PDF format for printing (16 double sided pages)

Regulations and Policies - 001
1-1 radio licences, applicability, eligibility of licence holder
1-2 licence fee, term, posting requirements, change of address
1-3 licence suspension or revocation, powers of radio inspectors, offences and punishments
1-4 operator certificates, applicability, eligibility, equivalents, reciprocal recognition
1-5 operation, repair and maintenance of radio apparatus on behalf of other persons
1-6 operation of radio apparatus, terms of licence, applicable standards, exempt apparatus
1-7 content restrictions - non-superfluous, profanity, secret code, music, non-commercial 
1-8 installation and operating restrictions - number of stations, repeaters, home-built, club stations
1-9 participation in communications by visitors, use of station by others
1-10 interference, determination, protection from interference
1-11 emergency communications (real or simulated), communication with non-amateur stations
1-12 non-remuneration, privacy of communications
1-13 station identification, call signs, prefixes
1-14 foreign amateur operation in Canada, banned countries, third-party messages
1-15 frequency bands and qualification requirements
1-16 maximum bandwidth by frequency bands
1-17 restrictions on capacity and power output by qualifications
1-18 unmodulated carriers, retransmission
1-19 amplitude modulation, frequency stability, measurements
1-20 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations, applicability
1-21 operation outside Canada, ITU regions, reciprocal privileges, international licences
1-22 examinations - Department's fees, delegated examinations, fees, disabled accommodation
1-23 antenna structure approval, neighbour and land-use authority consultation
1-24 radio frequency electromagnetic field limits
1-25 criteria for resolution of radio frequency interference complaints

Industry Canada Supporting Documentation

RBR-4 : Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service   (PDF file  48.7kb)
RIC-3: Information on the Amateur Radio Service    (PDF file  79.6kb)
RBR-3: Technical Requirements Respecting Identification of Radio Stations   (PDF file  20.3kb)
RIC-7: Basic Qualification Question Bank for Amateur Radio Operator Certificate Examinations    (PDF file  277kb)
RIC-9: Call Sign Policy and Special Event Prefixes   (PDF file  663kb)

PDF format for printing (19 double sided pages)

Operating and Procedures - 002
2-1 voice operating procedures - channelized VHF/UHF repeater
2-2 phonetic alphabet
2-3 voice operating procedures - simplex VHF/UHF and HF
2-4 tuneups and testing, use of dummy load, courteous operation
2-5 Morse code (CW) operating procedures, procedural signs
2-6 RST system of signal reporting, use of S meter
2-7 Q signals
2-8 emergency operating procedures
2-9 record keeping, confirmation practices, maps/charts, antenna orientation

Additional  Help

Discover the Magic Of HF Radio   (PPT file 4.26mb)
Published by the ARRL Mentor Program

Welcome to Worldwide Communications, This presentation is designed to introduce the new or recently upgraded ham to HF radio. 

Topics include;
Differences between HF, VHF and UHF,Propagation, Building a Station, About Transceivers, Meter Functions, Controls, Antennas, Standing Wave Ratio (SWR), Matching Networks, Feedlines, Safety, Grounding, RF Safety, Physical Safety, Get On The Air

An introduction to Repeater Systems   (PPT file 4.26mb)
Courtesy Northern Alberta Amateur radio Club

Nice overview of how repeaters work and protocols

Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS)  (PDF file  69.0kb)

An Introduction to Amateur Satellites   (PDF file 1.38mb)
Courtesy AMSAT.ORG

An execellent overview on the Amateur Radio Satellite Program 

PDF format for printing (23 double sided pages)

Station Assembly, Practice and Safety - 003
3-1 functional layout of HF stations
3-2 functional layout of FM transmitters
3-3 functional layout of FM receivers
3-4 functional layout of CW transmitters
3-5 functional layout of SSB/CW receivers
3-6 functional layout of SSB transmitters
3-7 functional layout of digital systems
3-8 functional layout of regulated power supplies
3-9 functional layout of Yagi-Uda antennas
3-10 receiver fundamentals
3-11 transmitter, carrier, keying, and amplitude modulation fundamentals
3-12 carrier suppression, SSB fundamentals
3-13 frequency and phase modulation fundamentals
3-14 station accessories for telegraphy, radiotelephony, digital modes
3-15 digital mode fundamentals (RTTY, ASCII, AMTOR, packet)
3-16 cells and batteries, types, ratings, charging
3-17 power supply fundamentals
3-18 electrical hazards, electrical safety, security
3-19 electrical safety ground, capacitor discharge, fuse replacement
3-20 antenna and tower safety, lightning protection
3-21 exposure of human body to RF, safety precautions

Additional  Help

PL-259 Installation    (PPT file 9.09mb)
Produced by N5NA

The mobile antenna is mounted now how do you put on the coax connector? This is a close-up of installing a PL-259 on RG-58 in PowerPoint format.

