About the author: Ward Silver is an electrical engineer who’s been a licensed ham for 31 years. His ham radio call sign is N0AX. He is a contributing editor and columnist for QST, the monthly magazine for ham operators published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL--The national association for AMATEUR RADIO).

390 pages. © 2008, by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This book provides you with all the knowledge you need to understand and make power supplies of various types. It covers

Power Supply Handbook gives you confidence in building, maintaining, and using power supplies. Its approachable style makes it a useful guide for everyone from the novice constructor to the more experienced.

About the author: John Fielding is an electronics engineer who first became licensed in 1972 as G8FPH. In 1984 he immigrated to South Africa where he joined a military contractor as Chief Engineer, upgraded his license, and became ZS5JF. Over the years John has served on several South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) committees for radio communication standards.

288 pages. © 2006, published by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

Ham Radio: Where Hands-On Lives On!

Here are 61 short electronics experiments, designed to increase your understanding of basic radio fundamentals, components, circuits and design:

• Radio and Electronic Fundamentals
• Semiconductor Basics
• Building Block Circuits
• Power Supplies
• Filters
• Oscillators and Buffers
• Transmission Lines & Impedance Matching
• Workshop & Design Techniques

These experiments, devised by H. Ward Silver, N0AX, first appeared in QST magazine’s “Hands-On Radio” column from 2003-2008. The collection covers a wealth of topics designed to educate today’s radio experimenters, and inspire others who want to learn what makes their radios work. Even seasoned experts will encounter new approaches to practical methods, new explanations for familiar topics and new ideas that will enhance your understanding of the radio art. Step-by-step, Silver expertly leads you through each experiment—and you’ll make discoveries along the way!

Also available: Hands-On Radio Parts Kit (sold separately).

© 2008, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.

by Doug Smith, KF6DX

A complete, readable presentation on Digital Signal Processing (DSP) in communications technology. The work is sufficiently analytical for those skilled in math to fully understand DSP and its applications, while simultaneously affording those less mathematically inclined an understandable picture of this exciting technology. Presented from an engineering perspective, the material achieves a balance between theory and practice.

Smith gives a complete discussion of contemporary DSP technology, with special emphasis on applications of DSP in communications.

Contents:

The amateur interested in advances in DSP and communication processing can learn from the excellent presentation of this needed material.
--Dennis Silage, PhD, K3DS, Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. CLOSEOUT PRICE ONLY $34.95 (was $44.95 - SAVE $10)

© 2001, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.

This book provides an introduction to modern methods of discrete-time and discrete-frequency signal analysis and design, which are rapidly becoming an important approach in electronics projects. It helps experimenters, radio engineers and students to move beyond traditional continuous-signal pencil-and-paper methods.

Designed for classroom learning as well as individual at-home study, the book employs undergraduate-level mathematics. It's written in an easy-to-follow, conversational style, with occasional re-examination and reinforcement of important basic concepts.

Contents:

CD-ROM Included!
The book’s CD ROM provides a complete, unabridged copy of the world-famous and very sophisticated Mathcad Program, version 14.0, which has no time limitation for its use. The book includes many complete and fully explained examples, using Mathcad’s Worksheets and excellent graph-plotting capabilities. This software will be permanently available to the owner for a very wide range of applied-math calculations.

See supplemental material and corrections to Discrete-Signal Analysis and Design.

Hardcover book with CD-ROM. 174 pages. © 2008, by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Completely updated by the authors!
--Wes Hayward, W7ZOI, Rick Campbell, KK7B, and Bob Larkin, W7PUA

Explore wide dynamic range, low distortion radio equipment, the use of direct conversion and phasing methods, and digital signal processing. Use the models and discussion to design, build and measure equipment at both the circuit and the system level. Laced with new unpublished projects and illustrated with CW and SSB gear.

Contents:

This work is successor to the widely popular Solid-State Design for the Radio Amateur, published in 1977.

