HAM Radio Technician class?

[Mendocino]

My wife and 10 year old daughter would like to get licensed and I have not had any luck in finding a class at any of the radio clubs locally. Is the club interested in doing another class as we did last year? I would be happy to assist.

Discuss...

 

[Groucho]

I think Ricardo has this in the works with me teaching again...

 

[RicardoJM]

Wow, excellent timing. The participation and results from last years class were fantastic. Each year we have made adjustments and improvements to the program. There is quite a bit of material to cover, so we are looking to spread go to 4 nights. We also would like to get Rising Sun participation on the Volunteer Examination Team (VE Team) that administers the exam. So, here are some particulars for all to consider.

This will be the third HAM Radio class for the members of Rising Sun. It is primarily geared toward getting the technicians license, focusing on passing the technician written exam, and good/safe operating practices.

This class is open to anyone interested. We will cover several things that will just be to pass the test, like how the FCC regulates the Amateur Radio section, propogation, electrical theory, etc. We will spend most of our time working on good operating practice, familiarizing ourselves with the radios and antennas, callsigns, station safety and the like. As with years past the class content will only be limited on how far we want to push it.

So to let the holidays slow down, and folks get back into the swing of things, this class will be scheduled for February 2008. This time around the class will be 4, two-hour classes. They will be on Mondays, starting Feb 9th. Classes start at 7pm and will be done by 9pm.

Please post up if you or someone you know is interested in joining us!

 

[treerootCO]

I am interested

 

[MDH33]

Cool, I was hoping another class would come together. Count me in.

 

[subzali]

Should I send in my app for VE licensing?

 

[RicardoJM]

Should I send in my app for VE licensing?

Short answer is yes. I'll get a seperate post up in the Ham Radio Section with some more details on what is needed. For those that are over achievers and want to know more now - everything you need to know is here.

 

[Mendocino]

Count me in for 2 attendees.

 

[Uncle Ben]

Outstanding guys! It would be an nice thing to invite our bruthas and sistas from CLC and Horsetooth to the class too, in my opinion.

 

[MDH33]

Outstanding guys! It would be an nice thing to invite our bruthas and sistas from CLC and Horsetooth to the class too, in my opinion.

Great idea.

 

[arthog]

I'm in for 2 also.

 

[Hulk]

Should I send in my app for VE licensing?

To qualify to be a Volunteer Examiner, you must:

• be 18 years of age or older; and
• never have had your amateur station or operator licenses suspended or revoked; and
• hold a valid General, Advanced or Extra Class license. [97.509]

If you meet these criteria, the ARRL/VEC would like to hear from you. To be accredited by the ARRL/VEC, you must complete a training program. Examiners may be accredited by more than one VEC. VEs are not required to work with only one VE Team or VEC and are not restricted to any particular area. A VEC does not have to accept the services of a VE if it does not want to.

The manual is 98 pages long. I'm going to feel guilty for printing this thing at work.

 

[Mendocino]

Ricardo,

16 February is President's Day. Will the class still be held on this holiday (holiday for some)?

 

[nakman]

Hey this is great, I'd be happy to help out with some demos, etc. Just no mobile repeater discussions, ok?

 

[Groucho]

Volunteer Examiners

Including myself, there are at 5 General class licensees who posted to this thread. This means that more than enough people are available to administer the test.

I just spoke with a VEC customer service person at the ARRL. Here is what we (those who have the general class license or above) need in order for us to be able to administer the test in Feb.:

Complete the application form at the end of the VE manual (Hulk posted a link to get to this), complete the open book reveiw test (which we may do together if we wish) and fax it to the ARRL. Once they receive those items, we are immediately put in their system as VE's, and may begin testing immediately. Our badges will take a couple of weeks to arrive, but she said that will not stop us from testing.

All we would need to do then is have a VE liaison to contact a VEC from one of the local clubs to acquire the testing material, and presto! We're in business!

We would only be allowed to administer the Element 2 (Technician) test, and we would definitely have to take it seriously.

If we wanted to get together all (or as many as possible) general class licensees in the next few weeks we could all fill in the test as more of a discussion type thing. I am thinking that this might be my favorite part.

Discussion?

 

[subzali]

Outstanding guys! It would be an nice thing to invite our bruthas and sistas from CLC and Horsetooth to the class too, in my opinion.

I posted up in their forums,

CLC here

and

HT here

 

[Mendocino]

I'm up for getting together and going over the review test. When and where?

 

[wesintl]

I haven't missed one yet. Can you administer a general test too?

 

[Groucho]

We would only be allowed to administer the Element 2 (Technician) test, and we would definitely have to take it seriously.
Discussion?

I knew I put that in my post, just didn't realize I buried it so deep!

The only extra class operator I am aware of in the club is Bruce Miller. In addition to him, we would need at least 3 more extra class operators to give the general test or the extra test. I am not that close to feeling comfortable in passing to try yet.

I'm up for getting together, but probably after December 25th.

 

[nuclearlemon]

are there any plans on doing a general class, minus the test? i'd be interested.

also, even though i have my tech license, i would like to take the class.