COMPUTERS IN AMATEUR RADIO

by Steve White G3ZVW

ISBN# 9781-9050-8668-9

Published by The Radio Society of Great Britain

Order No. 0139 - $24.95 US or Canadian

 

It's hard to get along in the modern world without some level of computer literacy, and, many books have been written on the subject to help folks learn how to use this particular electronic tool. However, very few books are available that tackle the subject of the personal computer from the specific perspective of the radio hobbyist. For this reason, I was please to find Steve White's book presenting the use of computers in amateur radio.

Amateur radio has embraced digital communication and the ability to translate these communication modes is well within the capability of any ham with a personal computer and some simple software tools.

After a brief overview of general PC information, Steve's book delves right into the subject of data modes, the various digital communications systems that can be heard over the air. HF as well as "Weak Signal" VHF and UHF amateur radio communications has been advanced greatly by the development of a number of these digital modes. The information in this book will help any ham learn to use exotic propagation modes such as Meteor Scatter.

The book continues on with a chapter on logging software. Where this might be of interest beyond simply keeping track of things is the number of modern logging programs that allow for receiver, transceiver and antenna control as well as providing for many of the data mode communications mentioned in the earlier chapter.

There are chapters on Antenna and Propagation Modeling. Ham's can make use of a number of programs that make it possible to design and improve the performance of any antenna system. There are also programs that help to make sure you are pointing those antennas in the best direction to take advantage of all that the atmosphere is doing to move those signals around. Again, these programs often interface with your antenna rotor system.

There is a section that looks into the developing world of software defined radios (SDR), the future for most radio systems coming our way. There is another section extensively covering Internet Remote Operation. Armed with the information in this chapter, you can find possible strategies to operate your station from anywhere. Further chapters cover areas of interest such as Slow Scan TV and the Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS).

The book includes a CD ROM with dozens of sample programs that the reader can apply to the concepts in the book.

"Computers in Amateur Radio" would be a great addition to any radio hobbyist's bookshelf.

 

This publication is available from your favourite radio book dealer.

Thanks to: Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec -  November 2011 edition of the Radio H.F. Internet Newsletter.

http://store.cq-amateur-radio.com/Detail.bok?no=248

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