BARC Technician License Classes
Amateur Radio Technician License Intensive Course
The Bloomington Amateur Radio Club (“BARC”) announces its Amateur Radio Technician License Intensive Course. The Technician License is the gateway to amateur radio. Hundreds of radio operators, called “hams” are licensed in Monroe County alone, and operate radios that operate locally, and can operate them legally around the world.
This class is an intensive training class for the license test, focusing on materials provided by the American Radio Relay League. Sessions are divided into three Saturdays. A license test manual is distributed to each student, and requires a deposit (refunded when returned in good condition). At the end of the course, FCC Volunteer Examiners from the area will administer the FCC Technician License test to students (and others). Upon passing the test, the license can be obtained from the FCC for $35 and it’s good for ten years.
Hams in Monroe County come from various walks of life, young and old, construction workers, lawyers, professors, farmers, government employees, fast food workers, professors, teachers, and more. Many high school and college students become licensed and enjoy communicating locally, with satellites, mesh networks, digitally, by voice, and even by the ancient old Morse Code method. Morse Code is no longer required to obtain an amateur license.
Hams often construct inexpensive stations and experiment with electronics and communications, as well as the physics, electronics, and ever-increasing computer technologies in modern radio communications.
The Details
Offered By: Bloomington (IN) Amateur Radio Club (BARC)
For: This People interested in an education towards passing the FCC Technician (entry level) License Exam
Where: Monroe County Public Library Southwest, near Batchelor Middle School.
Dates: March 8th, 15th, and 22nd.
Times: 10am-noon and 1pm-3pm each day.
Testing: An ARRL VE License Exam will be administered at 3pm on March 22nd ($15 fee, but may be waived if under 18). Upon successful completion, a program offers newly licensed Amateur Technician operators a low cost ham radio with programming cable.
Costs: $30 deposit for a book (refunded when returned in good condition); License Sitting Fee $15 (18 and under may have this fee waived); $35 FCC License Fee upon successful test completion.
Who: Age 10+ Instruction is in English Language. Disability access. You’ll need to read the license manual between March 8th and 22nd, and have the time to do that. Not reading the manual will lead to failure. Instructions for visually handicapped individuals is offered through a different program.
Instructors: Three FCC Amateur Extra Licensees, also FCC Volunteer Examiners from BARC.
What to bring: A notebook and pen. The session may be recorded for your own use, but cannot be distributed.
Experience and prerequisites: None required. A science background is helpful. Basic algebra skills helpful. Only students are allowed in the classroom during classes.
Class reservations must be emailed to contact@bloomingtonradio.club by March 5th, 2025.
About: There are over 700,000 licensed radio amateurs in the United States, and the history of amateur radio is legendary for its adventurers, inventors, and just plain fun. This course teaches the basics for the Technician Test. The General amateur radio license, the next step on the ladder, offers more communications privileges, while the Amateur Extra License grants all possible privileges and offers reciprocal international operation in many countries. A license is required to transmit on amateur radio frequency allocations.
The Bloomington Amateur Radio Club comprises many radio amateurs from different walks of life, ages, and backgrounds. As hobbyists, BARC holds various events and exercises, as well as supporting community events like the annual Hilly Hundred. The club meets once a month formally, and participates in local, regional, state, and national events in radio. The Bloomington Amateur Radio Club is an American Radio Relay League-affiliated (ARRL) club and embraces members with an interest in radio.
Practice Exams
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