Two-way radios & scanners for dummies

Title:

Personal Author:

Silver, H. Ward

Series:

--For dummies

Publication Information:

Hoboken, NJ : Wiley Publishing, 2005

ISBN:

9780764595820

Subject Term:

Radio -- Receivers and reception

Available:*

Library	Item Barcode	Call Number	Material Type	Item Category 1	Status
Searching... PSZ JB	30000004586479	TK6563 S54 2005	Open Access Book	Book	Searching... Unknown

Discover a fun new hobby with helpful possibilities

Get directions, talk to folks overseas, or find out whether the fish are biting

Want to check out the morning news in London, help out in emergencies, or tune in to the big race? Two-way radios open up a world of possibilities - literally. This handy guide tells you about the equipment you need, fills you in on radio etiquette, shows you how to stay legal, and gives you lots of cool ideas for family-friendly radio activities.

Discover how to
* Use the right radio lingo
* Choose and operate different types of radios
* Get a license if you need one
* Communicate in emergencies
* Program a scanner
* Tune in to sporting events

Author Notes

H. Ward Silver has experienced a 20-year career as an electrical engineer developing instrumentation and medical electronics. He also spent 8 years in broadcasting, both programming and engineering. In 2000, he turned to teaching and writing as a second career, producing Ham Radios For Dummies in 2004. He supports Seattle University's Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in laboratory instruction. He is an avid Amateur Radio operator, Extra Class, first licensed in 1972. Each month, his columns and articles can be found in the national ham radio magazine, QST, published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). He is the author of the ARRL's online courses in Antenna Design and Construction, Analog Electronics, and Digital Electronics. When not in front of a computer screen, you will find him working on his mandolin technique and compositions.

