Earn your amateur radio license

A free all-day amateur radio license class will be given on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Hamilton County Emergency Operations Center, 18100 Cumberland Road, Noblesville. Attendees should enter the main doors at the Sheriff’s Office (located near the flags).

The class will start at 8 a.m. and review the information needed to pass the entry-level Technician Class license which will be given at 4:30 p.m. The test will consist of 35 multiple-choice questions and will be graded by ARRL Volunteer Examiners on site. While the class is free, there is a $15 administrative fee for the exam and license processing by the ARRL, the National Association of Amateur Radio. Two forms of identification (one with photo) will be required.

The class will be conducted by instructors from the Hamilton County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service and the Central Indiana Amateur Radio Association. Participants are requested to review the ARRL Technician License Manual and take free online exams at these websites before the class to be familiar with the materials presented: arrlexamreview.appspot.com, eham.net/exams, or qrz.com/hamtest.

Topics covered will include: FCC Rules, descriptions, and definitions for the Amateur Radio Service, operator and station license responsibilities; operating procedures; radio wave characteristics and propagation modes; amateur radio practices and station equipment and set-up; electrical principles; common transmitter and receiver problems; amateur satellite operation; operating activities; non-voice and digital communications; antennas and installation, electrical safety; AC and DC power circuits and more.

When severe weather is forecast to impact Hamilton County, the meteorologists of the National Weather Service, local television stations and the Hamilton County Emergency Operations Center rely on a trained cadre of severe storm spotters to provide the “ground truth” of dangerous, damaging weather phenomena. Many of them are first responders and licensed radio amateurs transmitting real-time observations directly to the Emergency Operations Center using their base, mobile, or hand-held VHF and UHF radios.

Currently licensed amateur radio operators wishing to upgrade to General or Amateur Extra Class are welcome to test during the 4:30 exam session. Information will also be available about volunteer opportunities with RACES, Emergency Management and joining the Central Indiana Amateur Radio Club.

For more information or to register, contact Joe March, RACES Coordinator for the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency by emailing Joe.March@hamiltoncounty.in.gov or by calling 317-224-9433.