(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best ham radio books

I passed in November and probably spent between 10 and 15 hours? I also only missed two questions so I was over prepared.

My suggestion:

1. Get Pass Your Amateur Radio Technician Class Test - The Easy Way
   
   
2. Use hamstudy.org to gauge your progress. When you're passing the practice tests regularly, you're ready.
   
   
3. Schedule your exam two or three weeks away. This will give you a timeline to work towards so that you don't procrastinate.
   

You should get this book RR, it's pretty informative and helpful to a newbie in Ham Radio and it does explain propagation, digital modes, repeaters. https://www.amazon.com/Ham-Radio-Dummies-Computer-Tech/dp/1119454840/ref=dp_ob_title_bk *I have the book and like it and how it is put together.

i majored EE at Auburn. One of my favorite classes was Tech and Civ (freshman required history) taught by an EE who got his Ph D in history

Someone once asked "what is the difference between AM and FM radio?"

His answer was "read my book" His Book

apparently it took some time to publish? Anyway, class was cool and talked about some of the stuff above. May be worth checking out.

These would be a good start:
GROL+Radar https://www.amazon.com/dp/0945053606/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CgirzbRG9608Q

Avionics Training: Systems, Installation, and Troubleshooting https://www.amazon.com/dp/1885544219/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Giirzb62JVYSC

Plain-English Study Guide for the General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ9X8AA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_jjirzbHP0JBY6

GROL Plus: General Radiotelephone Operator License Plus Radar Endorsement https://www.amazon.com/dp/0945053142/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Mjirzb020BB3W

Shop around for these or check with libraries.

I’ve been eyeing this book for awhile, seems like it would be very useful.

This is a good book that talks about the RF parts of a radio. They talk about using I/Q signals but they demodulate using analog parts, not digital. Since you have the digital part down, this book could help you with the RF part:

http://www.amazon.com/Experimental-Methods-Design-Amateurs-Library/dp/0872598799

A Transistor Radio is actually quite a complex device. And there's many different types beside the basic Superhet.

You could begin by learning how simple Radio circuits work, starting with a Crystal Set.

Best to download an old copy of "The ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs", and start reading.

Dan's book is comprehensive and an easy read. Only $3 on Kindle app/devices.

https://www.amazon.com/Geeks-Guide-Having-Morse-Code/dp/0692367241

I haven't worked a sat yet but would like to and I have this book in my shack. The ARRL Satellite Handbook 1st Edition Learned a lot from it.

http://www.arrl.org/licensing-education-training

You can look up exam sessions near you and I think you can look up local amateur radio clubs, too. Just show up for a meeting, usually nice guys and gals, mostly guys.

This is the book that helped me study for my first exam: https://www.amazon.com/Now-Youre-Talking-First-License/dp/0872597970

I recommend this book:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1503077373

I used his books to study for my technician and general licenses. No class needed. I'd still recommend getting involved with a local club if possible, though.

Or like, you can launch your own satellites with stuff from a model rocket store.

And sometimes a beer can! ;-)
https://www.amazon.ca/Beer-Can-Crystal-Radio-crystal-ebook/dp/B00I5O8GPO/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=crystal+radio+kit&qid=1566857044&s=gateway&sr=8-7

For $3.90 you could go to Amazon [http://www.amazon.com/So-You-Want-be-Ham/dp/0672216000] and pick up "so you wanna be a ham?"

And in case someone wants one too for "archival purposes" Amazon has one left.
https://smile.amazon.com/Advanced-Class-License-Manual-Amateur/dp/0872593274

ARRL and other radio-related publications talk about some of this.

I found this page for instance. This is the ARRL RFI book referenced. As the first reviewer says - it's not necessarily right for the beginning - the reason is RFI reduction is a full-time EE professional speciality (it's that challenging).

I've worked on jobs where we had a piece of test equipment that was essentially a wide-band RF receiver and that had persistent RFI problems - and it took a lot of work to address it. We had the advantage that our solution was to seal up the entire system in shielding which is the antithesis of what a shortwave radio is about (trying to receive outside signals).

Maybe look into the The SBE Broadcast Engineering Handbook: A Hands-on Guide to Station Design and Maintenance as a place to start.

I used these books for Technician and General study. I passed both. I used the Kindle ebooks.

Fast Track. Used it for my Tech and General. Book and Audiobook.
https://www.amazon.com/Track-Technician-Class-Radio-License/dp/1503077373

Ham Radio for Dummies (book)

A search on Amazon shows several copies going for as low as $15 dollars.