Ham Radio For Dummies
by H. Ward Silver

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Book Reviews of Ham Radio For Dummies

Book Review: Q5
Summary: 5 Stars

If you are thinking about getting into Amateur Radio, this is the book you should read first. If the ink is still wet on your FCC license, this is the book you should read now. Even if you have a collection of tickets dating back to Marconi, this is the book you should read to make sure you are up to date; you'll find something interesting that you didn't know in this book. I think HRFD is the most comprehensive and readable overview of Amateur Radio available.

Let me emphasize that word "overview." Will you be able to take and pass your Technician License test after reading this book? The answer is "NO!" You will still need to study one or more of the fine ARRL test prep books before you sit for your exam. HRFD provides very little depth on any individual topic; HRFD's strength lies in providing a broad, very readable survey of the many aspects of ham radio. It has something to say about how to get a license; what licenses are available; the various radio modes of AM, FM, SSB, CW and RTTY; buying equipment; on-air etiquette; DXing; contesting; Public Service opportunities; low power operating; amateur TV; TOR; PSK; Packet; WLAN; satellite; and, computer resources for learning more, to name a few topics.

So why do I recommend reading HRFD first? Because the test prep books are focused on preparing you to pass an exam. HRFD is focused on giving you a perspective that will help make relevant the cold facts you will learn from the test prep book.

If you have a relatively new license, like I do, you know there is still a lot to learn about this hobby, or should I say avocation. HRFD is a good place to discover more about the various things you can do with your license. It's like having an Elmer at your elbow. On the other hand, if you want to learn about capacitance, resistance, inductance and oscillation so that you can go for your Amateur Extra license, take a hike; this is not the book you need.

For the old-timers, and you know that term has nothing to do with your age or your attitude, you know that amateur radio is constantly evolving. Maybe you haven't been able to spend the time needed to keep up with the field because you have decided that raising your family is more important than raising a DX contact. Whatever the reason, if you need a quick overview about any Amateur Radio area, reading HRFD is a quicker way to get back up to date than reading all your old, unread QST and CQ magazines. And if you need more depth, HRFD will tell you where to find the latest information, and a lot of it is only computer keystroke away.

As you can see, I am really impressed with this book. The ARRL manuals are good at being very comprehensive with whatever they cover. Unfortunately, that completeness often comes with a dryness of both style and format. The 300+ pages of HRFD, on the other hand, are an easy read. I recommend that you get HRFD now; it's worth the price. Don't wait for second hand copies to start showing up in the used books department. HRFD is a keeper, so you might have a long wait otherwise.

Summary of Ham Radio For Dummies

• Decipher the jargon and speak the language
• Buy or upgrade your equipment, including the all-important antennas
• Build a ham radio shack, complete with the rig, a computer, mobile/base rig, microphones, keys, headphones, antennas, cables and feedlines
• Study for your license, master Morse code, take the test and get your call sign
• Understand the basics of ragchews (conversations), nets (organized on-air meetings) and DX-ing (competing in contacts to make contacts)
• Keeping logs with the vital statistics, including time (in UTC or World Time), frequency, and call sign

Written by Ward Silver, an electrical engineer, Certified Amateur Radio License Examiner, and columnist for QST, a monthly magazine for ham operators, Ham Radio for Dummies gives you the info you need to delve into the science or dive into the conversation. It explains how you can:

• Tune in to the most common types of signals, including Morse Code (CW), single-sideband (SSB), FM, Radioteletype (RTTY), and data signals
• Break in, introduce yourself, converse, and say or signal goodbye
• Communicate while traveling (ham radio goes where mobile phones go dead)
• Register with an emergency organization such as ARES and RACES
• Help in emergencies such as earthquakes, wildfires, or severe weather
• Pursue your special interests, including contacting distant stations, participating in contests, exploring the digital modes, using satellites, transmitting images, and more

Complete with a glossary and ten pages of additional suggested resources, Ham Radio for Dummies encourages you to touch that dial and take that mike.

CUL. (That?s Morse Code for ?see you later.?)

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