Battery Care and Maintenance   (HTML file  795kb)
Courtesy Ohio State University Medical Center

Batteries in portable consumer devices such as a laptop, camcorder, cellular phone, etc., are typically made using either Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery cell chemistry. Each type of rechargeable battery chemistry has its own unique characteristics: 

Soldering Tutorial   (PDF file  310kb)
By Tom Hammond N0SS

Good equipment and a good soldering technique are both essential to successful assembly of any device. Please read thes tips before you start

Do You Need an Antenna Tuner?  (PDF file  795kb)
By Steve Ford, WB8IMY

Maybe yes, maybe no. It all depends on the type of antenna and feed line you're using

Mobile Installation  (PPT file 20mb)
Produced by W8CM 

Give your students some practical information with this VHF/UHF Mobile Installation PowerPoint presentation by Mike Baker, W8CM. Mike presented this at Hamcom 2006 and will give new hams (and old timers) ideas for installing their new equipment!

What is AIRMAIL?(PPT file 3.73mb)
Tutorial by VE7DIE, Larry Joe

A radio messaging program for HAMS!
A standalone Email program
A host interface to Outlook (Express)
All of the above!

Winlink 2000 Digital Messaging Tutorial   (PPT file 2.01mb)
By Steve Waterman, K4CJX

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO using Winlink 2000 is a proven, existing, operational, dependable, redundant, secure, reliable Amateur radio e-mail messaging network that is being made available to the ARES® & RACES communities. 

Getting Started with Sound Card Digital Modes   (PDF file  164kb)
By Murray Greenman ZL1BPU 

This presentation is about setting your Amateur radio station up to operate the wide range of modern radio software which uses the PC sound card to generate and receive signals. The most basic setting up information and hints are included. 

Last Mile Communications Using Digital Radio Technologies  (PPT file 7.15mb)
By KS4JU

Why Digital Radio? 

More Robust 

Can work better in noisy RF environments

Built in filtering or data redundancy improve communications

Can be more efficient with less power and smaller antennas. 

Greater Connectivity

Some modes can be linked over the Internet to reach more potential users

Communicate More Efficiently

Greater bandwidth capability for more information

 Potential for sending documents, photos and other attachments.

Provides more accurate communications

PDF format for printing (9 double sided pages)

Circuit Components - 004
4-1 amplifier fundamentals
4-2 diode fundamentals
4-3 bipolar transistor fundamentals
4-4 field-effect transistor fundamentals
4-5 triode vacuum tube fundamentals
4-6 resistor colour codes, tolerances, temperature coefficient

Additional  Help

Introduction to PN Junction Diodes   (PDF file  315kb)

Bipolar Junction Transistors  (PDF file  51.6kb)
Published by The School of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

How transistors work

Fundamentals of Transistors    (PDF file  2.00mb)
By Leonard Krugman

Introduction to transistors targeted at "the technician and amateur".  Shows basic transistor circuits.

Resistor Colour Code Practice: (exe file  679kb)
(Right click and save in a directory of your choice)

Introduction to Solid-State Devices and Power Supplies  (PDF file  2.41mb)
Published by US Navy

PDF format for printing (37 double sided pages)

Basic Electronics and Theory - 005
5-1 metric prefixes - pico, micro, milli, centi, kilo, mega, giga
5-2 concepts of current, voltage, conductor, insulator, resistance
5-3 concepts of energy and power, open and short circuits
5-4 Ohm's law - single resistors
5-5 series and parallel resistors
5-6 power law, resistor power dissipation
5-7 AC, sinewave, frequency, frequency units
5-8 ratios, logarithms, decibels
5-9 introduction to inductance, capacitance
5-10 introduction to reactance, impedance
5-11 introduction to magnetics, transformers
5-12 introduction to resonance, tuned circuits
5-13 introduction to meters and measurements

Additional  Help

Electronics Assistant  (EXE File, 460 kB) New! (Feb. 18 2008) 

Electronics Assistant is a Windows program that performs electronics-related calculations. It includes a resistor colour code calculator, resistance, capacitance and power calculations and more. Details of calculations can be saved or printed. It provides all the functions found in the calculators section of this site and more in a stand-alone user friendly program.

