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Reviews For: Ham Radio for Dummies, by Ward Silver

Category: Books/Manuals/Videos/Pod-WebCasts on ham radio

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Review Summary For : Ham Radio for Dummies, by Ward Silver
Reviews: 11MSRP: 21.99
Description:
A reference manual for the beginner in Amateur Radio
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/productCd-0764559877.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00115
KC9GUZ Rating: 2007-02-03
good book! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this book pretty much as a joke but it does have some great info for the seasoned ham as well as a newer guy like me.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KC9GUZ on 2006-03-24

I bought this book as a joke but i found myself reading it. It has a lot of interesting stuff inside that a beginner can relate to and learn from.
N7GCO Rating: 2006-09-22
Excellent Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is a great book!!! It has so much helpful information and advice. It is written in such a way that us non-energinering people can understand it. I love the clarity of the writing, It is also very practical, with many down to earth hints and ideas.
I hope Ward writes a sequel!!!
OE3SGU Rating: 2006-08-02
Guess I keep it... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this one for a friend of mine as an introduction to our great hobby. After reading in some chapters I am thinking of buying another one and keep this copy for me. It is not only for the beginner but also for the more experienced ham. You find a lot of very useful things in it.
VE4MM Rating: 2005-12-10
FUN! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Got it just for the fun of it!

Michael Mark, P.Eng.
9K2HN Rating: 2005-11-08
I liked this book Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I got this book last year and I really enjoyed going through it, it is good reference for the Ham Operator.
W6ONV Rating: 2005-11-07
A good starter. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
About 10 years had passed since I earned my ticket and from when I actually got on the air. This was the first book I picked up in order to get an overview of amateur radio.

It's a quick read, not very technical and answers many questions that new hams have. Aside from the ARRL material, I found this to be a very useful book in order to get started in the hobby
NS6Y_ Rating: 2005-04-03
Good for whetting interest Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just bought a copy of this for someone I"m hoping to elmer. Not the be-all and end-all but a lot of material, not too hard technically but high enough level to be interesting, to get someone interested - the kind of person who's a ham and just doesn't know it yet! Was $19.00 at the local Barnes & Borders, not bad. For Dummies books are good anyway, a good way to get up to speed on a subject, so I was happy to see this when it came out.
KF6GOM Rating: 2004-09-28
Great Introduction to a new Ham Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
bought this book for my son to read and he found it very detailed and got his answers quickly. Ive read it and was impressed with the text and diagrams.i refered to it a few times with questions that i didnt know, overall a great reading book for our Hobby.anyone going into hamradio should pick one up. thanks KF6GOM
KQ7K Rating: 2004-09-28
FANTASTIC Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have been licensed for 20 years. I have read, and own, many books on the subject of Ham Radio. Some are good, some are OK and some are not so good. That is an opinion. I believe that no one author is going to please everyone. All that being said, I found this to be one of the most informative and entertaining books I have read to date. I don't claim to know everything about Ham Radio but neither am I a complete novice. I think everyone can get a lot from Ward's book. I have 2 grandsons, ages 8 and 11 and I bought one for each of them. My hope is they get at least some of the knowledge and enjoyment that I got. I will always have one on my shelf and it will always be available for anyone to borrow. (However, I will loan it to only people I know cuz I had Ward sign it) 73 Terry
KI4CFS Rating: 2004-09-19
Great book, want more & way to give feedback Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have now given the book to a friend interested in ham and she wants to learn more! It worked as a book to introduce people to ham radio! Keep a copy around to loan to friends really interested! Of course getting them on the air is an even better start! Most beginner books are too beginner and the next level books are too advanced. This covers from interested in the field to beginner ham that’s really is serious!

I also have to say, I am real pleased that the Ham Radio For Dummies but I think something were left out and hope the author is reading this. Maybe a second book or non-dummies book just on these topics would be good!

1) As a new ham, I have to say GREAT book!!! ARRL need to take note!!! Instead of adding more pounds to their books they need to as more clarity of understanding and I think their authors have lost the perspective of a new person! This book has not!! So ARRL if you are reading this take note!!!

2) It is REAL annoying that there is no way to email the author of this book, and in this day and age unacceptable. If the author can read this please consider correcting that! Just good customer service. If you have to make it a dummies page where you have to fill the comment in on a page and you don’t get to see the real email address, thats a start. If I have missed this than hopefully someone can post it or let others know. If you are committed to feedback make it easy to get.

3) The book needs to explain how to use SWR meters, what are the features, dummy load, and using test equipment. Maybe this is for another group but this is not well handled by the other guy (ARRL).

4) Want more on Expelling RF Grounding vs. DC grounding.

5) Again, there is a bonus chapter on the dummies web site that I recommend that is the best start in explaining all the features of ham radios. (Which almost NO one else does!). And worth down loading but of courses no easy way to give feedback to the author.

If the book were not so great I would take a point off for difficulty to give feedback to the author. But I can say if you write him a letter, (assuming you can find his address). He is very nice and replies.

In closing, it’s a great book and I want more books like this!!! Working to see through the beginners eyes!

KI4CFS@toinquire.com
Martin


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Earlier 5-star review posted by KI4CFS on 2004-08-09

This is getting my Dad in action on learning about Ham radio. I found it fun to read, great web resources, and shares the passion of Ham radio. I just let a client barrow my copy and he is considering getting into to the field over this book. Keep a copy to loan out to friend!


Martin
KI4CFS@toinquire.com