Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Fast Track to Getting Started in Ham Radio
    The Fast Track to Getting Started in Ham Radio
    The Fast Track to Getting Started in Ham Radio
    Ebook82 pages51 minutes

    The Fast Track to Getting Started in Ham Radio

    By Michael Burnette, AF7KB

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    If you've been thinking about getting into amateur radio, here's the information you've probably been looking for.

    In this lively guide, award-winning ham radio author Michael Burnette, amateur radio call sign AF7KB, covers:

    What is amateur radio?

    Why do amateur radio operators participate in the hobby?

    How much does it cost?

    What do hams do?

    Mobile amateur radio communications

    Global amateur radio communications

    Radio contests

    Amateur television

    Amateur radio satellite communications

    Outdoor recreation communications

    Amateur radio public service

    Amateur radio emergency communications

    Field Operations

    Youth Activities

    How to Get your Ham License

    License exam topics

    How to study for the exam

    Finding an exam testing session

    Finding the ham radio community

    He even covers buying your first radio.

    Illustrated with pictures of equipment and hams in action.

    Michael Burnette is the author of the popular Fast Track to Your Ham License courses (available in paperback, e-book, and audio editions) and is a frequent presenter at major ham conventions.

    You'll get a thorough introduction to the fun and useful world of amateur radio.

    Note: This is not an amateur radio license manual. It is an introduction to the hobby and service that is amateur radio.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMichael Burnette, AF7KB
    Release dateJul 24, 2019
    ISBN9780463537763
    The Fast Track to Getting Started in Ham Radio
    Author

    Michael Burnette, AF7KB

    Michael Burnette, AF7KB, started playing with radios at age 8 when he found the plans for a crystal radio set in a comic book and wasted a half roll of toilet paper to get the cardboard tube for a coil form. That radio failed as a practical appliance when it proved to only receive high-power stations that were less than one city block away.This promising beginning blossomed into an equally auspicious 25 year career annoying the public as a commercial broadcaster where he did a bit of everything from being a DJ to serving as a vice president and general manager with Westinghouse Broadcasting (now CBS/Infinity.)By 1989 he owned his own stations in Bend, Oregon, which afforded him abundant opportunities to repair those stations, often in the middle of the night in a snowstorm.In 1992, Burnette left the radio business behind, despite absolutely no clamor for him to stay, and took to traveling the world designing and delivering experiential learning seminars on leadership, management, communications, and building relationships.He has trained people across the US and in Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Mexico, Finland, Greece, Austria, Spain, Italy, and Russia. In addition to his public and corporate trainings, he has been a National Ski Patroller, a Certified Professional Ski Instructor, a Certified In-Line Skating Instructor, a big-rig driving instructor, and a Certified Firewalk Instructor. (Yes, he can teach you how to walk on fire. Really.)These days he makes his home in the Seattle, WA area with his wife, Kerry (KG7NVJ) and a singularly unproductive cat.He is still playing with radios.

    Read more from Michael Burnette, Af7 Kb

    Related to The Fast Track to Getting Started in Ham Radio

    Related ebooks

    Technology & Engineering For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Emergency Communications

      Dec 1, 2019

      Emergency Communications
      5 min read

    • Article

      “Little Boy” and “Fat Man” Portable Antennas

      Feb 1, 2023

      Because my home is located in a severely antenna-restricted area, most of my High-Frequency (HF) on-air activities in the past two decades have been outdoors. Fortunately, I live in the San Francisco Bay area where we have many good days throughout t

      8 min read

    • Article

      QRP: Low-Power Communications

      Apr 1, 2020

      QRP: Low-Power Communications
      7 min read

    • Article

      SDR Superiority

      Feb 8, 2022

      SDR Superiority
      8 min read

    • Article

      Baluns Basics

      Jan 1, 2021

      Baluns Basics
      10 min read

    • Article

      The Opposite of DX

      Jun 1, 2021

      The Opposite of DX
      5 min read

    • Article

      What’s New

      Apr 1, 2023

      What’s New
      1 min read

    • Article

      Magic In The Sky

      Jul 1, 2020

      Magic In The Sky
      6 min read

    • Article

      Dx

      Aug 1, 2022

      Dx
      9 min read

    • Article

      Dx

      Apr 1, 2022

      This month we will be introducing you to the winners of the 2021 Intrepid DX Group Youth “Dream Rig“ Essay Contest. I want to thank Paul Ewing, N6PSE, for initiating this worthwhile award that focuses on our youth from a DX-oriented organization’s st

      11 min read

    • Article

      ZERO BIAS: A CQ Editorial

      Jan 1, 2021

      Following up last month’s editorial on “Looking Back at a Year of Looking Back,” I think it’s appropriate to start 2021, our 77th year of publication, with a look ahead. This year will be one of new beginnings … a new decade, a new sunspot cycle, new

