequency, the most hand-held, and mobile transceivers in Amateur operation.

This single EMERGENCY frequency (with PL tone) could be pre-programmed into one of your transceiver memories allowing easy and quick access. This would also eliminate the dangerous operation of trying multiple repeater frequencies and PL tones while driving down the highway.

Source: ARRL

 the FCC denied a Petition for Rulemaking to create a nationwide emergency calling frequency. The Petition -- filed by Bryan Boyle, WB0YLE, of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, and Jim Dixon, WB6NIL, of Alhambra, California -- called upon the FCC to designate 146.550 MHz as a “non-exclusive nationwide Amateur Radio Service emergency communications channel using FM wideband modulation

Calvin's NOTE: Any licensed operator can run a repeater according to FCC rule 97. The challenge would be to avoid more than one repeater transmitting on the same frequency.

Amateur Radio Simplex and Calling Frequencies

In an effort to improve my preparedness for emergency communications I have been collecting lists of commonly used Simplex and calling frequencies to program into all of my radios.

Sources: ARRL Band Plan, ARRL Considerate Operator’s Frequency Guide, AC6V

2 Meters (144-148 MHz)

144.00-144.05 EME (CW)

144.05-144.10 General CW and weak signals

144.10-144.20 EME and weak-signal SSB

144.10 MHz 2M CW.........   

144.060 2M QRP CW Calling Freq ----

144.144 to 144.150 2M PSK ........  

144.200 National calling frequency

144.200 MHz 2M SSB........   

144.200-144.275 General SSB operation

144.275-144.300 Propagation beacons

144.285 2M QRP SSB Calling Freq ---- 

144.30-144.50 New OSCAR subband

144.31 to 144.375, unchannelized, From the JPLARC in Southern California

144.405 to 144.475, unchannelized From the JPLARC in Southern California

144.49 (International Space Station uplink: transmit here & listen to 145.80 for the downlink)

144.50-144.60 Linear translator inputs

145.51 to 145.595, unchannelized, From the JPLARC in Southern California

144.60-144.90 FM repeater inputs

145.71 to 145.785 in 15 kHz steps , From the JPLARC in Southern California

144.90-145.10 Weak signal and FM simplex (145.01,03,05,07,09 are widely used for packet)

145.10-145.20 Linear translator outputs

145.20-145.50 FM repeater outputs

145.50-145.80 Miscellaneous and experimental modes

145.510 D

MR simplex 2 **

145.790 DMR simplex 1 **

145.80-146.00 OSCAR subband

146.01-146.37 Repeater inputs

146.40-146.58 Simplex

146.400 FM Simplex

146.415 FM Simplex

146.430 FM Simplex (ATV simplex only from the JPLARC in Southern California)

146.445 FM Simplex

146.460 FM Simplex

146.475 FM Simplex

146.490 FM Simplex

146.505 FM Simplex

146.520 National FM Simplex Calling Frequency

146.535 FM Simplex

146.550 FM Simplex

146.565 FM Simplex

146.580 FM Simplex

146.595 FM Simplex

146.61-146.97 Repeater outputs

147.00-147.39 Repeater outputs

147.42-147.57 Simplex

147.420 FM Simplex

147.435 FM Simplex

147.450 FM Simplex

147.465 FM Simplex

147.480 FM Simplex

147.495 FM Simplex

147.510 FM Simplex

147.525 FM Simplex

147.540 FM Simplex

147.555 FM Simplex

147.570 FM Simplex

147.60-147.99 Repeater inputs

Notes: The frequency 146.40 MHz is used in some areas as a repeater input. This band plan has been proposed by the ARRL VHF-UHF Advisory Committee.

** For DMR simplex use TG99 / CC1 / TS1 /Admit Criteria: Always / In Call Criteria: TX or Always

1.25 Meters (222-225 MHz)

222.0-222.150 Weak-signal modes

222.0-222.025 EME

222.05-222.06 Propagation beacons

222.07 to 222.15 1.25M PSK ....

