Ham Slam initiates new amateur radio operators
The annual Ham Slam of the Highland Lakes Amateur Radio Club (HLARC) is coming up March 3,4 and 5.
Ham Slam is a licensing course and a way to learn about the local community of operators and the services they provide. Amateur radio, or ham radio, is a popular hobby that brings people, electronics and communication together. But in times of emergency, the ability to talk across town, around the world or even into space without the Internet or cell phones can become essential.
Their public service can be as simple as extra channels of communication to law enforcement for sporting and community events. Many ham operators have gone on to participate in the National Weather Service Skywarn network to help track storm systems and to organized Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). Locally, HLARC also supports Boy Scouts and other youth in active learning about a hobby that provides public service.
The three-day Ham Slam class is geared to assist in obtaining a Level 1 or Technician Ham Radio Operator's License. The course will be held March 3, 4 and 5 at the Marble Falls Area Emergency Medical Service (EMS) building on 609 Industrial Boulevard in Marble Falls, but participants are invited from throughout the area.
An additional element has been added for this year’s class. When you register, you’ll be assigned an ELMER, Ham terminology for a mentor, who will help you study and prepare for the class, and answer your questions.
The first class will begin Friday, March 3 around 6:30 p.m. The second is scheduled for all day Saturday, March 4. A test at 1 p.m. will follow the half-day session on Sunday March 5. No Morse code knowledge will be required.
“There is no cost for the course, but we will be using the W5YI Group’s Technician Class Ham Radio License Manual, 8th Edition, written by Gordon West, which can be purchased for approximately $22,” said Riley Carruthers of the HLARC. “The club is asking for a donation if you want to pick up a manual from Gil Jones in Marble Falls, 830-301-0050.
“If you purchase a book make sure it is the 8th edition covering the question pool effective July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2018.
It is recommended that you get a manual in advance and spend some time with it, and also to go on the FCC site and get your FRN number, see here : https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do. That is needed for the exam and having it precludes putting your social security number out there.
The test cost is $15, which is the processing fee for testing materials and processing by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The club does not keep any of the funds from the test. The course is also open to First Responders, Red Cross and anyone with an interest in Amateur Radio.
Register by contacting Carruthers by email at riley.carruthers@datavise.net, including with your name, email address and phone numbers.
The HLARC and ARES meet regularly at the at the Marble Falls Area EMS central station.
The club officers are Robyn Richter (KE5LAT), president; Chuck Dear (KB5YKJ), vice president; Sherry Musgrove (WA5SYU), and Rick Miller(W5RSM) treasurer.
And, a historical note: it is called “ham” radio the world around after the last names of the first Harvard Radio Club wireless station operators—Hyman-Almy-Murray. That was in 1908. The hobby and the name have stuck.
