Exam Questions Review Amateur Radio

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Antenna Videos

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Recommended references for Amateur Radio study in Australia

  • Ham College Inc. - Western Australia

https://www.hamcollege.org.au/study/advanced-licence/ Ham College produces a text book that is very much aligned with the syllabus at the time. The notes differentiate between the requirements of the Standard and Advanced exams. It's not free but consider it a value for money $50 addition to your library.

CARS produce excellent Powerpoint presentations that are obviously aligned with the UK syllabus. The technical content is roughly aligned with our Australian syllabus. Ignore the non-technical Licence Conditions sections as they are UK orientated. The rules governing Amateur Radio are based on International Agreements and while similar in most countries it's best to focus on the Australian variation and avoid confusion.

Download “Book 2 All you need to know to become a Radio Amateur” The technical content makes it a good resource. Best to skip over the NZ orientated Licence Conditions and focus on “Syllabus Clusters” 10 to 60. A good technical reference. The link to this book is on the Wellington VHF Group website.

  • Lessons in Electric Circuits

https://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/ Not Amateur Radio. They are true to name – lessons in electronic circuits. Not your first reference when you're focusing on an exam but an excellent background reference. Count the pages before you consider printing them!

  • RASA Radio Amateur Society of Australia

https://vkradioamateurs.org/ RASA has several good publications. Not really textbooks but excellent sources of Information RASA Welcome to Amateur Radio Guidebook for Newcomers https://vkradioamateurs.org/welcome-to-ar-guidebook-for-newcomers/ 6. WIAWirelessInstituteofAustralia https://www.wia.org.au/ The WIA has been around a long time and has various resources. A good one even if slightly dated for Foundation use is: WIA Your Entry into Amateur Radio https://www.wia.org.au/members/bookshop/page_data.php?id=113


  • Fred Swainston Radio Theory Handbook for Amateur Operators ttps://www.wia.org.au/members/bookshop/page_data.php?id=114

Available from the WIA bookshop. A comprehensive textbook that goes well beyond the Advanced syllabus.

Ron has produced a textbook based on his excellent courses run at the Radio and Electronics School.

  • IPS The Australian Ionospheric Service is part of the Met bureau.

https://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Category/Educational/Other Topics/Radio Communication/Intro_HF_Radio.pdf The Introduction to HF Radio is an excellent publication that explains ionospheric propagation. The PDF is free and is referenced in many Amateur and Commercial training packages.

  • Lessons in Electric Circuits

https://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/ Not Amateur Radio. They are true to name – lessons in electronic circuits. Not your first reference when you're focusing on an exam but an excellent background reference. Count the pages before you consider printing them!

RASA and the RES have combined to produce an excellent set of Australian regulations resources. Check out their web pages and download their Australian Amateur Radio Regulations Handbook.


What does an SWR meter measure

An SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) meter is a device used in radio frequency (RF) and antenna systems to measure the impedance match between the transmitter, transmission line, and the antenna. SWR is a ratio of the maximum power that can be delivered to the antenna system compared to the minimum power needed to achieve the same power at the antenna terminals.

Here's a breakdown of what an SWR meter measures:

  • Impedance Mismatch: The primary purpose of an SWR meter is to detect any impedance mismatch between the transmitter and the antenna system. When there's a mismatch, some of the power sent from the transmitter is reflected back towards the transmitter instead of being radiated by the antenna. This can result in increased transmission line losses and decreased efficiency.
  • Standing Waves: SWR is related to standing waves on the transmission line. When the impedance is mismatched, standing waves are created, and the SWR value indicates the extent of these standing waves. Ideally, you want to minimize standing waves to ensure that most of the power is radiated by the antenna.
  • Transmission Line Health: SWR meters are also used to assess the health of the transmission line. High SWR values can indicate problems such as short circuits, open circuits, or other issues in the transmission line.
  • Antenna Tuning: SWR meters are often used in conjunction with antenna tuners to adjust the length of an antenna or other parameters to achieve a better impedance match. This helps maximize the transfer of power from the transmitter to the antenna.

The SWR is represented as a ratio, typically written as a fraction or a decimal, and is used to assess the efficiency of the antenna system. An SWR of 1:1 indicates a perfect match (no reflected power), while higher ratios such as 1.5:1 or 2:1 suggest a moderate mismatch, and higher ratios like 3:1 or more indicate a significant mismatch.

In summary, an SWR meter measures the standing wave ratio, which is indicative of the impedance match between the transmitter, transmission line, and antenna in an RF system. Maintaining a low SWR is crucial for efficient power transfer and effective radio communication.

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