The basic knowledge of ham radio is freely available to anyone willing to learn. This fall, two organizations will offer free, entry-level ham radio classes in Anne Arundel County. These classes will prepare you for the Amateur Radio Technician License Exam that local volunteer examiners administer.
The first class begins on Thursday, September 5 and runs once a week for seven weeks; the second class begins on Saturday, October 5 and runs once a week for six weeks.
The National Electronics Museum will host the first series of Amateur Radio licensing courses at 1745 West Nursery Road in Linthicum, MD, starting on Thursday, September 5, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The first course will cover the entry-level Technician Class license, and run for seven weeks. Additional courses will follow the Technician course later in the fall. These will offer training for the more advanced General and Extra Class licenses. Those interested should contact Rol Anders, K3RA, roland.anders@comcast.net, 410-796-4792.
Alternatively, the Anne Arundel Radio Club (AARC), located at 3789 Queen Anne Bridge Rd. in Davidsonville, MD, will host a Ham Radio Technician class this fall. The class will begin on Saturday, October 5, 2019 and run six consecutive Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. till noon. Following the sixth and final class on November 9, students will have the opportunity to take their Ham Radio Technician exam at 1:00 p.m. Anyone interested in taking this class should contact Keith Miller, AE3D, ae3d@w3vpr.org.
There is no charge for either class. Students should obtain a copy of the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, Fourth Edition for the Technician course (earlier editions are not acceptable, since the question pool has changed.)
AAACERT members completing any of these classes should forward their completion certificates and hours to Vice President Bruce Morgenstern bjmorgenstern@comcast.net.
What is a Technician’s License?
This entry-level ham radio license is awarded after an applicant passes a 35-question multiple choice examination on radio theory, regulations, and operating practices. The license grants full operating privileges on all amateur bands above 30 MHz and limited privileges in portions of the high frequency (HF) bands.
The Federal Communications Commission issues amateur radio licenses in the United States without charge. Licenses remain valid for 10 years from the date of issuance or renewal.