I'm about two weeks away from launching an online ham radio class. I've
selected a lot of good sites with excellent study aids, but I'm having
trouble selecting an optional text for the class(es). I'm teaching all
three grades (Tech, Gen, & Extra) from the same website.

I've researched the Gordon West series, the ARRL series, and a few others.
I'm open to any recommendations from you all as to which one YOU find the
easiest to learn from. Basically, I'm "teaching to the test" and what I
really need is a book with the EXPLANATIONS as to why a particular answer is
"correct".

At one time I used Tony Lacy's "Nutest" series, but I find the explanations
sadly lacking in detail.

As I said, suggestions certainly appreciated. As this class can be taken by
anybody with internet access anywhere in the world, a series that is
available from Amazon or other online bookstore would be most useful.


Jim

Sorry, forgot to include that the class is free (zip, nada, nothing) with
the exception of the books that I will recommend. The exam at the end is
whatever the local examining group is getting for the exams. I get
absolutely nothing for the class with the exception of the satisfaction of
minting new hams.

This is strictly a learning experience for me before I refine it and
convince my college to offer it for college credit.

Jim Weir
WX6RST




"RST Engineering" wrote in message
...
I'm about two weeks away from launching an online ham radio class. I've
selected a lot of good sites with excellent study aids, but I'm having
trouble selecting an optional text for the class(es). I'm teaching all
three grades (Tech, Gen, & Extra) from the same website.

I've researched the Gordon West series, the ARRL series, and a few others.
I'm open to any recommendations from you all as to which one YOU find the
easiest to learn from. Basically, I'm "teaching to the test" and what I
really need is a book with the EXPLANATIONS as to why a particular answer
is "correct".

At one time I used Tony Lacy's "Nutest" series, but I find the
explanations sadly lacking in detail.

As I said, suggestions certainly appreciated. As this class can be taken
by anybody with internet access anywhere in the world, a series that is
available from Amazon or other online bookstore would be most useful.


Jim

first, a handy freebie tip ;-)

see http://www.qsl.net/k3pd/book.html free online book by Frank Harris
K0IYE titled A Guide to Building an Amateur Radio Station

this is a free online book emphasizing building and using a station, it
can probably fill in holes in other books and your "teach the test"
approach ;-)

=============================

Have you looked into the online ARRL tech training courses? see
http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=NO-EC-010

Our campus club has used the ARRL videotape technician course for
on-demand training locally. The explanations are not very in-depth, as you
noted. We have also used Now You're Talking as the basic text for techs.
we have also used powerpoint slides to review the exams, study sheets etc
(see http://people.smu.edu/arc near bottom for links)...

Have you seen the instructor's guide(S) that accompany Now You're Talking?
ARRL also has or had instructor guides for other license levels. ;-)

My solution for our tech classes has been to offer the other Q&A guides up
thru the ARRL extra guide for college students who wanted more info. We
have also greatly expanded our club library the last 2 years (see listings
at http://people.smu.edu/arc/booktopics.html ). Add in access to QST and
related ham radio magazines at local libraries for tech topic followups
;-)

I do miss a followup to Understanding Amateur Radio and A Course in Radio
Fundamentals from ARRL. Pop Electronics also developed a radio course
around the excellent (but now dated) US military training manuals for
radio operators, often available in libraries (source of illustrations
etc. for your project, since govt funded (no copyrights)? However, I would
probably suggest finding online sites with similar content and linking
them into a suggested course(s) (with archival backups on the link index
site in case sites disappear).

But the technology today is so diverse, so many new operating modes too,
that it would take an ARRL handbook sized book to try and cover each class
of license. And those classes may be about to morph again into a new
series of licenses ;-)

Similarly, the stats show the problem is NOT getting people to pass 75% on
the tech exam (or extra etc. ;-). Rather, it is that many don't get on
the air after they get licensed (like over half).

So the real problem seems to be making that transition to getting on the
air, rather than any issue with understanding the technical or other
background issues around the test questions.

This on-the-air experience could be achieved by remote internet access
(using passworded transmitters, but with open receiver user access) to
digital radios (HF/VHF). There are already lots of scanners online too,
making it possible to listen to a lot of ham VHF/UHF activity (as well as
police/fire) over an internet link.

Now add in some streaming videos or photo illustrated articles on setting
up a station, tuning receivers, building an antenna, and so on. I think
these would be more useful to many beginners than more depth on questions,
esp. since many won't be exploring the full breadth of each license class.

hth - bobm
--
************************************************** *********************
* Robert Monaghan POB 752182 Southern Methodist Univ. Dallas Tx 75275 *
********************Standard Disclaimers Apply*************************

Have you seen "AC6V's Beginners Guide to FM Repeaters"
URL:
http://ac6v.com/FM101.htm

I issue a copy to those that successfully pass the course and pass the
Technician exam.

--
The Anon Keyboard
I doubt, therefore I might be



"Bob Monaghan" wrote in message
...

So the real problem seems to be making that transition to getting on the
air, rather than any issue with understanding the technical or other
background issues around the test questions.


hth - bobm
--
************************************************** *********************
* Robert Monaghan POB 752182 Southern Methodist Univ. Dallas Tx 75275 *
********************Standard Disclaimers Apply*************************