Find on this site... Site Index  ·Classes ·Exams ·Clubs ·Hamfests ·Addresses    Search site:    Call sign search:   ARRL Member Login... Username:   Password:    Register    Forgot userid/password?  Quick Links... ·Join or Renew ·Catalog & Store ·ARRL Courses ·Classifieds ·Getting Started

Operating Activities Licensing News/Bulletins Services Education Public Service Support Donate to ARRL ARRL Info Text-only

ARRL Products: Help for Beginners (More) Basic Antennas -- Now Shipping! -- An introduction to antennas--basic concepts, practical designs, and easy-to-build antennas! The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual -- All you need to become an Amateur Radio Operator. Get your FIRST ham radio license! Understanding Basic Electronics -- This book provides a stepping-stone to learning electronics. With the foundation it helps you create, you'll be ready to learn more advanced concepts. The ARRL Operating Manual for Radio Amateurs -- Special Offer! Valid through January 31, 2009! -- Everything for the active ham radio operator! Explore new activities, learn new skills, find new references and more. Getting Started with Ham Radio -- Get on the air now! A guide to your first Amateur Radio station.

ARRL is pleased to offer your club some new material for programs for your monthly meetings. This material was provided by individuals and clubs who want to share their expertise with others. There are video CDs (not to be confused with DVDs) and Power Point presentations.

Programs for the new HF radio operator

• Discover The Magic Of HF Radio (3,309,056 bytes) This program by Norm Fusaro, W3IZ is designed to introduce the new or recently upgraded ham to the world of Amateur Radio in the HF spectrum. If you have ever had the desire to experience the thrill of communicating with hams across the country or half way around the world then this program is a good starting point. Topics include propagation, antennas, equipment, grounding and safety.
  Use the presentation handouts (405,376 bytes, PDF file) to compliment the program as a presentation at your next club meeting or as a mentoring session.

• Ham Radio On HF -- Well known DXer and author (Ham Radio For Dummies), Ward Silver, N0AX, gives us his presentation that he uses at the Communications Academy in Seattle, WA. This insightful program focuses on the many fun activities that can be had when Technician class hams upgrade their licenses and earn new privileges on the ham bands below 30 MHz. While encouraging upgrading, the program also provides some information of what activities Technicians can do with their current privileges. The program is full of useful diagrams and information and has many bullets to be used as talking points at a club meeting or a mentor session.

• HF Mobile Operating (4,956,672 bytes)
  Here is a program on HF mobile operating is now available for download in the ARRL Multi Media Library. This PowerPoint presentation can be used as a program at club meetings. The program contains lots of information on installing HF radios and antennas in a vehicle, with emphasis on safety, performance and RFI. It can be used as a stand alone program or incorporated into a larger presentation.

• DX -- The Ultimate Contact Sport
  "Hey! How Far Can You Talk On That Radio?" is a question than most hams are frequently asked. Here is a program to introduce Radio Amateurs to the exciting and challenging world of DXing. Used as a stand alone program or as a backdrop for a speaker at a club meeting, this presentation introduces new DXers to some of the basic skills and techniques that will open a door to one of Amateur Radio's most rewarding activities. The DX Century Club award, or DXCC, is the most coveted awards in ham radio. Whether you are working toward the basic award or the top of the Honor Roll, DXing can provide a lifetime of excitement.

• QSL Cards -- Sending and Receiving Paper Gems (1,070,592 bytes)
  Trading QSL cards is an exciting tradition in Amateur Radio. Often considered to be the final courtesy of the QSO, a colorful card confirming contact can also be a book mark in you ham radio journey. Whether you collect QSL cards for awards or just to remember a special contact or a friendly conversation on the air, this program will give you plenty of tips on trading Stateside and DX QSL cards.

  Some of the topics covered in this program include using the outgoing and incoming QSL bureaus, working with QSL managers and basic information required for a valid QSL card. We have even included some tips from the experts for QSLing those elusive DX cards.

  Download the companion reference to handout to your audience. This sixteen page manual is full of tips and resources for the active operator who likes to collect QSL cards and certificates.

• Visalia 2007 presentation PDF (1.16Mb) NEW!
  If you thought that you need lots of land and big antennas to chase DX then think again.  ARRL Senior Assistant Technical Editor, Dean Straw, N6BV will give you the ins and out of DXing from a city lot.  Whether you live in an urban area or are restricted by covenants and other regulations, this presentation will provide tips on antennas and propagation to help you put more DX in your log.

DVDs

ARRL Headquarters Tour-- In December 2003, members of the Marconi Amateur Radio Club visited ARRL Headquarters and videotaped their experience. This video tour includes interviews with key ARRL Headquarters staff. Produced by Bob Doherty, K1VV and Don Tanguay, N1DT, members of the Marconi Amateur Radio Club, W1AA. Running time: 51 minutes.

Fox Hunting -- Join the South Shore Foxhunters Association of Massachusetts as they track a wily radio "fox." Learn the tricks of the radio direction finding! Produced by Bob Doherty, K1VV and Don Tanguay, N1DT, members of the Marconi Amateur Radio Club, W1AA. Running time: 28 minutes.

