Ham Radio for Dummies

By Ward Silver and H. Ward Silver

Book Overview

An ideal first step for learning about ham radio Beyond operating wirelessly, today's ham radio operators can transmit data and pictures; use the Internet, laser, and microwave transmitters; and travel to places high and low to make contact. This hands-on beginner guide reflects the operational and technical changes to amateur radio over the past decade and provides you with updated licensing requirements and information, changes in digital communication (such as the Internet, social media, and GPS), and how to use e-mail via radio. Addresses the critical use of ham radio for replacing downed traditional communications during emergencies or natural disasters Provides updates to all documentation of the American Radio Relay League Explains recent changes to picking your own call sign Places a special emphasis on the major reasons people get into amateur radio: emergency communication, digital communication, and do-it-yourself science Looks at online mapping and charting of websites Whether you're just getting turned on to ham radio or already have your license, Ham Radio for Dummies, 2nd Edition helps you with the terminology, the technology, and the talknology.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1118592115
• ISBN13: 9781118592113
• Release Date: August 2013
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A Wonderful Way To Introduce Ham Radio

Very often people will ask you about ham radio and although you love the hobby, you don't know where to start in describing it. This book fills that gap. It is a complete and comprehensive introduction to Ham Radio. It is a thorough review of what Ham Radio is and also what it is not!! I would recommend that every Ham has one in his or her shack to lend to a visitor who is curious about amateur radio. Much better than...

Terrific reference

Ward Silver's "Dummies" book is terrific for beginners and experienced hams alike. It's not about the technical details of the hobby, really, but about how to get into ham radio and most of operating basics. I was licensed many years ago, but after a few years of operating, went into "hibernation" for about 20 years before rediscovering ham radio. This book has helped me catch up on all of the advances made in the last...

A great introduction to a fun avocation

I am often asked why I am still interested in ham radio when it is so easy for people to communicate by e-mail and cellular phone. The answer, as is so forcefully brought home in this excellent book, is that ham radio is fun, challenging, rewarding, and provides opportunities for personal growth. While the major objective of the book is to provide information to get newcomers into the hobby and to help get them productive...

Get a good idea of what's in the forest

Have you ever wondered about those "amateur radio" license plates you see on cars? Do you see disproportionally large antennas on tall towers at some homes? Wouldn't it be really neat to be able to set up an antenna, radio, and antenna and communicate from literally anywhere, to just about anywhere, in any kind of weather, without having to be tethered to some electrical outlet? If you think I'm kidding about this, I'm not--people...

Q5

Q5 is not a rating. In radio lingo, it means excellent readability.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...