It's time we cleared the air about ham radio. If you think of it as staticky transmissions sent by people in the middle of nowhere, think again. Today's ham radio goes beyond wireless to extreme wireless, Operators transmit data and pictures, use the Internet, laser, and microwave transmitters, and travel to places high and low to make contact. In an emergency or natural disaster, ham radio can replace downed traditional communication and save lives. Whether you're just getting turned on to ham radio or already have your license, Ham Radio for Dummies helps you with the terminology, the technology and the talknology. You discover how to: 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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Silver, H. Ward

by Ward Silver

John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated

Hungry Minds, Incorporated

Wiley Pub.

--For dummies, Indianapolis, Ind, Indiana, 2004

United States, United States of America

New York, 2004

1, US, 2004

producers:
Acrobat Distiller 5.0.5 (Windows)

Includes Web and bibliographical references (p. [329]-340) and index.

Ham Radio For Dummies 5
About the Author 7
Dedication 9
Author’s Acknowledgments 9
Contents at a Glance 11
Table of Contents 13
Introduction 23
About This Book 23
Conventions Used in This Book 24
Foolish Assumptions 24
How This Book Is Organized 24
Icons Used in This Book 26
Where to Go from Here 27
Part I: What Is Ham Radio All About? 29
Chapter 1: Getting Acquainted with Ham Radio 31
Tuning In Ham Radio Today 32
Roaming the World of Ham Radio 37
Communicating with Ham Radio 38
Building a Ham Radio Shack 38
Chapter 2: Getting a Handle on Ham Radio Technology 41
Fundamentals of Radio Waves 41
Basic Ham Radio Gadgetry 44
Ham Radio on the Air 47
Dealing with Mother Nature 48
Chapter 3: Finding Other Hams: Your Support Group 51
Radio Clubs 51
The ARRL 55
Specialty Organizations and Clubs 59
Online Communities 63
Hamfests and Conventions 66
Part II: Wading through the Licensing Process 71
Chapter 4: Figuring Out the Licensing System 73
The Amateur Service: An Overview 73
Becoming Licensed: Individual License Classes 76
Understanding Call Signs 80
The Volunteer Licensing System 81
Chapter 5: Studying for Your License 83
Demystifying the Test 83
Finding Resources for Study 84
Finding a Mentor 87
Mastering Morse Code 89
Chapter 6: Taking the Test 93
Finding a Test Session 93
Signing Up for a Test 95
The Big Day 96
Chapter 7: Obtaining Your License and Call Sign 101
Completing Your Licensing Paperwork 101
Finding Your New Call Sign 103
Registering with the FCC Online 106
Picking Your Own Call Sign 108
Maintaining Your License 110
Part III: Hamming It Up 111
Chapter 8: Making Contact 113
Listen, Listen, Listen! 113
Tuning In a Signal 115
Deciphering a QSO 125
Q-Signals 128
Making a Call 129
Chapter 9: Casual Operating 139
Operating on FM and Repeaters 140
Chewing the Rag 153
Pounding Brass — Morse Code 159
Receiving Messages Afloat and Remote 164
Chapter 10: Operating with Intent 167
Joining an Emergency Organization 168
Preparing for an Emergency 171
Operating in an Emergency 174
Providing Public Service 178
Operating on Nets 179
Handling Traffic 181
Chapter 11: Specialties 187
DX-ing 187
Taking Part in Radio Contests 200
Chasing Awards 209
QRP: Low-Power Operating 211
Getting Digital 215
Operating via Satellites 225
Seeing Things — Image Transmissions 228
Part IV: Building and Operating a Station That Works 231
Chapter 12: Getting on the Air 233
Setting Goals for Your Station 233
Choosing a Radio 237
Choosing an Antenna 247
Supporting Your Antenna 258
Computers in the Shack 265
Buying New or Used Equipment 268
Upgrading Your Station 268
Chapter 13: Organizing Your Shack 271
Designing Your Ham Shack 271
Building in RF and Electrical Safety 280
Grounding Power and RF 282
Chapter 14: Housekeeping ( Logs and QSLs) 285
Keeping a Log 285
Selecting a QSL Card 287
Sending and Receiving QSLs 288
Chapter 15: Hands-On Radio 291
Acquiring Tools and Components 291
Maintaining Your Station 297
Overall Troubleshooting Tips 298
Troubleshooting Your Station 299
Troubleshooting Your Home and Neighborhood 305
Building Equipment from a Kit 310
Building Equipment from Scratch 310
Part V: The Part of Tens 313
Chapter 16: Ten Secrets for Beginners 315
Listening, Listening, Listening 315
Buddying Up 315
Knowing Your Equipment 315
Following the Manufacturer’s Recommendations 316
Trying Different Things 316
Nobody Knows Everything 316
Practicing Courtesy 316
Joining In 317
Getting Right Back in the Saddle 317
Relax, It’s a Hobby! 317
Chapter 17: Ten Secrets of the Masters 319
Listening, Listening, Listening 319
Learning What’s Under the Hood 319
Reading History 319
Having a Sharp Axe 320
Practicing Makes Perfect 320
Paying Attention to Detail 320
The Problem Ain’t What You Don’t Know 320
Antennas Make the Difference 320
A Decibel Is a Decibel Is a Decibel 321
Ham Radio Is a Lifetime of Learning 321
Chapter 18: Ten First Station Tips 323
Being Flexible 323
Looking and Learning 323
Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket 324
Used-Equipment Bargains 324
Building Something! 324
Being Well-Grounded 324
Saving Money by Building Your Own Cables 325
Building Step-by-Step 325
Finding the Weakest Link 325
Being Comfortable 325
Chapter 19: Ten Easy Ways to Have Fun on the Radio 327
Listening for People Having Fun and Joining In 327
Special Events and Contests Are Looking for You! 327
Making Up Your Own Contest 328
Sending a Radiogram, Ma’am 328
Joining the Parade 328
Going Somewhere Cool 328
Squirting a Bird 329
Learning a New Lingo 329
Shortwave Listening ( SWL-ing) 329
Visiting a New Group 329
Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Give Back to Ham Radio 331
Preparing Yourself for Emergencies 331
Preparing Your Community for Emergencies 331
Volunteering in Your Club 332
Performing Public Service Assistance 332
Experimenting 332
Participating in On-the-Air Monitoring 332
Acting as a Product Tester or QSL Manager 333
Representing Amateur Radio 333
Being an Elmer 333
Making Lifelong Friendships 333
Part VI: Appendixes 335
Appendix A: Glossary 337
Appendix B: The Best References 351
Web Portals 351
Operating References 352
Technical References 357
Amateur Magazines 361
Vendors 362
Index 363

