This Amateur Radio Basic course is presented as:
- - in Seminar form over 9 sessions including lab experiences Oct 2012 to Jan 2013.
This study guide is colour coded as:
- - Black font - General information for all
- - Hyperlinks to other information sources
- - Activities specific to Seminar Sessions
- - Activities specific to Independent Guided Study Sessions ( N/A in 2012/2013)
- - Course pacing and Assignments chapter by chapter.
Please Note: 'Chapter' headings are 'Powerpoint' links. These slides
were used in the 2008 'classroom' based course. They should display
with a [ PowerPoint viewer ]
If you come across a useful internet site that visualizes any of
of the topics below, please copy the URL and email it to
'lf_gibbons at yahoo.ca' so that it may be included on this page.
Although we include a link to emphasize a particular concept, browse
about the web page because often it will contain links to other
ideas related to your course.
This page is 'a work in progress'. Hopefully the author can stay
ahead of the class sessions !!! ;-)
Particpants - as of 06 Oct 2012
Elmer Team Leaders
Seminar Group - 2012/13
Oct 06 Basic Principles L, T, D, F HF Study Ch 2, 5 do Exerc, view Video? Oct 20 Ch 2, Ch 5 F V/UHF, Repeaters Study Ch 4, do Exerc, view Video? Nov 03 Ch 4 D Packet/CW Study Ch 6,10 do Exerc, view Video? Nov 17 Ch 6, Ch 10 T IRLP Study Ch 7,8 do Exerc, view Video? Nov 24 Ch 7, Ch 8 F Echolink Study Ch 9,13 do Exerc, view Video? Dec 08 Ch 9, Ch 13 D Early Session ( 9 am) Study Ch 14,15 do Exerc, view Video? Dec 15 Ch 14, Ch 15 T/F Emerg. Comms Study Ch 16,17 do Exerc, view Video? Dec 22 Ch 16, Ch 17 F/L Measurement /Instrumentation Regulations, Exhaminer Jan 05 Regs,Exhaminer ALL Trial Exam. Review all Chapters
This study guide reflects the evolution of education from the traditional teacher group demonstration, mastery exercises, and formal testing towards individualized, collaborative exploration of a topic verified by a 'gatekeeping' test.
This course requires students to set aside time for reading the Study Guide, other articles and, watching videos to get an appreciation of electronic principles- specifically how receivers and transmitters work- and to understand the regulations that govern the hobby.
As a minimum, 3 to 4 hours of home study each week (dependent on entry knowledge) will probably be required. Our seminars are designed to answer questions and help strengthen concepts through quizzes, lectures and demonstrations.
We suggest that you immediately download and install the [ exHAMiner ], an exam drill & test program. onto your computer.
- Go to website [ exHAMiner ] - Download these 2 files to the SAME folder - ExHAMiner V2.1 (2009 11) - Basic Qualification - English(2010 01) - Check that both files are in the same computer file folder - Double click on the file that ends with '.zip' ( application? ) - Your computer will run awhile and when you next look into the file folder there will be additional files. - Double click on the 'exhaminer.exe' file - The ExHAMiner program will install on your computer. - Click on the desktop ExHaminer icon to start the application - Open the 'Tools' tab and then 'Selections, lessons...' at the top left of the screen - Mark the checkboxes related to the chapters you wish to study - Exit out of the window to the main screen - Click on the 'Launch' button to start displaying the questions - Note the other buttons that offer additional help etc. - You may wish to download [ Ham Puzzle ] a program that assists in learning the block diagrams that appear on the IC testMake sure that you are able to use the program to display the question bank for Chapter 1. A score in the 80-90% range on [ exHAMiner ] indicates that you have mastered the topic.
Research shows that students often learn from one another better than from the instructor! To facilitate this, get to know your fellow students and figure out a way to work collaboratively.
Although specific web addresses are offerred in this course outline; perhaps a better approach, is to use the 'search' feature of [ YouTube ] to bring up several videos covering the topic you are currently working on. If one doesn't make sense, another might.
