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Reviews For: ARRL VHF Digital Handbook by Steve Ford (First Edition 2008)

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Review Summary For : ARRL VHF Digital Handbook by Steve Ford (First Edition 2008)
Reviews: 1MSRP: 18.95
Description:
Arrl's VHF Digital Handbook is an in-depth book about AX.25, D-STAR and APCO-25 protocols. Plus, digital applications in public service and emergency communications: Packet radio, APRS, Winlink 2000 and more!
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.arrl.org/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0015
W4KYR Rating: 2015-08-06
Outstanding Informative Read, A Must Have Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This informative and very detailed 170 page handbook is a must for anyone interested or involved with digital VHF communications.
Chapters include:

Chapter 1 • Packet Radio Fundamentals
Chapter 2 • The Automatic Position Reporting System
Chapter 3 • Packet and Public Service
Chapter 4 • D-STAR
Chapter 5 • Digital Meteor Scatter and Moonbounce with WSJT
Chapter 6 • APCO-25
Chapter 7 • High Speed Multimedia (HSMM) Radio
Appendix A • AX.25 Link Access Protocol for Amateur Packet Radio
Appendix B • D-STAR System (Technical Description)
Appendix C • APCO-25: Anatomy Of The Common Air Interface

Want to set up a packet station or an APRS station but not really sure how, you come to the right place. From Host and Kiss mode, Connected vs. Unconnected, Sound Card as an TNC, Packet Networks, Rose, Net Rom, Packet Beyond 1200 Baud, Packet and Public Service and so much more. It is all here with detailed explanations and of pictures, charts, block diagrams and screenshots.

And Unlike other books on the subject which all to often seem to gloss over material in an all to brief fashion. This book goes beyond basics. There are sub chapters on APRS trackers, APRS networks, Two way text APRS messages, I-Gates and the Internet, maps and APRS, Setting Up An APRS Station.

This book also covers how to setup WinLink 2000, including settings, and installing and configuring. Confused about the AGWPE packet engine? Well this book also covers some of that too. Packet Radio BBS anyone? Yes, this is covered too with explanations of Outpost, polling, tactical call signs and this important subject. "How to pass effective messages to an emergency shelter using a spreadsheet".

While the book is dated 2008, it covers D-STAR in an easy to understand style that hams could easily understand and use in 2015. Encapsulation, the D-STAR Packet Structure, D-STAR Networking, Gateways, Repeaters, Radios are just some of the many details covered in that one chapter alone.

How do you set up an HSMM radio base station? This is well covered here in Chapter 7-6. It mentions the WRT54GL Router and how to configure it to HSMM. How about mobile HSMM operating? Yep that is covered here too. There is just so much here than what I have mentioned.

No matter where your interest in VHF Digital Communications are. You will find this book an interesting and informative 'must have' reference book for your ham radio library.

The VHF Digital Handbook by Steve Ford deserves to be called a 'classic' in every sense of the word. However I could not locate it in the ARRL store, although it is available through Amazon and other online retailers. The book reviewed was the First Edition from 2008. I am not aware if there were other editions printed.