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Extra License Learning Supplements 2020-2024
These articles, media, and external web links are organized section-by-section with the Extra 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...
Find an Exam Session Near You
FCC Band Plan Chart (ARRL chart)
Mode Characteristics (audio)
Loads of Modes
SSB Bandwidth Advantage (vid)
SSB Operations (vid)
Polarization Effects (vid)
Common Ham Radio Terms (pdf)
Ham Speak - Learning the lingo
Conventional & Electronic Current (vid)
AC vs DC (vid)
Time & Frequency Domain Views
4: Digital Modes
4.1: Digital Encoding Concepts
1: Operating Your Station
1.1: Common Operating Practices
2: Rules and Regs
2.1: Operational Regulations
Allowable International Contacts
RACES Regs §97.407
Prohibited Transmissions §97.113
Third-party Communications §97.115
International Ops Info (ARRL)
IARP Info (ARRL)
CEPT Info (ARRL)
DA 16-1048 (pdf)
5: Electrical Circuit Principles
5.1: Complex Impedance
Complex Impedance Article
Capacitive Reactance
Calculating the tangent (vid)
Pythagorean Theorem (vid)
5.2: Real & Apparent Power
5.3: Resonant Circuits and Q
2.2: Station Control & Restrictions
2.3: Volunteer Examiner Regulations
3: Propagation
3.1: HF Propagation Factors
Chordal Hop Propagation
Sunspots & Propagation
Variable Propagation Conditions
D-layer Absorption
Skip Fade
Spaceweather.com
Sunspot Watch
DX Maps
Understanding Solar Indices
NOAA Space Weather Scales
6: Hamtronics I: Components
6.1: Inductors and Cores
Inductors
How Inductors Work I (vid)
How Inductors Work II (vid)
Transformer Windings
Transformer Winding Diameters
How Transformers Work (VID)
6.2: Semiconductor Components
Capacitors Explained (vid)
Transistors Explained (vid)
Diodes Explained (vid)
LEDs Explained (vid)
Zener Diode Explained (vid)
FET/JFET/MOSFET (vid)
MOSFET (vid)
6.3: VHF+ Component Packaging
6.4: Photovoltaics & Optoelectronics
7: Hamtronics II: Analog Circuits
7.1: Amplifiers
7.2: Filters & Matching Networks
Low Pass Filters 1 (vid)
Low Pass Filters 2 (vid)
High Pass Filters (vid)
Tuning a Duplexer Filter (vid)
Repeater Duplexer Repair (vid)
7.3: Power Regulators & Supplies
Bleeder Resistors in Supplies
Linear Supply Function (vid)
Linear Supply vs. SMPS (vid)
Linear/SMPS Performance (vid)
7.4: Oscillators & Signal Generators
Oscillator Basics (vid)
Colpitts Oscillator (vid)
Hartley Oscillator (vid)
Direct Digital Synthesis 1
Direct Digital Synthesis 2
Direct Digital Synthesis 3 (vid)
8: Processing Signals
8.1: Modulation & Demodulation
Understanding SSB
SSB Advantages (vid)
SSB Operations (vid)
SSB Audio Required
Heterodyne Receiver Function
Receiver Signal Discrimination
SSB Receive Filters
9: Station Performance and Measurement
9.1: Noise & Spurious Emissions
Intermodulation Products (vid)
3rd Order Intercept (vid)
Types of RF Interference
Ignition Interference (mobile)
Mobile RFI Problems
Part 15 Devices
9.2: Measuring Performance
10 Uses for a Multimeter
Oscilloscope Basics (vid)
Spectrum Analyzer
Using a Spectrum Analyzer (vid)
Spectrum Analyzer Ops (vid)
VNA Antenna Measurement (vid)
3.2: VHF+ Propagation Factors
6.5: Digital Logic Devices
Hepburn Tropo Ducting Predictions
Starting Guide to Meteor Scatter (ARRL)
Simple Meteor Scatter MSK144
Meteor Scatter Ops
Meteor Scatter CW Sound (vid - KX9X)
10: Antennas
10.1: Types of Antennas
dBi vs. dBd
Trimming a Dipole Wire
Yagi Driven Element
Yagi Basics (vid)
Near Vertical Incidence Antenna
10.2: Performance Factors
10.3: Impedance Matching & Phasing
Dipole Impedance
SWR Perfect Match
Good SWR & Resonance
Phased Antennas 1 (vid)
Phased Antennas 2 (vid)
Phased Antennas 3 (vid)
10.4: Transmission LInes
Characteristic Impedance
Standing Waves Animation
SWR Illustration
Coaxial Cable Signal Loss
What Coaxial Cable to Use?
10.5: Smith Chart
10.6: Special Antennas
Log Periodic Antenna
Beverage Antenna Setup (vid)
Rhombic Angle Effects (model)
Rhombic Height Effects (model)
Dish Trx & Rx Wavefronts (model)
11: Safety
RF Exposure & Mitigation
RF Exposure Calculator
RF Burns
Electric Shock Protection
Tower Grounding
RF Safety (ARRL)
Grounding-Bonding Book (ARRL)
Ward Silver Grounding Video
8.2: FM Signal Processing
8.3: Digital Signal Processing
4.2: Frequency Shift Keying Modes
FSK modes audio sample (audio)
FT8 Starting Guide (video)
FT8 Operations Example (video)
Digital Mode Sounds (vid)
Digital Signal Processing
Direct Digital Conversion
I-Q Modulation
Fourier Analysis - square (vid)
Fourier Analysis - sawtooth (vid)
4.3: Digital Packet Modes
APRS.fi Web Map Interface
PACTOR III Signal Identification
PACTOR Description (ARRL)
OFDM Detail (WiFi use)
Mesh Network - Broadband Hamnet
Mesh Network - AREDN Home
4.4: Additional Digital Modes
4.5: Amateur TV
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