No Nonsense Technician Class (for tests given between July 2022 and June 2026) Revision 2.0, 2/4/2022

Table of Contents What is amateur (ham) radio? How do you get into amateur radio? How much does it cost? Where do I take the test? Can I really learn how to be an amateur radio operator from a study guide like this? How do I use this study guide? Good luck and have fun Electrical principles Units and terms: current, voltage, and resistance; alternating and direct current; conductors and insulators Ohm’s Law: formulas and usage Series and parallel circuits DC power Math for electronics and conversion of electrical units Decibels Electronic components and circuits Resistors Capacitors Inductors Batteries Diodes Transistors Circuit diagrams, schematic symbols, component functions Resonant, or tuned, circuits Other components Radio wave characteristics Frequency, wavelength, and the electromagnetic spectrum Propagation modes Antenna polarization Interesting propagation phenomena HF propagation Antennas and feed lines Antenna types Feed lines and connectors Standing wave ratio and antenna measurements Amateur radio signals Modulation modes and signal bandwidth Digital modes: packet, PSK31 Amateur radio station safety Electrical safety Antenna and tower safety RF hazards and radiation exposure Station setup and operating controls Station setup Operating controls Station equipment Receivers, transmitters, transceivers, and transverters Symptoms, causes, and cures of common transmitter and receiver problems Using basic test instruments and soldering Operating procedures FM Operation HF Operation Public service and emergency communications Amateur satellite operation Operating activities Rules and regulations Part 97 definitions, interference, repeater frequency coordinators, and the ITU Frequency allocations and power output limits License classes Authorized and prohibited transmissions Control operator and control types Station identification, repeaters, third-party communications, FCC inspection Glossary About the Author