CD-ROM included with design software, listings for DSP firmware, and supplementary articles.

512 pages. Revised first edition. © 2003-2009, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.

400 pages. First ARRL Edition, Fourth Printing, © 1994-2004, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.

QST‘s popular column, Hints & Kinks, brings together the best of Amateur Radio tips and techniques--antennas, weekend projects, shack accessories and operating. This 17th edition of Hints and Kinks for the Radio Amateur includes all of those contributions published from 2003 and 2004 QSTs. In addition, you’ll find articles included from the columns The Doctor is IN and Hands-On Radio. Use these items to learn more about a new mode, or to find your next construction project!

Contents

Read a review.

Use this book and...

176 pages. Second printing 2005, © 2004-2005. Published by American Radio Relay League (ARRL).

Revisit the ham radio of yesteryear! ARRL's Vintage Radio is a collection of articles published in QST magazine describing vintage equipment and restoration. Included are personal experiences and interesting points in the history of Amateur Radio that will evoke a sense of nostalgia.

This collection covers vintage radio articles published between 1977 and 2003, and includes three year's worth of "Old Radio" QST columns by John Dilks, K2TQN. A selection of classic QST advertisements from the '20s through the '70s helps round out this fascinating look back in time. Enjoy ads from Collins, Drake, Heathkit and more!

Softcover. 192 pages. © 2004, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.

A comprehensive introduction to designing and understanding RF circuits.

RF Components and Circuits covers the practicalities of designing and building circuits, including fault-finding and use of test equipment.

The RF circuits covered in this book are the heart of the electronic design of TV sets, personal mobile radios, remote control systems, mobile phones, and digital TV and radio, making it essential reading for radio and electronics engineers, students and advanced electronics hobbyists.

Joe Carr demystifies the RF design process, presenting real-world design principles, tips and rules-of-thumb with a minimum of mathematics. By explaining how different circuit types work, and how they can be modified, Joe provides a masterclass for electronics experts and newcomers to RF design alike.

Some basic knowledge of electronics is assumed, but the essential features of RF are fully described, including the important topic of receiver dynamics which is often overlooked in basic textbooks. The theory and circuit descriptions are geared toward genuine design applications rather than the oversimplifications and skeleton circuits of many college texts.

During his career, the late Joe Carr was one of the world’s leading writers on electronics and radio, and an authority on the design and use of RF systems. Whether you are looking for a complete self-study course in RF Technology, or a concise reference to dip into, this book has the solution.

An introduction to analog electronics in the context of radio, and through the design and construction of a radio transceiver (the NorCal 40A QRP rig). A structured (college-level) approach describes basic electronic components and simple circuits, filters, amplifiers, oscillators, mixers, and antennas. Includes circuit simulation software (diskette), Puff.

See ARRL Review

Learn the basics of performing tests and measurements used in radio-frequency systems installation, proof of performance, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Provides immediate applications, test set-ups, procedures, and interpretation of results. Contents: RF electronic measurements; RF components for test and measurement; the Smith Chart; signal sources and signal generators; spectrum and network analyzers; power measurement; time, frequency and period measurements; receiver measurements; transmitter measurements (AM, SSB, FM, PM); RF amplifier measurements; antenna pattern measurement; antenna and transmission line measurements; L-C measurements; time domain reflectometry.

348 pages. © 1999, published by Newnes.

In the spirit of the popular QRP Classics and QRP Power published in the 1990s, More QRP Power is an anthology of articles from recent issues of QST and QEX magazines covering construction practices, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, accessories, and antennas. Here are dozens of projects and articles to help you assemble or improve a QRP station for home or travel.

QRP means radio operating with low power—5 watts or less. If you are used to operating with a 100 watt transceiver, you may wonder why anyone would do this.

Radio amateurs (hams) enjoy the magic of communicating over the air with their own equipment, without the benefit of the billions of dollars worth of infrastructure working behind the scenes to power the telephone and Internet.