Introduction to Matter, Energy, and Direct Current    (PDF file  3.16mb)
Published by The U.S.Navy NEETS program

This is an excellent entry level electronics training program but you must be aware that some of the material is specific to the Navy. The basics are all here, all you have to do is study to get the same high quality training as the sailors who repair sophisticated Communications, Radar, and SatComm systems. One other note: The Navy teaches "Electron Flow" where Colleges teach "Conventional Current Flow" and this can be confusing to some who have a college background, but the numbers still come out the same, simply the direction of flow in the circuit is reversed. Either way the theory is still the same. 

Capacitors  (PDF file  3.16mb)

Capacitance, capacitor circuits, Charge flow, Storing charge, Stored charge: effect of voltage, Capacitance formula, Stored charge, Designing capacitors, Energy stored in a capacitor, How much energy is stored, Stored energy, Charging through a resistor, Discharging a capacitor, Analysing capacitor discharge

Capacitors, Magnetic Circuits, and Transformers    (PDF file  3.16mb)

A detailed text on capacitors, inductors, and transformers.  Great info for those wanting a deep understanding of these passive components.  Good theory and practical applications, especially on 
transformers and inductors.

Inductors   (PDF file  110kb)
Published by The School of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

                      PDF format for printing (14 double sided pages)

                     PDF format for printing (13 double sided pages)

Feedlines and Antenna Systems - 006
6-1 feed line characteristics, characteristic impedance
6-2 balanced and unbalanced feed lines, baluns
6-3 popular antenna feed line and coaxial connector types
6-4 line losses by line type, length and frequency
6-5 standing waves, standing wave ratio, SWR meter
6-6 concept of impedance matching
6-7 isotropic source, polarization via element orientation
6-8 wavelength vs physical length
6-9 gain, directivity, radiation pattern, antenna bandwidth
6-10 vertical antennas - types, dimensions, characteristics
6-11 Yagi antennas - types, dimensions, characteristics
6-12 wire antennas - types, dimensions, characteristics
6-13 quad/loop antennas - types, dimensions, characteristics

Additional  Help

Understanding Antennas For The Non-Technical Ham   (PDF file 854kb)
A book by Jim Abercrombie, N4JA

This is a book length web article provided by the author free for all hams.

Antenna Fundamentals  Propagation  (121 meg video)

Royal Canadian Air Force Training Film produced by the National Film Board.

Please right click on file and save to your hard drive as playing directly requires good high speed internet connection. Requires Windows Media Player.

Antenna Fundamentals  Directivity   (119 meg video)

Royal Canadian Air Force Training Film produced by the National Film Board.

Please right click on file and save to your hard drive as playing directly requires good high speed internet connection. Requires Windows Media Player.

Antenna Fundamentals  Bandwidth   (110 meg video)

Royal Canadian Air Force Training Film produced by the National Film Board.

Please right click on file and save to your hard drive as playing directly requires good high speed internet connection. Requires Windows Media Player.

Introduction to Wave Propagation, Transmission Lines and Antennas   (PDF file 2.40mb)
Published by US Navy

Wire Gauge Chart  (PDF file 172kb)

Baluns & What They Do  (PDF file 924kb)
By Roy Lewallen, W7EL

PDF format for printing (28 double sided pages)

Radio Wave Propagation - 007
7-1 line of sight, ground wave, ionospheric wave (sky wave)
7-2 ionosphere, ionospheric regions (layers)
7-3 propagation hops, skip zone, skip distance
7-4 ionospheric absorption, causes and variation, fading, phase shift, Faraday rotation
7-5 solar activity, sunspots, sunspot cycle
7-6 MF and HF, critical and maximum useable frequencies, solar flux
7-7 VHF and UHF, sporadic-E, aurora, ducting
7-8 scatter - HF, VHF, UHF

Additional  Help

FIELD ANTENNA HANDBOOK   (PDF file 4.64mb)
Marine Corps Reference Publication

"Of all the variables affecting single-channel radio communications, the one factor that an operator has the most control over is the antenna. With the right antenna, an operator can change a marginal net into a reliable net. Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 6-22D, Antenna Handbook, gives operators the knowledge to properly select and employ antennas to provide the strongest possible signal at the receiving station of the circuit". 

Solar Activity & HF Propagation  (PDF file 964kb)
By Paul Harden, NA5N

Paul Harden NA5N is one of those rare individuals who really understands his subject and has a talent for explaining in a way we can all understand. He's also a whizz at presentation. This feature is set to become a classic, full of hints and tips - you will become your local club's propagation guru!

