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Radio Society of Great Britain Reference Books
The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has been advancing amateur radio since 1913. Its radio handbooks are essential reading, and they provide a comprehensive look...
The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has been advancing amateur radio since 1913. Its radio handbooks are essential reading, and they provide a comprehensive look into the world of amateur radio equipment, operation and best practices. Plus, the RSGB publishes in-depth and easy-to-understand user guides for popular transceivers, as well as books on antenna design, home transceiver construction, SWR, QRP basics and just about any subject of interest to the novice or experienced amateur radio operator. Build your library and improve your knowledge and proficiency with Radio Society of Great Brittan reference books...
The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has been advancing amateur radio since 1913. Its radio handbooks are essential reading, and they provide a comprehensive look into the world of amateur radio equipment, operation and best practices. Plus, the RSGB publishes in-depth and easy-to-understand user guides for popular transceivers, as well as books on antenna design, home transceiver construction, SWR, QRP basics and just about any subject of interest to the novice or experienced amateur radio operator. Build your library and improve your knowledge and proficiency with Radio Society of Great Brittan reference books from DX Engineering.
Radio Today Guide to the ICOM IC-9700
"The Radio Today Guide to the ICOM IC-9700" is the third in this series of books aimed at getting the most out of your radio. It's written in the same style as the other books, a practical guide to enjoy the full flavor of possibilities with the groundbreaking IC-9700. The radio is the first full power, multi-mode, VHF/UHF amateur radio transceiver to be based on SDR technology. It's a transceiver for VHF and UHF DX operation, working satellites, EME, and repeater operation, supporting both traditional FM repeaters and D-Star digital. Author Andrew Barron, ZL3DW, an acknowledged SDR expert, highlights the myriad options available to ICOM users—many of which have never been available on VHF/UHF transceivers before. As usual, this book does not duplicate the manuals which describe each button, function, and control; it's a "how to do it" book with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions. All of the great new features included in the IC-9700 can make it quite a complicated radio to configure and operate, but this 160-page paperback covers every control and menu setting and explains how to get the most from this truly remarkable radio.
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$23.99
The Low Power SPRAT Book
QRP—the art and science of low-power operation—is one of the most popular aspects of amateur radio. In the UK, the G QRP Club has been a leading light in this area of operation since its formation in 1974. Its journal, SPRAT, is recognized as one of the world's leading QRP publications and it has now reached its 150th edition. The milestone is marked by publication of this book, a selection of the best of nearly four decades of low-power amateur radio circuits and ideas that have been published in SPRAT. "The Low Power SPRAT Book" is divided into seven parts, covering transmitters, receivers, transceivers, antennas, ATUs, Morse keys and keyers—and a section for those circuits that do not fall happily into any particular part, but which might best be categorized as 'miscellaneous.' Circuits vary in complexity from an ultra-simple 80m CW transceiver using just 14 parts … to the more sophisticated Sparkford, designed by Walford Electronics and also for use on 80m CW. You'll find early classics within these pages, including the OXO transmitter from 1981 and the ONER dating from 1985/1986, both GM3OXX designs. This 320-page paperback also includes QRP classics, such as versions of the FOXX transceiver, the Pixie in its various guises, the Epiphyte and the Naxos. All are presented exactly as they were originally printed. This book will appeal to anyone from dedicated QRP enthusiasts, to those who've never tried QRP construction work before. It's a veritable gold mine of ingenious designs and circuits, providing a superb introduction and reference book dedicated to the art and science of low-power or QRP amateur radio.
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$22.99
Getting Started in EME
Bouncing signals off the moon has always been considered as one of the most difficult of the amateur radio disciplines. Traditionally, Moonbounce (as it's known) was practiced by amateurs who are the most accomplished engineers, as well as operators—but recent developments have now made it more accessible than ever before. "Getting Started in EME" sets out to explain what you need to know and how to get started in this captivating area of amateur radio operation. This 64-page paperback sets out the history of Moonbounce, gives information on the various EME bands, and the reasons for choosing them—and then explains the EME signal path. It covers the unique propagation effects, such as libration fading, Faraday rotation, and spatial offset. Ground gain, Doppler shift, and degradation are also covered. The book is practically based and focuses on EME at 144MHz (2m) and proposes, wherever possible, the use of equipment that is already owned in order to reduce the cost of getting started in EME. This is particularly the case with antennas, but you'll also find coverage of transceivers, pre-amplifiers and power amplifiers. Again, the emphasis is on the minimum possible requirement, utilizing equipment that may already be in the shack. There is coverage of computers/interfaces, software and operation requirements, and even your first EME contact! EME at 70cm is covered, and there are glimpses where the newcomer to EME might move onto when they find themselves bitten by the Moonbounce bug. If you've never tried EME transmissions or are just interested in what it takes to make that first contact via bouncing a signal off the moon, then "Getting Started in EME" is the ideal introduction.
