Radio Handbook

...PrimeParts.net says they still have a few in stock; I just ordered one earlier today. Web link: http://www.primeparts.net/Books/books.shtml Update: The book arrived and I've been perusing the contents. It's an absolutely beautiful book -- the pictures are crisp and clear. The technical content is quite good, although I would caution that the technical details are closer to what you find in something like the ARRL Handbook or perhaps Experimental Methods in RF Design than, say, Bowick's or Hayward's RF Design (text) books. It is true that some of the content is dated: most of the amplifiers are tube-based and while some designs are perfectly workable as presented, today there are much more straightforward approaches using, e.g., microcontrollers and a bit of analog 'glue.' (Particularly amusing: He catalogs the 'typical home computer' as having 64KB. :-) ) Still, there's a lot that can be learned from a classic book such as this, and even if the implementations have changed over time, the fundamentals are timeless; people who downgrade books such as this for being 'obsolete' are typically those who are only seeking a cursory understanding of the subject matter.

But they are not mutually exclusive. Every ham needs this book. Especially if you ever want to build (or dream) a "real" RF amplifier. Buy this book before they go out of print

This book is a must have for any library. If you are interested in homebrewing then you need this book. Its filled with lots of schematics and details.

The late Bill Orr, W6SAI, was a legend to many of us old timer hams. His books were always practical and helpful. Radio Handbook is no exception. This is a reprint of an older edition of Radio Handbook so its technology looks like 80's vintage. (Get the ARRL Handbook for recent stuff.) This book's strength is tube-type linear amplifiers. That's why I bought it and I'm happy with it. Very practical help and ideas. His general radio theory sections are quite clear as well. For other circuits and devices, I found the material rather dated. But for amps, it's my book!

I've owned 3 of these "Radio Handbook's." I consider the 23rd edition to be as good and as essential to the library of the active and advanced, technically minded, radio amateur, as previous editions. If i could only have 2 books in my library, this would be one of them.