ARRL Ham Radio License Manual: All You Need to Become an Amateur Radio Operator [Paperback]

H. Ward Silver (Author), American Radio Relay League (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006 | Series: Arrl Ham Radio License Manual

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 283 pages
• Publisher: Amer Radio Relay League; 1 edition (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872599639
• ISBN-13: 978-0872599635
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Radio Operation
  • #40 in Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Reference

More About the Author

H. Ward Silver has the experience of a 20-year career as an electrical engineer developing instrumentation and medical electronics. He also spent 8 years in broadcasting, both programming and engineering. In 2000 he turned to teaching and writing as a second career. He is a contributing editor to the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and author of the popular 'Hands-On Radio' column in QST magazine every month. He is the author of the ARRL's Amateur Radio license study guides and numerous other articles. He developed the ARRL's online courses, 'Antenna Design and Construction,' 'Analog Electronics,' and 'Digital Electronics.' Along with his comedic alter-ego, Dr Beldar, Ward is a sought-after speaker and lecturer among 'hams.' When not in front of a computer screen, you will find Ward working on his mandolin technique and compositions.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to ham radio May 13, 2007

By Mary Bos

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I used this book to study for my technician level test. I passed with a 100 percent. The book was well written to give you enough information in a interesting read. This book is not too dull or dry except for the FCC rule part. But rules are hard to make exciting to read. This book told you enough to pass the test with plenty to spare.

The technician test is not too technical, no electrical circuits or attenna design type questions. The test is more operating procedure, permitted operating frequencies, permitted wattages and attenna heights.

If you want to stay on the local voice repeaters, packet radio, or internet protocols on the 2m, 1.25m, 70cm and the other permitted bands; a technician's license is all you need.

87 of 94 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid class-in-a-book to help you pass your Technician's exam October 17, 2006

By James Perkins

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars This Technician Class Manual is a real Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde November 28, 2009

By dadajoy

Format:Paperback

What I mean by the review title is that the manual has a dual personality. The information presented in the manual seems to be adequate, and there is a lot of rah-rah for the fun that is Amateur Radio (and rightfully so). BUT, the ability to find specific information is frustratingly poor. GOOD is that the entire test question pool is present with the correct answer; BAD is that there is no page reference given so that one may go from the question to the page where the correct answer may be explained. GOOD is that the manual is easy to read; BAD is that the Table of Contents does not give chapter subdivision titles. GOOD is that the writers of the manual are true believers in the great thing that is Amateur Radio; BAD is that even the index underserves - not enough references, not enough specifics.
I took my copy and wrote a detailed Table of Contents in Word, including all the subdivisions and their pages. Also, I redlined in next to each test question answer the page where the information was found. Unfortunately, this extra work I did only helps me, not other readers. Also, there are several test questions where an explanation for the correct answer cannot be found. Back to the Good/Bad duality for a second, GOOD is that as the reader finishes a particular section of the text, there is a gray box telling the reader to "now go answer these questions..."; BAD is that some of the questions were not answered or explained in that section of text, and there is no way to know if there is anywhere else in the text where that question is explained.
Now, I am not saying that the book is worthless nor recommending against it; what I am saying is that it is exceedingly difficult to find things quickly. Certainly there is learning value to the reader who takes the time to do the extra referencing research as I did, and I do recommend that anyone who buys the book put in that extra effort. Good Luck, and I hope to hear you on the air!