New Licensing Classes

FHARA conducts new and license upgrade classes throughout the year. Educational Committee chairman of the Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Association, Inc. Chris Bouck, amateur callsign, KB4CMF, announces when the association will be teaching an entry level Technician Class licensing course, usually in the spring and fall, if enough students sign up. Classes will be taught at the Town of German Flatts Hall for 13 weeks. Classes will be from 6:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Classes will not meet, if any session falls on a holiday or there is inclement weather.

The class is open to all ages. There is a tuition fee of $40.00 which includes the book "ARRL Ham Radio License Manual " Everything you need to get your first Ham radio license!" 5th Edition published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Students will receive the book, after the tuition is paid. Pre-ordered books would be available in time for the first session. Classes will follow the format of the book, which is a valuable resource for later reference after the class. The book also contains the entire question pool and answers candidates for licensing will see on the FCC exam.

The FCC has restructured the licensing requirements for all Amateur Radio license’s and there are now only three classes of license. There is no requirement any more for Morse Code, for any class of license.

Among the many subjects to be taught throughout the course includes; Federal Communication Commission rules and regulations, basic electrical principles, safety, operating an amateur radio station, radio wave propagation, antennas and transmission lines, repeaters, and many helpful hints and tips.

Each student will be given an Elmer list at the end of the course. An Elmer is an experienced ham who has volunteered to assist new hams, so they can get their station up and running after they become licensed. All students that complete the course, and receive their license, will receive a free one year  membership in the Ft. Herkimer Radio Association, Inc. Membership allows association members eneral voting privileges.

The Technician Class license does not require Morse Code, and the privileges given allow voice communications almost immediately. Tests are conducted at various locations in the area. Students can take the exam at anytime they feel they are ready to try for their license. Test scores are now processed electronically, so the successful candidate can obtain his/her callsign and be on the air in a very short time.

For more information, or to sign up, please contact Chris Bouck (KB4CMF), Educational Committee Chairman of the Ft. Herkimer Amateur Radio Association, Inc. at (315) 429-3927 or association president Don Peterson KD2ILO  at (315) 868-3283.

Updated 2 April 2024