The ARRL Operating Manual Review

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(More customer reviews)This is one of those books you can pick up and read random chapters, or even individual pages and find value. The book is organized topically and covers a wide variety of interests, so whether your interest is RTTY, DX, moonbounce, or whatever, you'll likely find it covered here - not just in shallow survey form, either (in spite of its wide coverage), but with usable advice and perspective. I think this is one of ARRL's better titles, along with their license manuals and the Antenna Book. Highly recommended for the newer ham or experienced ham curious about unfamiliar operating modes.

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If you re an active ham radio operator, you probably have a story about your first radio contact. Many hams remember that experience even more than their first license examination. That s because operating is fun and exciting!The ARRL Operating Manual for Radio Amateurs is the most complete book about Amateur Radio operating. It was written to help guide you through the dozens of ways hams communicate with each other. It contains information that every ham needs:Beginners explore the broad range of ham radio activities, practices and events.Intermediate hams sharpen your skills, earn awards and participate in contests.Experienced hams find frequently needed references, details on new technology, and new ways to enjoy your favorite activities.New Edition - Extensively Updated! This 9th edition is the BIGGEST revision in years! Over 80% of the content has been completely re-written. You'll enjoy the latest information!ContentsAmateur Radio All About OperatingVHF/UHF FM, Repeaters, Digital Voice and Data, SSB and CWEmergency CommunicationsTraffic Handling Getting the Message ThroughDXing Contacting Those Faraway PlacesContesting Competitive WirelessHF Digital CommunicationsImage CommunicationsAmateur SatellitesThe FCC Rules and You Operating Legally, Safely, and AppropriatelyOperating AwardsReferences Call Sign Prefix List, Antenna Bearing Maps, Abbreviations, and much more--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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General Class FCC License Preparation for Element 3 General Class Theory Review

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(More customer reviews)WN6NOA's book is a collection of the Element 3 questions. reorganized but in a logical manner for learning. Gordon West also keeps some humor along the way and lists a lot of useful websites. I passed my US Amateur Radio Element 3 written test using this book and recommend it highly. It is faster and much less boring than the ARRL book (I have both)!
Study and Upgrade !!!


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Study manual covers the 2004-08 Element 3 Question Pool for the FCC General Class amateur radio operator's license. Author Gordon West, WB6NOA, tells you the right answer and explains why it is correct.Editorial chapters cover license privileges.Includes a listing of VEC organizations that provide amateur radio testing services.

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Now You're Talking: All You Need to Get Your Ham Radio Technician License Review

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(More customer reviews)I am an extra class ham radio operator and teach introduction to ham radio classes. I have found this book to be the best on the market for both in class use and individule study. It covers all the bases and explains everything in simple, easy to understand terms. It also contains all of the possible test questions so that you can practice taking the exam on your own. If you want to become a HAM then this is THE BOOK for you! 73

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The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual Review

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(More customer reviews)I had been wanting to get in to Ham Radio for a long time. A few years ago I took the leap and picked up the prior edition of this book, but I was taking classes again and ended up putting it on the back burner again for awhile. This recent July I picked up my book again with the intention of learning only to find that my volume was no longer current as of July 1st. So I tracked down a copy and went to work.
The book did a fairly efficient and straightforward job of presenting the information and properly cross-referencing between the pages and the question pool. Unlike in the prior version, the exact point in the text where a question in the question pool will reference it is now marked with the relevant question number. The previous book ended each segment with the questions you needed to study, and the question pool did list the relevant page for the question, but this edition goes a step forward by labeling the exact point in the text where that question is answered. This is useful when you are reviewing the questions for a section and miss one. Instead of rereading large chunks of a segment or just trying to memorize the answer without the facts behind it, you can now easily find and read that specific part of the section.
There were a few instances worth noting however in which the question and its answer were not in the text. The question pool will still refer you to a page for such questions but look all you want there is no section of text that details the answer. This is rare and most questions and answers are fleshed out, but there's a few occasions over the course of the book where this simply wasn't the case unfortunately.
The books organization works out pretty well with each chapter going in a sensible order and the content organized by subject. The chapters don't follow the exact order the question pool does, but I'm thankful for this since the pool tends to jump around between subjects a great deal and it'd be a tougher read if the books content had done the same. While the book is also rather large, a lot of it is taken up by pictures and charts, and only about 2/3rds of the book needs to be read. The other third of the book consists of intro chapters, a glossary, question pool, radio buying guide and a few pages of ads in the back; so it's not as bad as it may look.
The most telling piece of information is that my online test runs prior to reading the book ended in failure every time (I just wanted to see how well I could do without reading the book). After reading the book I took well over a dozen more online tests and passed every one. When the day came for me to take the test and actually earn my license I was able to breeze right through and passed the test easily on the first try. In preparation for the test I read several chapters a night over a weekend (Fri-Sun) and took my test the following Wednesday. I definitely owe my license to this book and highly recommend it for anyone interested in picking up the hobby. The information contained within will remain relevant as well, so it's a useful tool to hang on to even after you've completed the exam.