Propagation Video   (exe file 1.05mb)
(Right click and save in a directory of your choice)

Sailing the Ionosphere    (PDF file 89.2kb)
Fred Backer VK2FJB discusses the ionosphere. How it affects radio propagation and how it can be used to the benefit of radio amateurs.

PDF format for printing (8 double sided pages)

Interference and Suppression - 008
8-1 front-end overload, cross-modulation
8-2 audio rectification, bypass capacitors, ferrites
8-3 intermodulation, spurious, key-clicks
8-4 harmonics, splatter, transmitter adjustments
8-5 use of filters: low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, band-reject

Additional  Help

Cutting Through Interference from Radio Transmitters   (PDF file 155kb)
Published by Industry Canada

Real Video Presentation: Cutting Through... Radio Interference  (external link to Industry Canada Webste)
 

Understanding and Solving RF Interference and Noise Problems  (PDF file 3.44mb)
By Jim Brown, K9YC

A Ham's Guide to RFI, Ferrites, Baluns, and Audio Interfacing

These tools will help you prepare for your amateur radio basic examination.

IPC-2007.exe(exe file 3.89mb)
Industry Canada software examination generator for amateur radio student practice: IPC-2007.exe
(Right click and save in a directory of your choice)

ExHaminer.exe(exe file 187kb)
A self-test program for candidates to the Canadian Amateur Radio certification. 
Be sure to download the Question Bank: Questions Basic.txt   (text file 493kb) 
(Right click and save both files in the same directory)

Application for Amateur Radio Operator Certificate  (PDF file 134kb)
Published by Industry Canada

This form must be filled out by the applicant and given to the delegated examiner upon successful completion of examination. please print clearly and fill in all fields. Choose three available callsigns from the database listed below, priority will be given to your first choice if available when application is received by Industry Canada.

Choose your Callsign   (Link to external site)

A database of available amateur radio callsigns posted on the Radio Amateurs of Canada website.

Certificate Examinations 
There are two means by which an individual may obtain the Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic, Morse code (5 w.p.m.), Morse code (12 w.p.m.) and Advanced Qualifications.  They may: 

(1) be examined by an accredited examiner; or
(2) be examined at the local district office of Industry Canada. 

Accredited Examiners 

A list of Accredited Examiners is provided to RAC by Industry Canada on an 'as-supplied' basis. Once received, it is posted to the RAC website. The first line in the spreadsheet provides the date that the file was sent from Industry Canada to RAC.
List of Accredited Examiners - sorted by province/city/lastname in EXCEL format

Amateur Radio Clubs & ARES Groups

Many Amateur Radio Clubs and ARES Groups offer Amateur Radio Courses, a comprehensive list of Amateur Radio Clubs can be found on the HFRadio.Net website: www.hfradio.net/clubs.shtml, a list of Registered ARES Groups in Canada can be forund on the Radio Amateurs of Canada Website: www.rac.ca/fieldorg/racares.htm

Available from the RAC Online Store

! NEW ! RAC Study Guide for the Basic Exam Seventh Edition by John Cleveland-Iliffe VA3JI & Geoffrey Read Smith VA3GS Content far exceeds the current requirements for the Basic Qualification examination. Covers all the new exam questions. Published by Radio Amateurs of Canada Price - $50.00 ISBN 1-895400-17-1

Radio Communications in the Digital Age   (PDF file 953kb)
By The Harris Corporation

Chapter 1: Principles of Radio Communications
Chapter 2: The Ionospere and HF Propagation
Chapter 3: Elements in an HF Radio System
Chapter 4: Noise and Interference
Chapter 5: Data Communications via HF Radio
Chapter 6: Adaptive Radio Technology
Chapter 7: Securing Communications
Chapter 8: HF Systems and Applications
Chapter 9: Future Directions

"A true "hobbyist manual".  Includes discussions on tools, parts, and setting up a workshop.  Also details on how to lay out and fabricate a chassis (even one from a foil-covered cigar box!), male simple PCB's, and wire circuits together.  Also has sections on some tools and test equipment you can build yourself, as well as some simple projects. Great beginners book.

This is sort of an ARRL handbook on steroids.  Very complete, covering basic theory though practical construction of mostly ham radio equipment, though much applies to any vintage electronic project.  Has some transistor and semiconductor info but 90% vacuum tube, even a circuit for a tube-based VHF walke-talkie!  There are even sections on "high-fidelity techniques" and "electronic computers"!  Even includes a math section and info on how to set up your workshop (I like the "workshop-in-a-closet"!)