The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications 2004

Rating:
Summary: It IS a comprehensive RF Engineering Reference
Review: "The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications" has been the bible of amateur radio since 1926. The 80th edition carries on in the tradition set by prior editions by providing an outstanding overview of practical electronics as well as a wide range of information and over 60 projects on amateur radio communications.

The "Handbook" starts with information on what amateur radio is, from the variety of people who are involved in the hobby to how to get started as a radio amateur. The book reviews the wide range of activities available to radio amateurs, with discussions of everything from emergency communications to Amateur Radio contests and awards. There's also a glossary of ham radio terms.

The book continues with the fundamentals of electronics theory. First is a review of the mathematics required for applied electronics. For those who need a refresher, the chapter provides an excellent review of electronics mathematics, from significant figures and equations to complex algebra and logarithms. It also includes examples to help those with little prior background in math understand the principles involved.

Next, the book discusses the fundamentals of electronics, from DC theory to AC theory, including both resistive and reactive components. This is followed with information on digital signal theory that starts with the basics of binary logic and builds up through computer hardware. The section on electronics theory wraps up with a discussion of analog signal theory. This chapter covers the various circuits used in radio communications and the devices used in these circuits, from the ubiquitous transistor to integrated circuits. Each of the chapters in the fundamental theory section has a glossary of the terms introduced in that chapter.

Fully half of the handbook covers practical radio design and related projects. This section of the handbook starts off with a chapter on safety practices for radio communications that discusses antenna and tower safety, electrical wiring including grounding, RF radiation, and other dangers encountered in radio (it's amazing how many chemical hazards there are in a radio shack!).

The rest of the design and projects section covers virtually everything in modern communications, from the characteristics of components at RF frequencies to power supplies and from communications filters to radio wave propagation. In each chapter, there is a review of the basic theory on the topic followed by projects that apply the theory. In addition, the projects are of practical items that the radio amateur will need.

For example, the chapter on Antennas discusses the theory of how antennas work. Following a discussion of dipoles and half-wave antennas, there are four projects for building dipole antennas for HF operation on various bands. There is similar information for vertical, yagi, and quad antennas, as well as discussions about antennas for mobile operations; each followed by one or more projects.

The Handbook includes chapters on construction techniques including information on electronics components, how to use common electronics tools, circuit construction tips, electronics test instruments, and electronic system troubleshooting and repair techniques. There are several related projects, including a frequency counter and several signal generators.

The ARRL Handbook bills itself as "The comprehensive RF Engineering Reference." I believe the handbook lives up to this statement and more. As a practicing RF engineer in the past, I can attest to the usefulness of the handbook to radio technicians and radio engineers. My team and I referred to the ARRL Handbook constantly in designing and maintaining MF, HF, VHF, and UHF installations.

As an instructor, I continue to find the ARRL Handbook as a useful reference for both Communications Systems classes, but also as an excellent resource for basic electronics circuits and components. I'm currently using the fundamental theory portions in the study sessions I hold for those preparing for electronics technician certifications.

This is an outstanding book for anyone interested in amateur radio or wireless communications. I also strongly recommend it as a reference for radio technicians and radio engineers.

Review by Mike Powers, Radideo.com Guide, January 2003

Rating:
Summary: It IS a comprehensive RF Engineering Reference
Review: "The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications" has been the bible of amateur radio since 1926. The 80th edition carries on in the tradition set by prior editions by providing an outstanding overview of practical electronics as well as a wide range of information and over 60 projects on amateur radio communications.

The "Handbook" starts with information on what amateur radio is, from the variety of people who are involved in the hobby to how to get started as a radio amateur. The book reviews the wide range of activities available to radio amateurs, with discussions of everything from emergency communications to Amateur Radio contests and awards. There's also a glossary of ham radio terms.

The book continues with the fundamentals of electronics theory. First is a review of the mathematics required for applied electronics. For those who need a refresher, the chapter provides an excellent review of electronics mathematics, from significant figures and equations to complex algebra and logarithms. It also includes examples to help those with little prior background in math understand the principles involved.

Next, the book discusses the fundamentals of electronics, from DC theory to AC theory, including both resistive and reactive components. This is followed with information on digital signal theory that starts with the basics of binary logic and builds up through computer hardware. The section on electronics theory wraps up with a discussion of analog signal theory. This chapter covers the various circuits used in radio communications and the devices used in these circuits, from the ubiquitous transistor to integrated circuits. Each of the chapters in the fundamental theory section has a glossary of the terms introduced in that chapter.

