NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT
Monday, Sept. 17, 2018 — Hardin County Amateur Radio Emergency Communications, Inc. will again sponsor a six-week class to obtain an entry-level Technician Amateur Radio license.
Because of the disasters experienced by the U.S. recently, there has been a major emphasis on all agencies and services having adequate auxiliary communication capabilities. Special emphasis for this class is on employees of the health care services, including long-term care facilities.
The classes will be begin Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, and will be held at the Hardin County Emergency Services Building located at 170 N. Provident Way, near the intersection of Ring Road and Patriot Parkway in Elizabethtown. Classes will run for six Saturdays from 9-11 a.m., with the first class set for October 6. $10 is requested to cover the cost of materials.
After the final class, testing for the Amateur Radio licenses will be available.
To preregister for the class, please E-mail w8wn@arrl.net, or call (270) 737-8361. There are no age restrictions on taking the class or the test, but anyone younger than junior high school age may have a problem keeping up because of the fast pace.
In the United States, the Amateur Radio Service is licensed for the FCC as a non-profit service for citizens to learn radio and electronic techniques, provide public service communications, and promote goodwill between countries. The Hardin County Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications, Inc. (a part of the nationwide Amateur Radio Emergency Service), is available to provide emergency and backup communications for a number of state and area organizations and non-governmental groups.
Emergency antennas have been installed at the Elizabethtown Police Department, Hardin/LaRue American Red Cross, Lincoln Trail District Health Department, and the Pritchard Community Center (often used as a shelter). The HC AREC provides the National Weather Service Skywarn severe weather spotters for the county, and many of the Disaster Assessment volunteers.
As part of the upcoming yearly Simulated Emergency Test, the HC AREC will have a booth at the Home Depot Safety Day on October 6. Visitors are invited to stop by and chat about Amateur Radio and the AREC.
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