Ham Radio For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Appendix B

Radio Math

Ham radio involves a lot of technology. You don’t need to be a scientist or engineer to use and enjoy ham radio, of course. Nevertheless, math is a big part of the hobby and you’ll need to speak a little of the language. This appendix provides a little background on common bits of math you’ll encounter as you study for your license and then start using it.

There are additional resources available to help you dig deeper. The ARRL publishes a downloadable “Radio Mathematics” supplement as a PDF document you can save for reference: www.arrl.org/files/file/ARRL%20Handbook%20Supplemental%20Files/2018%20Edition/Radio%20Supplement.pdf.

Online videos abound, as well. The Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org) has many tutorials to help you. For topics in electricity, magnetism, and electronics, Georgia State University hosts a great website called “Hyperphysics” (hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase). Each lesson features clear graphics and many are animated.

When you are just learning a subject or perhaps having difficulty with a key point, review two or three different tutorials. Perhaps you will understand one better than the others. Seeing the material from different points of view often makes it clearer, as well.

Finally, don’t forget your mentors — they are often ...