Product Details

1320 pages

Publisher: The American Radio Relay League, Inc.; Eighty-Ninth Edition/First Printing (October 2011)
Language: English
Hardcover Edition: ISBN: 978-0-87259-663-4

Shipping Weight: 6.35 pounds

Softcover Edition: ISBN: 978-0-87259-667-1

Shipping Weight: 5.55 pounds
Product Dimensions: 8 3/16 x 10 7/8 inches

Introduction

What is Amateur (Ham) Radio?

Fundamental Theory

Electrical Fundamentals

Analog Basics

Digital Basics

Practical Design and Principles

RF Techniques

Computer-Aided Circuit Design

Power Supplies

Modulation

Oscillators and Synthesizers

Mixers, Modulators and Demodulators

RF and AF Filters

Receivers

Transmitters

Transceivers

DSP and Software Radio Design

Digital Modes

RF Power Amplifiers

Repeaters

Antenna Systems and Radio Propagation

Propagation of Radio Signals

Transmission Lines

Antennas

Equipment Construction and Maintenance

Component Data and References

Construction Techniques

Station Accessories

Test Equipment and Measurements

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

RF Interference

Station Assembly and Management

Safety

Assembling a Station

Technology is at the core of Amateur Radio whether applied to emergency communications, experimentation and development, competitive events and awards, or casual operating. The pace of technological change accelerates every year and the number of topics involved continues to expand. The challenge of providing a comprehensive technical reference for the amateur in a single book is growing, too.

 

The 2012 ARRL Handbook is addressing that challenge by continuing to provide updated material and supplements to previous material. Simultaneously, it is necessary to apply editorial discretion lest the physical size of the book become excessive. To that end, you will find an increased amount of material on the book’s accompanying CD-ROM, including a new Operating Supplement that contains the Space Communications, Digital Communications, and Image Communications chapters of previous editions. The editors anticipate the expansion of operating information in this electronic format in future editions.

 

This edition’s largest change is a brand new chapter on Test Equipment and Measurement by Alan Bloom, N1AL who previously updated the Modulation and DSP and Software Radio Design chapters. The basics receive a fresh new treatment and several new topics are included for the first time. A whole new set of test equipment construction projects is included, as well.

 

In addition, a new integrated treatment of Noise by Paul Wade, W1GHZ replaces the previous edition’s treatment of noise that was distributed across several different chapters. The material on Background Noise by Joe Taylor, K1JT is included in this comprehensive treatment of noise as well as retained in the Operating Supplement's material on Earth-Moon-Earth communications.

 

The software provided with the book continues to be updated — this edition includes the very latest version of Jim Tonne, W4ENE’s professional-quality ELSIE filter-design software and his brand-new PDF manual for MeterBasic, a graphics program for designing just the right face and scale for analog meters.

 

In the third year of the current cycle of renewal and updates, the 2012 ARRL Handbook rises to the challenge of technological change by continuing to draw on the expertise of the amateur community. These authors represent and continue Amateur Radio’s best traditions of self-help and tutoring. The editors are expanding the use of electronic media as well, supplementing the printed material and developing new means of providing information to the reader. While the FCC’s Basis and Purpose for the Amateur Service has not changed, The ARRL Handbook — now in its eighty-ninth edition— continues to evolve along with technology and Amateur Radio.

 

David Sumner, K1ZZ

Chief Executive Officer

Newington, Connecticut

September 2011

The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications is available from ARRL and publication dealers near you.

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