KOSCIUSKO — The Hoosier Lakes Radio Club will give a two-day amateur radio license class on Saturday, Feb. 16, and Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at the Kosciusko County Justice Building, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw.

Orientation and book handout will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 26. Attendees should enter at the main entrance on the east side of the building.

The class will start at 8 a.m. and review the information needed to pass the entry-level technician class license, which will be given at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. The test will consist of 35 multiple-choice questions and will be graded by HLRC volunteer examiners on site. Two forms of identification, one with a photo, will be required.

The class will be conducted by instructors from the Hoosier Lakes Radio Club. Participants are requested to review the Gordon West Technician Manual and take free online exams at the aa9pw.com website before the class to be familiar with the materials presented.

Topics covered will include FCC rules, descriptions and definitions for the Amateur Radio Service; operator and station license responsibilities; operating procedures; radio wave characteristics and propagation modes; amateur radio practices and station equipment and set-up; electrical principles; common transmitter and receiver problems; amateur satellite operation; operating activities; non-voice and digital communications; antennas and installation; electrical safety; AC and DC power circuits and more.

When severe weather is forecast to impact Kosciusko County, the meteorologists of the National Weather Service, local television stations and the Kosciusko County Emergency Operations Center rely on a trained group of severe storm spotters to provide the “ground truth” of dangerous, damaging weather phenomena. Many of them are first responders and licensed radio amateurs transmitting realtime observations directly to the Emergency Operations Center using their base, mobile, or handheld VHF and UHF radios.

Currently licensed amateur radio operators wishing to upgrade to General or Amateur Extra Class are welcome to test during the 3 p.m. exam session. Information will also be available about volunteer opportunities with RACES, Emergency Management and Skywarn. Cost of the class is $30 and includes the textbook, study guide, and meals and snacks for both days. Deadline for registration is Jan. 13, 2019.

For more information or to register, contact Loren Melton by email at [email protected] or by calling (574) 566-2924 or (574) 377-9855.