222.1 SSB & CW calling frequency

222.10-222.15 Weak-signal CW & SSB

222.15-222.25 Local coordinator's option; weak signal, ACSB, repeater inputs, control

222.25-223.38 FM repeater inputs only

223.40-223.52 FM simplex

223.420

223.440

223.460

223.480

223.500 National FM Simplex Calling Frequency

233.520

223.52-223.64 Digital, packet

223.64-223.70 Links, control

223.71-223.85 Local coordinator's option; FM simplex, packet, repeater outputs

223.720

223.740

224.760

223.780

223.800

223.840

223.85-224.98 Repeater outputs only

Note: The 222 MHz band plan was adopted by the ARRL Board of Directors in July 1991.

70 Centimeters (420-450 MHz)

420.00-426.00 ATV repeater or simplex with 421.25 MHz video carrier control links and experimental

426.00-432.00 ATV simplex with 

427.250-MHz video carrier frequency

432.00-432.07 EME (Earth-Moon-Earth)

432.07-432.10 Weak-signal CW

432.10 70-cm calling frequency

432.10-432.30 Mixed-mode and weak-signal work

432.10 MHz 70cm SSB......
432.2 and up 70cm PSK .....

432.30-432.40 Propagation beacons

432.40-433.00 Mixed-mode and weak-signal work

433.00-435.00 Auxiliary/repeater links

433.450 DMR simplex 4 **

435.00-438.00 Satellite only (internationally)

438.00-444.00 ATV repeater input with 439.250-MHz video carrier frequency and repeater links

441.000 DMR 

simplex 1 **

442.00-445.00 Repeater inputs and outputs (local option)

445.00-447.00 Shared by auxiliary and control links, repeaters and simplex (local option)

446.00 National FM simplex frequency

446.075 DMR simplex 3 **

446.500 DMR simplex 2 **

447.00-450.00 Repeater inputs and outputs (local option)

** For DMR simplex use TG99 / CC1 / TS1 /Admit Criteria: Always / In Call Criteria: TX or Always

6 Meters (50-54 MHz)

50.0-50.1 CW, beacons

50.0-50.1 CW

50.000 - 50.100 CW, Beacons

50.06-50.09 Beacons

50.060-50.080 beacon subband

50.06 QRP CW Calling Freq

50.090 CW Calling Freq

50.1-50.3 SSB, CW

50.100 to 50.130 DX Window (USB)

50.10-50.60 Weak Signal, AM

50.100 - 50.300 SSB, CW

50.100 - 50.125 DX Window
50.110 DX Calling Frequency (USB) Usually Non-USA Stations Call Here.
50.115 DXpeditions Frequently operate CW and SSB here
50.125 USA National SSB Simplex Frequency (USB) Lots Of USA Hams Call Here
50.125 SSB Calling Frequency

50.10-50.125 DX window

50.125 SSB calling

50.260 is the WSJT Meteor Scatter calling frequency in the USA   

50.260 WSJT Calling Frequency

50.270 FSK Meteorscatter

50.290 PSK31 (SSB)

50.3-50.6 All modes

50.300 - 50.600 All Modes

50.300 FM Simplex Calling Frequency (West Coast)

50.385 USB PSK31
50.4 National AM Simplex Frequency

50.400 AM Calling Frequency

50.6-50.8 Nonvoice communications

50.600 - 50.800 Digital

50.62 Digital (packet) calling

50.680 SSTV

50.7 RTTY Calling Frequency 

50.8-51.0 Radio remote control (20-kHz channels)

50.800 - 51.000 Remote Control

50.885 QRP SSB Calling Freq

51.0-51.1 Pacific DX window

51.000 - 51.100 Pacific DX Window

51.12-51.48 Repeater inputs (19 channels)

51.12-51.18 Digital repeater inputs

51.120 - 51.180 Digital

51.120 PSK31 (FM)

51.200 - 51.480 FM Repeater Inputs

51.5-51.6  Simplex (six channels)

51.500  FM Simplex

51.520  FM Simplex

51.540  FM Simplex

51.560  FM Simplex

51.580  FM Simplex

51.600  FM Simplex

51.62-51.98 Repeater outputs (19 channels)

51.62-51.68 Digital repeater outputs

51.620 - 51.680 Digital

51.700 - 51.980 FM Repeater Outputs

51.910 FM Internet Linking

52.0-52.48 Repeater inputs (except as noted; 23 channels)