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Learn to get your Technician Class License.

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Technician Class 2010-2014 Review

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(More customer reviews)After becoming interested in an amateur han radio license, I researched instruction information. Gordon West has written numerous technical books on this subject so I ordered his Technician Class 2010-2014 manual. It is easily understood and informative. It has all the questions and the answers for the test that has to be taken to become an licensed amateur ham radio operator. This is the second manual written by Gordon West I have bought and I have enjoyed both. It was promptly shipped with a reasonable shipping rate.

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Gordon West study manual for the 2010-14 FCC Element 2 Technician Class Amateur Radio license exam. Includes all FCC Q&A along with West's educational, fun answer explanations. Fully illustrated to aid learning. Includes list of VEC examiners, and more.

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Fm 101X: Using FM Repeaters: Ac6V's Guide To Vhf/Uhf Fm Repeaters And Your First Vhf/Uhf Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an excellent reference to the world of VHF amateur radio operation. I recently got a technician license and a handheld radio for the two-meter band. After reading through this book in about a week, I feel like I have knowledge that would have taken me 6-12 months to learn on my own. This book helped me successfully operate on simplex and repeaters.
My criticism of this book is about its poor copy editing. I didn't spot any spelling errors or ambiguous phrases, but there are lots of run-on sentences. Some information is repeated two or three times, although the book's introduction suggests that this is necessary to allow the book to be a handy reference rather than just a book to read cover-to-cover.
Please note that this book describes radio operations that require a license for the amateur radio service from the FCC.
Overall, the information provided in this book is accurate, helpful, and practical. Newcomers to amateur radio that want to operate with a two-way FM radio will be able to get a fast start by reading this book.

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AC6V'S Guide to VHF/UHF FM Repeaters and Your First VHF/UHF Radio. It is intended for those entering the world of FM Repeaters and Amateur Radio. The guide is written for new users with or without a technical background.

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ARRL Ham Radio License Manual: All You Need to Become an Amateur Radio Operator (Arrl Ham Radio License Manual) (Arrl Ham Radio License Manual) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is organized as a welcome to amateur radio, followed by chapters with course sections. At the end of each section certain exam questions are listed. You can then flip to the 392 question Element 2 exam at the end and test your knowledge. The book is good for teens through adults and is written in straightforward language with most essentials concisely introduced and explained.
I come from a technical background so the book was a review, but I appreciated the textbook-like layout where each concept was introduced (to a high-school or higher audience), then I could go to see the exact test questions and answer listed at the back. I feel I thoroughly know all the base material now that the questions are derived from.
If you want to go from an 80-90% passing grade on your exam to 100% score, then supplement the ARRL book with Gordon West's "Technician Class" book. Mr. West works the from the other direction, presenting each question, then the answer, and then briefly explaining the answer. I found that a perfect strength to complement the only weakness I was able to find in the ARRL book.

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Get your FIRST ham radio license! Easy-to-understand bite-sized sections. Use this book, and pass the 35-question license test. Includes the latest question pool with answer key, for use beginning July 1, 2006. Designed for self-study and for classroom use. Intended for all newcomers, instructors and schoolteachers.This is the most popular introduction to Amateur Radio! The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual is your ticket to joining the ranks of amateur radio operators.Use this book to discover the appeal of ham radio. The Amateur Radio Service offers a unique mix of technology, public service, convenience and fun. Some hams enjoy communicating across the country and around the globe, making new friends over the airwaves. Others like to build and experiment with electronics, experiencing cutting edge technologies. Some use their radios and skills during emergencies or disasters when all else fails. And, today's ham radio gear offers possibilities for getting started at any level. Your first radio station might be at home, in the car, or small enough to take with you on the go.

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The Arrl Operating Manual (A R R L Operating Manual, 7th ed) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book provides a lot of information. If you are new to the hobby this is great book to have in the shack. If you have been into ham radio for more than a year most of this information will be old, you should already have this information in other books. The chapters on emergency communications and traffic handling are pretty much a waste, if a major disaster happened the last thing I would be thinking about is radio. It seems like a good portion of the book is the standard league propoganda on how they what activities to occur on the air. After careful consideration this book is not worth $25