QRP operators take that one step further, communicating over the air with simple equipment and antennas and only a few watts of power. They savor the satisfaction that comes with finishing a challenging radio contact. They enjoy assembling a tiny station that they can take anywhere, getting on the air with a radio the size of a paperback book and an antenna that folds up into a briefcase or knapsack.

Why not give QRP a try? And if you are already addicted, why not try a new antenna or accessory? Whether you want to build a complete station from scratch or just an item or two to use with your kit or commercial QRP transceiver, you'll find it here.

176 pages. First edition, 2006. © 2006, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.

by Richard Arland, K7SZ.

Welcome to the world of QRP! Now you can explore the excitement of low-power radio operating with this third edition of ARRL’s Low Power Communication:

BONUS
Includes the complete assembly manual for the MFJ Cub Transceiver Kit.* You'll enjoy countless hours operating this tiny high performance radio. Build the kit in just a few hours, and you'll be working the world with low-power fun!
*kit sold separately

Rich Arland became a licensed Amateur Radio operator in 1963. He also holds an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator’s License. Rich has authored many articles for ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, and its monthly journal, QST. He is an avid low-power radio operator and emergency communication volunteer. His newest volume of QRP information is the culmination of many months of research, interviews, antenna experimentation and building projects.

Also available: ARRL's Low Power Communication with 40-meter CW Cub Transceiver Kit

Third edition, © 2007, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.

Get the book with the kit! This special bundle includes:

You'll enjoy countless hours operating this tiny high performance radio. Build the kit in just a few hours, and you'll be working the world with low-power fun!

Whether you're taking a 10-minute DX break from your computer at work or home or back-packing in the mountains, the Cub is a great way to put the magic back into your ham radio.

The Cub uses Surface Mount Technology (SMT) to achieve big performance in a pocket-sized package. The kit has all SMT parts mounted and soldered. You just insert and solder the through-hole parts such as the connectors, inductors and trimmer caps/pots.

The Cub is portable: set it up anywhere, and tuck it out of the way when its not in use!

Also available: ARRL's Low Power Communication (without kit)

The Cub uses Surface Mount Technology (SMT) to achieve big performance in a pocket-sized package. The kit has all SMT parts mounted and soldered. You just insert and solder the through-hole parts such as the connectors, inductors and trimmer caps/pots.

The Cub is portable: set it up anywhere, and tuck it out of the way when it's not in use!

Also available: ARRL's Low Power Communications with 40-meter CW Cub Transceiver Kit

Ideal for the experimenter or someone who likes the fun of building and operating their own radio equipment.

320 pages. © 2001, published by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

You can build it! Access a variety of tried and tested projects: transverters, preamplifiers, power amplifiers, antennas, test and measurement equipment, and more.

CD-ROM requires Microsoft Windows 98 or later, or Macintosh. © 2003, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.

Whether you are tinkering with filters, oscillators, impedance matching circuits or antenna coils and traps, you'll want to keep this calculator close by for quick and easy circuit calculations.

The L/C/F calculator works with Inductance, Capacitance and Frequency. You take any two of these and the calculator will tell you the value of the third, quick as a wink. Need to know what value of coil will work with a capacitor on a given frequency? You got it! Want to know what the resonant frequency of a given cap and coil combination is? No problem.

The Coil Winding Calculator on the reverse is perfect for experimenting with single-layer coils from the tiniest QRP sizes right up through amplifier plate tank coils. Mobile antenna experimenter's will especially find this to be useful for calculating loading coil sizes.

Whether your interests are cutting edge technology or vacuum tube gear, this simple "slide rule" style calculator can save you a lot of tedious arithmetic!

Filled with projects!

Also available: QRP Quarterly CD-ROM

DVD, requires Microsoft Windows. 2005, published by QRP Amateur Radio Club International.

