Training materials
Courses and books to help you prepare for the amateur radio exams.
DARC courses
The following three books were relevant for training in Germany until June 2024. They were also used as reference materials in Switzerland for the most part.
Amateur Radio Technical Course (Class A) — E.K.W. Moltrecht, DJ4UF
This course is based on the 2007 examination question catalogue of the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA). All topics covered within it from the areas of mathematical fundamentals, electrical engineering, electronics, as well as transmitter and receiver technology, transmission technology, antenna technology and measurement technology under the heading ‘Technical Knowledge’ are explained in detail. Knowledge acquired in the amateur radio course for the Class E licence is required. The current list of questions from the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) is required as supplementary material.
The book is structured to provide a pedagogically sound course, whilst specifically addressing the examination questions found in the BNetzA’s question bank. Difficult examination questions are worked out in detail and the answers provided. The course is equally suitable for use alongside amateur radio courses and for self-study.
304 pages, format 16.5×23 cm · VTH order no. 411 0089 · ISBN 978-3-8180-389-2
Amateur Radio Technical Course (Beginners / Class E) — E.K.W. Moltrecht, DJ4UF
This course is based on the Federal Network Agency’s list of examination questions for the Class E amateur radio licence. All the topics covered, ranging from the fundamentals of electrical engineering and electronics to transmitter and receiver technology, antenna technology and measurement technology, including calculations for electromagnetic compatibility, are explained in such detail that the candidate will be able to answer every question in the question catalogue correctly.
Drawing on experience from practical courses, the order of the course material has been arranged so that some interesting chapters on radio technology are covered right at the start. No prior knowledge of electrical engineering is required — the material builds on standard primary school knowledge.
240 pages, format 16.5×23 cm · VTH Order No. 411 0064 · ISBN 978-3-88180-364-9
Amateur Radio Course: ‘Operating Techniques and Regulations’ — E.K.W. Moltrecht, DJ4UF
Covering the subject of operational techniques in great detail and always with an eye to the relevant examination questions, the topics include the international phonetic alphabet, the Q code, call signs, country codes, operational abbreviations, IARU band plans, shortwave operating procedures, VHF/UHF operating procedures, digital modes, the RST system, logbooks and QSL cards.
Particularly with regard to the many terms to be learnt, such as country codes, Q-groups or frequency bands, the overviews have been reduced to the essential minimum compared with the question catalogue. Furthermore, the legal provisions and regulations relating to amateur radio are discussed in detail, and difficult legal terms are explained.
This book is the ideal supplement to the ‘Amateur Radio Technology’ course for the Class E or Class A amateur radio licence. It should be studied in parallel with the technology course — for example, one lesson on technology followed by one lesson on operating techniques and regulations.
156 pages, format 16.5×23 cm · VTH Order No. 411 0103 · ISBN 978-3-88180-803-3