MOUNT VERNON – The Mount Vernon Amateur Radio Club is sponsoring a free course for those interested in Ham Radio. This course is for the Technician Class License. Taking the course will provide the student with enough knowledge of the FCC rules and regulations, radio electronics, and atmospheric propagation theory to successfully pass a test given by local volunteers. The class and class materials are provided at no cost. However, there is a required testing fee of $15 the day of the exam.
Classes will begin Thursday, January 15th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Knox County American Red Cross Training Center, 300 North Mulberry Street, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Classes will be held each Thursday for seven weeks, concluding on Thursday, February 26. Testing will be held the following Saturday, February 28, beginning at 9:00A.M.
For more information on the course, contact Don Russell at 740-397-0249 or w8pen@arrl.net.
In the past, people from 9 to 80 years old have successfully completed the course and passed the exam. Ham Radio is an ideal hobby for senior citizens looking for something interesting to do after retirement. Ham Radio is also a fantastic hobby for kids of all ages wishing to learn about electronics and radio in general.
Long considered a national resource by the FCC, Ham Radio is noted for its dedication to public service in times of emergency, natural disasters, and public service. Ham Radio operators are members of the National Weather Service Spotters team, and stay prepared for national or local disaster events. “In addition to being a fun hobby, amateur radio has been a leader in the development of all forms of communications from the days of Marconi and the first trans-Atlantic radio contact, through today with the development of modern cell phone technology. Today, a ham radio license makes it possible for you to bounce signals off the moon with a high powered home station or to be able to talk to a friend hundreds of miles away while you walk down the street carrying your hand-held radio” said Don Russell, lead instructor of the course.
The public is invited to participate in this educational and fulfilling opportunity.
