This section logically follows from the previous one on "electronic components". The purpose of this section, like the previous one, is not to teach you how to become a radio technician.
You will learn about power sources, receivers and transmitters. You be introduced to the idea of "layouts" and "blocks". Blocks are groups of the smaller components designed to perform specific functions such as filtering, amplifing signals, converting waves etc. If you look inside a radio, you won't normally see these blocks but the concept of "layout" and "block" is used in design and troubleshooting.
You will see a lot of simlaries in the layouts for power sources, transmitters, and receivers. At first it may be confusing but if you go through the material systematically and follow the hints below, you should be able to master the material.
About 20% of the exam questions will be from section B-003 in the question bank. There are about 200 questions to review. They are found in the following sections:
Station Assembly, Practice and Safety - 003 3-1 functional layout of HF stations 3-2 functional layout of FM transmitters 3-3 functional layout of FM receivers 3-4 functional layout of CW transmitters 3-5 functional layout of SSB/CW receivers 3-6 functional layout of SSB transmitters 3-7 functional layout of digital systems 3-8 functional layout of regulated power supplies 3-9 functional layout of Yagi-Uda antennas 3-10 receiver fundamentals 3-11 transmitter, carrier, keying, and amplitude modulation fundamentals 3-12 carrier suppression, SSB fundamentals 3-13 frequency and phase modulation fundamentals 3-14 station accessories for telegraphy, radiotelephony, digital modes 3-15 digital mode fundamentals (RTTY, ASCII, AMTOR, packet) 3-16 cells and batteries, types, ratings, charging 3-17 power supply fundamentals 3-18 electrical hazards, electrical safety, security 3-19 electrical safety ground, capacitor discharge, fuse replacement
You should be able to review these chapter in one evening to get a good overview of the topic and what block diagrams are.
Then try the questions.
You will probably find that you will initially get the blocks and layouts mixed up. To help you remember, here are two techniques: the first one is simply practice drawing and labeling each layout without looking at the book. The second one is to make and label the "blocks" on small pieces of paper - e.g. Master Oscillator, Driver Buffer, Power Amplifier, etc. Spread them face up in a common area. Then build a CW transmitter, CW receiver, SSB transmitter, etc. using the blocks of paper. It will be difficult at first but will get easier as you start to remember the layout of each type of radio, receiver, or power source.
After reading all the material, and practicing the layouts, try all the questions in the sections above. If you don't get the right answer for all them, go back to the Study Guide again.
Next: Radio Waves and Propagation