The Basic Course

Lesson Materials

1. Presentation to Potential Hams
2. Basic Course Introduction
3. Study Notes (pdf) Updated 27 March 2011

Extra Material

1. Decibels
2. Formulas
3. Antennas

ExHAMiner Software (Updated 20 July 2009)

Click here to go to the ExHAMiner software download page. This is a very good exam practice tool written by François Daigneault, VE2AAY for RAC. (Shameless plug: This is one more reason to join RAC.) Note that you must download both the program and the Basic question bank.This latest version now includes the Advanced question bank. E-mail me if you have difficulties, and I will make you a CD copy (if you are taking the course).

ExHAMiner tip: Once you've chosen the Basic question bank, choose Tools/Selection by Lesson from the menu. Click on the topics you want to review. This latest version will default to asking you all possible questions from each selected topic. Review them all and makes notes of your problem areas. You can select "Seek unanswered or incorrect" to focus on your previous problem area.

Industry Canada Background Material

1. Industry Canada: Technical Requirements Respecting Identification of Radio Stations (30 kb)
2. Industry Canada: Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service (55 kb)
3. Industry Canada: Information on the Amateur Radio Service (80 kb)
4. Industry Canada: Call Sign Policy and Special Event Prefixes (660 kb)

Bonus Material!

• A good online electronics course: This course nicely covers much of the electronics material we are learning.
• Decibels: "Decibels' or "dB" is a term you will encounter frequenty during this course. This tutorial explains the basics of decibels.
• Baluns: This is additional reading, but quite useful if you want to understand baluns when building your antennas.