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General License Learning Supplements
These articles, media, and external web links are organized section-by-section with the General License Course to provide depth of learning in section topics. Peruse these items after completing a section to enhance your understanding.
Ø: Before We Begin...
Ham-Speak: Learning the Lingo
Common Ham Radio Terms (PDF)
Loads of Modes
Mode Characteristics (audio)
Binary Digital Logic Basics (vid)
Electric Current Direction (vid)
AC vs DC (vid)
Time & Frequency Domain Views
A Simple View of Resonance
73 = Best Number (vid)
1: Rules and Regs
1.1 Bands and Privileges
Volunteer Examiner Coords. (FCC)
CERT Program (FEMA)
RACES (link)
ARES (ARRL)
Volunteer Monitor (ARRL)
Worldwide Beacons (NCDXF)
1.2 Special Services
Working DX Contacts
Allowable International Contacts
Part 97 Regs - FedGov link
ITU Home (link)
IARP Info (ARRL)
CEPT Info (ARRL)
US 3rd Party Nations (ARRL)
Maximum Antenna Height (G1B01)
Morse Code Practice Trx (W1AW)
1.3 DX and Details
2: Operating Your Radio
HF Ops: The Difference with HF
Practical Signal Reports
Phonetics (audio)
Phonetic Alphabet Alternatives
Considerate Operator's Guide
2.1 Good Amateur Practice
2.2 Operating Techniques
2.3 CW
3.1 Digital Mode Basics
3.2 Frequency Shift Keying Modes
3: Digital Modes
3.3 Packet & Other Digital Modes
PSK31 Varicode (G8C08)
PSK31 Specification (ARRL)
BPSK & QPSK
Digital Voice Primer
Mesh: Broadband Hamnet
Mesh: ADEDN Home
Auto Repeat Query
Winlink Email Service
VARA protocol
4: Propagation
4.1 Solar Activity
Sunspots & Propagation
Variable Propagation (G3A10)
SpaceWeather.com (link)
Sunspots & HF Propagation (link)
4.2 Ionosphere & Magnetosphere
4.3 Operational Impacts
5: Processing Signals
5.1 Signal Characteristics
5.2 Transmitting Signals
Direct Digital Conversion (E7F01)
I-Q Modulation
Oscillator Basics (vid)
Direct Digital Synthesis (vid)
SSB Advantages (vid)
SSB Operations (vid)
SSB Audio Required
5.3 Receiving Signals
6: Antennas
6.1 Antenna Theory & Principles
Antennas: How many do I need?
dBi vs. dBd (G9C04)
Your First Dipole Antenna (HF)
NVIS Antenna & Ops
Mobile Installation
Polarization Effects (video)
6.2 Directional Antennas
Yagi Driven Element (G9C02)
Log Periodic Antenna (G9D06)
Yagi Simulation 1 (vid)
Yagi Simulation 2 (vid)
Yagi Basics (vid)
6.3 SWR & Impedance Matching
7: Hamtronics
7.1 Power and Principles
Voltage Calculation (T5D02)
RMS Voltage (G5B09)
Power Calculation (G5B03)
How Electricity Works (Vid Link)
7.2 Components
Figure T1
Capacitors (Vid Link)
Inductors (T6A06)
Inductors (Vid)
Transistors (Vid Link)
Semiconductor Materials
7.3 Series & Parallel Components
7.4 Impedance & Reactance
Complex Impedance Part 1
Complex Impedance Part 2
Complex Impedance Part 3
Capacitive Reactance (G5A06)
Power Factor (Vid)
7.5 Power Sources
Transformer Windings (G5C06)
Windings Diameters (G5C16)
Transformers (Vid Link)
Bleeder Resistors (G7A01)
Linear Power Supply (Vid)
Basic Solar Power System (Vid)
Small Solar Power System
7.6 Amps & Tubes
7.7 ICs and Computers
Liquid Crystal Displays
Op Amps (E7G12)
IC Packaging (Vid)
Surface Mount Technology (Vid)
Surface Mount Facility (Vid)
7.8 Measurement
10 Uses for a Digital Multimeter
Spectrum Analyzer (E4A02)
Two-tone Test (Vid)
Oscilloscope Operation 1 (Vid)
Oscilloscope Operation 2 (Vid)
7.9 Avoiding Interference
8: Safety
8.1 Electrical & Antenna Safety
Tower Grounding (T0B08)
Electric Shock Protection
RF Burn (T0C07)
ARRL Safety Page
Grounding & Bonding Book
Ward Silver Grounding Video
8.2 RF Exposure Safety
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