Customer Reviews

The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications 2009 (Arrl Handbook for Radio Communications)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Easily one of the best ARRL titles, along with the license manuals, Antenna Book, Operating Manual, and few of the specialty books.

This book, however, is anything but specialized (in the radio sense, anyway). Kept up-to-date annually and now in its 86th edition(!), it's THE best one-volume book on radio, practical electronics, circuits, operating, and reference information you can find. There isn't another book that even comes remotely close to it.

If you're into radio, you probably know that ARRL titles are hard to find at a good discount. Even hamfest booksellers typically only knock off a dollar or two. Amazon is one of the few places where you can reliably find discounts on ARRL books.

Like so many ARRL publications, there's a phenomenal amount of depth to this book. While it's endlessly fascinating to comb through it, the book has too little context (real-world examples and application) for a novice like me.

I'm an instructional designer by profession, and a General Class who'd like to teach some of this material to others. I can't find much in this book to recommend it to newbies. For example, in my endless quest for teachable material on electrical fundamentals and how they apply to radio, I hoped that that chapter in the Handbook would be of benefit. No joy. Unfortunately, the chapter immediately jumps into series and parallel circuits with absolutely no explanation of where, when, or why you'd use them. The chapter continues downhill from there. Lots of great information, but almost no way for a new person to figure how on earth to apply it. Very reminiscent of the trigonometry and calculus I had in high school--"Well, that's nice, but what application does it have? Talk to me about how it's used in the real world. I can master the equations and solve the problems, but so what?"

What's truly sad is that ARRL is continually pushing for more people to join the hobby, and yet continually produces books like this. I'm a learning junkie and really want to devour this stuff, but I can't get my arms around it well enough to satisfy myself, much less create learning materials for others.

Onward.

As far as the information on Amateur radio, I was not disappointed. What was disappointing was the areas I am already somewhat knowledgeable about, namely Wifi.

The section on Wifi seems to be about 5 years out of date, which I find inexcusable if they're publishing a new edition every year. There is no mention of 802.11n, which is forgivable, but only mentions WEP for encryption, which has been broken for I believe at least 7 years now. There is no mention of WPA or WPA2. It makes me wonder how up-to-date the other sections are that I am not as familiar with elsewhere.

I've been an amateur radio operator for 50 years (currently W1EMQ, exK1HMQ and exW5JGA) and have not purchased an ARRL Handbook since the early 1990s after acquiring the latest version each year for at least 25 years. Much has changed in the world of technology - and much remains unchanged - and this expansive compendium covers A-Z in the latest in electronics. Although many of the older-style hands-on construction projects using readily available components are gone, the explanations and data relating to everything electronic is still there - and indispensable for any serious ham, would-be ham, or simply interested in electronics. It is also a solid reference companion to any of the FCC license exam study guides, especially the Extra Class. The CD of the book is also useful when lugging around this heavy volume is either impractical or not at hand. I'm pleased with the new handbook and I seriously doubt anyone would be displeased if they are looking for a knowledgeable reference at a reasonable price.

I purchased this book used from alspals1. The book was just as advertised. The service was very prompt. The price was very good. I am completely satisfied with this purchase.

This is the third copy of the ARRL Handbook I have purchased, and it is at least as good as all the others. A valuable reference for all types of RF work.

Decades of experience and generations of authors honed this excellent handbook to near perfection. Though written mainly for amateurs, this book may serve as an excellent introductory text and a treasure box of useful information for professionals as well. I found its use essential as a radio amateur and still enjoy content and style as a professional R&D engineer. The 2009 edition covers among other subjects electrical and electronic fundamentals, component characteristics and data, circuit construction techniques, RF sources, filters, receivers and transmitters, transmission lines, antennas, test procedures and equipment construction.

Since no one other then Ham Radio Operators (or those studying to be) would be interested in the outstanding and thorough detailed info contained inside, I'll leave it up to others more experienced and knowledgeable then me to comment on it's contents. I'll just say that this edition that I bought, the softcover edition, has coated pages, which makes it heavy, unwieldy and awkward to carry and read if using it mobile as I do. Consider the hardcover edition for long term durability. It's a shame that publishers want to increase there profit margin so much more just for making the cover stiff.

I've used the ARRL handbooks for many years, very good practical information even for professionals.

Unfortunately, my previous copy was severely damaged, so I purchased a replacement.

The used copy of this book was purported to be in near new condition. When I received it, however, there was much underlining, in addtion to what appears to be publisher problems like mis-cut pages.