"Jeff Liebermann" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:40:49 -0700 (PDT), ams wrote:

Here's one person's opinion:

Amazon.com: http://xrl.us/BestAntennaBooks

The list is by Alexander Shimansky UR5SAS.

I totalled the Amazon prices. $801.74. Amateur antenna design is
becoming a rich mans hobby. However, there is hope. When I look
under the "buying options" buttons, there are cheaper editions
available. I only have 3 of the 10 books listed. Sniff.

--
Jeff Liebermann


And I expect you're aware there's a thriving market in second-hand books via
companies such as Alibris, e.g.
http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?bi...l+applications.
That way you can gather what you need for much less money. I have purchased
books this way, stamped by parts of the US military, that are in fine
condition.

In another thread I've mentioned recently that the library of the IET
(formerly the IEE) in Savoy Place, London, is open to members of the public
free of charge to read all they have there, which is an impressive quantity
of material from throughout much of the history of radio. I daresay there
are equivalents in other countries.

Chris

On Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:02:55 +0100, "christofire"
wrote:

"Jeff Liebermann" wrote in message
.. .
On Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:40:49 -0700 (PDT), ams wrote:

Here's one person's opinion:

Amazon.com: http://xrl.us/BestAntennaBooks

The list is by Alexander Shimansky UR5SAS.

I totalled the Amazon prices. $801.74. Amateur antenna design is
becoming a rich mans hobby. However, there is hope. When I look
under the "buying options" buttons, there are cheaper editions
available. I only have 3 of the 10 books listed. Sniff.

And I expect you're aware there's a thriving market in second-hand books via
companies such as Alibris,

Actually, I was not aware. If I needed a (used) book, I just ordered
it via Amazon. I haven't bought any paper books in several years
(bookshelf is full).

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?bi...l+applications.

I wish you hadn't done that. I just ordered a copy of Kraus (2nd
edition) for $25 and a 2nd copy of the ARRL Antenna Book for $19
(because it always seems to be out on loan). Sigh. I need to
practice resisting temptation. Internet shopping is far too easy.



--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"Jeff Liebermann" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:02:55 +0100, "christofire"
wrote:

"Jeff Liebermann" wrote in message
. ..
On Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:40:49 -0700 (PDT), ams wrote:

Here's one person's opinion:

Amazon.com: http://xrl.us/BestAntennaBooks

The list is by Alexander Shimansky UR5SAS.

I totalled the Amazon prices. $801.74. Amateur antenna design is
becoming a rich mans hobby. However, there is hope. When I look
under the "buying options" buttons, there are cheaper editions
available. I only have 3 of the 10 books listed. Sniff.

And I expect you're aware there's a thriving market in second-hand books
via
companies such as Alibris,

Actually, I was not aware. If I needed a (used) book, I just ordered
it via Amazon. I haven't bought any paper books in several years
(bookshelf is full).

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?bi...l+applications.

I wish you hadn't done that. I just ordered a copy of Kraus (2nd
edition) for $25 and a 2nd copy of the ARRL Antenna Book for $19
(because it always seems to be out on loan). Sigh. I need to
practice resisting temptation. Internet shopping is far too easy.



--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558


You won't regret it!
Chris

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
. . .
I wish you hadn't done that. I just ordered a copy of Kraus (2nd
edition) for $25 and a 2nd copy of the ARRL Antenna Book for $19
(because it always seems to be out on loan). Sigh. I need to
practice resisting temptation. Internet shopping is far too easy.

Hah, be glad you don't live close to Powell's, which has a separate
technical bookstore. My wallet is always a lot thinner when I walk out
of there than when I walked in.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

On Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:22:56 -0700, Roy Lewallen
wrote:

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
. . .
I wish you hadn't done that. I just ordered a copy of Kraus (2nd
edition) for $25 and a 2nd copy of the ARRL Antenna Book for $19
(because it always seems to be out on loan). Sigh. I need to
practice resisting temptation. Internet shopping is far too easy.

Hah, be glad you don't live close to Powell's, which has a separate
technical bookstore. My wallet is always a lot thinner when I walk out
of there than when I walked in.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

Many years ago, I used to make the pilgrimage to the Sunnyvale Fry's,
Ham Radio Outlet, various nearby surplus stores, and then Computer
Literacy Bookstore. After spending far too much money on books, I
started to avoid the bookstore. They solved the problem for me by
moving locations and finally closing in 2001.

A visit to San Francisco was not complete without dropping into
Stacey's bookstore on Market and Powell (after the one in Palo Alto
closed). However, the SF store closed earlier this year.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/07/BAFN154UV2.DTL

What's left are the big chains, online vendors, and some specialty
stores. I've never been to Portland, but if I find an excuse, I'll
certainly give Powell's a visit.

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

In article ,
Jeff Liebermann wrote:

On Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:22:56 -0700, Roy Lewallen
wrote:

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
. . .
I wish you hadn't done that. I just ordered a copy of Kraus (2nd
edition) for $25 and a 2nd copy of the ARRL Antenna Book for $19
(because it always seems to be out on loan). Sigh. I need to
practice resisting temptation. Internet shopping is far too easy.

Hah, be glad you don't live close to Powell's, which has a separate
technical bookstore. My wallet is always a lot thinner when I walk out
of there than when I walked in.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

Many years ago, I used to make the pilgrimage to the Sunnyvale Fry's,
Ham Radio Outlet, various nearby surplus stores, and then Computer
Literacy Bookstore. After spending far too much money on books, I
started to avoid the bookstore. They solved the problem for me by
moving locations and finally closing in 2001.

