Australian Ham Radio Handbook
FOREWORD BY DICK SMITH
* How to become a radio amateur
* How to set up a station
* How you can make contacts
* Ideal for new, returning and experienced hams
*** NEW 2024 EDITION - FULLY REVISED ***
The Australian Ham Radio Handbook will help you become a radio amateur, set up a station and make contacts on air.
Written for Australian conditions it covers practical topics that existing licence study and theory books miss.
For beginning and experienced hams alike, it's an ideal read for anyone interested in taking up, continuing in or returning to amateur radio.
What's in the book? First there's a quick tour of what amateur radio can offer.
That includes things you can do right now, with no special equipment or licences required.
Then it describes how to get your callsign and set up a station. Equipment and antennas are covered next.
You'll find information on what items are necessary and where you can get it, whether you choose to buy new, buy used or build your own.
Later you'll learn about what different radio frequencies do, the diverse activities hams enjoy and winning tips that will get you contacts almost any time you turn on.
Near the end we cover things you can add to make your equipment more versatile, technical subinterests and how you can learn more.
The first edition sold over 2000 copies. This 2024 revision includes major updates on licensing, qualifications, equipment suppliers,
operating activities and more. All up it's over 130 pages of solid information that deserves to be in every Australian amateur's shack.
Australian Ham Radio Handbook is available in ebook or paperback formats. It's the author's sixth book, following on from the top-selling
Minimum QRP, Hand-carried QRP Antennas, Getting back into Amateur Radio, 99 things you can do with Amateur Radio and the Illustrated International Ham Radio Dictionary titles.
In the United States? Consider Ham Radio Get Started instead. This is the US version, written for your local rules, conditions and activities.
What's inside
Sample pages through Amazon sales sites (links below).
Reviews and online coverage
Review by Justin VK7TW (12 min in)
Review by George VK2AOE
Review by Roger Harrison VK2ZRH in Amateur Radio Vol 89, No 3 (ie May 2021)
(Note: Contrary to what the review says, the book includes a table of contents)
The Australian Ham Radio Handbook is for the new, experienced or returning ham.
It's written specifically for Australia and some information in it does not apply elsewhere.
But I won't stop you if you're overseas and wish to buy it.
You can get it as an ebook for $AU 7.99 (or $US 6.99 or equivalent)
or paperback for $AU 24.99 (or $US 13.99 or equivalent).
Click on your country's link below to order the ebook.
If your country isn't listed above, please search 'Australian Ham Radio Handbook' on the Amazon site you normally use. 'Australian Ham Radio Handbook' is available exclusively via Amazon and no other source may distribute it.
Don't have a Kindle? Don't worry. Ebooks can be read on a PC, iPad or any other mobile device with free reader software.
Please see Free Kindle Reading Apps.
Your feedback is invited and will help make this and any future editions better. Please leave it on the Amazon site or email me via the address in the book.
ISBN-10: 1688856633
ISBN-13: 978 1 68 885663 9
First 2019 edition and updates
Paperback copies of the first edition are still
available at some Jaycar stores or stockists.
It is no longer available online but you can check store availability on the website. The catalogue number is BM2492.
Much of the older edition is still useful but it doesn't cover the major regulation and licensing changes in the last few years.
Below is an outline of the main developments since it was written.
Abolition of annual fees and ACMA resumption of amateur admin functions
From February 19, 2024 Australian amateurs will be subject to a Class Licence rather than an Apparatus Licence. The main
effect of this is the removal of annual licence fees. ACMA will also be taking over exam administration and
call sign issue from the Australian Maritime College on this date. Details
here.
July 13, 2023 Standard licensee access to 50 MHz and withdrawal of 3.4 - 3.6 GHz
Australian Standard licence holders can now operate on the entire 50 - 54 MHz band following changes to licence conditions. Previously they
could only use 52 - 54 MHz. Also 3.4 - 3.6 GHz has been withdrawn as an amateur band (though we retain access to 3.3 - 3.4 GHz). Details from ACMA
here.
October 13, 2021 Shorter contest call signs available
Amateur radio clubs and holders of advanced licenses can now obtain a shorter call sign for use in contests (only). These call signs have
VJ, VK or VL prefixes and one letter suffixes. These are available by applying to the Australian Maritime College and paying a fee. Details
from ACMA here.
July 30, 2020 Changed callsign regulations
Some rules dealing with amateur call signs have changed. For example four letter call signs will no longer be issued and three letter call signs no longer
reflect licence level. New Foundation amateurs will receive three letter call signs while existing Foundation amateurs have the opportunity to apply for a
three letter call sign (for a charge). The change improves access to digital modes and means that if you are a Foundation with a three letter call sign,
you can upgrade to Standard or Advanced without having to change your call sign. Amazon ebooks purchased after 7 August 2020 have been revised
to describe the new arrangements. Or, for more information visit ACMA's changes to amateur call sign policy
or visit AMC Amateur Radio.
