We HIGHLY recommend the updated 2025 “Getting Started with Amateur Satellites“. The PDF version is only $15 (there is a printed version for $30) and has the latest wisdom from many active AMSAT members on working the satellites.
The “For Beginners – An Amateur Radio Satellite Primer” article compilation is an older but freely downloadable compendium of “getting started” articles written by Keith Baker, KB1SF/VA3KSF. These articles originally appeared in The AMSAT Journal from 2019 to 2021. Unfortunately, because equipment, satellites, and URLs change over time, the currentness of information such as this can quickly be overcome by events.
Other useful information for beginners is available on the AMSAT Station and Operating Hints page.