Fully half of the handbook covers practical radio design and related projects. This section of the handbook starts off with a chapter on safety practices for radio communications that discusses antenna and tower safety, electrical wiring including grounding, RF radiation, and other dangers encountered in radio (it's amazing how many chemical hazards there are in a radio shack!).

The rest of the design and projects section covers virtually everything in modern communications, from the characteristics of components at RF frequencies to power supplies and from communications filters to radio wave propagation. In each chapter, there is a review of the basic theory on the topic followed by projects that apply the theory. In addition, the projects are of practical items that the radio amateur will need.

For example, the chapter on Antennas discusses the theory of how antennas work. Following a discussion of dipoles and half-wave antennas, there are four projects for building dipole antennas for HF operation on various bands. There is similar information for vertical, yagi, and quad antennas, as well as discussions about antennas for mobile operations; each followed by one or more projects.

The Handbook includes chapters on construction techniques including information on electronics components, how to use common electronics tools, circuit construction tips, electronics test instruments, and electronic system troubleshooting and repair techniques. There are several related projects, including a frequency counter and several signal generators.

The ARRL Handbook bills itself as "The comprehensive RF Engineering Reference." I believe the handbook lives up to this statement and more. As a practicing RF engineer in the past, I can attest to the usefulness of the handbook to radio technicians and radio engineers. My team and I referred to the ARRL Handbook constantly in designing and maintaining MF, HF, VHF, and UHF installations.

As an instructor, I continue to find the ARRL Handbook as a useful reference for both Communications Systems classes, but also as an excellent resource for basic electronics circuits and components. I'm currently using the fundamental theory portions in the study sessions I hold for those preparing for electronics technician certifications.

This is an outstanding book for anyone interested in amateur radio or wireless communications. I also strongly recommend it as a reference for radio technicians and radio engineers.

Review by Mike Powers, Radideo.com Guide, January 2003

Rating:
Summary: but, a bit overwhelming for a beginner
Review: I have been involved in the hobby for less than a year and am a non-technical person. This book is a real work of art for what I would call a "technical user" or "technician". The manual is a superb desk referance.
However, for the greenhorn, ARRL has other books that are written at a more simple level and there is also a "Dummies" title that is a pretty good book in spite of the heavy overlap with "Now You're Talking".
There is content on antenna installation and principals that even newbies can understand, but again, ARRL has some titles that are targeted toward this need.

Rating:
Summary: A must-have for any serious ham operator
Review: This book, published by the Amateur Radio Relay Lague, is a must-have item for any serious amateur radio operator.

Any question you might have about RF, antennas, tuners, amplifiers, and so on are in this book.

I would recommend this book to any ham who's interested in working HF or building antennas. It's not really necessary for most new hams who are planning on working two meters for awhile since most of the information doesn't really apply to working 144MHz on a handheld.

Otherwise, pick up a copy. I wouldn't buy one every year since the technology doesn't change that much, but support the League and get a great book by buying this item.

Rating:
Summary: Expensive, but worth it.
Review: When I recently picked up the newest edition of the ARRL Handbook, the first thing I noticed was that they had changed the subtitle from ?For the Radio Amateur? to ?For Radio Communications?. This was done to reflect the fact that a large percentage of these handbooks are purchased by non-amateurs. Electrical Technicians and Engineers, Laboratories and Researchers often have a copy on their shelves. So with the 80th edition they made the slight name change to better appeal to the wider audience of active users. The book covers just about any major category of radio communications one can think of from Fundamental Theory, to Construction Techniques to Operating Practices. It is a excellent reference source for anyone with a question about radio. Off course for anyone with a very specific interest the ARRL has other books that deal with a more specialized subject, but for a starting point I would purchase this book first.

The book is published on a yearly basis, but since the soft cover copy I purchased retails for $34.95, I wouldn?t purchase a new copy every year. The basic technology doesn?t change that fast, most of the yearly changes are adding and removing projects. The new edition does have revised chapters, including ones on Modulation Sources and Digital Signal Processing, but I wouldn?t run out to purchase it if I had last year?s copy, unless I had a specific interest in the new material. Personally I have a hard cover edition from the 80?s and a CD edition from the late 90?s and much of the basic information is still the same. I would recommend for the average user that they purchase a new copy every 5 to 10 years unless they have a specific need. I might also recommend alternating between paper copies and CDs. CDs are archival and easy to store and duplicate (for back up purposes of copyrighted material), but for manuals of this sort it is also convenient to have a hard copy to thumb through at their workbench.

Reviewed by Trip for Huntress Reviews.