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Dr. Patricia Reiff  |  reiff@rice.edu
Physics & Astronomy, MS-108
Rice University
6100 Main Street
Houston, TX 77005-1892

PHYS 501 : Physics of Ham Radio

DESCRIPTION  |   OVERVIEW  |   LEARNING GOALS  |   CLASS DETAILS  |   SCHEDULE  |   HOMEWORK

NEXT OFFERED: Fall 2024, CRN: 16844

DESCRIPTION

For latest updates, check the online course page.

Fundamentals of electromagnetic waves and propagation, the ionosphere and space weather. Basic electronics, antenna design and safety. Provides information necessary to earn the "Technician" level of FCC amateur ("ham") radio license. Mathematics at a level below calculus. Other topics include: use of GPS, solar storms, magnetic reconnection and the MMS Mission, and geocaching.
Open to all undergraduate and graduate students - I will approve special registration via Esther for undergrads wishing to take the course.

OVERVIEW

This class teaches the basics of electromagnetic waves, simple circuit and antenna theory, radio propagation, GPS theory and operation, ionosphere, magnetosphere, and space weather. The course midterm is the FCC "technician"-level ham radio test. It is expected that all students will pass the test before the end of the semester (retakes are acceptable), allowing legal broadcasting on all frequencies above 50 MHz (including popular 2m repeater networks and talking to the ISS) and selected HF frequencies. Introduction to popular digital modes. The second half of the course covers GPS and space weather topics. The students will have one general electrical circuit lab and also construct a simple AM receiver. Antenna installation costs were paid for by the Physics and Astronomy Department. NOTE: This class does count towards the "Master of Science Teaching" degree, but is a free elective ONLY for most other degree programs.

A short powerpoint on the uses of amateur radio or on the effects of space weather is required as one of the homework sets [View papers from 2007 Spring class | 2009 Spring class | 2013 Spring class]. All students who have taken the class so far have passed their "technician"-level FCC license exam, and several have passed their General level. One student who began as a "General" passed his "Extra" exam. Extra credit will be given for passing higher levels before the end of finals.

Click here for an article about the success of the 2005 class, including their names and new callsigns, and more details about the class.

LEARNING GOALS

As a result of this class, the student is expected to:
1. Pass the "Technician" Level FCC ham license examination.
2. Demonstrate calculating wavelength from frequency and vice versa.
3. Demonstrate calculating voltage, current, resistance and power from simple DC and AC circuits, and resonant frequency of AC circuits.
4. Demonstrate calculating the length of antenna resonant with a given frequency.
5. Communication: be able to write a paper or powerpoint on the use of ham radio in emergencies or the effects of space weather.
6. Communication: Make at least ten legal ham radio contacts, 5 in HF and 5 in UHF/VHF.
7. Be able to understand and explain the formation of the ionosphere and calculate the critical frequency from the peak density.
8. Be able to explain the two modes of solar eruptions and the consequences of each.
9. Demonstrate use of a GPS device to find location of hidden objects.
10. Be able to understand the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere and predict consequences of solar flares and CMEs.
11. Be able to create and demonstrate a classroom lesson covering one or more of the topics of this course.

CLASS DETAILS

Take advantage of the NEW FCC RULES that NO LONGER REQUIRE MORSE CODE! If you don't have time to take the class, you can still join the Rice Ham Radio Club (Call W5YG). (Open to all hams and ham wanna-be's)

