Product Description

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45648 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780764595820
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From the Back Cover
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

About the Author
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.

Customer Reviews

Nice intro in the world of airwaves...
It must be the lurker in me... I've always been fascinated with listening to unusual broadcasts like shortwave radio and emergency frequencies. Therefore, I was happy to have the opportunity to review the book Two-Way Radios & Scanners For Dummies by H. Ward Silver. It's an excellent way to get started in this hobby (or obsession)...

Contents:
Part 1 - Making Radio a Habit, a Hobby, or a Helper: Introducing Radios and the Wireless Word; Discovering the Art and Science of Radio; Making Radio Fit Your Life
Part 2 - Two-Way Radios at Home, Work, and Play: A Radio in Your Pocket - FRS/GMRS Radios; Breaker, Breaker - Using Citizens Band; Communicating in Emergencies; Workaday Wireless - Business Radio Services; Ladies and Gentlemen, Ships at Sea - Marine Radio; Citizen Wireless - Amateur Radio
Part 3 - Listening In - Scanning and Shortwave Listening: One Adam 12 - Scanner Basics; Scanning Public Service and Safety Radio Transmissions; Radio Aloft - Aviation Radio Transmissions; Radios in Uniform: Government Radio Transmissions; Radio in Action - Recreational Radio Transmissions; Surfing the Air World - Shortwave Listening
Part 4 - Getting Technical with Your Radio: Building Your Radio Toolbox; A Spark of Electronic Know-How; Installing Radios Right; Getting a Charge Out of Batteries; Putting Your Computer to Work; Troubleshooting Your Radio
Part 5 - The Part of Tens: Ten Radio Secrets; Ten Emergency Tips; Ten Radio First-Aid Techniques; Ten New Ways to Have Fun with Your Radio; Glossary; Index

There's not much that Silver doesn't cover in this book. He works both sides of the radio spectrum, from just listening to actually participating. If the usage of the airwaves in a particular category require having a license, he covers the requirements in order to make sure you stay legal. The basics of the hardware for each type of activity is illustrated in a very easy-to-understand fashion without getting overly technical. Same with subjects like antennas. There are some really heavy-duty scientific principles behind how antennas work and how different frequency ranges really require different antenna types. Silver is able to get you through this without the eyes glazing over... My personal favorite part of the book was on the shortwave listening. I remember listening to shortwave broadcasts from Radio Nederlands when I was young, amazed that I could be hearing stuff from the other side of the earth. This book brought back some of those same feelings.

This book is a very good way to get yourself started in the business of voice communications over the airwaves. Regardless of your leanings as a lurker or participant, you'll find what you need here to make that first contact.

Good Background Knowledge
Good book to learn the basics of police or nascar scanning. This book isn't helpful with programing specific models but is well worth the money anyway.

Good Info
Though I have'nt finished it yet,this book joins Ward's other
books,in being easy to read and understand.
David N5SJS