<p><p>it&#8217;s Time We Cleared The Air About Ham Radio. If You Think Of It As Staticky Transmissions Sent By People In The Middle Of Nowhere, Think Again. Today&#8217;s Ham Radio Goes Beyond Wireless To Extreme Wireless, Operators Transmit Data And Pictures, Use The Internet, Laser, And Microwave Transmitters, And Travel To Places High And Low To Make Contact. In An Emergency Or Natural Disaster, Ham Radio Can Replace Downed Traditional Communication And Save Lives. Whether You&#8217;re Just Getting Turned On To Ham Radio Or Already Have Your License, <i>ham Radio For Dummies</i> Helps You With The Terminology, The Technology <u>and</u> The Talknology. You Discover How To&#58; <ul> <li>decipher The Jargon And Speak The Language <li>buy Or Upgrade Your Equipment, Including The All-important Antennas <li>build A Ham Radio Shack, Complete With The Rig, A Computer, Mobile/base Rig, Microphones, Keys, Headphones, Antennas, Cables And Feedlines <li>study For Your License, Master Morse Code, Take The Test And Get Your Call Sign <li>understand The Basics Of Ragchews (conversations), Nets (organized On-air Meetings) And Dx-ing (competing In Contacts To Make Contacts) <li>keeping Logs With The Vital Statistics, Including Time (in Utc Or World Time), Frequency, And Call Sign </ul> <p> Written By Ward Silver, An Electrical Engineer, Certified Amateur Radio License Examiner, And Columnist For <i>qst</i>, A Monthly Magazine For Ham Operators, <i>ham Radio For Dummies</i> Gives You The Info You Need To Delve Into The Science Or Dive Into The Conversation. It Explains How You Can&#58; <ul> <li>tune In To The Most Common Types Of Signals, Including Morse Code (cw), Single-sideband (ssb), Fm,radioteletype (rtty), And Data Signals <li>break In, Introduce Yourself, Converse, And Say Or Signal Goodbye <li>communicate While Traveling (ham Radio Goes Where Mobile Phones Go Dead) <li>register With An Emergency Organization Such As Ares And Races <li>help In Emergencies Such As Earthquakes, Wildfires, Or Severe Weather <li>pursue Your Special Interests, Including Contacting Distant Stations, Participating In Contests, Exploring The Digital Modes, Using Satellites, Transmitting Images, And More </ul> <p> Complete With A Glossary And Ten Pages Of Additional Suggested Resources, <i>ham Radio For Dummies</i> Encourages You To Touch That Dial And Take That Mike. <p> Cul. (that&#8217;s Morse Code For &#8220;see You Later.&#8221;)</p>

In an emergency or natural disaster, ham radio can replace downed traditional communication and save lives. This work helps you discover how to: decipher the jargon and speak the language; study for your license, master Morse code, take the test and get your call sign; and, understand the basics of ragchews, nets and DX-ing.

2021-01-20