Introduction	p. 1
About This Book	p. 1
What You're Not to Read	p. 2
Foolish Assumptions	p. 2
How This Book Is Organized	p. 3
Conventions Used in This Book	p. 4
Where to Go From Here	p. 5
Part I Making Radio a Habit, a Hobby, or a Helper	p. 7
Chapter 1 Introducing Radios and the Wireless World	p. 9
Understanding How Radios Fit into a Wireless World	p. 10
Introducing Radio's Unique (And Magical) Forms	p. 15
What You Can Do with a Radio	p. 16
Knowing Radio Rules and Regulations	p. 19
Getting Training (If You Need To)	p. 20
You, Too, Can Build and Fix Your Own Radio	p. 21
Chapter 2 Discovering the Art and Science of Radio	p. 25
Doing the Wave: How Radio Waves Work	p. 25
Getting From Here to There: Propagation	p. 30
What You Hear Is What You Get: Modulation	p. 33
Terms of Endearment: Using the Language of Radio	p. 35
Chapter 3 Making Radio Fit Your Life	p. 39
Seeing What Makes Radio Services and Allocations Different	p. 40
Comparing Two-Way Radio Services	p. 43
Choosing Between the Services	p. 45
Buying Equipment to Fit Your Budget	p. 45
Getting a License When You Need To	p. 46
Coloring Inside the Lines: Basic Rules	p. 50
Where to Find All the Rules and Regulations	p. 52
Part II Two-Way Radios at Home, Work, and Play	p. 53
Chapter 4 A Radio in Your Pocket: FRS/GMRS Radios	p. 55
Introducing the FRS and GMRS Services	p. 55
Getting a GMRS License	p. 57
Understanding Basic Radio Features	p. 59
Basic Operating Skills	p. 64
Using Your Radio at Public Events and Places	p. 68
Using Your Radio in the Great Outdoors	p. 69
Maximizing Your Range	p. 71
Repeating Yourself	p. 71
Choosing a Radio	p. 74
Adding Antennas and Accessories	p. 77
Chapter 5 Breaker, Breaker: Using Citizens Band	p. 79
CB Basics	p. 79
Finding Uses for Your CB Radio	p. 81
Getting To Know Your Radio	p. 82
Operating Your CB	p. 86
Going Out and About with Your CB	p. 90
Using Your CB for Emergency Communications	p. 91
Shopping on the CB Channel	p. 92
Operating on the Right Side of the Law	p. 96
Chapter 6 Communicating in Emergencies	p. 99
Matching Radios and Emergencies	p. 99
Being Ready	p. 103
Making and Responding to Calls for Help	p. 104
Disaster Response	p. 105
Practice Makes Perfect	p. 108
Chapter 7 Workaday Wireless: Business Radio Services	p. 109
Choosing the Right Business Radio Service	p. 109
Using a Professional Radio Service Provider	p. 111
Operating Your Business Radio	p. 115
Chapter 8 Ladies and Gentlemen, Ships at Sea: Marine Radio	p. 117
Introducing VHF Harbor and Waterway Radio	p. 118
Introducing Marine Radio's Advanced Features	p. 123
Saltwater Communications: HF Marine Radio	p. 125
Basic Marine Radio Do's and Don'ts	p. 129
Performing Basic Radio Tasks in the Water	p. 130
Satellite Radio and Marine E-mail	p. 131
Getting That License	p. 133
Chapter 9 Citizen Wireless: Amateur Radio	p. 135
Tuning In Ham Radio Today	p. 136
Finding the Ham Bands	p. 139
Getting a Ticket: The Ham Kind	p. 140
Part III Listening In: Scanning and Shortwave Listening	p. 143
Chapter 10 One Adam 12: Scanner Basics	p. 145
Listening: Oh, the Signals You'll Hear	p. 145
Introducing the Radio Population	p. 150
Learning How to Use A Scanner	p. 152
Knowing the Rules of Scanning	p. 157
Trunking Systems	p. 157
Programming Your Scanner	p. 160
Choosing Scanners and Antennas	p. 164
Chapter 11 Scanning Public Service and Safety Radio Transmissions	p. 169
Tracking Down Your Local Government	p. 169
Scanning Trunked Systems	p. 173
Setting Up a Trunked System on Your Scanner	p. 175
Cracking Codes and Learning Lingo	p. 177
Helping, Not Hindering	p. 179
Chapter 12 Radio Aloft: Aviation Radio Transmissions	p. 181
Activity on the Aviation Bands	p. 181
Finding Frequencies	p. 182
Ground Control to Major Tom: Airport Operations	p. 183
Listening to Air Traffic Between Airports	p. 184
Strangling Your Parrot: Aviation Jargon	p. 186
Chapter 13 Radios in Uniform: Government Radio Transmissions	p. 187
Scanning the Military	p. 187
Accessing Civilian Agencies	p. 191
Step Away from the Radio: Following the Rules of Sensible Scanning	p. 192
Chapter 14 Radio in Action: Recreational Radio Transmissions	p. 195
Taking a Scanner to the Races	p. 196
Winging It at Air Shows and Fly-Ins	p. 200
Taking Your Radio on the Run and into the Crowd	p. 202
Getting the Right Accessories	p. 204
Want to Get Involved?	p. 205
Scanning Tips	p. 205
Chapter 15 Surfing the Air World: Shortwave Listening	p. 207
Finding Shortwave Broadcasters	p. 208
Choosing and Using SW Radios and Antennas	p. 213
Shortwave Signal Propagation	p. 217
Introducing World Time	p. 221
Using a Program Guide	p. 222
Confirming Your Reception	p. 223
SWL Web References	p. 225
Part IV Getting Technical with Your Radio	p. 227
Chapter 16 Building Your Radio Toolbox	p. 229
Acquiring the Right Tools	p. 229
Stocking Stuff	p. 233
The Mechanics of Stocking Spare Parts over Time	p. 236
Finding Education and Training	p. 238
Chapter 17 A Spark of Electronic Know-How	p. 243
Understanding the Relationship between Amps, Volts, Watts, and Ohms	p. 243
Wires, Cables, and Connecters	p. 249
Dealing with Safety Issues	p. 255
Chapter 18 Installing Radios Right	p. 257
Installing Your Radio at Home	p. 257
Getting Your Mobile Installation Rolling	p. 273
Choosing and Installing Connectors	p. 283
Chapter 19 Getting a Charge Out of Batteries	p. 287
Getting Battery Basics	p. 287
Ah...Introducing Amp Hours and Characteristic Voltage	p. 288
Disposable Batteries versus Rechargeable Batteries	p. 290
Exploring the World of Battery Packs	p. 295
Following Basic Battery Tips	p. 295
Adhering to the Rules of Battery Safety	p. 296
Chapter 20 Putting Your Computer to Work	p. 299
Making Sure Your PC and Radio Are Compatible	p. 299
Choosing a Signal Interface	p. 303
Making the Connection	p. 304
Troubleshooting Your Computer and Your Radio	p. 308
Chapter 21 Troubleshooting Your Radio	p. 311
Hunting the Wily Mr. Murphy	p. 311
Prosecuting Power Problems	p. 312
Solving Operating Problems	p. 315
Banishing Noise	p. 317
Dealing with Interference	p. 320
Visiting the Radio Doctor	p. 325
Part V The Part of Tens	p. 327
Chapter 22 Ten Radio Secrets	p. 329
Listening Rules	p. 329
Talking Louder Doesn't Do You Any Good	p. 330
It's All in the Antenna	p. 330
The FCC Does, Too, Care	p. 330
Setting Up Your Radio Correctly the First Time	p. 330
Finding the Hot Spot	p. 331
Planning for the Worst	p. 331
Getting What You Pay For	p. 331
Following the Ten Count	p. 332
Discovering the Best Way to Relax	p. 332
Chapter 23 Ten Emergency Tips	p. 333
Using Your Radio Regularly	p. 333
Getting Yourself under Control	p. 334
Supplying Just the Facts	p. 334
Being Smart with Resources	p. 334
Knowing Where to Tune	p. 334
Taking Advantage of Geography	p. 335
Writing Everything Down and Keeping It Short	p. 335
Following the Plan	p. 335
Using the Buddy System	p. 335
Practice, Practice, Practice	p. 336
Chapter 24 Ten Radio First-Aid Techniques	p. 337
Resetting the Radio	p. 337
Replacing Lost Antennas	p. 338
Putting the Wrong Batteries to the Right Use	p. 338
Fixing a Faulty Pushbutton	p. 338
Working around a Broken Speaker	p. 338
Splicing Together Torn Wires	p. 339
Working through Wind and Noise	p. 339
Rescuing an Immersed Radio	p. 339
Building an Emergency Charger	p. 340
Making Do with the Tools around You	p. 340
Chapter 25 Ten New Ways to Have Fun with Your Radio	p. 341
Direction Finding	p. 341
Hilltopping	p. 342
Conducting Coverage Tests: Can You Hear Me Now?	p. 342
Going on a Radio Scavenger Hunt	p. 343
Riding at a Radio Rodeo	p. 343
Creating Radio Scoreboards	p. 343
Going to a Hamfest	p. 343
Weather Watching	p. 344
Wildlife Tracking	p. 344
Joining a Club	p. 344
Appendix Glossary	p. 345
Index	p. 355

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Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Table of Contents