The Essential Guide to RF and Wireless (2nd Edition)

Customer Reviews:

A must have for entry level professionals in the RF industry.......2007-05-07

This easy reading book will make the complicated RF industry easy to understand.

Excellent Guide for anybody who wants to understand RF & Wireless.......2007-03-15

This is truly an excellent guide for anyone who wants to understand the basics of RF & Wireless. The most wonderful part about this book are the wonderful analogies and simple explanations of a quite difficult topic. The only issue I have is that this book is due for a 3rd edition - the last chapter is somewhat dated (2001)

Good material, bad writing.......2007-03-03

I purchased this book after starting a job as an embedded programmer in an RF group. The material in the book provided a good introduction, a basic understanding of the concepts and some useful vocabulary. However, I found the writing style used by the author to be a hinderance to reading the book.

The author liberally includes little comments for the reader enclosed in parantheses. The first few are sort of funny, but the more frequently they occur and they do occur frequently, they start to become annoying. The point of these comments seem to be (a) to poke fun at engineers, (b) to dumb down the material and I suppose (c) entertain the reader.

A few examples: "... the output power at point A is expressed P1 dB (pronounced p wun' d b)..." p. 49 and "Some RF engineers pay big bucks
for a Low Noise Amplifier with a super low Noise Figure. (The rest of us just invest in mutual funds.)" p. 46 These just get in the way of the flow of the text and detract from the book as a whole.

The book is describing a technical subject, why pretend otherwise. Yes it is an introductory text but the people who will read it want to get information from it. They are intelligent enough to draw conclusions from the text, relate the material to their work and remember what they have read. Treating the reader otherwise, as I feel this book does, seriously detracts from its usefulness, by making the reader wade through a lot of unnecessary text.

This book can serve as a good introduction but be warned that you might have to wade through the writing a little bit.

Credibility of author is lessened by errors.......2006-06-28

The book is a decent high-level overview of RF and wireless. The author clearly states who the intended audience is (i.e. non-engineers) and the material is presented with that level of depth. The thing that troubled me was the numerous errors in the section on CDMA. The spreading and de-spreading examples both have logical errors in the diagrams and the author incorrectly refers (multiple times) to the logical operation as an "exlusive OR," when it is, in fact, an "exclusive NOR." It might sound like I'm being a bit picky, but that's a rather significant error to make and could lead to confusion by the "non-engineering" audience; especially when the author states it "is very easy to understand." Those errors notwithstanding, the one that really prompted me to write this review was in the section on CDMA de-spreading. Moreover, the author states "The top of Figure 7-12 is the same exact spread signal as the one at the bottom of Figure 7-10 (take my word for it)." However, not only are the signals NOT exactly the same, they both have errors. So, the author told the reader to take his word for something and it turns out his word is subject to scrutiny. It just makes me wonder what else is in error at that point. My main point in all of this is that the book is acceptable for someone looking for very basic information on the subject matter, but I'm concerned that if they don't know at least a little basic engineering that they will walk away with some (albeit limited) incorrect information.

The best so far.......2004-11-20

I recently started a new job where I need a working understanding of wireless systems, and where I need to be able to comprehend and use the vocabulary of the trade. So, I have read several "Introduction to . . ." books. Weisman's Essential Guide is the best so far. He covers basic concepts, does a good job of explaining the terminology, surveys the different types of systems and the components used to build them, and manages to keep everything readily understandable. If you need to pick up the concepts quickly, pick up this book.