Instructor Professor Patricia Reiff W5TAR (reiff@rice.edu); Phone: (713)348-4634; Office: HBH 226; Office hours by appointment
Classroom HBH 223, 6:00 - 9:00 pm MONDAYS (Aug 20 - Nov 30) plus at least one field trip. Additional 4-5 radio nights as needed. Also uses HBH 355
Text "Ham Radio License Manual FIFTH EDITION ONLY" (ARRL, $29.95, ISBN 978-1-62595-155-7 available from ARRL or Amazon in spiral or e-book.
Also helpful A personal GPS receiver (will be loaned to students who do not have one); calculator
Prerequisites Basic algebra (no calculus)
Students accepted This class is suitable for students of all levels: undergrad, grad student, and teachers, but at present does not count for restricted distribution. It is strongly recommended for teachers in the Master of Science Teaching program but may or may not count towards other graduate degree programs: check with your advisor. Auditors allowed up to the 19-person limit on enrollment. Remote participation possible by request.
Course Grading Each homework set has a variable point count. Quiz 1 is the FCC Ham Radio "Technician" exam which will count 20 points when passed. Quiz 2 will count 30 points. Homework will count approximately 40 points, including a special report which will count 12 points. Final grade is the number of points earned divided by the points possible.
Absences No specific penalty for absences except getting behind in the subject. One in-class laboratory if missed, requires special permission to make up. Several evening "on the air" sessions for practice in both voice and digital transmission modes, UHF and HF frequencies.
Honor Code Students may work together on homework but each student shall turn in their own work. Quiz 1 is administered by VECs from the FCC. Quiz 2 is takehome, is subject to the honor code and must individual work and be signed.
Students with disabilities Students needing accommodations should check with the instructor and also with the Disability Support Services. We will attempt every reasonable accommodation. For example, radio contacts can be made by digital modes for the hearing impaired.
Subject to Change Details of the homework and schedule of class sessions are subject to change. All changes will be sent by email to all students enrolled in the course.

DETAILED SCHEDULE : FALL 2024 (tentative)

DATE MATERIAL
Aug 26 Organizational meeting. Introduction to Ham Radio. Book Chapter 1 and 2A. ARRL Module 1 & 2.
TBD (Saturday) FIELD TRIP!! BALLOON LAUNCH
Sept 2 NO CLASS - LABOR DAY (will be rescheduled)
Sep 9 Book Chapter 2B and 3A. ARRL Modules 3 4 & 5.(Sept 6 = ADD DEADLINE)
Sept 16 Book Chapter 3B. ARRL Module 6. DC Circuit Lab.
September 21-22 Texas QSO Party
Sept 23 Book Chapter 3C. ARRL Modules 7. On the Air time.
Sept 30 Book Chapter 4. ARRL Modules 8, 9 & 10. Antenna demos.
Oct 7 (NOTE: Drop Deadline Oct 11; Oct 14 fall break) Book Chapter 5 & 6. ARRL Modules 11 - 14.
Oct 21 Book Ch 7-9. Modules 15 - 18. (60% refund)
TBD Volunteer Technician Exam
Oct 21-25 ARRL School Club Roundup (evenings on the air)
Oct 28 Digital modes; satellite operations
Nov 4 The Sun and Space Weather
Nov 11 GPS; field exercise
Nov 18 Class term paper presentations (HW7)
Nov 25 Class activity demonstrations (HW10); review for second quiz (Finals week Dec 11-17)
TBD (no class Dec 2) Review if needed

HOMEWORK Fall 2024 (tentative)

Over 60 students have received Ham licenses in the past 20 years under the tutelage of Dr. Reiff, both in the "Physics of Ham Radio" class (previously PHYS 401, now PHYS 501), and also in classes taught at summer camps at HMNS.   The class is offered every other year (currently offered fall 2024).

The class is open to interested undergraduates with permission of the instructor.

The below photo are the new licensees (one new General, 5 new Technicians) from 2024 with the Volunteer Examiners from the NARS club who administered the tests. From left: Luke Ritter KI5ZHW, new General; Dr. Pat, trustee W5TAR; Luis Nunez KJ5IRX, Brandy Lang WE9L (VE); Cristal Johnson KJ5IRW, Cedric Williams KJ5ISS, Dale Schmirler KN5DS (VE), Anthony Zhang KJ5IRD, Paul Owen N5NXS(VE), Sheree Horton (VE), and Ed Messman KT5EM (VE).

New Licenses 2024 with the Examiners