1. 1 Technician Licensing Class Welcome to the Majors Field ARC Spring Tech Class

2. 2 2 What is Amateur (or “Ham”) Radio?  FCC Part 97 Definition:  “A radiocommunication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.”  In other words (ELI5):  Radio Frequencies set aside for communication and experimentation by licensed individuals who are interested in radio for non-monetary reasons.

3. 3 3 What do Amateur Radio Operators Do?  Emergency/ Event Communications  Storm Spotting  Backup communications for civil disasters  Communications between rest stops/ SAG’s during races  Ragchew  Swap Stories  Discuss current events  Contest  Contact as many stations as possible in a given time period  Some contests are mode restricted (Morse code only, Digital modes, etc.)  Some contests require setting up in specific locations (Texas State Parks on the Air, Field Day)

4. 4 4 What do Amateur Radio Operators Do?  Experiment with Radio Equipment  Build your own radio transceiver  Antenna Design  New digital modes/ software  Chasing DX  Contact other Amateur Radio operators around the world  Working multiple continents/ countries  Foxhunting

5. 5 5 How is this class structured?  There are 426 questions in the “pool” in 35 groups.  35 questions (one from each group) will be on the test.  All 426 questions and answers will be covered in this class.  Home Study is HIGHLY encouraged.  www.eham.net/exams  Gordon West Book (available from W5YI in Arlington or Amazon)

6. 6 6 When and Where is the test?  5:30 pm May 19, 2015  Hunt County Regional Medical center 4215 Joe Ramsey Boulevard East Greenville, Texas 75401  Conference Room 1 on the second floor.  This test session is open to anyone who wants to test. RSVP to classes@wd5gsl.org is appreciated.

7. 7 7 What do You need to bring to the test?  Photo ID  SSN for NCVEC Form 605 (Or apply for a FRN from the FCC)  Pen  4 function calculator (scientific calculators, cell phones, graphing calculators are NOT allowed!)