There are 637,404 Amateur radio operators who practice most of the different methods of radio communications such as Morse code, Television communication, computer/radio communications (called packet radio) and contesting as well as just about any other communication areas. Tennessee ranks 17th in the nation with 13081 Amateurs.
Amateur radio operators have built and sent our own satellite’s into orbit using donated space on NASA’s rockets.
No one knows how the word ham began. A ham (or amateur) is a person who usually works in a field other than communications. The ham, who in addition to enjoying around the world communications, is an experimenter who will design and build equipment and antennas for his/her own use.
The requirements for the 3 classes of license are as listed below.
Technician Class - A written exam only. No Morse code is required for this level.
General Class - Successful completion of the Technician Class requirements + a written exam and a 5 WPM code test.
Extra Class - Successful completion of the General Class requirements + a written exam.
Study materials for an Amateur license are available from the ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League)
as well as most electronic stores such as Radio Shack.
When ready for a test contact Jerry Hedgcoth / KE4ETY @ 615.952.5615 for instructions.
ANY person who successfully passes an FCC exam administered by other Amateur VE's will be granted a license.
In addition to our social functions we support many of the local charitable organizations with communications for their fund raising events.
A single membership is $15.00 annually. A family membership is $20.00
Attend a regular meeting of the club or contact any of the officers