[MohawkARC] Ham Radio Class

Wed Oct 15 00:26:46 EDT 2014

Hi everyone,

As you know, during a disaster the first thing that goes wrong is
communications.  Amateur radio is a very important part of the emergency
management function and ham radio operators are an exceedingly valuable
resource.  With that said, we will be having another study class for the
Amateur Radio Technician Class License.

Depending on how the class does we should be meeting for five class sessions
plus an intro week plus test week.  Class starts on November 1st and the
test is on December 13th.  Class time is 09:00 to 12:00 and will be held at
the EOC, 61 East Broadway in Gardner.   We will be using an on-line study
guide called HamTestOnLine.  No book will be needed for this class.  You
will be able to study any time you wish and will need to spend a minimum of
thirty minutes per day in order to be successful.  You may put in more time
than that if you wish and take your exam ahead of schedule if you so desire.

The classroom sessions will consist of lab demonstrations using test
equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, radio
frequency test gear and more.  We will also be using ham radios to
demonstrate the various communications modes we use to make contacts
domestically and around the world.  If you have any questions on the study
materials and wish to see a particular concept demonstrated or you are
having difficulty with a particular subject then send me an e-mail a couple
days before class and I will prepare a demonstration for you.  I will have a
demonstration schedule for you at the intro class.

Are you worried about the math?  Don't be.  10% of the thirty five test
questions involve math which includes adding, subtracting, multiplying and
dividing.  Calculators are allowed during the test so the math is usually no
problem for anyone.

To take the class you will need to have the following with you on the first
day;

.         $15 for your subscription fee to HamTestOnLine.com.  DO NOT SIGN
UP WITH HamTestOnLine BEFROE THE CLASS!  As part of this class your
subscription fee is discounted from the regular $24.95.  I must purchase the
subscriptions ahead of time so please bring cash only for reimbursement.
Using HamTestOnLine is half the cost of the text book we used to use for the
class.  Even if you don't pass your exam (highly unlikely) your subscription
is still valid for two years.

.         You will need a scientific calculator for the class.  Please
purchase a Texas Instrument TI-30Xa.  Click here for Wal-Mart
<http://www.walmart.com/ip/Texas-Instruments-TI-30Xa-Calculator/1043441> 's
current price.  We have learned in past classes that if you are not
intimately familiar with your calculator then trying to work the math
problems AS A GROUP is exceedingly time consuming.  With everyone having the
same calculator we can work the problems much more effectively.

.         You will need an electronic digital multimeter for the class.
Many of the labs are hands on and this instrument will be one of the most
used ham radio accessories you have.  Additionally, a multimeter is
exceedingly handy around the house.  An auto-ranging digital multimeter is
preferred and can be purchased at Wal-Mart.  However, a manual range meter
can also be used.  Click here for an auto-ranging meter
<http://www.walmart.com/ip/Innova-3320-Equus-3320-Innova-Auto-Ranging-Digita
l-Multimeter/14644666>  and here for a manual ranging meter
<http://www.walmart.com/ip/Innova-3300-Equus-3300-Hands-free-Digital-Multime
ter/14644665> .  If you wish to spend a little bit more on a meter that
provides some additional functionality consider the TekPower TP400ZC.  I
purchased two of these from Amazon
<http://www.amazon.com/TekPower-TP4000ZC-RS232-Interfaced-Ranging-Multimeter
/dp/B000OPDFLM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413225573&sr=8-1&keywords=tp4000zc>
specifically for class demonstrations after seeing a video review of the
meter by a ham radio operator from Cleveland, OH
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXzAD74C5As> .

At the end of the class we will provide an FCC exam session which costs $15.
Once you pass your exam the FCC will send you a license with your call sign
which is good for ten years.  At this time, there is no cost to renew your
license.

Please send me an e-mail to register for the class so I know how many
HamTestOnLine subscriptions to buy.  Feel free to visit the HamTestOnLine
website to review the application
<http://www.hamtestonline.com/study.jsp?action=1fl49fiws72v> .

If you have any questions please feel free to drop me a line.

Paul Topolski, Director

Gardner OEM

ptopolski at gardner-ma.gov