Following the huge success of Microwave Projects, this second volume brings you more innovative projects from around the world. If you are interested in building equipment for the Amateur Radio microwave bands, the designs in this book are sure to please you. Projects have been selected from international authors and all of the projects use modern techniques and current components. Details of how to obtain ready-made boards are included with most projects.

The book includes chapters covering:

If you are interested the microwave bands or Amateur Radio construction, Microwave Projects 2 provides great ideas and projects to satisfy everyone.

Also available: Microwave Projects

216 pages. © 2005, published by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

Aimed at those who are interested in building equipment for the Amateur Radio microwave bands. Packed full of ideas from around the world, this book covers the subject with a variety of projects. The book has many contributors who have a wealth of experience in this area and they have produced many projects, design ideas, complete designs and modifications of commercial equipment. This title provides much useful information as to what can be achieved effectively and economically. Covers useful theory of designing microwave circuits and test equipment for the projects. The book includes chapters covering:

This is a must-have-book for all those who are already active on the microwave bands and those looking for interesting projects to embark on.

Also available: Microwave Projects 2

200 pages. © 2003, published by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB)

Edited by Mike Dennison, G3XDV and John Fielding, ZS5JF

Since it was first published in 1938, the RSGB Radio Communication Handbook has been one of the largest and most comprehensive guides to the theory and practice of Amateur Radio communication. Once again, the RSGB has recruited experts on a wide variety of subjects. This edition is now better than ever before, packed with over 1,700 illustrations, 26 chapters and two appendices. An essential for every shack!

Now includes the practicalities of taking your radio station into the great outdoors, LF including the use of higher power limit on 500 kHz, radio astronomy, soldering SMT components, and Software Defined Radio. This guide covers the entire spectrum from basic to advanced projects, for 136 kHz to 76 GHz, including many classic circuits.

BONUS CD-ROM INCLUDED! Search every page of the book at the touch of a button. This makes the book incredibly easy to navigate. Finding that important page has never been easier. Also includes bonus chapters not in the book, an SDR video, audio files, a huge selection of the latest amateur radio software, and more.

864 pages. Tenth edition, © 2009, published by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

Edited by Mike Dennison, G3XDV and John Fielding, ZS5JF

One of the largest and most comprehensive guides to the theory and practice of Amateur Radio communication since it was first published in 1938. New larger format, with over 1,500 illustrations, 26 chapters and two appendices.

Once again, the RSGB has recruited experts on a wide variety of subjects to produce one of the most comprehensive guides to the practical side of Amateur Radio. This guide covers the entire spectrum from basic to advanced projects (projects for 136 kHz to 76 GHz), including many classic circuits. This book is essential for every shack.

Now includes a chapter on Software Defined Radio from the RSGB columnist Steve Ireland, VK6VZ and Phil Harman, VK6APH, Low Frequencies including 500kHz, DSP, Bluetooth, USB and new HF data modes. Appendices contain all the useful reference data and artwork for printed circuit boards.

BONUS CD-ROM INCLUDED! Search every page of the book at the touch of a button. This makes the book incredibly easy to navigate. Finding that important page has never been easier. The ability to print individual pages is a significant bonus for every experimenter and builder wishing to use those all important circuit diagrams.

800 pages. Ninth edition, © 2007, published by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

Edited by Mike Dennison, G3XDV and Chris Lorek, G4HCL

One of the largest and most comprehensive guides to the theory and practice of Amateur Radio communication since it was first published in 1938. New larger format, with over 1,500 illustrations, 26 chapters and two appendices.

Once again, the RSGB has recruited experts on a wide variety of subjects to produce one of the most comprehensive guides to the practical side of Amateur Radio. Covers the entire spectrum, from the basics to advanced projects (projects for 136 kHz to 76 GHz), and including many classic circuits. This book is essential for every shack.

