Update 3/19/2016 8:28 p.m.: Classes begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday and run until the class is complete.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino Amateur Radio Club of Flagstaff is currently holding classes for the technician class license. The classes are free and open to anyone of any age. The classes are held every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm. They are held at the North Country Health Care facility at 2920 N 4th Street in Flagstaff.
The technician class license is the first FCC license a person can obtain to operate amateur radio equipment. You must get 26 questions correct on a 35 question examination. The examination fee is $15 and the next test is on April 16. Although anyone can come to the exam and classes, the Coconino Amateur Radio Club requests that you go to their web site and let them know that you are coming so they can provide enough material.
If you pass the examination for a Technician license, you can take the test for the General Class license. This allows you access to more frequencies and privileges. If you pass that exam, you can try for the top license; Amateur Extra. If you fail any exam along the way, you will be required to pay another $15 to retake the examination.
The courses are based on The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual. The manual is available through the Amateur Radio Relay League and other online retailers for around $25. Some may be on hand at the class.
The rest of the course schedule is as follows:
- March 19 – Chapter 3 – Electronic components, Types of Radio Circuits
- April 2 – Chapter 4 – Radio Wave Propagation, Antennas and Feed Lines, Practical Antenna Systems
- April 9 – Chapter 5 – Basic Amateur Radio Equipment, Power Sources and Interference
- April 16 – Chapter 6 – Communicating with Other Hams
- April 23 – Chapter 7 & 8 – License Regulations and License Privileges, Call Signs and Operating Regulations (Part 1)
- April 30 – Chapter 8 & 9 – Call Signs and Operating Regulations (Part 2), Safety and Amateur Radio
In order to take the test, you must bring a picture identification and your social security number. If you do not desire to give your social security number, you can file for an FCC Registration Number (FRN) at the FCC Universal Licensing web site. If you provide your SSN, you will be issued an FRN and listed on the ULS anyway. The benefit of signing up for an FRN before the examination is that you may get your license quicker.
If you pass any level of examination, the Volunteer Examiners take all necessary steps to file for your license. You can download your license as soon as it appears in the FCC database and start operating on Ham frequencies.