I’m still working on my “help for new hams” book. I think that I’ve finally got the scope right, and I’ve even started writing the chapters. If I really work at it, I could perhaps even get it done by the end of the year.
As part of this effort, I’ve been looking at what others have written, including:
- W1FB’s Help for New Hams by Doug Demaw, W1FB (SK)
- Your Guide to HF Fun by Dave Ingram, K4TWJ (SK)
- AC6V’s DX101x by Rod Dinkins, AC6V (SK)
Another book that I decided to purchase is the Heil Ham Radio Handbook by Bob Heil, K9EID. They’ve talked about it from time to time on Ham Nation, and it sounds like it has some useful information. So, I decided to purchase it this morning.
I first went to Amazon, of course. They sell my books and just about everything else on the planet, so that was a logical first stop. Oddly enough, Amazon doesn’t sell the book. There is a dealer that’s selling it used, but they’re charging $19, and new, it only costs $15!
Next, I went to Universal Radio. There, the price is $14.95, plus $6.95 shipping and handling. That sounded reasonable, but I thought that I might be able to get it for less.
I then went to DX Engineering. The price there was also $14.95, but they were going to charge me $12.95 for shipping and handling, almost as much as the book! Needless to say, I went back to Universal Radio and bought it there.
The point, of course, is that it pays to shop around. Amazon doesn’t always have the lowest price, and the shipping and handling charges from other retailers can vary widely.
Doug - KM4FWM says
Please post a review of the Heil book. I’ve seen conflicting comments about the book. Since I can’t see an online preview or Table of Contents, I’m reluctant to spend $22 sight unseen.
On an eham.net forum, I asked whether ARRL’s “Low Power Communications” book was worthwhile. Among the helpful replies was one from Peter Parker VK3YE. Wow! (Peter’s website and youtube videos are wonderful. A KISS QRP wizard.
A month or so later, Bill Meara’s “SolderSmoke” site mentioned that Peter Parker had a new Kindle book out for $4.99 USD.
I bought it and am very pleased. It is not just for the homebrew QRPer; it is also for the QRO operator who is willing to turn the power down to increase the challenge.
At 229 pages, there is also a lot there that will help the new ham (until Dan’s book comes out!). ;-)
If you click “Look Inside” over the picture of the book, you get the table of contents and a preview. There are international editions at the other Amazon sites and you don’t need Kindle hardware to read it; use a Kindle reading app. Unfortunately, no paper version at this time.
David Ryeburn VE7EZM and AF7BZ says
Yes, it pays to shop around. Up here in Canada if I don’t take steps to avoid it, looking at Amazon means looking at Amazon Canada instead of Amazon USA. Count yourself lucky you can easily deal with Amazon USA.
Have a look at http://www.amazon.ca/Heil-Ham-Radio-Handbook/dp/9992927461.
I don’t think the exchange rate is THAT high these days. There is no tariff on American books (or on most American things) because of NAFTA. The 5% GST federal sales tax and the (for me) 7% PST (this varies from province to province) is not included in the CDN$587.47 price for the new copy. Of course one can save CDN$42.07 by getting the used copy.
David, VE7EZM and AF7BZ
Dan KB6NU says
When I go to that Amazon Canada page, it says that the book is currently unavailable.