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 primarily as reference material in Switzerland.
Amateur Radio Training Course: Technology (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 in the areas of mathematical fundamentals, electrical engineering, electronics, as well as transmitter and receiver technology, transmission technology, antenna technology and measurement technology – all falling under the ‘Technical Knowledge’ section – are explained in detail. Knowledge acquired in the amateur radio course for the Class E amateur radio licence is required. The current question bank 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 exam questions taken from the BNetzA’s question bank. The more challenging exam 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 topics covered, ranging from the fundamentals of electrical engineering and electronics to transmitters and receivers, 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 bank correctly.
Drawing on experience from practical courses, the order of the course material has been chosen 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 Procedure and Regulations’ — E.K.W. Moltrecht, DJ4UF
Covering the subject of operating procedures in great detail and always with an eye to the relevant examination questions, the topics covered include the international spelling 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 ranges, the overviews have been reduced to the necessary minimum in comparison with the question catalogue. Furthermore, the legal provisions and regulations concerning 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 procedures and regulations.
156 pages, format 16.5×23 cm · VTH Order No. 411 0103 · ISBN 978-3-88180-803-3