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$13.99
Portable Antennas for Everyone
Portable operating has never been as popular as it is today, thanks to the many excellent modern, small, and lightweight transceivers that are available. But indoors or outside, any station is only as good as its antenna, and that's where this book comes in. "Portable Antennas for Everyone" is broken into sections covering the main types of antenna. Specific designs from around the world are included, starting with a fiberglass pole and a simple 10m length of wire attached to make a quarter-wave vertical antenna for 7MHz. The 192-page paperback continues into verticals designed specifically for use by the ocean and that provide a super-low angle of radiation of just 6 or 7 degrees above the horizon. This book describes how to make a vertical dipole array (VDA), and there's some good advice on kite-supported verticals. You'll also see designs for HF dipoles, doublets, and making your own lightweight HF beams. VHF and UHF antennas are not forgotten: the book includes a dual-band Yagi for satellite working, collapsible 2m and 6m beams, a roll-up J-pole, a 70cm Lindenblad antenna, and even a dual-band beam made from tape measures. Read reviews of commercially made antennas for portable operations—such as the Spiderbeam, the ultra-lightweight Hexbeam, the folding Hexbeam, the all-band SuperStick, an easily transportable magnetic loop, and much, much more. If you're suffering from high domestic noise levels at home, operating portable from the countryside can be a real revelation. Often there is no local noise whatsoever and you find you can copy S1 signals with ease. So now there's no excuse: "Portable Antennas for Everyone" allows everyone to get on the air while experiencing the great outdoors!
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$23.99
SOTA Explained
Summits on the Air (SOTA), is one of fastest developing award schemes that have come into existence in recent years. For the active hillwalker and the home-based chaser of summits alike, this program offers endless fascination. "SOTA Explained" provides the essential guide to this program, hilltop radio, and much more. Taking a portable radio station into the hills and operating from a summit is a fascinating and rewarding way to combine the very best aspects of walking and of amateur radio. SOTA activity is also inexpensive, providing the opportunity to achieve a great deal in amateur radio. Many appreciate the freedom this sort of operation offers and the benefits of having a high radio station far from urban electrical interference. At altitude, even modest sets can deliver astonishing performance: communication across the country and across the continent is routinely available—and on many days, mountain-to-mountain conversations flow across the world. This 160-page paperback also provides advice for those who do not venture onto the hills but still want to participate in SOTA. There's a whole chapter dedicated to chasers—from the bands to choose, how propagation affects your operation, chasing DX stations, and rare SOTA activations. Not only does "SOTA Explained" detail how SOTA works, but there's advice on safe hillwalking, setting up simple and cheap SOTA stations, and modes of operation. You'll read technical advice on improving your first station, the antennas to choose, and how to run SOTA stations on HF. The book isn't just for those new to SOTA; the more experienced operator will find much of use, too. Be warned: after reading this book, you will never see a hilltop in the same way again.
Not Yet Reviewed
$19.99
Building a Transceiver
Home construction is alive and well among the ranks of today's radio amateurs—and "Building a Transceiver" brings to life how making something as complex as an HF transceiver can be achieved with very simple equipment and techniques. One of the benefits of building your own transceiver is that you'll understand how it works; and then you should be able to fix it or improve it in the future. This 176-page paperback is based on the relatively complicated HF transceiver project that's been broken down into smaller modules which can be built and tested individually. Each module is described in cookbook fashion so that the constructor understands how it works before starting the build. The constructor may choose to build a complete transceiver based closely on this design, add in some of your own modules—or you may prefer to mix and match by using parts of this design and integrating them into a completely different project. This modular approach means that you could, for example, take the VFO design and adapt it for use as a signal source in test equipment. "Building a Transceiver" is based on the hugely popular 'Homebrew' column in RadCom written by Eamon Skelton, EI9GQ. Readers will find that the book covers the detailed electronic design process and practical constructional techniques necessary to build the transceiver. Most modules are in the dead-bug construction style, and this is fully detailed—along with a number of other useful techniques. Photographs are also provided to help the reader visualize the final layout of each section. Each element of the transceiver is described fully with details of components and any board layouts available. You may never build the complete transceiver described in this book, but the construction techniques and testing has been designed with the resources of an amateur radio shack in mind, so it will be useful no matter your level of experience and whatever you decide to build.
Not Yet Reviewed
$19.99
Amateur Radio Mobile Handbook
The fascination of taking a radio away from home and making contact with stations both near and far is an enduring one in amateur radio circles. Written by acknowledged mobile expert Peter Dodd, G3LDO, "Amateur Radio Mobile Handbook" is for those who regularly "go mobile" or simply want to start doing so. Mobile operation can offer a great escape from EMC problems or restricted home operation—and provide the challenge of the quest for that really good operating location. The 128-page paperback covers all aspects of this popular part of the hobby. From the basics of amateur radio mobile, installing radio equipment and antennas in a vehicle, maritime mobile, and bicycle mobile to pedestrian mobile, you'll find it all covered here. In addition, "Amateur Radio Mobile Handbook" contains a chapter on antenna measuring equipment and how to use it. You'll even find the use of kite- or balloon-supported antennas and the experimenting with unconventional antenna arrangements described. There are also guides to the possibilities of APRS and D-Star operation. In spite of a greater use of electronics and the lack of space in modern vehicles, the availability of lightweight, comprehensive radios means that it has never been easier to become a mobile operator. The "Amateur Radio Mobile Handbook" provides essential reading for all those who want to get the most out of amateur radio mobile.