52.02, 52.04 FM simplex

52.020 - 52.040 FM Simplex

52.060 - 52.480 FM Repeater Inputs

52.2 TEST PAIR (input)

52.490  FM Simplex

52.510 FM Simplex

52.525 National FM Simplex Calling Frequency

52.5-52.98 Repeater output (except as noted; 23 channels)

52.525 Primary FM simplex

52.54 Secondary FM simplex

52.550  FM Simplex

52.570  FM Simplex

52.590  FM Simplex

52.560 - 52.980 FM Repeater Outputs

52.7 TEST PAIR (output)

53.0-53.48 Repeater inputs (except as noted; 19 channels)

53.0 Remote base FM simplex

53.02 Simplex

53.040 - 53.480 FM Repeater Inputs

53.1 Radio remote control

53.2 Radio remote control

53.3 Radio remote control 

53.4 Radio remote control

53.5-53.98 Repeater outputs (except as noted; 19 channels)

53.5 Radio remote control

53.6 Radio remote control

53.7 Radio remote control

53.8 Radio remote control

53.52 Simplex FM

53.9 Simplex FM

33 CENTIMETERS

903.100 MHz 33cm CW/SSB..
906.500 MHz 33cm FM......    

23 CENTIMETERS

1294.500 MHz 23cm FM......  
1296.100 MHz 23cm CW/SSB..

13 CENTIMETERS

2304.100 MHz 13cm CW/SSB..

900 MHz National “Traditional” FM Voice Simplex Channels

906.000 to 907.000 MHz - channel every 25 KHz
906.500 - National Calling Frequency

1.2 GHz
1294.00 - 1295.00 Narrow Band FM simplex, every 25 KHz
1294.50 National simplex calling channel

HF Frequencies -- DX, DXpedition, SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY, SSTV

Note: By tradition, 20M and up is Upper Sideband, 40M and below is Lower Sideband. An exception is the new 60M Ham Band -- use USB. This protocol came about as a matter of convenience in early SSB transceiver design and has remained to this day. And yes - you can operate either sideband legally where phone is allowed. And yes you can operate CW on the phone bands -- but best stay with the protocols. 

Text highlighted in Yellow is from the ARRL Considerate Operator’s Frequency Guide 

"The following frequencies are generally recognized for certain modes or activities (all frequencies are in MHz) during normal conditions. These are not regulations and occasionally a high level of activity, such as during a period of emergency response, DXpedition or contest, may result in stations operating outside these frequency ranges.

Nothing in the rules recognizes a net’s, group’s or any individual’s special privilege to any specific frequency. Section 97.101(b) of the Rules states that “Each station licensee and each control operator must cooperate in selecting transmitting channels and

in making the most effective use of the amateur service frequencies. No frequency will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station.” No one “owns” a frequency.

It’s good practice — and plain old common sense — for any operator, regardless of mode, to check to see if the frequency is in use prior to engaging operation. If you are there first, other operators should make an effort to protect you from interference to the extent possible, given that 100% interference-free operation is an unrealistic expectation in today’s congested bands."

160 METERS

1.800-2.000 CW

1.800-1.810 Digital Modes

1.810 QRP CW Calling frequency

1.8285 -- DXpeditions CW Operations are frequently here
1.830-1.840 CW, RTTY and other narrowband modes, intercontinental QSOs only