Backyardigans: The Essential Guide (Dk Essential Guides)

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Backyardigans: The Essential Guide (Dk Essential Guides)
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0756627036

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Scooby-Doo! The Essential Guide
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0756603005

Book Description

This colorful guide to the world of Scooby-Doo is packed with fantastic facts about Scooby-Doo and the gang, including their scariest adventures, creepiest moments, and deepest secrets. Find out what is inside a haunted house, who's in the Doo family tree, and what exactly the gang keeps in the Mystery Machine. Specially commissioned artworks, stills from all 25 original episodes and the live-action movies, and classic images of the gang and their ghostliest villains make this a unique insight into the spooky world of Scooby-Doo.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Essential Guide (Dk Essential Guides)

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So-so. A review of "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Essential Guide"

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Essential Guide (Dk Essential Guides)
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Scooby-Doo! The Essential Guide

ASIN: 0756616409

Book Description

A crazy, colorful guide to SpongeBob and his friends, this Essential Guide features character spreads, newly commissioned cutaway artworks, and lots of fun facts about the world of everyone's favorite absorbent TV star.

Customer Reviews:

So-so. A review of "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Essential Guide".......2006-03-24

I picked this book up at the library to see what it was like. It was interesting but I wasn't blown away. Barely the occasional snicker.

There is a map of Bikini Bottom, floor plan of Mr. SquarePant's home, and the requisite biographies about the principle characters, but not the sort and amount of humor one might wish for if actually spending hard-cold cash. [SpongeBob is portrayed as such a two-dimensional character... when we know he has such depth!]

**Chapter Headings**
SpongeBob SquarePants
Patrick Star
Squidward Tentacles
Bikini Bottom
SpongeBob's House
Eugene H. Krabs
The Krusty Krab
Sandy Cheeks
Sandy's Treedome
Mrs. Puff's Boating School
Jellyfishing
Sheldon J. Plankton
Mermaidman and Barnacleboy
SpongeBob SportsPants!
Taking a Break!
Pesky Pirates
Perfect Pets
Goo Lagoon
Family Values
Bad Guys
Party Time!

Three Stars. [C-]. Informative, but needed more humor.

Dora the Explorer Essential Guide (Dk Essential Guides)

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Dora the Explorer Essential Guide (Dk Essential Guides)
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0756620279

Book Description

No one likes to explore more than Dora! Join Dora, Boots, Backpack, and all their friends as they solve puzzles and problems in this junior-format addition to DK's series of Essential Guides.

BFI Television Handbook 2005: The Essential Guide to UK TV (B F I Television Handbook)

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BFI Television Handbook 2005: The Essential Guide to UK TV (B F I Television Handbook)

Manufacturer: British Film Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1844570274

Book Description

The BFI Television Handbook 2005, the essential guide to U.K. TV, is a freshly conceived and thoroughly up-to-date overview of the state of television in the United Kingdom now. Covering all the developments of the previous year, it also looks ahead to the shape of things to come. It analyzes how the media industry has performed and changed the key players, the leading channels and companies, the audiences, the technology, and the statistics. It chronicles and critiques programming highlights and trends in all areas, from crime drama to documentaries, from sitcom to imports. It also provides a directory of useful contacts, events, and information concerning TV and areas connected to it, from archiving to websites and from policy legislation to fanzines.

Average customer rating:

Too much style, not enough substance
Fulfills Promise
Essentials? Hardly that
Practical Guide
A Joy to Read

Doctor Who (Pocket Essentials)
Mark Campbell
Manufacturer: Oldcastle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1904048749

Book Description

The longest running science fiction television show, with a cult following on a par with Star Trek, the story of Doctor Who is the story of British television over the past four decades. Every taste is catered for in the world of Who, and this guide covers every shocking revelation and melodramatic cliffhanger, every heartache and death, as well as the liberal doses of humor—both intentional and otherwise. With an informative introductory essay, each Doctor's era is put under the microscope with facts and opinions on all the stories. An in-depth reference section details further reading, fascinating and bizarre Doctor Who websites, and a short history of spin-off stories and merchandising.

