Note: For any person to use the amateur “ham” radio frequencies, the Federal Communication Commission requires that that person must be a licensed amateur radio operator. In amateur radio, there are three levels of licenses with increasing levels of privileges…and responsibilities. The levels are Technician, General and Amateur Extra.
Technician Class
The Technician license allows you to transmit on radio frequencies that reach line-of-sight in the local area. You are also allowed to transmit to radio repeaters located on mountain tops which greatly increase how far you can communicate. Additionally, it gives you a taste of HF frequencies in the 6-meter range that reach much farther.
The Frank Warren Instructor Group will not be scheduling other Technician classes until MAYBE after the Duke City Hamfest. [Note: Larry Goga AE5CZ, lead instructor of the Frank Warren group is also the President/Chairman of the 2024 Duke City Hamfest. Thus, he is tied up with his Hamfest duties through September 2024].
General Class
The intention of the Frank Warren Instructor Group is to continue to offer Frank’s model of 32 hours of instruction toward obtaining your General Class license. A General class was recently held in November, 2023. This class was highly successful with nine out of 10 students completing the class and all passing the General exam on their first attempt.
As of now, we have no plans to offer a General class in 2024 until perhaps late fall. We are working to get the Duke City HamFest for 2024 up and running.
Amateur Extra Class
It is our intention to continue to offer Frank’s model of “personalized seminars” as an aid toward obtaining your Extra class license. It was Frank’s belief that by this time in your Amateur Radio career you should be able to study and learn the material on your own. However, knowing that some of the subject material may present certain problems, Frank thought that a one-on-one approach to the specific subject matter was the best solution. It is our intention to continue following this model. These seminars will be held for 8 hours or less and usually on a weekend. There is no charge for attending these seminars.
The Amateur Extra Class Level (aka “Extra”) allows you to use all the amateur radio assigned frequencies. This greatly increases your options to successfully complete contacts.
At this time, it is our intention to offer the Extra class seminars on an “as needed” basis. If you need assistance in studying Extra class material and are interested in attending one of these seminars please contact Larry Goga, AE5CZ either by phone or email. His phone number is 1-505-293-5866 (leave a message) and his email address is lgoga@swcp.com.