Includes many new ideas and modern content, including microprocessors, surface mount components and computer aids for designing circuits and antennas. The book also includes, for the first time since the original 20-part RadCom serial, the 'PIC-A-STAR' project (brainchild of Peter Rhodes, G3XJP). This is a complete transceiver project, based around PIC technology and offering state-of-the-art performance. Appendices contain all the useful reference data and artwork for printed circuit boards.

BONUS CD-ROM INCLUDED! Search every page of the book at the touch of a button. This makes the book incredibly easy to navigate. Finding that important page has never been easier. The ability to print individual pages is a significant bonus for every experimenter and builder wishing to use those all important circuit diagrams.

764 pages. 8th Edition, © 2005, Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

by Ulrich L. Rohde, KA2WEU/DJ2LR and Jerry C. Whitaker

Table of Contents
Reviewed in QST

"A nice mix of theoretical and practical information. Many useful detailed circuits are shown and system analyses and trade-off studies are included."

From reception basics to cutting-edge software radio design Communications Receivers, Third Edition brings you a storehouse of task-simplifying and task-clarifying information, examples, and tips. Written by well-known experts Ulrich Rohde and Jerry Whitaker, this guide covers everything from front end systems to frequency generators and controllers. Topics are thoroughly illuminated for you with hundreds of illustrations, diagrams, and mathematical equations. You’ll learn the principles and practices involved in receivers and receiver systems, antennas and antenna coupling, amplifiers and gain control, mixers, frequency, oscillators, demodulation and demodulators, digital signal processing, and much more. Discover for yourself why this resource has been prized through two editions by professionals and hobbyists for its ready-to-use insights on the theory and design of all types of communications receivers -- including shortwave, military, broadcast, and direction-finding.

This newly revised edition features:

Table of Contents
Reviewed in QST

656 pages, hardcover, 200 illus. Third edition. © 2001, published by McGraw-Hill.

This comprehensive and well-written reference presents a systematic discussion of the characteristics of individual receiver components and their interaction in cascade. Numerous practice examples and exercises serve as an integral part of each component’s specification. Radio Receiver Design focuses on useful and proven concepts that can be used by working engineers and radio communication experimenters. For those involved with the design of radio receivers and systems, this new volume offers the most exhaustive discussion of basic concepts, techniques, and design implications.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Read the ARRL Review, by Paul Danzer, N1II ARRL Technical Advisor
Read the QEX Review, by Doug Smith, KF6DX, QEX Editor

796 pages, hardcover. © 2000 by SciTech Publishing.

A comprehensive reference book for the design of high frequency communications systems and equipment. Formerly published as Single Sideband Systems & Circuits, this revised edition has been retitled to more accurately describe the wide range of its content. It covers a wealth of information from system definition and performance requirements down to the individual circuit elements that make up radio transmitters and receivers. Thorough attention is given to key circuits like oscillators, synthesizers, filters and amplifiers, plus more advanced topics such as speech processing, AGC systems, high linearity amplifiers, and solid state power amplifiers. Accompanying software contains utilities on filters, matching networks, and receiver analysis.

652 pages. Revised 2nd edition. © 1998, by SciTech Publishing.

For 50 years Pat Hawker, G3VA, has written the very popular "Technical Topics" column in RSGB's magazine RadCom. Technical Topics Scrapbook: All 50 Years brings together the entire 50 years of articles on CD-ROM, along with the fifth and final book compilation of the column covering the years 2005 to 2008. The book incorporates the articles from 2005 to 2008 in the popular scrapbook format. It includes all the words, pictures and line drawings as they appeared in the original column.

CD-ROM Included! The CD includes easy-to-use PDF copies of all the pages in the collection from 1958 to 2008. This CD and book set draws together Pat Hawker's blend of clippings from other publications and contributed material, linked by his own unique commentary, enriched by a lifetime of fascination for the technical aspects of radio.

