Ham Radio Classes Offered Here By Douglas Co. Club

Have you ever wanted to learn Ham Radio and talk locally or all over the world? Well, here is your opportunity!

There are three licenses of Ham Radio: Technician, General and Extra; and you no longer have to qualify in Morse Code. Each 3-day class will now be taught in Ava starting with the Technician Class. Later, a “General” class will be offered, and, if enough people are interested, an “Extra” class will be given.

The Technician Class will be held on three Saturdays, April 7, April 14 and April 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Common Grounds Coffee Shop located in the lower level of Ava Full Gospel Church, 465 SE 3rd Street, Ava. The cost of this class is $15 (cash) paid the first day of class for your study guide. On April 2, the class will review the material in the morning, and then take the test after lunch. At that time, payment of $15 (cash) for the test is due. You must also be prepared to present two pieces of identification before you take the test.

Ham Radio is used during disasters, special events, and for emergency communications. For the benefit of operators in Douglas County, a repeater at the Douglas/Christian County line is used during severe weather, nightly nets, and ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service.) Ham Radio operators are always needed as emergency communications is an integral part of Disaster Preparedness. Ham Radio operators have been used as primary communicators during some of Missouri’s most devastating tornados.

For more information, please contact Teresa Tost at 686-4025, or by email kc0okp@yahoo.com. or Facebook at DCAR Radio Club.

Remember, everyone is welcome to the classes and to meetings of the Douglas County Amateur Radio Club (DCAR), held the third Saturday of each month at St. Francis Anglican Church in the basement on West Highway 76 at 11 a.m.

If you would like to listen to updates on weather or nets, or just listen to ham radio operators talking put 146.925 in your scanner.