SARA Licensing Courses!
Ham radio is fun. If it wasn’t fun, we wouldn’t do it!
Ham radio means getting to talk to satellites using a hand-held radio – or talking to your fellow Hams around the world. Most of us had someone introduce us to Amateur Radio, and we’d like to introduce you to our hobby and invite you to join. Getting your first Ham license (Technician), or upgrading to General or Extra is now as simple as studying a book and taking a test – or coming to one of our free local classes – no Morse Code necessary!
Sawnee Amateur Radio Association offers free classes for the Technician license for people new to Amateur Radio, as well as a General license class for those that wish to upgrade. We generally offer these classes two times a year, in the Spring and in the Fall. Our classes are 5 weekends long on Saturdays from 9am to around 11:30. On the 6th weekend, we offer a testing session. The test for both Technician and General licenses are 35 multiple choice questions; There is no longer a Morse code requirement to obtain a license, or upgrade! The class itself is free, although you will need the book we’re using and $15 for the testing session fee. Registration for our classes is preferred so we can make sure to have enough material for everyone that shows up.
Spring General Classes are currently forming!
Our Spring General licensing classes are now forming! Note there is no Technician class! Registration is Required!
The classes will start June 5th at the Cumming Police Station. The classes are about 2.5 hours long each Saturday starting at 9am, for 5 weeks. North Fulton Amateur Radio League is hosting a VE testing session the 17th, so we will plan on testing there. More information will be available at the class.
Please contact us if you are interested in the classes, as Registration is required, and formal classes will be canceled if we don’t reach a minimum number of registered students!! TECHNICIAN CLASSES HAVE BEEN CANCELED!
Please email us and let us know which class you are interested in. You will be responsible for obtaining your own book.
Books
Students are now responsible for obtaining their own books. Please let us know if you have a problem finding it.
Technician: The ARRL Ham Radio Licensing Manual – 2nd Edition – available at Ham Radio Outlet, or the ARRL.com – retail $24.95
(Make sure it says “For exams give on or after July 1, 2010″ on the cover! This is a BRAND NEW BOOK!)
General: The ARRL General Class License Manual – Available through Ham Radio Outlet, ARRL.com – retail $24.95. ISBN: 0-87259-996-5
Where
The Cumming Police Station:
301 Veterans Memorial Blvd
Cumming, GA 30040 Google Map
Contact Information
To Register for a class, or if you’d like to get email on future dates of the classes, simply email the following people:
General Licensing: Jack Fisher KC4I – 770-205-2508, KC4I@arrl.net
Technician (Introductory) Licensing: Nick Nelson KC8HKI – 678-884-8218, nick@kc8hki.com
Registration for our classes is Required so that we have enough materials in advance.
You can also find out more about Sawnee Amateur Radio Association, Forsyth ARES, and amateur radio in general by attending a meeting. Check out the meeting page for more information.
We look forward to having you in ours classes!
Everything Else
We Hams have a serious side to what we do. We provide emergency communications when needed. Because we took the time to learn the rules and regulations required by the FCC to communicate properly and safely, we’re licensed by the FCC. Every Ham in the world has a unique call sign that identifies them as an Amateur Radio Operator.
Because we’re trained and licensed, we can effectively provide a high level of backup communications to Federal Agencies (such as FEMA), State Agencies (such as the Georgia Department of Homeland Security) and local agencies.