Book with CD-ROM. 176 pages. © 2005-2008, published by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

This forth compilation of the pages of "Technical Topics" articles by Pat Hawker, G3VA covers the five years from 2000 to 2004. This book includes all the words, pictures and line drawings from the most popular column in the RSGB's magazine, RadCom. Pat Hawker's blend of clippings from other publications and contributed material is linked by his own unique commentary, enriched by a lifetime of fascination for the technical aspects of radio, both professionally and as a radio amateur.

The pages are presented exactly as they appeared in RadCom and an index has been added for your convenience. This invaluable collection of experimental ideas, circuit ideas and radio lore is a must for anyone keen on radio and electronics.

264 pages. 1st edition, © 2005, published by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

This is the third compilation of 'Technical Topics' articles, produced by popular demand. 'Technical Topics' is by far the most successful regular column in the RSGB's journal RadCom. 1998 saw the 40th anniversary of the column, written since 1958 by Pat Hawker, G3VA. Pat continues to make 'Technical Topics' a fascinating collection of circuit ideas, antenna lore, component news and scientific discussion, all at the most practical level. A wealth of information for anyone with an interest in radio and electronics.

314 pages. 1st edition, © 2000, published by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

This invaluable collection of experimental antennas, circuit ideas and radio lore is a must for anyone keen on radio and electronics. The second compilation covers the five years from 1990 to 1994 of the most popular column Technical Topics from the RSGB’s magazine RadCom. Hawker’s blend of clippings from other publications and contributed material is linked by his own unique commentary, enriched by a lifetime of being interested in the technical aspects of radio, both professionally and as a radio amateur. The pages are presented exactly as they appeared in RadCom, but an overall index has been added.

314 pages. 1st edition, © 1999, published by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

A collection of all of the very popular 'Technical Topics' articles by Pat Hawker, G3VA, published in Radio Communication (RadCom) magazine during the years 1985 to 1989. Pat has produced a wealth of ideas, modifications, and tips for the radio amateur for many years, and this book contains a sample of his contribution to Amateur Radio in the most popular RadCom column of all time. This book could well provide that vital 'spark' for your next project!

346 pages. 1st edition, © 1993, published by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

Twenty low-power (LP) transmitter projects, perfect for the electronics hobbyist and radio experimenter. Applications for broadcasting of AM, SSB, TV, FM Stereo and NBFM VHF-UHF signals with equipment the reader can build for thousands of dollars less than similar equipment sold on the retail market. The authors also fully explore the legal limits and ramifications of using the equipment as well as how to get the best performance for optimum range. The key advantage is referencing a low-cost source for all needed parts, including the printed circuit board, as well as the kit. Projects in the book include: LP FM stereo transmitter; digitally synthesized PLL FM stereo transmitter; LP AM transmitter for 150-1710 kHz; radio control transmitter/receiver; carrier current transmitter and AM and FM receivers; LP VHF one-way and two-way audio links; 1-watt 40-meter CW transmitter for ham radio use; SSB LP transmitter for 10-meter ham radio use; 2-meter VHF FM ham radio transmitter; FM video link for 900 MHz NTSC/PAL operation; 2-watt TV transmitters for 440, 900 and 1300 MHz amateur TV NTSC/PAL transmissions; linear amplifier for 440 MHz, 10-15 watt NTSC/PAL operation; Downconverters for 440, 900 and 1300 MHz with VHF channel 3 or 4 output; TV video receiving systems and AM-FM IF systems; LP video link for UHF channels 14-18; 1-watt CW beacon transmitter for Part 15 LF radio experimentation; CW identifier for transmitters; test equipment projects for LP transmitters; as well as an RF power meter and modulation monitor.

Complete source information is included to help readers find kits and parts for building these fascinating projects.

320 pages, © 2001, published by Newnes

This is a collection of the very best weekend projects from the popular Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) magazine, D-I-Y RADIO.

The Electronics and Radio Cookbook is a unique collection of electronics projects, ideal for all electronics enthusiasts and experimenters. The simple step-by step instructions also make this book ideal for DIY enthusiasts and radio amateurs seeking to build up their electronics skills and knowledge.

