ARRL 90th Anniversary Offer Accompanies Debut of 2005 ARRL Handbook

NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 11, 2004--To mark the League's 90th anniversary, those placing early orders for the 2005 edition of The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications will get a reproduction of the first edition of QST as a bonus. Orders received by 1159 UTC on September 30 will qualify to receive the bonus reproduction--while supplies last. The September issue of QST spells out details of the 90th anniversary promotion.

"A limited supply of QST, Vol I, No 1, will be printed before it is returned to the 'ARRL vault' for at least 10 years," said ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R. He points out that the 2005 edition of the Handbook edition--the 82nd--is by far the most extensively revised version of the popular reference in a decade. ARRL Assistant Technical Editor Dana Reed, W1LC, edited the 2005 edition, with assistance from Dean Straw, N6BV, Jan Carman, K5MA, and Chuck Hutchinson, K8CH.

"Entire sections of this book were updated to reflect the most current state-of-the-art," Inderbitzen noted. The new edition includes material on digital techniques, DSP and software-defined radio design, surface-mount construction and components, high-speed multimedia and previously unpublished antenna designs plus advice on baluns, satellites and moonbounce--including details on the pending Phase 3E satellite--and much more. There's a new chapter covering Internet tips for hams, wireless fidelity ("WiFi") and other wireless and PC technology. The 2005 Handbook also includes more projects, including a new 10 W transceiver for 60 meters.

For the first time, the 2005 Handbook will come bundled with The ARRL Handbook CD (version 9.0)--a fully searchable and complete book on CD-ROM. In the past, the Handbook CD-ROM has cost an additional $39.95. The 2005 Handbook is available in softcover for $39.95 and hardcover for $54.95, and it will begin shipping by early October.

The cover of the first issue of QST--"An Amateur Wireless Magazine." It contained 24 pages.

ARRL co-founders Hiram Percy Maxim and Clarence D. Tuska published the first issue of QST in December 1915 at their own expense. It cost 10 cents and contained 24 pages. Contents included the "December Radio Relay Bulletin," an ARRL membership application (membership was free in 1915!), a membership list, photographs of early amateur stations, advertisements for headsets and radio components and more. The debut back-cover advertised a rotary spark gap and a cat's whisker detector.

The first QST press run was delivered to the post office for mailing in a Franklin motor car. When the new publication's editor entered World War I service in 1917, QST suspended publication for the war's duration, reappearing in 1919.

The "First QST" premium may not be redeemed for cash. No returns will be permitted, and all exchanges must be accompanied by the premium. The offer is valid only on orders placed directly via ARRL, and it may be canceled or modified at any time due to system error, fraud or other unforeseen problem. The offer is void where prohibited.

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