Amateur Radio Stack Exchange
Amateur Radio Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [jargon]

Questions about acronyms, words, phrases, or other terminology specific to amateur radio.

65 questions
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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 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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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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In amateur radio conversation, what does "hihi" mean?

A common phrase/word I've seen used in text and I've heard on air in conversation is "hihi" or "hi-hi". What does this mean and in what contexts is it appropriate to use?
user2943160
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I was told to check the cluster. What does that mean and how do I do that?

A comment on this question says to "check the cluster". What does it mean to "check the cluster"? I'm guessing it's a website. I did an internet search and http://www.hamcluster.net/Map.aspx seems to be limited to DX.
YetAnotherRandomUser
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What do hams mean when they refer to "higher bands"

For example, the Ultimate3S kit info page says: Produces 250mW RF output on 30m (lower output on higher bands) Would bands "higher" than 30m mean: bands with higher frequency e.g. 20m/17m/15m? bands with higher wavelength e.g. 40m/80m/160m? It…
natevw - AF7TB
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Pirate Radio vs Ham Radio

I've recently came across the terms "Pirate Radio" and in the URL of this page, "Ham Radio". What is the difference between these terms? And what is the difference between the transmission of a Pirate Radio and a Ham Radio.
anonymous
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What is radio pollution?

In a slide on calculating link budget, detrimental effects to a link included “Radio pollution (selectivity, blocking, IP3)”. What is radio pollution? Specifically, what are selectivity, blocking, and IP3 in connection with radio pollution? Do…
Adam Davis
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DAB/DAB+ and AAC-LD/AAC-ELD

Does anyone know the protocol compatibility with regard to DAB and Low Delay AAC codecs? Is AAC-LD data or AAC-ELD data compatible with AAC and AAC+ decoding. Or how likely is it that an AAC/AAC+ decoder would have built-in compatibility for the Low…
NewEndian
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Can someone help record a specific radio signal at a specific time to help solve a radio based puzzle?

I'm not a radio expert and I've never posted on this forum before. My request might also seem odd but hopefully someone can help me. I am pretty much a total layman on this subject so will probably be using terms that sound common to people here…
StartPlayer
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