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Low Profile Amateur Radio: Operating a Ham Station from Almost Anywhere Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a delicious book by Al Brogdon, W1AB, with ideas, suggestions and great stories about how to operate your radio in those locations with restrictions -- like apartment complexes, condos and many residential areas.
I am myself a new ham (less than a year) and I live in an apartment with tight rules; so I had _everything_ to learn from this book. Before I bought it, I was somewhat discouraged and clueless about how to start. After I read it, I realized that I could, and should, go ahead and have my ham station.
This is an enjoyable and easy-to-read text, with 162 pages. And it is well divided in 20 chapters and 9 appendixes, with many photographs and diagrams; it is practical, straightforward and, most important, written in a very entertaining language, with many stories, anecdotes and personal (and funny) situations.
It covers:
* Seven favorite systems and solutions
* Feed lines for HF antennas
* Low profile HF antennas
* A killer antenna, nearly invisible antennas and disguised antennas
* Indoor antennas
* Antenna Tuners
* Screwdriver Antennas, Loop Antennas
* HF Operating Tips
* Low Profile VHF/UHF Antennas
* Deep-cover Antenna Station...
* Going Mobile as an alternative
Another reviewer said that the Appendixes are reprinted articles. But I did not have access to the QST or ARRL Magazines before, and I never had read those articles before. So, the book was 100% new to me, and I was interested in every bit from cover to cover.
Thanks to ideas and suggestions that I read in this book, I installed my own variation: an apartment station with (conveniently placed) vertical antennas in the balcony, without bothering anyone. I don't operate when there is an important game on TV, because I don't risk producing TVI. I respect power limits and operate responsibly. OK, this is not a powerful station since I don't have a beam tower or a long wire. But it is enough for enjoying radio, HF, some occasional DX (even in this solar minimum) -- while also having peace with the XYL (wife).
Above all, this is a very positive book, that shows that it is possible to be creative in restricted spaces, and have a lot of fun.
Thanks, W1AB, for the incentive.


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More and more ham radio operators are faced with installing equipment and antennas amid a flurry of modern day limitations. The need to operate a low profile Amateur Radio station may be imposed by the confines of a small home or apartment. Other hams are restricted by deeds or leases that regulate the size of the antenna they can install.First edition readers will find this second edition contains ALL NEW material.Low Profile Amateur Radio, second edition, includes the information you need to operate your station under many types of restrictive situations. Follow the easygoing discussions of Al Brogdon, W1AB, as he provides details for many real-life examples and techniques for a variety of low profile circumstances.Contents: Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions Low-Profile HF Antennas Disguised Antennas Indoor Antennas Operating Modes and Tips Interference Antenna Tuners Transmitter Output Power Low-Profile VHF/UHF Antennas Mobile Operating...and more!

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Now You're Talking All You Need to Get Your First Amateur Radio License, Fifth Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is exactly right for someone who wants to become a ham radio operator. This book does two things. It is a self study course that will allow you to pass the Technician level FCC test. It is also a general introduction to all of ham radio, covering the highlights of all that can be done in amateur radio. It has just the right level of sophistication to give a good understanding of all facets of amateur radio but does not get into such extreme detail that it is overwhelming. The technical level is just right as well.
I used an earlier version of this text to study for my amateur radio license (KD4TTC). Even though I studied for the Technician license I was able to pass the written portion of the test for the General license class. However, to get to know Morse code, needed for working the frequencies that will get around the whole globe, you will need to find a way to practice receiving Morse code. While this book won't teach you Morse, you will learn from the book how to go about learning it if you want to. (As an aside, I was not interested in international communications back then, so I skipped that aspect of the hobby. I will be learning Morse this year and will upgrade. There is plenty to do with amateur radio without Morse code, so don't let any disinterest or fear of Morse stop you from becomming a Ham. The book explains all this).
I have not yet come across any aspect of ham radio that was not described at least in overview in this book. I may not know details of lots of aspects of all that is ham radio, but I have not come across anything in Ham radio that I was not introduced to in this book.
You can expect that after reading this book you will be able to pass the Technician license exam, you might even be able to pass the General license written portion, you will have learned how to learn Morse, you will be able to decide what equipment you will need and where to find it, you will be able to set up your station and safely operate it, you will know correct and responsible operating procedures, and you will learn about all the different types of communications you can do so you will pick the most enjoyable aspects of the hobby for yourself.
I have given this book to friends so they can become hams. It works well for that purpose. I came here to buy a copy for yet another potential ham and found myself writing this long review. I am not really that avid of an amateur operator, but I am really enthusiastic about this book because it was such a fun and painless way to learn what I needed to know to get into ham radio.
Buy the book.

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Arrls Low Power Communication: The Art and Science of Qrp Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a new General Class who's interested in QRP. This book was a great introduction. Arland obviously knows his stuff (many years in the U.S. Air Force as a comm/signals guy), and his writing style is very engaging.
Arland offers lots of general information as well as detail, particularly when it comes to what he considers the two most important parts of QRP: antennas and propagation. He has separate chapters devoted to each, and he details some home-brew methods for various kinds of QRP antennas, including good photographs.
If you're interested in vintage military gear, there's quite a bit of info here as well. In addition, he gives many web site resources for further research.
Highly recommended for those (like me) who are just getting started in QRP. Now I need to save up for the Yaesu FT-817 rig (Arland's favorite).

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Welcome to the world of QRP! Now you can explore the excitement of low-power radio operating with this third edition of ARRL s Low Power Communication:Equipment and Station Accessories - commercial gear, kit-building and home-brewAntennas wire beams, loops, dipoles, portable antennas and moreOperating Strategies operating techniques, awards, and contestingNEW! Emergency Communication training, planning and other factorsNEW! Surplus Military Equipment - restoring and using this classic radio hardware.Plus QRP calling frequencies, manufacturers...and much more!--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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