| Emergency Communicators Offer Free License Classes Hurricanes, wildfires, mud slides and floods have once again highlighted the ways that amateur radio operators serve their communities. Amateur radio not only provides a way for citizens to communicate for their own safety but a way for them to assist others when cell phones and other communication systems fail or are overloaded. For those interested in obtaining an FCC amateur radio license, the Greene County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (GCARES) is offering three Amateur Radio license classes starting February 20, 2022. The classes will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. each Sunday through April 24th. A test for all classes of licenses will be given May 1st at 6 p.m. in the Community Room at Beavercreek Township Fire Station 61. There is no charge for the classes and Morse Code is no longer required to obtain any amateur radio license. The classes are supported by the Bellbrook Amateur Radio Club (BARC), the Upper Valley Amateur Radio Club (UVARC) and the Xenia Weather Amateur Radio Network (XWARN) in addition to GCARES. The entry level Technician Class course will be held in the Training Center at the Bellbrook Amateur Radio Club Clubhouse, Room 1, Sugarcreek Elementary School, 51 South East Street in Bellbrook. No experience is required and there is no minimum age required to earn a Technician Class license. The General Class course and the Test Session will be held in the Training Room at Beavercreek Township Fire Station 61 located at 2195 Dayton-Xenia Road just west of Orchard Lane. The Extra Class course will be held in the Training Room at Fairborn Fire Station 2 located at 2200 Commerce Center Blvd. just south of Dayton-Yellow Springs Road. To register for a course or for more information, please contact Lyle Steinhardt by email at KE0CZV@arrl.net or by phone between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. at 605-484-0178. You may also register at the first class meeting. Amateur radio is authorized by the FCC and you must register with the FCC and obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN) before getting a license. To visit the FCC website and login or register, click here. Textbooks may be purchased from the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) at https://www.arrl.org/shop/Licensing-and-Education/. Last updated 1/11/2022 |