Most amateurs are very passionate about the hobby and especially enjoy re-discovering the antics of the not so humble electron. We hope you will get similar pleasure from you studies.
[ OVERVIEW of RADIO PRINCIPLES by sketch Chart ] as 'Powerpoint'
[ Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR RADIO ] as 'Powerpoint'
- - [ Ontario ARES online Basic Course ]
This page has many internal links
providing the most comprehensive Canadian web based content available
- - [ Videos - Basic concepts ] - A series of videos discuss electrical theory. Try these if your textbook 'just doesn't cut it'!
[ Chapter 2: Demonstration - VHF & Repeaters ] in 'Powerpoint'
[ Chapter 2: GETTING DOWN TO BASICS ] in 'Powerpoint' or [ Ontario ARES Course ]
Chapter 02 Assignment
Note: select the 'Tools' tab to review questions chapter by chapter
Chapter 03 Assignment
[ Chapter 4: INDUCTORS AND CAPACITORS ] as 'Powerpoint' or [ ARES - Inductors ] or { ARES - Capacitors ]
[ Chapter 5: WAVES, WAVELENGTH, FREQUENCY, AND BANDS as 'Powerpoint'
Chapter 05 Assignment
[ Chapter 6: PROPAGATION ] as 'Powerpoint' or [ ARES - Propagation ]
[ Chapter 7: TRANSMISSION LINES ] as 'Powerpoint' or [ ARES - Feedlines ]
Internet Resource
[ 'DxZone on Antennas & transmission Lines ]
[ How to Solder a PL 259 connector ]
Search in [ YouTube ] for 'Coax Connectors' to see how to install them
[ Logarithm Tutorial ] courtesy University of Guelph
Chapter 07 Assignment
[ Chapter 8: ANTENNAS ] as 'Powerpoint' or [ ARES - Antennas ]
Chapter 08 Assignment
start taking practice tests of all topics to assess your overall progress.
[ Chapter 9: ACTIVE DEVICES: DIODES, TRANSISTORS, AND TUBES ] as 'Powerpoint' or [ Active Devices ]
Chapter 09 Assignment
Take practice tests of all topics to assess your overall progress.
[ Chapter 10: POWER SUPPLIES ] as 'Powerpoint'
Internet Resource:
[ Chapter 11: ESTABLISHING AND OPERATING AN AMATEUR STATION ] as 'Powerpoint' or [ ARES - Magic of Radio ]
Internet Resources:
Western Canadian dealers. - Locally we have Queale Electronics, Nanaimo, Victoria Muir Communications Victoria Burnaby Radio Communications Vancouver
Chapter 11 Assignment
Take practice tests of all topics to assess your overall progress.
[ Chapter 12: ROUTINE OPERATION OF AN AMATEUR STATION ] as 'Powerpoint' or [ ARES - Operating ]
Chapter 12 Assignment
Take practice tests of all topics to assess your overall progress.
[ Chapter 13: MODULATION AND TRANSMITTERS ]VE7DSN's version as 'Powerpoint' or
[ ARES - Transmitters ]
[ Chapter 13: MODULATION AND TRANSMITTERS ] VE7AJN's version
Internet Resources:
Wikipedia describes [ Amateur Radio Operating Modes ]
Chapter 13 Assignment
Take practice tests of all topics to assess your overall progress.
[ Chapter 14: RECEIVERS ] as 'Powerpoint'
Chapter 14 Assignment
Take practice tests of all topics to assess your overall progress.
[ Chapter 15: RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE ] as 'Powerpoint' or [ ARES - Interference ]
Chapter 15 Assignment
Take practice tests of all topics to assess your overall progress.
[ Chapter 16: SAFETY ] as 'Powerpoint' or [ ARES - Safety ]
Chapter 16 Assignment
Take practice tests of all topics to assess your overall progress.
Chapter 17 Assignment
[ Appendices ] as 'Powerpoint'
Appendix 2: Antenna Length Charts
Appendix 3: Symbols
Appendix 4: General Internet Links