[nrv-hams] HAM radio class details

[Ronald Angert]

Prospective hams and the ham radio community,

I have at last settled all the details for the Spring Ham Radio class.  The class is open to anyone: students, staff, faculty and community members.  On April 27 class members should be well prepared to pass the Technician class license exam, earning your license and also be prepared to use ham radio to communicate with others in the region.  We will explore public service opportunities for Skywarn (Weather spotter) and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) that provides event and disaster communications, as well as digital and other cutting edge technology.
Hams from the VTARA (university club) and NRVARC (local club) will be helping you to learn the material.  This is not a death-by-powerpoint or lecture class!

The book for the class is Ham Radio License Manual, Second Edition ISBN 978-0-87259-097-7 and I can get them for $24 (regular price is $29.95).  I want to order them on March 2nd, so I need to get your order asap.  I accept checks or cash.  You can order the book yourself as well if you like, just make sure it is the second edition.  I also will be collecting $16 from each student for the exam fee, so the total for book and exam is $40.00.  Two people could share a book, but each has to take their own exam! ;)  You will learn about the exam process in the first week's reading assignment.

The class will start Wednesday 3/16 in Johnson Student Center 304, above Subway, at 5:30pm and run to no later than 7:30 and will continue each Wednesday until 4/27 which will be a review and the exam session.  That last week will be in Squires room 342.  It is probable that we will meet some weeks at the VT radio club station in Squires for demos and other fun.
It is important that attend the first and last class session.  If you have to miss one in the middle we can work around that.  There is also a good chance that some class members will get together after class for food and whatever to discuss stuff.  This is optional but fun.

The reading assignment for the first week is chapter 1 "Welcome to Amateur Radio", chapter 2 "Radio and Signals Fundamentals" and chapter 7 "Licensing Regulations." It sounds like a lot, but is a total of 48 page and many of those pages are photos and diagrams.  This gives a mix of background, rules and technical stuff.  We will discuss this material in the class time as well as have time to ask questions and get to know one another. 

To reserve a seat in the class, email me at prepared at vt.edu and arrange to get the money to me for the book, if you want in on the discount book order, and the test fee.  My office is in New Hall West, room 109.  My phone number is 320-3595.

Please tell others that may be interested in getting licensed.


Ron N4AJT
--
Ronald Angert
Emergency Preparedness Planner
Virginia Tech - Division of Student Affairs
prepared at vt.edu (540) 231-5538

"What we anticipate seldom occurs; What we least expect generally happens." Benjamin Disraeli