The projects draw on the massive enthusiasm and design know-how of the members of the Radio Society of Great Britain. The circuits themselves provide a wealth of quick, rewarding construction projects ranging from radio receivers and amplifiers to test equipment, a moisture meter, a desk microphone, a water level alarm, and Christmas tree LEDs.

319 pages. © 2001. Published by Radio Society of Great Britain and Newnes.

written and illustrated by H. P. Friedrichs

Are you interested in building sensitive audio amplifiers from magnets, a shoe-polish tin and a couple of carbon rods? How about a working triode vacuum tube built from candle holders and old glass ashtrays? Perhaps you’d like to construct your own transistor from plumber’s fittings, glass beads, and a tiny crystal. If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Instruments of Amplification is jam-packed with history, science background, basic theory, and hard-to-find hands-on details pertaining to the construction of an amazing array of homebrew amplifying devices. Rooted in the same ‘build-it-from-scratch’ philosophy that made his first book, The Voice of the Crystal, a success, Instruments of Amplification reduces complex devices to their essential elements and then shows how they can be constructed from commonly available materials.

In the process of building, you’ll also learn secrets that will find application to the other projects. Learn to drill a hole in a glass, generate high voltages, or create and measure a high vacuum. Learn how to dismantle a light bulb, harvest carbon from old batteries, or deposit a layer of metal onto a glass so thin that it is transparent! How about creating your own primitive semiconductor materials from garden-shed chemicals? The list goes on and on!

The wealth of information contained in this book is augmented by 150 photos, illustrations, and engravings, in addition to numerous charts, tables, and formulas. Readers interested in further exploration will appreciate the 120+ references to period books, magazines, CD-ROMs and Web sites.

302 pages. © 2003, by H. Peter Friedrichs.

Written in an easy-to-understand style for electronics beginners, Understanding Basic Electronics is also for those who want to brush up on electronics principles. Loaded with illustrations, the book starts with math skills and progresses to dc and ac electronics principles. It concludes with clear, simple explanations of how components like diodes, transistors and integrated circuits work.

Also available:
Basic Radio--Understanding the Key Building Blocks
Basic Antennas--Understanding Practical Antennas and Design

320 pages. First edition, seventh printing. © 1992-2006, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.

by Cathleen Shamieh, Gordon McComb

You can make all sorts of things, once you understand what electronics is and how it works. With Electronics for Dummies you'll explore the basic concepts of electronics and how electricity functions. You'll learn how to harness it and put it to work, what tools you need to build circuits, what you can make with them, and how to do it safely. Begin building your electronics workbench, creating cool projects, and having fun with electronics projects right away!

Discover how to:

Also available:
Ham Radio for Dummies
Two-Way Radios & Scanners for Dummies

432 pages. © 2009, by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer, hobbyist, or student, this book will turn you on to real-world electronics. It quickly covers the essentials, and then focuses on the how-to instead of theory. It covers:

This book really connects with readers! With lots of photos and step-by-step explanations, this book will have you connecting electronic components in no time! In fact, it includes fun ideas for great projects you can build in 30 minutes or less. You’ll be amazed! Then you can tackle cool robot projects that will amaze your friends! (The book gives you lots to choose from.)

Students will find this a great reference and supplement to the typical dry, dull textbook. So whether you just want to bone up on electronics or want to get things hooked up, souped up, or fixed up,...whether you’re interested in ham radio, fixing old electronic equipment, understanding guitar fuzz amps, or tinkering with robots, Electronics For Dummies is your quick connection to the stuff you need to know.

Also available:
Ham Radio for Dummies
Two-Way Radios & Scanners for Dummies

After reading this book, you'll want Basic Radio.

