ARRL Inc. - The ARRL General Class License Manual

Copyright 2019 by

The American Radio Relay League, Inc

Copyright secured under the Pan-American Convention

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form except by written permission of the publisher.
All rights of translation are reserved.

Printed in USA

Quedan reservados todos los derechos

ISBN: 978-1-62595-106-9

Ninth Edition

First Printing

This book may be used for General class license exams given beginning July 1, 2019. QST and the ARRL website ( www.arrl.org ) will have news about any rules changes affecting the General class license or any of the material in this book.

We strive to produce books without errors. Sometimes mistakes do occur, however. When we become aware of problems in our books (other than obvious typographical errors), we post corrections on the ARRL website. If you think you have found an error, please check .

Foreword

Welcome to the ninth edition of the ARRLs General Class License Manual , the premier guide to passing the General class Amateur Radio examination. You will have a lot of company as you begin to communicate across the country and around the world on the HF bands. Nearly one quarter of all amateurs hold a General class license as of early 2015 and half of all hams have General class or higher HF privileges.

If your interests include public service, adding General privileges increases your capabilities dramatically! You can experiment with the many new digital modes being invented and used by hams, begin working toward achieving operating awards and explore all the interesting opportunities of radio on the HF bands. You wont regret upgrading from Technician to General as you will get a lot more out of using your new privileges.

Once you have upgraded to General class, you can participate in the largest of all amateur volunteer examiner (VE) programs and become certified by the ARRL VEC. General class licensees can give back by volunteering as a VE for Technician class license exams. You can learn more about providing this valuable and appreciated service at www.arrl.org/become-an-arrl-ve .

In order to help you make good use of your new privileges, the ARRL General Class License Manual does more than just help you memorize the answers in the question pool. Each topic is addressed in sufficient detail to help you learn the why behind the rules, the what of basic electronics, and the how of amateur operating practices. There are drawings, photographs, and tables to guide you in your studies. If you would like a more concise study guide, the ARRL General Class Q & A is a companion to this book, presenting each question and a short explanation of the correction answer. The pair is a powerful one-two punch to help you pass the exam.

Even the best study material cant address all of the things youll encounter as a General, so the books companion website ( www.arrl.org/general-class-license-manual ) provides supplemental information and links to resources that go beyond the exam questions. This book and the website also list a number of other useful references that youll find especially helpful in translating your new privileges into on-the-air operating.

Whatever your preference in Amateur Radio, there are books and supplies in the ARRLs Radio Amateurs Library that support almost any amateur operating practice. Contact the Publication Sales Office at ARRL Headquarters to request the latest publications catalog or to place and order. (You can reach us by phone 860-594-0200; by fax 860-594-0303 and by email via . Look for the Products window, browse the latest news about Amateur Radio, and tap into the wealth of services provided by the ARRL to amateurs.

Thanks for making the decision to upgrade we hope to hear you using your new General class privileges and enjoying more of the many opportunities Amateur Radio has to offer. Good luck!

Ward Silver, N AX St. Charles, Missouri March 2019