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Reviewed by Rick Tavan, N6XI (from July 2004 QST)
Well, it's about time! For years I have been wondering when the
popular "for Dummies" series of books for beginners
in just about everything would embrace Amateur Radio. The wait
is over and Ham Radio for Dummies by QST Contributing
Editor Ward Silver, N0AX, is now available...and it was worth
the wait. Although best known perhaps as Dr Beldar of contest
forum fame or as the editor of the biweekly Contest Rate Sheet,
Ward has shown that he also understands the bewilderment of the
neophyte and how to cure it. The book is true to the series, a
highly readable introduction to the what, how and why of Amateur
Radio. Eschewing technical jargon and excessive detail but reserving
ample space to touch on every major aspect, Ham Radio for Dummies
is an effective introduction for anyone who is curious about us.
Ham Radio for Dummies is not a license manual. Although
it overlaps some of the content of classics like Now You're
Talking! and The ARRL General Class License Manual,
it does not replace them. It contains thorough overviews of the
licensing process, types of on-the-air activities, station construction
and the like, but it does not attempt to include "all you
need to know" in order to do anything. Instead, this book
refers extensively to other publications and on-line resources
that will take the interested reader from curiosity to accomplishment.
I particularly liked Ward's layered approach to instruction, introducing
topics in overview chapters before going into more detail later
on. He provides the reader with descriptions of a broad spectrum
of activities, all equally worthy of the reader's time, attention
and further investigation. If there is any license class bias
at all it is the assumption that the reader will advance to whatever
level is necessary to pursue his or her particular interests.
The book is well organized and written, although the illustrations
could have been of a higher quality and more complete.
We should all own a copy or two of this book, if not for our own
"expert" selves then for the next friend who comes along
with questions about Amateur Radio. Let's give away a lot of copies
to prospective hams-I predict a high success rate! And keep a
copy on the shelf for yourself. It includes excellent introductions
to special topics such as digital modes, QRP, contesting, DXing,
satellite and TV. The chapter on Specialties certainly got my
juices flowing to add a few more of those skills to my repertoire.
Also, the admonitions on station maintenance and record keeping
remind us of overdue improvements to our own amateur practice.
We were all Dummies once with respect to ham radio and some of
us have enjoyed the progression from Dummy to Expert to Elmer.
Ham Radio for Dummies is poised to launch a new generation
onto that exciting trajectory. Congratulations to N0AX and the
Dummies crew for another winner.
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Table of Contents
Introduction.
Part I: What Is Ham Radio All About?
Chapter 1: Getting Acquainted with Ham Radio.
Chapter 2: Getting a Handle on Ham Radio Technology.
Chapter 3: Finding Other Hams: Your Support Group.
Part II: Wading through the Licensing Process.
Chapter 4: Figuring Out the Licensing System.
Chapter 5: Studying for Your License.
Chapter 6: Taking the Test.
Chapter 7: Obtaining Your License and Call Sign.
Part III: Hamming It Up.
Chapter 8: Making Contact.
Chapter 9: Casual Operating.
Chapter 10: Operating with Intent.
Chapter 11: Specialties.
Part IV: Building and Operating a Station That Works.
Chapter 12: Getting on the Air.
Chapter 13: Organizing Your Shack.
Chapter 14: Housekeeping (Logs and QSLs).
Chapter 15: Hands-On Radio.
Part V: The Part of Tens.
Chapter 16: Ten Secrets for Beginners.
Chapter 17: Ten Secrets of the Masters.
Chapter 18: Ten First Station Tips.
Chapter 19: Ten Easy Ways to Have Fun on the Radio.
Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Give Back to Ham Radio.
Part VI: Appendixes.
Appendix A: Glossary.
Appendix B: The Best References.
Index.
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