Amateur radio has consistently been the most reliable means of communications when other systems have failed. Hams work closely with disaster relief agency officials from FEMA, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other response organizations to offer wireless communications aid. From wildfires and earthquakes to marathons and road races, when getting the message through is critical, ham radio works. This book is for all hams who volunteer their time and skill to serve their communities. It provides knowledge needed for communicating quickly and effectively during disasters, emergencies, and community events, as well as an opportunity for learning more about the Amateur Radio Service and its unique role in supporting the public.

The most popular introduction to amateur radio, this guide offers a unique mix of technology, public service, convenience, and fun. All levels of ham radio operators can brush up on their skills and use the book to study for their first license exam with the latest questions pool with answer key.

... by far the most extensively revised version of this work in ten years. And, for the first time, this edition is bundled with The ARRL handbook CD (version 9.0)--the fully searchable and complete book on CD-ROM (including many color images).

Without complicated "owners manual" jargon, ARRL's VHF Digital Handbook presents the material through a unique how-to approach and friendly, conversational style. Readers will understand how to set up and operate their equipment and software, and make the best use of their VHF digital station.--Book cover.

Respond to the call of ham radio Despite its old-school reputation, amateur radio is on the rise, and the airwaves are busier than ever. That’s no surprise: being a ham is a lot of fun, providing an independent way to keep in touch with friends, family, and new acquaintances around the world—and even beyond with its ability to connect with the International Space Station! Hams are also good in a crisis, keeping communications alive and crackling during extreme weather events and loss of communications until regular systems like cell phones and the internet are restored. Additionally, it’s enjoyable for good, old-fashioned tech geek reasons—fiddling with circuits and bouncing signals off the ionosphere just happens to give a lot of us a buzz! If one or more of these benefits is of interest to you, then good news: the new edition of Ham Radio For Dummies covers them all! In his signature friendly style, longtime ham Ward Silver (Call Sign NØAX)—contributing editor with the American Radio Relay League—patches you in on everything from getting the right equipment and building your station (it doesn’t have to be expensive) to the intricacies of Morse code and Ohm’s law. In addition, he coaches you on how to prepare for the FCC-mandated licensing exam and tunes you up for ultimate glory in the ham radio hall of fame as a Radiosport competitor! With this book, you’ll learn to: Set up and organize your station Communicate with people around the world Prep for and pass the FCC exam Tune into the latest tech, such as digital mode operating Whether you’re looking to join a public service club or want the latest tips on the cutting edge of ham technology, this is the perfect reference for newbies and experts alike—and will keep you happily hamming it up for years!