1.843-2.000 SSB, SSTV and other wideband modes

1.840-1.850 CW, SSB, SSTV and other wideband modes, intercontinental QSOs only  

1.825 - SSB QRP Calling Freq
1.910 - SSB QRP Calling Freq

1.995-2.000 Experimental

1.999-2.000 Beacons

80/75 METERS 

3.500-3.510 CW DX window

3.505 DXpeditions CW are frequently here 

3.560 QRP CW calling frequency 

3.590 RTTY/Data DX

3.570-3.600 RTTY/Data

3.585-3.600 Automatically controlled data stations 

3.790-3.800 DX window SSB

3.710 QRP Novice/Tech CW Calling Freq 

3.845 SSTV

3.885 AM calling frequency

3.799 DXpeditions SSB are frequently here 

3.985 QRP SSB calling frequency

60 METERS  

40 METERS 

7.000 - 7.010 CW DX Window

7.005 DXpeditions CW are frequently here

7.030 QRP CW calling frequency 

7.037 Pactor Calling frequency

7.040 RTTY/Data DX

7.040 QRP CW Calling Freq
7.050 XTAL Controlled Rigs
7.065 DXpedition SSB USA split to 7.150 and above

7.070-7.125 RTTY/Data

7.100-7.105 Automatically controlled data stations 

7.110 QRP Novice/Tech CW Calling Frequency

7.171 SSTV

7.173 D-SSTV

7.285 QRP SSB calling frequency 

7.290 AM calling frequency

30 METERS

10.106 QRP CW Calling frequency
10.110 -- DXpeditions CW are frequently here
10.130-10.140 RTTY/Data

10.140-10.150 Automatically controlled data stations

20 METERS 

14.025 DXpedition CW Freq -- Usually Split

14.060 QRP CW calling frequency 

14.070-14.095 RTTY/Data

14.080 DXpedition RTTY Freq
14.080 to 14.100 Primary Range for RTTY

14.095-14.0995 Automatically controlled data stations 

14.100 IBP/NCDXF beacons and IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination. 

14.1005-14.112 Automatically controlled data stations 

14.195 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split 

14.230 SSTV

14.233 D-SSTV

14.236 Digital Voice

14.236 SSTV 

14.285 QRP SSB calling frequency 

14.286 AM calling frequency

14.336 MHz  County Hunters when ever 20 is open and mobiles are around.

17 METERS 

18.075 DXpeditions CW are frequently here -- Usually Split
18.080 CW QRP Calling Freq

18.100-18.105 RTTY/Data

18.105-18.110 Automatically controlled data stations 

18.110 IBP/NCDXF beacons and IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination.

18.130 SSB QRP Calling Freq
18.145 DXpeditions SSB are frequently here -- Usually Split

18.162.5 Digital Voice

15 METERS 

21.025 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate CW Here - Generally Listening Up-Split

21.060 QRP CW calling frequency 

21.070-21.110 RTTY/Data

21.080 RTTY DXpeditions are frequently here
21.080 to 21.100 RTTY Primary Range

21.090-21.100 Automatically controlled data stations 

21.110 QRP Novice/Tech Calling Freq

21.150 IBP/NCDXF beacons and IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination.

21.295 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split

21.340 SSTV

21.385 QRP SSB calling frequency

21.430 SSTV

12 METERS 

24.895 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate CW Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split
24,910 QRP CW Calling FREQ

24.920-24.925 RTTY/Data

24.925-24.930 Automatically controlled data stations 

24.930 IBP/NCDXF beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination.

24.945 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split  

24.950 QRP SSB Calling Freq

10 METERS 

28.025 CW Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here – Split

28.060 QRP CW calling frequency 28.070-28.120 RTTY/Data

28.080 RTTY Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here -- Split
28.080 to 28.100 Primary Range for RTTY
28.1010 10/10 Intl CW Calling Frequency
28.110 QRP Novice/Tech Calling FREQ

28.120-28.189 Automatically controlled data stations 

28.190-28.225 Beacons

28.200 IBP/NCDXF beacons and IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination.

28.380 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency 

28.385 QRP SSB calling frequency 

28.400 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency

28.425 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency

28.495 SSB Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here -- Split 

28.600 Old General Callin Frequency - Still used by Old Timers
28.675~28.685 SSTV Operating Frequency -- IARU Region 1 

28.680 SSTV USA/Canada 

29.000-29.200 AM

29.300-29.510 Satellite downlinks 

29.520-29.580 Repeater inputs

29.600 FM simplex

29.620-29.680 Repeater outputs

28.825 10-10 Backskatter Net - Paper Chasers Net 

28.885 6M DX Liaison Frequency -- Listen here for 6 Meter DX opening announcements and discussions.
28.945 FAX Operating Frequency
29.000-29.200 AM Operations
29.300-29.510 Satellite Downlinks
29.520-29.580 Repeater Inputs
29.600 FM Simplex - Calling Frequency 29.620-29.680 Repeater Outputs 
PSK31

ISLAND HUNTER FREQUENCIES (IOTA) IOTA CW: 3.530, 7.030, 10.115, 14.040, 18.098 and 21.040 MHz
IOTA SSB: 3.755, 7.060, 14.260, 18.128, 21.260, 24.950, 28.460 and 28.560 MHz
US Island Hunters: 7.250, 14.250 to 14.260 (main), 21.350, 28.450 MHz
CW - anywhere.