Customer Reviews:

Too much style, not enough substance.......2007-10-03

Mark Campbell brings us his fourth edition of his Doctor Who, Pocket Essentials guide. While looking better than his previous editions, due mainly to the hardcover with a bright, photo-adorned jacket, the substance is kind of disappointing. Don't judge a book by its cover. His first edition had more depth. In that first edition, he had a szhort paragraph on literary works or films that influenced each story. This paragraph has been removed, a pity because that was one of the aspects that separated his guide from others. Also removed was the paragraph on alternate titles for each story, not as big a loss, but a loss still. I'm assuming these sections were removed so Campbell could increase the type in this edition. Trust me; this was unnecessarily done.

Mr. Campbell falls into the trap of rating certain stories based on today's standards rather than the standards of the era in which it was made. For instance, under Web Planet he writes, "In 1965 this may have been a laudable attempt to create an alien world, but nowadays a huge suspension of disbelief is required". Well, duh! It was written in 1965. The technology for special effects in 1965 was not as advanced as it is today. You should realize that, Mr. Campbell.

Another baffler that plagues this book is that for Ghost Light, in his first edition, he rated it accurately when he gave it a 0/5 rating, a rating I totally agree with. Yet, in this current edition, in which his total ranking points have been upped from five to ten, Mr. Campbell gives Ghost Light 4/10. That left me scratching my head. Either Mark Campbell's opinion of the story improved over the seven years between editions, or he simply flunked the fractions section of math in school.

Lastly, Campbell shares the hypocrisy possessed by detractors of the Colin Baker era. Under Vengeance On Varos verdict section, he says, "The notorious acid bath scene, in which the Doctor makes a flippant comment after watching two men die hideous deaths, is deeply problematic". Perhaps. However, he mentions nothing about how in McCoy era's Remembrance Of The Daleks the Doctor manipulates Davros into destroying Skaro, with blatant disregard for any peaceful Thals still living on the planet. Isn't this "problematic", Mr. Campbell? Hypocritical? Very much so! At least the Colin Baker's Doctor never destroyed an entire world. The McCoy era gets away with acts for which the Colin Baker era is crucified by authors such as Mark Campbell.

However, all is not negative with this fourth edition. The look of this book is superb, at least on the outside. Also the inside cover is graced with a wonderful black & white photo of the Daleks marching on London, with Big Ben in the background. Campbell manages this extra size without rendering the book too bulky, thus keeping its status as a pocket reference guide. Also, there is a section on the episodes of the new series, up to and including The Runaway Bride, a two-page section on various Doctor Who reference books, and a two-page section on web sites geared toward Doctor Who. The section on the different Doctor Who spin-offs is expanded to include Attack of The Graske, Torchwood, and The Sarah Jane Adventures from the new series.

All in all, despite the negatives, the fourth edition is a laudable effort, to use Mark Campbell's word. A bit of advice for your next edition, please lose your "verdict" section in favor of more factual info, such as the aforementioned sections that were removed. It's quite irksome seeing one of your favorite stories trashed with a 2/10 or 3/10 rating. The reason we purchase these guides is to relive the magic of Doctor Who, not to see our favorite stories ripped to shreds.

Fulfills Promise.......2002-04-15

This convenient slim volume fulfills its promise - a basic overview that covers the essential elements of each show. While the author's reviews (or "verdicts") can seem a bit didactic, they always entertain. More importantly, Campbell delivers a fitting addition to this series of paperbacks: succinct, thorough, and easy to carry along on shopping trips. Could anyone have written this? Probably not. It's too short for sloppy writing. This type of brevity takes hard work!

Essentials? Hardly that.......2001-05-15

I was greatly dissappointed in the book. While it has some interesting points of view, it is so slanted the book should be a trapizoid and not rectangular. I disagreed on several of the ratings. All in all, I much prefer The Discontinuity Guide by Paul Cornell, Martin Day and Keith Topping. While at times they disagree on their reviews, they are fair in their outlook.

Practical Guide.......2000-08-11

This book is a practical guide which itemises detail, time, place etc, with precise storylines and opinion set out in an easy to read format for anyone wanting information. Surprise and interest for me was the number of well known actors "Dr Who" used.

