[MarinTeams] August-September Amateur Radio Communication Class

[Bill Smith]

Congratulations to those who passed the FCC exam for an Amateur Radio
license last weekend!  Obtaining your FCC Amateur Radio license is the first
step in the HWA-sponsored TEAM Radio program.

 

Those of you who have qualified for a new license are asked to purchase a
transceiver and attend a four-session Communications class (described
below).  Cost of a basic radio ranges between $40 and $180.  We will have
information regarding obtaining radios in our first communication class.

 

The Communications Classes are beginner classes designed to assist you with
using your radio. All classes will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 at the San
Rafael City Library, corner of "E" and Mission streets in San Rafael.
Further, there are ongoing on-air exercises held every Monday evening from
7:00 to 7:30 in which you can participate from your home. 

 

We would like you to help us build an expanding radio network in your
neighborhood.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email or
call.

The classes are free and open to all licensed amateur radio operators.

In the Communication Class we discuss what to look for in obtaining a radio,
general radio range, radio interference, communications protocol and many
other basic concepts. This is a great class to attend if you are just
getting started and are unsure what benefits our Team Radio program has to
offer.

The classes offer a first introduction to radio, and we hope a fun
introduction to radio communications. 

8/15 Class session 1 - General Radio Information. This class is intended as
an orientation class to newly licensed amateurs who are unfamiliar with
radio and need the "next step". The class is focused on neighborhood
communications. We describe what a radio is, how to get one, what to expect,
and go through basic communication exercises. The class information
distributed includes ideas of what to look for in radio equipment and
specific recommendations on what equipment to purchase.

8/22 Class session 2 - Amateur Radio is a contact sport!  Concepts of
simplex and use of radio repeaters are applied in a workshop to set up
radios brought to the class. While computer programs are available to
configure radio transceivers, our training is focused on programming radios
in the field. This is probably the most popular session of the series.

8/29 Class session 3 - Communications in a Group. Communications in Amateur
Radio is usually based on a one-to-one exchange. We introduce a protocol and
a "net" operation in order to accommodate numerous incidents and manage a
high communications capacity with limited communications resources.

9/5 Class session 4 - Communications as a Service. A simple but effective
protocol is introduced and exercised that emphasizes accurate messaging.
Accuracy is crucial if important information is transferred over radio.

If you have any questions, please email or call Bill Smith, AB6MT.

Again, congratulations, and look forward to seeing you in the class.

73 (best wishes), Bill

 <mailto:info at k6bw.org> info at k6bw.org

415-485-3815