Local Ham Classes and Exam Sessions
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Amateur Radio Operator ("HAM") Training:
http://www.k6mpn.org/training/
Ham Radio License Courses and Exams:
http://www-w6yx.stanford.edu/class.html
Exam Sessions in Sunnyvale:
http://www.amateur-radio.org/sv.htm
ARRL VEC Exam Sessions in the Santa Clara Valley:
http://www.svve.org
Ham Radio Exams:
http://www.radioexam.org
Technician Class License Tutorial
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http://www.transworldradio.8m.com/tutorial/tutorial.html
This is a good site for beginners because each section has a description, definitions, examples and summary. Unlike most study guides that are basically a list of Q and A, this talks about what, why and how amateur radio works. It is not real in-depth (refer to the ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs for that).
Amateur Radio Description by W5YI Group
This site affiliated with the National Radio Examiners at http://www.w5yi.org describes amateur radio. It includes what can someone do with a ham license, obtaining an license, frequencies available, equipment, license classes, and what the written examinations are like.
Suggested Books for your First License (some of these are available in the ARRC library)
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Now You're Talking! All You Need For Your First Amateur Radio License by ARRL
http://www.arrl.org/catalog/lm/ (also available in the ARRC library)
Technician Class Book by Gordon West by QRZ.com
https://secure.qrz.com/store/w5yi/index.html
The above books can be purchased locally at HRO (Ham Radio Outlet) in on Lawrence Expressway (between Hwy 101 and Central Expressway) in Sunnyvale, CA. http://www.hamradio.com
Ham Radio: So, You Want to be a Ham? (from the NASA ISS reference website)
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http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/radio/beaham.html
Practice Amateur Radio Exams
http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl
http://www.hamtestonline.com
This website presents concepts in logical order and provides explanations to make the process more about learning material and less about memorizing answers.
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http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Operating_Aids/Beginner_s_Guides/
Frank Culbertson, KD5OPQ, on the International Space Station. The callsign for the station is NA1SS ("November Alpha One Sierra Sierra"). photo #DCS00710, July 2001.
Photo of initial amateur radio station in the Zarya FGB of the International Space Station.
How Ham Radio Works by http://www.howstuffworks.com/ham-radio.htm
Understanding Wireless Communications
As more IT professionals become involved in radio communications, many lack basic understanding of RF concepts. The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) has two online tutorials that provide some basic concepts. These sites first discuss bids and contracts but later describe the physics of RF communications. These websites were recommended by Ralph Haller, former chief of the FCC Private Radio Bureau who also teaches RF classes for IT professionals.
Understanding Wireless Communications in Public Safety
This NLECTC guidebook is to help unravel the confusing issues, terms, and options surrounding wireless communications, particularly as it involves commercially available communications services.
http://www.nlectc.org/virlib/InfoDetail.asp?intInfoID=311
Publication Link: http://www.nlectc.org/pdffiles/wireless2003.pdf (2.6Mb)
State and Local Law Enforcement Wireless Communications and Interoperability
Effective police work requires communication with other law enforcement agencies and emergency service providers. Interoperability, the coordination of communication between agencies, is expected to improve with such technological advances as trunked systems, digital systems, and data-only channels.
http://www.nlectc.org/virlib/InfoDetail.asp?intInfoID=109
Publication Links: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/Abstract.aspx?ID=168961
http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/168961.pdf (641Kb)