arktrekker
Adventurer
I am looking for some suggestions for books that can give me more information and education on ham systems.
Anything?
Anything?
Reading material?
- Thread starter arktrekker
- Start date
soonenough
Explorer
The ARRL Licensing Manual is the "official" book on becoming a ham: http://www.amazon.com/ARRL-Ham-Radi...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253641470&sr=1-1
Also, I flipped through the For Dummies ham radio book at a bookstore while I was studying for my license, and it seemed to have some decent info: http://www.amazon.com/Ham-Radio-Dummies-Ward-Silver/dp/0764559877/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c
Also, check out the sticky'd thread at the top of this forum "Ham radio/amateur radio FAQ"; there's some good info there.
Btw, I know you mentioned that you're looking for books, but if you want to study for the Technician exam (I'm assuming you're looking into getting your license), you should check out the QRZ.com online tests: http://www.qrz.com/xtest2.html
Also, I flipped through the For Dummies ham radio book at a bookstore while I was studying for my license, and it seemed to have some decent info: http://www.amazon.com/Ham-Radio-Dummies-Ward-Silver/dp/0764559877/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c
Also, check out the sticky'd thread at the top of this forum "Ham radio/amateur radio FAQ"; there's some good info there.
Btw, I know you mentioned that you're looking for books, but if you want to study for the Technician exam (I'm assuming you're looking into getting your license), you should check out the QRZ.com online tests: http://www.qrz.com/xtest2.html
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arktrekker
Adventurer
What I am more specifically looking for is more advanced stuff. The technicians test can be passed by anyone capable of typing their name in my opinion. What I am looking for is more information on setting up more advanced systems, antenna theory and operation and the rest of the stuff I have no idea about. I like to put books into my library that will allow anyone to teach theirselves the information from scratch if the situation warrants it.
jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
The technician test is easy if you study for it. But thats where you have to start. :smiley_drive:
-Antenna Theory by Balanis
-Any RF circuit design book for filters, modulation/demodulation, and general info
-Coding and Information Theory for digital
-ARRL Antenna Handbook for practical purposes
-Math books for Fourier Transforms, statistical theory, linear algebra, trig.
The advanced stuff requires an extensive background in math. I don't know how much you'll learn by just reading books.
OK, here are some recommendations for you
'The ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs' (new editions yearly)
This resource keeps getting better -- apparently, someone at ARRL listens.
'The ARRL Operating Manual For Radio Amateurs'
This will be the most up-to-date reference for operating as a ham. Very broad coverage of the hobby with good depth: basic and advanced practices, FCC rules, etc. Even an experienced ham would find this useful when moving into a new part of the field.
I'll mention, but I hesitate to recommend, William I. Orr's 'Radio Handbook'. These were once the gold standard, but are a bit dated now. If you can pick up one published in the mid-90s (22nd or 23rd edition, say) for a few bucks at a flea market, it's worth having on the shelf. Orr wrote other books. Watch for his name.
Also be on the lookout for 'Six meters: A Guide to the Magic Band' -- by Ken Neubeck
A pretty thorough guide. We're at a solar minimum now, so things only get better from here on 6 meters.
The traditional ham attitudes and spirit is in HF now. It's a broad hobby, but if you're interested in HF, study antennas and propagation:
'Everything You Forgot To Ask About HF Mobileering' -- by Don Johnson
Don Johnson is the originator of the 'screwdriver' power tunable antenna.
If you can find a copy of the CD 'WorldRadio 2000 Archive' from WorldRadio magazine you'll be in good shape. It's got some of Don's previous work, some other books, and magazine articles as well. Try Doug Huston's page
also:
'The ARRL Antenna Book' (an excellent reference)
'Antenna Design: A Practical Guide' -- by George J. Monser
'The Friendly Ionosphere' -- by Crawford MacKeand
'The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook' -- by Jacobs, Cohen, & Rose
Sadly, I have to say don't bother with the ARRL Repeater Directory, it's inaccurate and out of date. Everyone uses the internet for repeater info. It's also inaccurate and out of date.
'The ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs' (new editions yearly)
This resource keeps getting better -- apparently, someone at ARRL listens.
'The ARRL Operating Manual For Radio Amateurs'
This will be the most up-to-date reference for operating as a ham. Very broad coverage of the hobby with good depth: basic and advanced practices, FCC rules, etc. Even an experienced ham would find this useful when moving into a new part of the field.
I'll mention, but I hesitate to recommend, William I. Orr's 'Radio Handbook'. These were once the gold standard, but are a bit dated now. If you can pick up one published in the mid-90s (22nd or 23rd edition, say) for a few bucks at a flea market, it's worth having on the shelf. Orr wrote other books. Watch for his name.
Also be on the lookout for 'Six meters: A Guide to the Magic Band' -- by Ken Neubeck
A pretty thorough guide. We're at a solar minimum now, so things only get better from here on 6 meters.
The traditional ham attitudes and spirit is in HF now. It's a broad hobby, but if you're interested in HF, study antennas and propagation:
'Everything You Forgot To Ask About HF Mobileering' -- by Don Johnson
Don Johnson is the originator of the 'screwdriver' power tunable antenna.
If you can find a copy of the CD 'WorldRadio 2000 Archive' from WorldRadio magazine you'll be in good shape. It's got some of Don's previous work, some other books, and magazine articles as well. Try Doug Huston's page
also:
'The ARRL Antenna Book' (an excellent reference)
'Antenna Design: A Practical Guide' -- by George J. Monser
'The Friendly Ionosphere' -- by Crawford MacKeand
'The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook' -- by Jacobs, Cohen, & Rose
Sadly, I have to say don't bother with the ARRL Repeater Directory, it's inaccurate and out of date. Everyone uses the internet for repeater info. It's also inaccurate and out of date.
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taugust
Adventurer
I know you mentioned books, but a great website with links everywhere is http://www.AC6V.com It is sorted by topic and is a great wealth of info.