COUNTY HUNTERS NETS AND CALLING FREQUENCIES
From The County Hunter Web

County hunters usually can be found participating in the Emergency and Mobile County Hunters Net. This net is in operation almost any time band conditions allow. Generally, these times are 1300 to 2200 UTC, but they can be extended when there are active mobiles.

The primary SSB operating frequency of the county hunting net is 14.336 MHz, and is considered the net home frequency. A secondary net usually is in operation at 7.185 MHz, except between 1545 to 1700 UTC, when it moves to 7.243 MHz. Occassionally, mobile operators will shift to other bands. The usual frequency on 75 meters is 3.903 MHz, while 15 and 10 meters are at 21.338 MHz and 28.336 MHz

The CW operating frequencies of the CW net can be found at 14.0565 MHz on 20 meters and 7.0385 on 40 meters. The frequency on 30m is 10.1225 These nets are not as active but put out a call, and someone will usually come back. The abbreviation "CHN" is used to designate the net.

  COMMON PSK31 FREQUENCIES

The plan for PSK31 activity has always been (since PSK31 started) to concentrate activity starting from the bottom edge of the IARU RTTY bandplan, expanding upwards as activity increased. The exception is in the 10 mts band in order to give non full privileges ham to meet. It was defined as 150 Hz above it. Keep in mind that all you need is about 100 Hz as channel separation.

These recommended frequencies are in accordance with the IARU bandplan for region 1. There may be differences for regions 2 and 3

1838.150
3580.150
7035.15 for region 1 and region 3, and 7080.15 for region 2 *
10142.150
14070.150
18100.150
21080.150 (although most activity can be found 10 kHz lower)
24920.150
28120.150

* This is due to the fact that the 7 MHz band is much wider in region 2 (the Americas), and the IARU bandplan reflects this.  

Amateur Radio in the 2014 National Emergency Communications Plan

DHS has published the 2014 update to the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) and it recommends greater cooperation beetween federal, state and local government agengies and with the Amateur Radio Service.

Source: Department of Homeland Security

The Amateur Radio Service is defined as "A radio communication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication, and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, who are duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest."

The NECP says that amateur radio operators "can be important conduits for relaying information to response agencies and personnel when other forms of communications have failed or have been disrupted."

"With assistance from DHS, State, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions should assess their existing governance structures to ensure they are positioned to address current and emerging policy, technology, and planning developments.  This could include adding representatives to Statewide Interoperability Governing Bodies and Statewide Interoperability Executive Committees from associations, organizations, or agencies that support or rely on communications during response and recovery operations (e.g., emergency management agencies, 9-1-1 boards, hospital associations, utilities, and amateur radio organizations)."

"Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions should identify domestic and international entities with potential roles in information sharing and the delivery of emergency communications during emergencies (e.g., utility companies, amateur radio operators, nongovernmental organizations, media companies, and telecommunications owners, operators, manufacturers, and suppliers).  As appropriate, these entities should be incorporated into training and exercise activities on a more regular basis.  This includes involving the appropriate stakeholders in curriculum or exercise design and execution, as necessary."

"Likewise, volunteer organizations such as community emergency response teams and auxiliary communications volunteers (e.g., amateur radio operators; also called Hams) play key roles in emergency communications and preparedness.  Volunteer emergency communications operators and groups using amateur radio have been providing backup communications to event planners, public safety officials, and emergency managers at all levels of government for nearly 100 years.  Often, amateur radio services have been used when other forms of communications have failed or have been disrupted.  Today, nearly all the States and territories have incorporated some level of participation by amateur radio auxiliary communication operators into their Tactical Interoperable Communications Plans and Statewide Communication Interoperability Plans; this allows them to quickly integrate the operators into response efforts, which can strengthen communications and operations during incidents of any scale.

FCC:  Uses and Capabilities of Amateur Radio Service Communications in Emergencies and Disaster Relief
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-12-1342A1.pdf

Local officials say radio can fill in for Internet in event of cyber attack

Source: WBBTV

“We can actually send email attachments, video and what-not via ham radio without ever using the Internet.”

