The Tidewater Council International Scouting Committee (ISC), in partnership with the Chesapeake Amateur Radio Service (CARS), is pleased to announce a series of online presentations to prepare Scouts and family members to take the Technician Class exam to become amateur (“ham”) radio operators. Presentations will begin Thursday, February 11 from 7-9 PM and run for nine weeks, after which an FCC license exam will be held. Registration for the series of presentations is a nominal fee of $5. It is strongly suggested, but not required, that the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual be purchased as a study guide. In addition to instructional material, this manual includes the entire pool of questions which may appear on the exam.

Technician Class is the “beginner’s” license. It gives the holder the privilege of broadcasting on all VHF/UHF amateur bands (including use local 2-meter repeaters), and a few privileges for broadcasting over HF bands (shortwave radio). The Technician Class test is a 35-question Technician multiple choice exam.

Scouts and adults who hold the Technician Class license can join local radio clubs to make use of their radios and participate in club contests, participate in local emergency management communication support (e.g., support to local hurricane shelters), make use of local repeaters with low-cost (<$100) handheld radios, use the handhelds on Scout outings, and more.

The FCC Technician License exam covers basic regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. Morse code is not required for this license. With a Technician Class license, you will have all ham radio privileges above 30 MHz. These privileges include the extremely popular 2-meter band. Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) hand-held radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area. Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (computers), television, single-sideband voice, and several other interesting modes. You can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple station equipment. Technician licensees now also have additional privileges on certain HF frequencies. Technicians may also operate on the 80-, 40-, and 15-meter bands using CW (Morse Code), and on the 10-meter band using CW, voice, and digital modes.

A one-hour “Intro to Ham Radio” presentation will be offered on Thursday, January 28 for 7-8 PM. Join from your computer, tablet or smartphone at
www.gotomeet.me/RaymondReis/chesapeake-amateur-radio-service.