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$17.99
Microcontroller Know How
Microcontrollers are used today in a wide array of applications—car engine control systems, implantable medical devices, remote controls, office machines, household appliances, toys, and much more. The technology has never been more accessible to the amateur, and this book sets out to show, in an easy-to-understand style, how to make these powerful tools work for you. "Microcontroller Know-How: Amateur Radio Projects and Much More" introduces you to the controller types included and provides practical working microcontroller projects for these with all the supporting files. The projects range in complexity and are aimed at different microcontrollers to take the reader on a learning journey in embedded software development using 'C'—while also providing exposure to different technologies and development environments. Projects are targeted at the STMicroelectronics STM32 processor range, the Amtel/Microchip ARM processor range, and a Wi-Fi connected project using the 'Internet of things' Espressif Systems ESP8266 microcontroller. An introduction to PIC programming in 'C' is also included with a set of basic projects targeted at the PIC16F18877 device. For the wide variety of projects included you'll find details on the development environment, build instructions, and source code—alongside illustrative pictures and diagrams to ensure the reader can recreate a working example. The author has built and documented each project and all the source code and other supporting files are also available online. If you want a straight-forward guide to microcontrollers that gives you the confidence to tackle projects on a variety of different technologies, or want interesting projects to try, or perhaps just an insight into this topic, then this 160-page paperback is certainly the book for you.
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$23.99
LF Today
Low-frequency operating has never been more popular, and the introduction of a new international amateur allocation at 472kHz means that, with 136kHz, there are now two bands below 1MHz. "LF Today" distils nearly 20 years experience of the low frequencies and aims to help you get the most out of operating in this part of the spectrum. This third edition of "LF Today" provides the reader with a firm knowledge of the frequencies below 1MHz—and has been expanded to include the many revisions and updates. New to this edition are many projects for the 472kHz band, an analysis of the various modes used on the low frequencies, and how to receive and transmit on even lower frequencies at VLF. A guest chapter by Alan Melia, G3NYK, explains how to predict LF ionospheric conditions. This 192-page paperback includes practical information on antennas, receivers, transmitters, and operating. Written by one of the leading authorities on LF, Mike Dennison, G3XDV the book will help beginners who want to try out this fascinating amateur allocation—but it's also of great value to anyone already active on the band who wants to expand the knowledge of the bands. In short, "LF Today" is a one-stop shop for anyone seeking information on amateur radio operation below 1MHz.
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$20.99
Introduction to RF Circuit Design for Communication Systems
"Introduction to RF Circuit Design for Communication Systems" by Roger C. Palmer, VE7AP provides a real insight into how your transceiver works and lays out in an easy-to-understand way the techniques that are commonly used in the design of modern RF communications equipment. "Introduction to RF Circuit Design for Communication Systems" is not intended to be a formal textbook with rigorous explanations, derivations, and difficult mathematics. What it is though, is a book for those readers that already have a general understanding of basic electronic concepts and is looking to understand more of how circuits work, with just enough detail so that designs can be analyzed in a basic manner. This book includes several design examples and where appropriate, approximations and 'rules of thumb' will be disclosed that can often simplify the design process. Although the emphasis is on equipment or circuits that are part of communication systems, you will find information is also provided on a variety of general electronic design topics. Working through from 'plug to antenna' this book is a mine of revealing information that you may never have thought about until reading it. "Introduction to RF Circuit Design for Communication Systems" is a great for someone who is familiar with Ohms Law and reactance. The information included is valuable to anyone wanting to learn more about this topic and can also be used as a handy reference book.
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$29.99
Testing 123
Is your station performing as you expect? Are the bands dead, or has your receiver developed a fault? Maybe your antenna system has a problem? How do you check? Written by acknowledged expert Andrew Barron, ZL3DW, "Testing 123" provides solutions to learn how your station is performing. From cheap test equipment and free software … through to more advanced testing methods that the professionals perform, Andrew provides insight into what you can do to analyze and improve your station. As every radio amateur wants to protect their investment in their radio setup, it's a good idea to make sure that your radio equipment and antenna system is in top-notch condition. This 368-page paperback shows the why, when, and how of testing that you can do without investing a lot in expensive test equipment. It also explains the numbers in those magazine reviews that tell you about the radio being tested. There's explanation of why these numbers are important and how you can read them to understand just how good or poor the reviewed radio is. So, even without investing money in a lot of test equipment, you can read to get an appreciation of how lab tests are carried out, the real-world situations they emulate, and what the results tell you about the radio. Many people have been involved in the hobby for years and have never tested anything—but what happens when something does go wrong? Will you even know there is a problem; and if so, how will you identify the cause and fix it? Covering from the antenna through the receiver and transmitter and onto power supplies and earths, "Testing 123" provides solutions to the questions you have and much more.
Not Yet Reviewed
$23.99