The VHF/UHF DX Book

Edited by Ian White, G3SEK

"I started this book because no existing amateur radio book seemed to capture the reality of
VHF/UHF DX, with its unique blend of advanced technology and personal skill..."

CONTENTS

About 450 pages, including -

  1. INTRODUCTION
    • Chasing the DX
    • The Technical Challenges
  2. VHF/UHF PROPAGATION by Geoff Grayer, G3NAQ
    • Properties of Radio Waves
    • The Path from Transmitter to Receiver
    • VHF and UHF Propagation Modes
      • Tropospheric
      • Auroral Scattering
      • Sporadic-E and Auroral Es
      • FAI, F2, Trans-equatorial and Ionoscatter
      • Meteor Scatter
      • Moonbounce
    • Recognizing Propagation Modes
  3. OPERATING by David Butler, G4ASR
    • General Techniques
      • What is a Contact?
      • Answering CQ Calls
      • Calling CQ
      • Getting It Right
      • Playing The Game
    • Special VHF/UHF DX Operating Techniques
      • Tropo
      • Aurora
      • Sporadic-E
      • Meteor Scatter
      • Moonbounce
    • The DXer's Year Planner
    • Background Knowledge, and Where to Get It
  4. ASSEMBLING YOUR STATION
    • Receiver Sensitivity
      • System Noise Temperature
      • Usable Sensitivity
    • Power Gains and Losses
      • Path Loss Capability
    • Station Improvements
  5. RECEIVERS AND LOCAL OSCILLATORS
    • The Receiver's Front-End
    • Noise/Gain Analysis
    • Strong-Signal Performance
      • Intermodulation
      • Gain Compression
      • Reciprocal Mixing
      • Dynamic Ranges
    • Intermodulation Analysis
      • The TCALC Program
    • Practical Front-End Systems
  6. TRANSMITERS, POWER AMPLIFIERS AND EMC by John Nelson, GW4FRX
    • Clean Signals
      • SSB
      • CW
      • How Much Power do DXers Really Need?
    • What Kind of Power Amplifier?
      • Going for The Limit
      • Triodes and Tetrodes
      • The 4CX Family
    • Commissioning a New Power Amplifier
      • Detailed Instructions - including "DON'T PANIC".
    • Going on the Air
      • Controlling the Drive Level
      • Staying Legal
      • Setting Up a Speech Processor
      • Flashovers
      • RF Feedback
    • Electromagnetic Compatibility
  7. BEAM ANTENNAS AND FEEDLINES by Günter Hoch, DL6WU
    • Types of Directive Antennas
    • Choice of Antennas for VHF/UHF DX
    • DL6WU Yagi Designs
    • Which Commercial Yagi?
    • Feedlines, Transformers and Baluns
  8. 144MHz EQUIPMENT
    • The 'Suffolk' 144MHz Transverter by Sam Jewell, G4DDK
    • The W1SL 144MHz Power Amplifier by John Nelson, GW4FRX
    • Antennas for 144MHz DX
  9. 50MHz AND 70MHz EQUIPMENT
    • A High-Performance 50MHz Transverter by Dave Powis, G4HUP
    • The 'Cray' High-Performance 70MHz Transverter by Dave Robinson, G4FRE/WG3I
    • Solid-State Power Amplifiers
    • Antennas for 50MHz and 70MHz DX
  10. 432MHz EQUIPMENT
    • A DXer's Transverter for 432MHz by John Wilkinson, G4HGT
    • A Low-Noise 432MHz GaAsFET Preamplifier
    • The K2RIW 432MHz Power Amplifier by John Nelson, GW4FRX
    • Antennas for 432MHz DX
  11. POWER SUPPLIES AND CONTROL UNITS by John Nelson, GW4FRX
    • Anode (Plate) Supplies
    • Screen-Grid Supplies
    • Control-Grid Supplies
    • Heater Supplies
    • Alarms and Interlocks
    • Transmit/Receive Control
  12. TEST EQUIPMENT AND STATION ACCESSORIES by Roger Blackwell, G4PMK
    • RF Power and Voltage Measurement
    • Frequency Counters
    • Impedance and VSWR Measurement
    • Receiver Measurements
    • Transmitter Measurements
    • Filters
    • Station Accessories

FAN MAIL FROM VHF/UHF DXERS

W9IP:
If you don't already have this gem, you should run (not walk) to the post office to order one. It is comprehensive, interesting, informative, and delightfully well-written.
N6CL (in CQ):
I highly recommend this book as an excellent reference guide for the weak-signal VHF operator.
G8TIC:
Nice to see that there's a second printing of the book... my first edition has become so dog-eared through heavy use!
KJ7F:
I have not seen any other book with so much valuable info for the VHF weak signal operator.
From PA0:
You forgot to tell that the pieces on linears are especially a pleasure to read, even to QRP fans. I enjoyed them very much!
N0XX/7 (DX Engineering):
The best technical [VHF/UHF] book I've seen is 'The VHF/UHF DX Book'... a great book, and the writing is the clearest and easiest to understand of any book of its type I've ever read.
N7SFT:
It's one of the best collections of practical VHF/UHF data I've seen. Much more informative than other texts out there.
W5NY (Stridsberg Engineering):
We really enjoy your book. We have two copies in our engineering library and I can tell you they are well used as a reference, and just reading it for pleasure. GREAT BOOK!!!
G8ROU (in 'The VHF/UHF DXer'):
If you only ever buy one VHF book, this should be the one.

Ordering from RSGB
Ordering from ARRL


Ian White, GM3SEK: Editor of The VHF/UHF DX Book and 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)

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