Results from the 2-Day Technician Class

Radio MikeWe finished up the second and last day of our 2-day Ham Radio Technician License Class. The class ended with a VE test session, which was done by one of the local VE teams. We had 19 out of 21 students pass Element 2, qualifying them for a Technician Class License, for a 90% success rate. A handful of the students gave the General test a try and some passed that, too. We were very pleased with the level of interest in the class and the success rate on the exams.

Our learning objective was to have the students pass the Tech exam and know enough to be able to get on the air and operate a radio on the bands above 50 MHz.

The basic approach we used was to have two all-day classes, held on two consecutive Saturdays. We carefully developed a schedule that got us through all of the material and made sure we kept the class moving through it. We had originally looked at a one-day ham class but decided that was just too much material for one day. On the other hand, we did not want to go the traditional route of meeting once a week for 8 or more weeks. We didn’t think the instructors or the students would last that long! In the end, we chose an intense two-day approach, but made it clear to the students that they had to study the book in advance to be successful with this compressed approach.

We used the Gordon West Technician License guide, which is a very focused text, which ties the material directly to the exam questions. We also recommended the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual as another good reference book.  The ARRL book provides a broader context and includes material that is not required by the Technician exam.

One important point: I found this to be a very fun and motivating activity. It forced me to take a fresh look at amateur radio and really think about how to efficiently convey the material. Seeing a group of students get excited about ham radio gave me a spark of energy. Think about this if you are looking for some way to get re-energized in ham radio.

We have a waiting list for our next class, so it seems we need to do this again…soon.

73, Bob K0NR

The Class is Full

hamWow, the interest in the Ham Radio Technician License class has been intense! I was thinking we’d get 8 to 10 students. So far I’ve had over 30 people ask to be registered for the class but we had to cap it at 24. And some of our publicity efforts are just starting to kick in.

I also noticed this item from the ARRL Web Site:

2009 Sees Surge of New Amateur Radio Licensees

Don’t these people know that ham radio is an obsolete pastime for guys over 65 years old?

73, Bob K0NR

Amateur Radio Tech Class

Ham Radio Two-Day License Class

Monument, Colorado

Saturday Jan 30 and Saturday Feb 6 (8 AM to 5 PM)

Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Station 1

Sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Radio Association

The Technician license is your gateway to the world-wide excitement of Amateur Radio …

  • Earn your ham radio Technician class radio privileges
  • Pass your FCC amateur radio license exam right in class on the second day
  • Multiple-choice exam, No Morse Code Required
  • Live equipment demonstrations
  • Learn to operate on the ham bands, 10 Meters and higher
  • Learn to use the many VHF/UHF FM repeaters in Colorado
  • Find out how to participate in emergency communications

There is no cost for the class

However, students must have the required study guide:
Gordon West Technician Class guide $18.95
And pay the FCC Exam Fee: $15.00

Advance registration is required (no later than Jan 25th).

To register for the class, contact: Bob Witte KØNR   techclass@k0nr.com

For more information on amateur (ham) radio visit www.arrl.org
or www.wedothat-radio.org

Update: As of Jan 6th, the class is full. We have had a surprising number of people interested in this class. We are keeping a waiting list and we are likely to offer another class later in the year.

2009 Fall TechFest

Announcing the 2009 Fall TechFest, an all day technical program for the continuing education of ham radio operators

Schedule of Workshops
(times are tentative)
November 7, 2009
Morrison, Colorado

Time

Topics

9:00 –   9:50

Digital Modes

Jim Stitt, KAØNZZ

10:00 – 10:50

Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s Laws

Larry Weinstein, KØNA

11:00 – 11:50

Block Diagrams And Schematics

Steve Finch, AIØW

12:00 – 12:50

Lunch (on your own) Question and Answer Session for those who stay to eat

1:00 – 1:50

What Test Equipment to Buy

Bob Witte, KØNR

2:00 – 2:50

Taking the Mystery Out of SWR

Bill Rinker, W6OAV

3:00 – 4:00

Propagation Basics

Larry Weinstein, KØNA

Additional Information

When

Saturday, November 7, 2009:  9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.   Check in:  8:00 – 8:45 a.m.

Registration

Space is limited! Pre-registration recommended. Please e-mail k0nnc@arrl.net to pre-register. Please pay at the door.

Cost *

$5.00 (cash only)

Where

The Inter Canyon Fire Department Station #1. Go to www.intercanyonfire.org. Click on “Our District”, then “1”, and then “Google Maps – Station 1”. The address is 7939 South Turkey Creek Road, Morrison, Colorado OR check our website – www.na0tc.org.

Carpooling is recommended.

Refreshments

Free coffee and water will be available. Muffins, rolls, soda pop will be available for purchase (cash only). PLEASE BRING A SACK LUNCH.

*The 285 TechConnect Radio Club will donate 50% of net proceeds from this event to Deer Creek Elementary School Ham Radio Program.

Website:    www.na0tc.org for more information.

Talk-in frequency 147.225 MHz

Handouts will be available on the website one week before the TechFest.