432 pages. © 2005, by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

If you love building gadgets, this book belongs on your radar. It helps you build fun gadgets and gain knowledge of how various electronic parts work along the way. It covers:

Electronics Projects for Dummies will have you building projects in no time. In fact, it includes step-by-step directions for ten cool creations - a weird microphone, remote control gizmos, talking toys, and more. With full parts and tool lists, saftey guidelines, and writing schematics this book is a great guide to build-it-yourself electronics projects.

Also available:
Ham Radio for Dummies
Electronics for Dummies

428 pages. © 2006, by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Packed with fifty "weekend projects," this is a book of simple construction projects for the radio amateur and those just interested electronics. A wide variety of radio ideas are covered with everything from an 80 meter transceiver, antennas, ATUs and simple electronic keyers. Other simple electronic designs include dry battery testers, mobile microphones and various meters and monitors. The book also contains a handy section on "now I've built it, what shall I do with it?" questions answered. This book is excellent for those just looking for interesting ideas to construct and for newcomers looking to expand their knowledge.

224 page. © 2002, published by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

Test equipment is among the most important tools that can be used by electronics hobbyists and professionals. Not only does test equipment help you while constructing or troubleshooting electronics, building your own test equipment can carry you a long way toward understanding electronics in general. In addition, building your own allows you to customize the equipment to your actual needs.

Build Your Own Test Equipment contains information on how to build several pragmatic testing devices. Each and every device is designed to be highly practical and space conscious, and use commonly-available components.

Projects include:

286 pages. © 1998, published by Delmar Publishers.

The aim of this book is to introduce the general area of Digital Signal Processing from a practical point of view with a working minimum of mathematics. The emphasis is placed on the practical applications of DSP: implementation issues, tricks and pitfalls. Intuitive explanations and appropriate examples are used to develop a fundamental understanding of DSP theory, laying a firm foundation for the reader to pursue the matter further. The reader will develop a clear understanding of DSP technology in a variety of fields from process control to communications.

Contents:
Introduction; Converting Analog to Digital Signals and Vice Versa; Time Domain Representation; Frequency Domain Representation; DSP Application Examples; FIR Filter Design; Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) Filter Design; Digital Filter Realisations; Digital Signal Processors; Hardware and Software Development Tools; Appendix A: Binary Encoding; Appendix B: Comparison Table; Appendix C: Specification Sheets; Appendix D: Practical Sessions.

Also available: Digital Signal Processing Technology, published by ARRL.

304 pages. © 2004, by Newnes.

by Marty Brown

ARRL Note: This book is a useful resource for radio amateurs interested in circuit design, and with a basic knowledge of electronics.

A practical, "start-to-finish" design reference. It is organized to allow both seasoned and inexperienced engineers to quickly find and apply the information they need. Features of the new edition include updated information on the design of the output stages, selecting the controller IC, and other functions associated with power supplies, such as: switching power supply control, synchronization of the power supply to an external source, input low voltage inhibitors, loss of power signals, output voltage shut-down, major current loops, and paralleling filter capacitors. It also offers coverage of waveshaping techniques, major loss reduction techniques, snubbers, and quasi-resonant converters.

Contents:
Power System Organization, Power Supply Technology, Power Supply Design, Basic Linear Regulator Operation, Elementary Discrete Linear Regulator Designs, 3-Terminal Regulator Designs, Fundamentals of PWM Switching Power Supplies, Generalized Design Flow of Magnetic Elements, Rectification and Filtering, Synchronous Rectifiers, The Power MOSFET, Laying Out the Printed Circuit Board, PWM Switching Power Supply Design Examples, Fundamentals of Quasi-Resonant Operation, Uses of Resonant Techniques within Switching Power Supplies, Major Parasitic Influences within High Frequency Switching Power Supplies, Efficiency and EMI Performance of a Switching Power Supply (including traditional areas of significant loss, zero voltage and zero current transition switching techniques, Lossless passive snubbing, minimizing losses in the magnetics), and related Appendices

Paperback, 278 pages, Line Illustrations: 180. © 2001, published by Butterworth-Heinemann.