\nYour how-to guide to become a ham Amateur radio has been a popular pastime for years, and its popularity continues to grow. Ham Radio For Dummies is your guide to everything there is to know about ham radio. This updated edition provides new and additional information on digital mode operating, as well as use of amateur radio in student science and new operating events. If you're looking to join a college radio club or just want to learn the latest tips and tricks, this book is a helpful reference guide to beginners, or those who have been hams for years. Inside: Successfully set up your radio \n Communicate with people around the world \n Prepare for and pass the licensing exam \n Provide communication during an emergency \nRespond to the call of ham radio Despite its old-school reputation, amateur radio is on the rise, and the airwaves are busier than ever. That's no surprise: being a ham is a lot of fun, providing an independent way to keep in touch with friends, family, and new acquaintances around the world--and even beyond with its ability to connect with the International Space Station Hams are also good in a crisis, keeping communications alive and crackling during extreme weather events and loss of communications until regular systems like cell phones and the internet are restored. Additionally, it's enjoyable for good, old-fashioned tech geek reasons--fiddling with circuits and bouncing signals off the ionosphere just happens to give a lot of us a buzz If one or more of these benefits is of interest to you, then good news: the new edition of Ham Radio For Dummies covers them all In his signature friendly style, longtime ham Ward Silver (Call Sign N AX)--contributing editor with the American Radio Relay League--patches you in on everything from getting the right equipment and building your station (it doesn't have to be expensive) to the intricacies of Morse code and Ohm's law. In addition, he coaches you on how to prepare for the FCC-mandated licensing exam and tunes you up for ultimate glory in the ham radio hall of fame as a Radiosport competitor With this book, you'll learn to: Set up and organize your station Communicate with people around the world Prep for and pass the FCC exam Tune into the latest tech, such as digital mode operating Whether you're looking to join a public service club or want the latest tips on the cutting edge of ham technology, this is the perfect reference for newbies and experts alike--and will