Emergency Communications: Ham Radio

Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is both a hobby and means of communication during disasters and emergencies.

Ham Radio defined: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAM_Radio

In order to use a ham radio, you must pass a 35 question exam with 70% or better. Once you pass you will receive a call sign to use when transmitting (issued by the FCC). There are three levels or classes— Technician, General and Extra. You will start by passing the technician exam and can later decide if you would like to take the general and extra class licensing exams in order to obtain greater operating privileges.

Test prep:
Those of us who took and passed the exam this past week recommend doing the following:

1. Review the Technician Class book by Gordon West
Technician Class (Amateur Radio Element 2 FCC License Preparation) by Gordon West— This book is extremely concise and well written. It contains all 392 questions in the question pool for your Technician Class license. This book can be purchased online for under $20, often available from your city or county library, or available at the La Piedra Bldg. Library (only 3 copies available). Additionally, our ward and stake have ham radio experts. If you are in another ward or stake contact your representative or library.

I have this book on audio (CD or MP3) if anyone would like it. (Approximately 4.2 hours total)
Many amateur radio course instructors use this book exclusively for their test prep workshops.

2. Practice Exams
Take at least several practice exams from the following sites.
http://www.qrz.com/testing.html
http://www.aa9pw.com
When you can score 70% or better on a consistent basis you will be ready to go.

3. Taking the exam
When you are ready to go, you can take the technician exam at March Air Reserve Base at the Defense Media Center. Visit http://www.k6afn.net for directions and a map.

Exam times— there are no walk-ins. You must let them know you are coming.

Weekly:
Every Wednesday between 2 and 4 p.m.

Weekend exam sessions:
February 7, 2009 10:00 a.m.
April 4, 2009 10:00 a.m.
June 13, 2009 10:00 a.m.
August 22, 2009 10:00 a.m.
October 10, 2009 10:00 a.m.

If you would like to request a special exam time contact Bruce Ziemienski, WA6BZ at 951-232-3725 or e-mail wa6bz@k6afn.net

You will need to bring $15 cash or check and photo ID. You can take the exam on the computer or on paper.

Additional Testing Information:
If you would like to take the exam elsewhere, visit http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml to find a location near you.

Bryan