Amateur radio or “ham radio” is one of the longest-lived wireless activities. Amateur experimenters were operating right along with Marconi in the early part of the 20th century. They have helped advance the state-of-the-art in radio, television and dozens of other communications services since then, right up to the present day. There are more than 700,000 amateur radio operators or “hams” in the United States alone and several million more around the world!

You have studied dc and ac electronics principles and the basic properties of some modern solid-state components. Now you are ready for the subject of this book, how they are used in amateur radio. The circuits include amplifiers (both low- and high-power), signal processing (such as oscillators and modulators), filters, impedance matching circuits, and power supplies. We can’t provide a complete treatment of every subject, but the material will help you understand the circuits sufficiently to pass your Extra class exam. If you need more background or are interested in the details of the topic, consult the references listed on the Extra Class License Manual (ECLM) website or the ARRL Technical Information Service web pages.

This guide is all you need to not only pass the exam but understand the material.You’ll study small sections at a time:

Operating Practices
Rules and Regulations
Electrical Principles
Components and Building Blocks
Electronic Circuits
Radio Signals and Measurements
Radio Modes and Equipment
Antennas and Feed Lines
Topics in Radio Propagation
Safety

Use this book with ARRL Exam Review for Ham Radio online to review the material. You can even take practice exams so there's no surprises on exam day!

When you’ve successfully passed the exam, The ARRL Extra Class License Manual will serve as your reference as you explore your new privileges!