Features of FCHS Amateur Radio Club:

Networking and Communications

• Ability to communicate via amateur “ham” radio – a useful form of communications with a variety of applications.
• Incorporate other networking methods for a broader base.
• Post and view articles, photos, and other content utilizing online resources.
• Attend and host networking event; manage club events calendar.
• Interact with club members and guests.

Education

• Learn and apply knowledge of amateur radio.
• Practice amateur radio communications.
• Understand amateur radio and operator’s involvement in emergency preparedness, trained emergency correspondence, security, education, and skills training.
• Those with technological interests may use skills related to equipment set-up and maintenance, etc.

Service

• Members may practice their amateur radio communications skills in service to the school and to the community.
• Observe/Practice with licensed operators in community function and/or drills.
• Understand the value of goodwill service to peers and in general.

If you would like to learn more about amateur radio, visit Amateur Radio Relay League‘s www.helloradio.org.

Here are some other helpful links/tips related to amateur radio:

In Floyd, training is ongoing by the folks of Floyd Amateur Radio Society (FARS), and the group has been approved for use as a testing site Floyd Rescue Squad, Station One, 452 Floyd Hwy N, Floyd VA 24091.  FARS will host regular Volunteer Examiner (VE) test sessions and may be a resource for proposed club.

Classes of amateur radio license:

Technician is the beginner class, it is a 35-question test that is rather easy to take and pass.  The test questions are multiple-choice and cover frequency privileges, rules, operating techniques, and other elements which are required to operate amateur radio. 

General is for the intermediate class operator, this is also a 35-question multiple-choice test. 

Extra is the advanced license class for amateur radio.  This is a 50-question test covering the rules, electronics theory, operating, and much more. 

There is no longer a requirement for Morse code related to amateur radio license.  Exams are neither expensive nor difficult and donations may be secured to off-set costs. 

You may take the practice exams offered at www.qrz.com, www.eham.net and other places online, for FREE.  Another place to go to get started is at www.arrl.org.  ARRL is the National league to better Amateur Radio and the advisory for laws affecting amateur radio. 

If you have questions regarding licensing or training, please call Russ Abbey KG4MAV, Secretary for FARS at 651-4072 or e-mail kg4mav@gmail.com, or Tom King W4VZH, President of FARS at 745-7742 or e-mail w4vzh@arrl.net.  They can help with LIVE training at Floyd Community Amateur Radio Station, at 201 East Main St., suite 9 of the Village Green, or they can provide study books ($23 ea.) and coordinate your learning and testing dates!

If you have questions regarding club formation, please call Dee Dannewitz Wallace KG4VMI of FAIRS (Foundation for Amateur Intl. Radio Service, Ltd.) at 745-2322 or e-mail n4usa@swva.net, or speak with David or Gaynell Larsen, FAIRS directors (contact info same). 

The complete list of Technician, General and Extra class questions is at: http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/pools.html

Online practice exams that offer explanations of the answers are available at http://www.hamtestonline.com (subscription required)

When taking an exam toward amateur radio license, have on hand: pencils, calculator, 2 forms of ID (one with a photo... a school ID is fine), $15 test fee (if ARRL Sponsored Exam).