A Joy to Read.......2000-08-01

I would just like to say how much I am enjoying reading "Pocket Essentials TV: Doctor Who". I like the unofficial style, which gives the bad points as well as the good. I'm currently mid-way through the Jon Pertwee section, and am finding it thoroughly enjoyable. I've recommended the book to many people. Overall the book gets a groundbreaking 10 out of 10.

The Essential Guide to the Business of U.S. Mobile Wireless Communications

Average customer rating:

The Essential Guide to the Business of U.S. Mobile Wireless Communications
John P. Burnham
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Industrial | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Wireless Networks | Networking | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0130420557

Average customer rating:

Disappointed!
Indispensible for car travelers
New Edition, LESS Information...
This is a must have for all radio aficionados!
Essential Radio is a superb one of a kind guide.

Essential Radio Guide
Jeffrey Dingle
Manufacturer: Peregrine Pr Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General Broadcasting | Radio | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0963716239

Customer Reviews:

Disappointed!.......1999-11-04

I ordered the new edition when my copy of the 1994 edition started getting worn. What a disappointment! Aside from just not liking the new layout of the book, I was unhappy to find that now only major cities are included, making the new book almost useless to me since most of my travel is out of range of any of them. I hope Mr. Dingle and Peregrine Press take note of our comments and return his guide to its previous useful form. In the meantime, I'm keeping my old copy!

Indispensible for car travelers.......1999-06-08

Anyone who has ever traveled across state or county lines, needs a copy of Essential Radio. Perfect companion to go along with the road map and flashlight in the glove compartment. I definitely recommend it.

New Edition, LESS Information..........1999-05-08

While I thought the first (1997) edition of the "Essential Radio Guide" was helpful, the fact that the new edition contains only half as much information as the first is disheartening. Mr. Dingle now uses an external source for his radio station data, and exludes not only the smaller stations, but entire markets as well. While it is not practical to include *every* U.S. radio station, skipping many medium-size markets severly limits this books usefulness. I had hoped to see *more* radio stations added in the new edition, or possibly Canadian radio (Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Vancouver, etc), instead of drastically fewer. While still useful if you only plan to visit the largest markets in the U.S., for most travel it will leave you hitting your car's scan button,waiting until you hit the next major city. Unfortunately, I find the older edition to be more helpful than the current one.

This is a must have for all radio aficionados!.......1998-04-21

I first learned of this book several years ago in the Boston Globe Magazine. I called the number and talked to the writer himself, Jeff Dingle, who is very accessible and friendly. He promptly sent me an autographed copy, and ever since, he has sent updates in the mail on new editions. If you like to travel across states, whether by car, train, or bus and you want to find suitable music, this book is an absolute MUST! Jeff provides all of the station listings for every town in America, and if you call him, he will provide you with a handy little card with your particular state and all your states cities and their stations. The book is very very detailed. In it you will find the state, stations, call numbers, type of music, map of the state, index, glossary. For you sports fans and talk radio fans, in the back is a listing of all the sports afilliated stations for hockey, baseball, and basketball. Whether it is classical, NPR, rock, rap, salsa you want, you will find it in his book. It is very handy, well organized. So, if you're driving long distance, you can preset your stations for all the cities you will be driving through. That way, you won't be distracted flipping through stations while you're driving. Hasn't Jeff thought of everything? This book is an absolute 10!

Essential Radio is a superb one of a kind guide........1997-09-23

You want to find stations around the country? Going on a trip across the nation? This is the book! Essential radio is a comprehensive one-of -a kind guide that WILL give you all you need to keep the radio on [instead of the tape or CD]on your trip! I bought it, IT'S GREAT! Get it today

Hitch Hiker's Guide (The Pocket Essential Series)

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Hitch Hiker's Guide (The Pocket Essential Series)
M. J. Simpson
Manufacturer: Pocket Essentials
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1904048463

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