“Their contacts can be in the emergency operations center using their emails as they would on a daily basis.”

“The software can send the digital information via radio waves to another station with similar equipment and then be able to pull it up on the screen and print it out."

Ham Speak: Terminology, Codes and Jargon Commonly Used in Amateur Radio

Ham radio operators often use thier own terminology, codes, acronyms and jargon while communicating.  It can be difficult to learn and remember all of the "ham speak" so I made a note of the terms I have heard most frequently on repeaters.  The etiquette for repeaters tends to involve the use of only plain English so that less experienced operators can understand.  Some of the more experienced operators sometimes to use jargon especially when communicating with other experienced operators.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Some words and phrases have very specific legal definitions and careful study of the FCC regulations is necessary in order to remain compliant with FCC rules.  For the purposes of simplicity I will avoid most of the finer details of FCC regulations and focus on the basic definitions of the terminology.

Terminology Related to Radio Equipment:

• Station - An installation designed to provide radio communications in the amateur service, including all necessary equipment.
• Portable station - A station that is carried in your hand and transmits low power through an antenna that is close to your body.
• Mobile station - A station that is mounted in a vehicle and transmits high power through an antenna mounted on the roof or frame of the vehicle.
• Fixed ground station - A station that is in a fixed location and typically cannot be easily moved to another location.
• Temporary field station - A station that is in a fixed location during operation but can be moved to another location with some assembly and disassembly required.
• Space station - A station at an altitude higher than 50 kilometers, usually a satellite in low earth orbit or at a higher geosynchronous orbit.
• Auxiliary station - A station, such as a repeater, that is remotely controlled over a radio link.
• Repeater station - A station that typically receives on one frequency and transmits on another frequency through a tall tower in order to extend the range of portable and mobile stations.
• Rig - A generic term for a station that may be portable, mobile or fixed.
• Transceiver - A radio device that can transmit and receive.
• Parasitic element - Part of a directive antenna that derives energy from mutual coupling with the driven element. Parasitic elements are not connected directly to the feed line.
• Monopole antenna - A straight rod-shaped conductor often mounted perpendicular to a conductive surface called a ground plane such as the roof of an automobile.
• Dipole antenna - Two identical conductive elements such as metal wires or rods, which are usually bilaterally symmetrical.
• Half-wave Dipole antenna - A dipole antenna with elements that are ½ the length of the wavelength at the desired operating frequency.
•  J-pole antenna -  An end-fed dipole antenna that is matched to the feedline by a quarter wave transmission line stub.
• Beam antenna - A directional antenna that must be rotated toward the direction of the receiving station or repeater.
• Yagi antenna - The most popular type of beam antenna that has one driven element and one or more additional parasitic elements.
• Base loading coil - A coil at the bottom of an antenna to achieve a lower resonant frequency.  Some mobile antennas have a stepping motor to adjust the length of the loading coil for use on many bands.

Terminology Related to Station Configuration and Operation:

• Call sign - Series of unique letters and numbers assigned to a person who has earned an Amateur Radio license and his or her station.
• Control operator -- An amateur operator designated by the licensee of a station to be responsible for the transmissions of an amateur station.
• Band - A range of frequencies that share a similar wavelength.
• Simplex operation - Receiving and transmitting on the same frequency.
• Duplex operation - Receiving on one frequency and transmitting on another frequency.
• Squelch - A circuit that mutes the receiver when no signal is present, thereby eliminating band noise.
• Offset - The difference between transmit and receive frequencies.
• Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) - A method of using low frequency subaudible tones to share a single radio channel among multiple users.  Each user group would use a different low frequency tone.  CTSS is commonly used in repeater systems to prevent opening the squelch unless a radio is configured with the correct tone frequency.
• Private Line (PL) - A term trademarked by Motorola to describe their implementation of CTSS.  PL seems to be the most commonly used generic term for CTSS.
• Channel Guard (CG) - General Electric used this term to describe their implementation of CTSS.
• Courtesy tone - A tone or beep transmitted by a repeater to indicate that it is okay for the next station to begin transmitting. The courtesy tone is designed to allow a pause between transmissions on a repeater, so other stations can call. It also indicates that the time-out timer has been reset.
• Sideband - The sum or difference frequencies generated when an RF carrier is mixed with an audio signal.
• Single-sideband (SSB) - SSB transceivers allow operation on either USB or LSB
• Upper sideband (USB) -- Upper sideband is the part of the signal above the carrier and is the SSB operating mode used on on the 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10-meter HF amateur bands, and all the VHF and UHF bands
• Lower sideband (LSB) -- Lower sideband is the part of the signal below the carrier.
• Peak envelope power (PEP) - The average power of a signal at its largest amplitude peak.
• Effective Radiated Power (ERP) - A standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency  energy determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains.
• Duty cycle - A measure of the amount of time a transmitter is operating at full output power during a single transmission.