      6 min read

    • Article

      Math’s Notes

      Dec 1, 2019

      At this time of year, I would like to wish all of my readers a very happy and healthy holiday season. As I have said since the early 1970s (when Math’s Notes began), “may all of your hopes and wishes come true in this coming year.” They say that 2020

      3 min read

    • Article

      PY2CLK: A 63-Year Lookback

      Jun 1, 2020

      PY2CLK: A 63-Year Lookback
      3 min read

    • Article

      Cq Classics

      Oct 1, 2020

      Cq Classics
      5 min read

    • Article

      Communications Horizons

      Apr 1, 2021

      Communications Horizons
      3 min read

    • Article

      Zero Bias: A Cq Editorial

      Feb 1, 2023

      Do we really talk to each other on the radio anymore? As in having real conversations with our fellow hams? Making friends over the airwaves? Ragchewing? Or have our frenetic lifestyles made the art of conversation a luxury of time that we don’t thin

      4 min read

    • Article

      Our Readers Say…

      Oct 1, 2023

      Off-Air QSOs Editor, CQ: Your editorial last March about not all QSOs being on the air came back to my mind when participating recently at a conference hosted by Internet2 in Atlanta. Internet2 is an organisation that provides high-performance optica

      4 min read

    • Article

      Gordo’s Short Circuits

      Jul 1, 2019

      Gordo’s Short Circuits
      5 min read

    • Article

      Letters

      Jul 27, 2018

      One of my first tasks after being named editor of S&V was to post a blog on soundandvision.com introducing myself and asking the question: Is there something in particular you would like to see more of in S&V? That post can be found at: www.soundandv

      6 min read

    • Article

      Design For Life

      Nov 12, 2021

      Design For Life
      4 min read

    • Article

      VHF Plus

      Apr 1, 2021

      VHF Plus
      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters

      Sep 7, 2021

      Letters
      4 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Fast Track to Getting Started in Ham Radio

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      The Fast Track to Getting Started in Ham Radio - Michael Burnette, AF7KB

      Dedication

      For Brent Keast, KE6SV

      First ham I ever knew, and still an exemplar of the Radio Amateur’s Code.

      The Radio Amateur's Code

      The Radio Amateur is …

      CONSIDERATE: The amateur operator never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

      LOYAL: The amateur operator offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, the IARU Radio Society in his or her country, through which Amateur Radio in that country is represented nationally and internationally.

      PROGRESSIVE: The amateur operator keeps their station up to date.  It is well-built and efficient.  The amateur’s operating practice is above reproach.

      FRIENDLY: The amateur operator operates slowly and patiently when requested; offers friendly advice and counsel to beginners; kind assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the marks of the amateur spirit.

      BALANCED: Radio is a hobby, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.

      PATRIOTIC: The amateur operator’s station and skills are always ready for service to country and community.

      - adapted from the original Amateur's Code, written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928

      Available in paperback and e-book editions from all major online booksellers.

      License courses available as e-books and unabridged audio books at major online audiobook sellers.

      Superbly well done! I finished the book in a week during my commutes and passed the test with no problem! Never even opened the official textbook.

      Only ten days after I bought this book, I took the Technician Exam and passed! I had no experience in Ham or radio at all. The explanations were very helpful, and the personal stories and humor were priceless.

      Michael has a great voice and very interesting and humorous teaching style. I listened in the car on the commute to work for a few weeks. I also downloaded the free ham radio exam app by Roy Watson. Great for testing my knowledge. When I was scoring I the high 80s and 90s went in and took the test. Passed it first try.. Hoping he will release future General and Extra Class exam tutorials in the future. Thanks Michael!

      Welcome to the World of Amateur Radio

      Hello, and welcome to the world of amateur radio! Chances are good, the amateur radio world is a lot bigger than you suspect.

      You don’t realize it, but there is a gigantic conversation happening all around you, day and night, all over the globe. It’s being conducted by amateur radio operators – often called hams – using Morse code, voice, television, fax, and even numerous digital transmission modes developed by amateur radio operators.

      Maybe this is your mental picture of a ham radio station:

      A vintage photo of a store Description automatically generated

      The truth is, there are amateur stations like that one, but they are few and far between. They’re operated by amateur radio operators interested in the vintage equipment aspect of the hobby.

      Today, an amateur transceiver – that’s a combination transmitter and receiver – capable of communicating around the world on all the most common amateur radio frequencies can be about the size of an average car stereo unit.

      A close up of a camera Description automatically generated

      Yaesu FT-857D

      For local

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1