International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend -- What drives hams to set up stations in historic lighthouses every third weekend in August? This operating event fills the airwaves with signals from throughout the world. With more than 800 lighthouses and lightships in the United States alone, you have many opportunities to participate. Produced by Bob Doherty, K1VV and Don Tanguay, N1DT, members of the Marconi Amateur Radio Club, W1AA. Running time: 7 minutes.

SET: Amateur Radio Simulated Emergency Test -- Every October amateurs throughout the nation hone their emergency preparedness skills in the Simulated Emergency Test, or SET. See how a routine SET operation unfolded in eastern Massachusetts, and how it became a real emergency when a gas leak was discovered. Produced by Bob Doherty, K1VV and Don Tanguay, N1DT, members of the Marconi Amateur Radio Club, W1AA. Running time: 26 minutes.

Microsoft PowerPoint Presentations

When combined with a laptop computer and a projector, these PowerPoint presentations are sure to spice up your next club meeting or hamfest forum.

Each file contains a carefully crafted visual outline that you can use to illustrate your presentation. Simply download the file (file sizes are shown in parentheses), view it on your computer and write your talking points to match the visuals. If you have Microsoft PowerPoint software installed on your computer, you can also edit the presentation to suit your needs. If you don't have PowerPoint, you can download and install this free PowerPoint viewer.

• NVIS Tri-band antenna project
  Ed Bruette, N7NVP and Tom Sanders, W6QJI have collaborated on this presentation that not only explains how Near Vertical Skywave Incidence (NVIS) propagation works but they have also included a step by step how to construct your own fixed location NVIS antenna to cover the 75m, 60m and 75m Amateur bands. Ed and Tom present the information in an easy to follow format and show a lot of detail so that anyone from a beginner to the most experienced antenna builder can build this effective antenna. This presentation makes a great meeting program or training aid for anyone who is involved in emergency communications.

• Mark Spencer, WA8SME, has provided a great program that looks at the Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing (DSP).
  This program is the same one that he uses in his Teacher's Institute as part of the Education & Technology Program, a.k.a "The Big Project" Use it as part of a meeting program or as a mentoring tool.

• The New Ham's Guide to Repeaters.
  A simplified guide for new hams on using FM repeaters. This is a great resource for new hams, clubs and mentors.

• Allen Wolff, KC7O, presents how Amateur radio played a role in the Angels Crest 100 mile Endurance Run in Angels Crest National Park, California. His perspective from checkpoint #15 at Chantry Flats shows how the hams used Amateur Television, Packet and voice communications to help ensure the safety of over 175 runners participating in this event. This is a large program (17MB) and is presented in two files. [Part 1 .. Part 2]

• Well known contester and DXer, ARRL Assistant Technical Editor Dean Straw, N6BV, presents two new programs for clubs and individuals. A Beginner’s Guide to Amateur Radio Contesting [3,475,456 bytes] and The 4M7X DX-pedition to Venezuela [7,872,512 bytes].

  If you’re new to ham radio or DXing or have never participated in a contest take a look at how much fun can be had in a weekend on the radio.

• EchoLink -- EchoLink uses VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) to allow licensed Amateur Radio Operators to communicate with other Amateurs via the Internet. Originally developed by Jonathan Taylor (K1RFD) in 2002, EchoLink is just one of many communication options available to hams today. Bob Wiseman, WB3W, presents a very informative presentation on this new communication tool. In it he describes how it works, basic setup and what equipment and interfaces are commonly used by hams using EchoLink.
• APRS (13,716,992 bytes) Bob Wiseman, WB3W, has put together a general overview of APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System). Hams are using APRS to track vehicles and people at events and emergency drills. This informative program covers some of the history of APRS, typical equipment and software used by Amateurs to track and monitor mobile stations. Thanks to Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, for the 2006 update!

• Traffic Handling and Amateur Radio (2,168,320 bytes)
  Presentation Handout (15,791 bytes, PDF file)

• Amateur Radio in Space (2,350,592 bytes)
  Here is an overview of Amateur Satellites and more, presented by QST Editor, Steve Ford, WB8IMY to the USTTI class of 2004.

• 12 Volt Distribution by Gary Wilson, K2GW (76,288 bytes)
  Getting power to your equipment isn't as straightforward as it seems. This presentation illustrates the different methods of supplying power for emergency applications in the field.

• The 3 P's of Public Service by Gary Wilson, K2GW (53,248 bytes)
  Preparedness, professionalism and proficiency are the hallmarks of Amateur Radio public service. Find out why this is so, and what you can do to be ready.

• Simple VHF Direction Finding by Gary Wilson, K2GW (118,272 bytes)
  Use this presentation to offer a basic primer on how to hunt hidden transmitters.

• How to be a Media Relations Superstar! (154,112 bytes)
  Created by ARRL Public Relations Committee member and Los Angeles PIC Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR.

• 100 Great Publicity Ideas for your Amateur Radio Club (1,028,096 bytes)
  Created by ARRL Public Relations Committee member and Los Angeles PIC Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR.

• NVIS by Norm Fusaro, W3IZ (7,696,384 bytes)
  Near Vertical Incidence Skywave, better known as NVIS, is a technique that allows you to use HF transceivers for highly reliable short-range communication. Find out more with this attractive presentation.

Note: For other program ideas, contact your utility companies to find out what videotapes they might have for your club meetings. The local Connecticut power and light company's tapes range from the basics of electricity to electrical safety. Telephone companies often have tapes on electronics topics.