Abbreviations and Codes: 

• 73 - best regards. 
• 88 - Love and kisses.
• APRS - Automatic Packet Position Reporting System is used to send your GPS coordinates, elevation, along with an optional brief text message and other information such as weather conditions.
• ARES - Amateur Radio Emergency Service is a group organized by the ARRL including volunteers who are prepared to relay emergency traffic and cooperate with FEMA and other government agencies.
• ARRL - American Radio Relay League is the national amateur radio organization in the USA.
• CC&R's - Covenents, Conditions, and Restrictions are rules drawn up by homeowner's associations that often prohibit certain types and sizes of antennas.
• CQ - "Calling any station": the general call when requesting a conversation with anyone. 
• CW - Continuous wave mode transmitted by on/off keying of a radio-frequency signal. Another name for international Morse code.
• DE - The Morse code abbreviation for "from" or "this is."
• DX - A distant station (noun) or to contact a distant station (verb)
• HF - High Frequency from 3 MHz to 30 MHz
• HT - Handie-talkie more properly known as a portable station.
• LF - Low Frequency from 30 kHz to 300 kHz
• OSCAR - Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio.
• PSK31 - A digital transmission mode using Phase Shift keying with a 31.25 baud rate.
• PTT - Push to Talk is a button that activates the transmitter.
• Q signals - Three-letter symbols used on CW to save time and to improve communication.
• QTH - location
• QSO - conversation
• QSL - acknowledgment of receipt
• QSL card -- A postcard that serves as a confirmation of communication between two hams.
• QRL - "Is this frequency in use?" or "This frequency is in use."
• QRP - Low power operation, usually 5 watts output or 10 watts input power.
• QSO - A conversation between two radio amateurs.
• RACES - Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service is a group of volunteers who are prepared to relay emergency traffic and cooperate with FEMA and other government agencies.
• SQL - Squelch is a circuit that mutes the receiver when no signal is present, thereby eliminating band noise.
• UHF - Ultra High Frequency from 300 MHz to 3000 MHz
• VE - Volunteer Examiner, a person authorized to administer examinations for amateur radio licenses.
• VFO - Variable Frequency Oscillator more commonly known as the tuning nob.
• VHF - Very High Frequency from 30 MHz to 300 MHz
• VLF - Very Low Frequency from 3 KHz to 30 KHz

Jargon and Slang:

• Bacon frying - Slang for static heard in a transmission.
• Clear - Used to indicate a station is done transmitting and the repeater is free for use by other operators.
• Copy - Indication of how well communications are received such as"how do you you copy?" and "copy all."
• Destinated - Slang for "I have reached my destination" commonly used by mobile operators to indicate that they need to end the conversation.
• Echolink - Use of Voice over IP (VoIP) to connect repeaters over the internet.
• Eyeball QSO - Conversations that occur in person rather than over the radio.
• Farm - Many antennas mounted in close proximity.
• Fox hunt - A method of locating the source of a transmission often used in a contest to locate a hidden transmitter or a station that is causing interference or operating in violation of FCC rules.
• Full quieting - A phenomenon on FM transmissions where the incoming signal is sufficient to engage the receiver limiters - thus eliminating the noise due to amplitude fluctuations.
• Green stamp - One to two US dollar bills sent along with a QSL card to cover postage costs of a return card.  This is a common courtesy especially for contacts with operators in the third-world.
• Key - A switch or button (noun) usually refers to the PTT or Morse code key or to press (verb) a key or button.  Also when you "key up" a repeater you have pressed your PTT and sent the correct PL tone to the receiving frequency of the repeater.
• Machine - A station, usually a repeater.
• Net - A gathering of operators organized for a particular purpose on a regular schedule and frequency.  Nets encourage operators to join in conversation with operators with whom they are not familiar and also helps ensure the proper functionality of equipment such as repeaters and stations.
• Over - Used to turn over communications under difficult copy. Note, repeater etiquette discourages the use of "over" as repeaters usually have a courtesy tone that service this purpose.
• Picket fencing - A condition experienced on VHF and above where a signal rapidly fluctuates in amplitude causing a fluttering sound akin to rubbing a stick on a picket fence.
• Rag Chew - An extended and informal conversation between two operators.  This is likely derived from a variation of the common idioms "chewing the fat" and "chewing the rag".
• Rubber duck - A shortened flexible antenna used with hand-held scanners and transceivers.
• Shack - Slang for the room where an operator keeps his or her station equipment.
• Time-out - Excessively long transmission on a repeater causing the repeater’s timer circuit to stop further transmissions.
• Wallpaper - QSL cards, awards and special event certificates mounted on the shack wall.
• Work - To communicate with another radio station, repeater and/or satellite.

Terminology Related to Prioritization of Emergency Radio Communications:

• National Traffic System (NTS) - A network of amateur radio operators organized by areas that approximate time zones, regions and sections that correspond to states or metropolitan areas.  The purpose of the NTS is to relay messages throughout the US and Canada.
• Traffic - Messages and communications that are transmitted over the amateur service.
• Emergency traffic - Messages involving threat to life or property.  Emergency traffic is sent by any means necessary and most FCC rules provide exceptions for emergency traffic.
• Priority traffic - Emergency-related messages that do not involve threat to life or property and are not as important as Emergency traffic.
• Welfare traffic - Messages related to the heath and well being of individuals in a disaster area. Such messages must wait for Emergency and Priority traffic to clear, and results in advisories to those outside the disaster area awaiting news from family and friends.
• Routine traffic - Most messages will bear the lowest priority designation of routine traffic. In disaster situations, routine traffic should be handled last. Routine traffic should never be relayed when circuits are busy with higher-precedence traffic.  The NTS practices the relay of routine traffic several times per day in order to build the competence and confidence of volunteer operators.

Signal Reports in Ham Radio

Signal reports are sometimes requested by operators who are testing a radio. Sometimes friendly operators will offer a signal report even if you don't ask for one. I usually get an unsolicited signal report if it is difficult to copy my voice transmission through a repeater.

The etiquette when using a repeater seems to be using plain English. So you might give or receive signal reports such as "I can hear you just fine", "your voice sounds strange" or "I can barely hear you and there is a lot of static". Problems with your transmission will often be followed by questions about your radio, its configuration and advice about how you may be able to improve your signal and readability.

Communication over great distances usually involve a more nerdy signal report with two or more numbers and maybe letters.

Source: ARRL

The RST System:

Readability
1. Unreadable
2. Barely readable, occasional words distinguishable.
3. Readable with considerable difficulty.
4. Readable with practically no difficulty.
5. Perfectly readable.

Signal Strength
1. Faint signals, barely perceptible.
2. Very weak signals.
3. Weak signals.
4. Fair signals.
5. Fairly good signals.
6. Good signals.
7. Moderately strong signals.
8. Strong signals.
9. Extremely strong signals.

Tone
1. Sixty cycle a.c or less, very rough and broad.
2. Very rough a.c., very harsh and broad.
3. Rough a.c. tone, rectified but not filtered.
4. Rough note, some trace of filtering.
5. Filtered rectified a.c. but strongly ripple-modulated.
6. Filtered tone, definite trace of ripple modulation.
7. Near pure tone, trace of ripple modulation.
8. Near perfect tone, slight trace of modulation.
9. Perfect tone, no trace of ripple or modulation of any kind.

If the signal has the characteristic steadiness of crystal control, add the letter X to the RST report. If there is a chirp, the letter C may be added to so indicate. Similarly for a click, add K. The above reporting system is used on both cw and voice, leaving out the "tone" report on voice.