A visit to San Francisco was not complete without dropping into
Stacey's bookstore on Market and Powell (after the one in Palo Alto
closed). However, the SF store closed earlier this year.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/07/BAFN154UV2.DTL

What's left are the big chains, online vendors, and some specialty
stores. I've never been to Portland, but if I find an excuse, I'll
certainly give Powell's a visit.

Sorry about Stacey's. Always visited Stacey's when I would visit SF. I
liked Stacey's for code and hands-on books.

At this point, my national favorite technical bookstores are MIT Press
and the MIT Coop bookstore which are across the street from each other
at the Kendall stop of the Red Line in Cambridge, Mass.



Things aren't what they used to be: The 'Quantum' on technical books is
now $100 +/-, so I think twice before buying.

How much new is there in HF; VHF and UHF antennas anyway?

If it is new; it's not going to be in a book but rather in a journal
like the IEEE Antenna and Propagation.

Most of the articles in Antennas and Propagation are mathematical and
don't reduce easily to hardware implementations unless one has the
inclination; time and an available machine shop.

I tend to buy used from amazon.com but generally if I know in advance
what I want. Their "What's Inside" can be helpful though.

I have a couple of favorite antenna books and go to those when in need
but generally rely on the basic equations relating wavelength and
frequency and then cut-and-try.

On Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:23:27 -0500, wrote:

How much new is there in HF; VHF and UHF antennas anyway?

New antenna design is now expressed in µm and nm wavelengths (EEEEHF).

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

On Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:23:27 -0500, wrote:

Things aren't what they used to be: The 'Quantum' on technical books is
now $100 +/-, so I think twice before buying.

I charge $75/hr for my work. If a $100 book will generate 1.33 hrs of
billable labor, or save me about 3 hours in wasted time, it's break
even. Anything over that is profitable. The only problem is that I'm
not a professional antenna designer and don't generate much revenue
from antenna projects. Still it's a good way to justify splurging on
books. Incidentally, I make sure I have a least one consulting job
per year so that I can justify deducting the book costs on my taxes.

How much new is there in HF; VHF and UHF antennas anyway?

Ummm.... UWB, Fractal Antennas, MIMO, direction finding, disguise
antennas, telematics antennas, sectored systems (WiMax), etc. It may
not be new to those in the industry, but they're new to me. Instead
of looking at what's new in antennas, look at what problems need to be
solved that involve antennas. Low visual impact, cram multiple
interfering radios inside a cell phone, limited tower space
(combiners), 4x4 MIMO in a USB dongle?, etc.

If it is new; it's not going to be in a book but rather in a journal
like the IEEE Antenna and Propagation.

Most of the articles in Antennas and Propagation are mathematical and
don't reduce easily to hardware implementations unless one has the
inclination; time and an available machine shop.

True, but the math offers a great clue on how they work. At this
time, an IEEE membership, plus Ant and Prop subscription will burn
about $200/year. I covered the costs in a previous rant at:
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.radio.amateur.antenna/msg/ba3e3273c2f1b5d6
I'm still trying to find a cheaper alternative buy joining the friends
of the local university library.

I tend to buy used from amazon.com but generally if I know in advance
what I want. Their "What's Inside" can be helpful though.

Yep. Also Google Books.

I have a couple of favorite antenna books and go to those when in need
but generally rely on the basic equations relating wavelength and
frequency and then cut-and-try.

Try antenna modeling with any of an assortment of programs.
http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Software/Antenna_analysis/
Cut and try works ok for low frequency antennas, where large errors
are easily tolerated. Don't try that at microwave frequencies, where
the tweaks are in fractions of a millimeter.


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

In article ,
Jeff Liebermann wrote:

What's left are the big chains, online vendors, and some specialty
stores. I've never been to Portland, but if I find an excuse, I'll
certainly give Powell's a visit.

Powell's does mail-order, and in my experience they do it well (fast
shipping at a fair price, and they've never spammed the email address
I gave them).

--
Dave Platt AE6EO
Friends of Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:22:56 -0700, Roy Lewallen
wrote:

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
. . .
I wish you hadn't done that. I just ordered a copy of Kraus (2nd
edition) for $25 and a 2nd copy of the ARRL Antenna Book for $19
(because it always seems to be out on loan). Sigh. I need to
practice resisting temptation. Internet shopping is far too easy.

Hah, be glad you don't live close to Powell's, which has a separate
technical bookstore. My wallet is always a lot thinner when I walk out
of there than when I walked in.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

Many years ago, I used to make the pilgrimage to the Sunnyvale Fry's,
Ham Radio Outlet, various nearby surplus stores, and then Computer
Literacy Bookstore. After spending far too much money on books, I
started to avoid the bookstore. They solved the problem for me by
moving locations and finally closing in 2001.

WTF? That was one of my favorite stores to hang out and spend $$$ when I
lived down there. What happened? They always seemed to be thriving and
had books on other subjects. Fry's simply never had the books to compete.


A visit to San Francisco was not complete without dropping into
Stacey's bookstore on Market and Powell (after the one in Palo Alto
closed). However, the SF store closed earlier this year.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/07/BAFN154UV2.DTL

What's left are the big chains, online vendors, and some specialty
stores. I've never been to Portland, but if I find an excuse, I'll
certainly give Powell's a visit.

Is there anything in the Sacramento area or even the Silicon Valley area
anymore?

Bill Baka, heavy reader.