Riding the Shortwaves: Exploring the Magic of Amateur Radio

by Don Keith

"The hobby of amateur (or ham) radio is now 100 years old, but like technology in general, this pastime has evolved tremendously, not only keeping pace with the times but often leading the way, just as it has since its beginning. In this book, a unique blend of lighthearted, amusing and moving short stories, practical advice, and informed opinion, best-selling author and active amateur radio operator Don Keith (call sign N4KC) shows those interested in joining the "tribe" of amateur radio enthusiasts as well as newcomers to the hobby and old hands, too, just how magical and exciting it can be."

Genres: Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Award-winning and best-selling author of more than 40 published works, Don Keith was born in 1947 and has lived in the South all his life. He attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where he received his degree in broadcast and film communication with a minor in English and literature. While working as a broadcast journalist, he won awards from the Associated Press and United Press International for news writing and reporting. He was also the first winner of Troy State University's Hector Award for innovation in broadcast journalism. As an on-the-air broadcaster, Don won the Billboard Magazine "Radio Personality of the Year" in two formats, country and contemporary. Keith was a broadcast personality for over twenty years in Birmingham and Nashville, and also owned his own consultancy, co-owned a Mobile, Alabama, radio station (WZEW-FM), and hosted and produced several nationally syndicated radio shows.

His first novel, THE FOREVER SEASON, was published by St. Martin's Press in the fall of 1995 to commercial and critical success. It called heavily on Keith's own athletic and academic experiences. Reviewers praised its unique approach and powerful story. The novel won the Alabama Library Association's "Fiction of the Year" award in 1997, joining works likewise honored from Harper Lee and others, and was re-issued in the fall of 2002 by the University of Alabama Press as part of its prestigious Deep South Books series.

He has written both fiction and non-fiction, including several books on WWII history, biographies, and military thrillers. His co-written thriller, HUNTER KILLER, was the basis for the hit movie starring Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman.

Reviews

[Daniel N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who is into ham radio and possibly wants to get into ham radio, this book is a great book

[Jeremy J. Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read some of it, and may check it out again. I think I just need to DO IT and take action, instead of reading about having a ham radio. IDK. DNF

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fun upbeat non-technical books on Amateur Radio are a rarity, and not only has Don Keith N4KC hit the mark, he has slipped in some very good advice and some stealthy tech stuff in too!

Some of the chapters have appeared elsewhere as Don N4KC fleshed out this book, and some seem to make so much sense the reader is sure they have read it before, even though the words are new.

Great read, dood fun, and an enjoyable introduction with some solid advice to an over 100 year old hobby - ham radio. I am sure glad I ordered a signed copy directly from Don N4KC.

73

[Jonathan Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just what I needed to give me some real world context between studying for my General and Extra Class exams. If you are not a ham, it might not make a lot of sense. If you have studied for at least one exam, though, it is a lit of fun.

[Tom Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone new to the radio hobby!