American Radio Relay League , the national amateur radio organization in the USA.

A feed line with two conductors having equal but opposite voltages, with neither conductor at ground potential.

balance to unbalance , a device used to couple a balanced antenna to an unbalanced feed line (e.g., dipole to coax)

A range of frequencies allotted for a particular use (e.g., 20 Meter Band)

A large-value resistor connected across the filter capacitor in a power supply to discharge the filter capacitors when the supply is turned off.

Someone, usually not a Ham but a wannabe, making up a callsign, one usually not in the callbook, and getting on the air. Sometimes it is someone who already bought a radio, took the test and flunked, and then gets on the air anyway. Ham Radio Bootlegging is illegal.

(Repeater Term) used to interrupt a conversation on a repeater to indicate that there is an emergency or urgent message. If non-urgent, simply interject your callsign.

A semi-automatic mechanical code key.

Anelectronic component composed of two or more conductive plates separated by an insulating material. A capacitor stores energy in an electric field.

A pure continuous radio emission at a fixed frequency, without modulation and without interruption. Several types of modulation can be applied to the carrier.

Being uncomfortable when faced with information that conflicts with what you believe. The human reaction is to explain away the facts that disagree with what you believe. Self Justification.

Calling any amateur radio station, may be sent in CW, phone or some digital modes.

The basic antenna consisting of a length of wire or tubing, open and fed at the center. The entire antenna is ½ wavelength long at the desired operating frequency. This antenna often used as a standard for calculating gain, dBd.

A mentor; an experienced operator who tutors newer operators.

Emergency Operations Center