Basic Course
The annual Basic Amateur Radio Certification Course sponsored by HARC, and taught by senior Club members, begins on Thursday, September 26, 2013. It will be conducted over a 13-week period. Previously the course stretched from September to nearly April. However, we are able to provide a more rapid path to qualification by adding to the schedule a full day of classes on one Saturday each month. The regular weekly classes will be held from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm each Thursday and the Saturday sessions from 10:00 am - 2:30 pm once a month.
Outline
The course contents follow the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) Study Guide (Seventh Edition). It includes 50 hours of instruction, including both classroom and hands-on sessions. This comprehensive course has resulted in successful completion of the entry-level qualifying exam for most class members, including a mix of male and female; those with and without a previous technical background; and ages from 12 to over 70 years of age. We believe that this is the best way to start your career in amateur radio. Since the first meeting on Thursday, September 22 will be an introduction to ham radio, I urge anyone who thinks they may be interested in becoming a ham to attend that evening. You will have an opportunity to hear about the many exciting dimensions of our hobby and to obtain detailed information about the course. Note that the first intensive Saturday training session will take place on September 24th from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm. It will be very important not to miss this critical session.
For more details on the course outline, please refer to the following document:
Venue
The course venue will be the Halifax Amateur Radio Club's new facilities at the St. Andrew's Community Centre at 6955 Bayer's Road, just west of Romans Avenue. You can approach the location by driving down Bayer's Road from the top of the Halifax Shopping Centre. Once you pass Romans Avenue, turn right almost immediately. The building is set back from the road. You may also reach us by driving down Romans from Mumford Road (lower end of the Halifax Shopping Centre) and turning left on to Bayer's Road at the stoplights. You then make a right hand turn into the St. Andrew's Centre driveway almost immediately.
Exam
The final exam will be provided by one of the Club's Volunteer Examiners (listed below). The pass rate for obtaining the Basic Certification is 70%. However, if you pass with honours (80%) you will be granted a Basic plus Certification that provides full operating privileges on all bands. You can also obtain full operating privileges with an initial pass rate of 70% by demonstrating Morse code proficiency at 5 wpm.
Although Morse code is no longer an absolute requirement for licensing, it remains a very useful and enjoyable aspect of our hobby. Concurrent instruction in Morse code as a language for communications will be provided to those wishing to use it in upgrading their level of certification or to qualify for this mode of operating. The code training sessions will be arranged in a mutually agreeable way among members of the class expressing an interest. Already qualified amateur radio operators wishing to join the Morse code instruction are welcome. There is no charge for those wishing to take part in the Morse code classes. For more information on the Morse code class click here.
Course
The cost of the Basic Amateur Radio Licensing Course is $120. This covers the following
learning materials and benefits:
- The RAC Certification Package (including shipping and HST) $65
- Study Guide (7th Edition)
- Test Question Bank CD
- Halifax Amateur Radio Club Course Fee $55
- Expert instruction by licensed amateurs
- Free licensing exam and application to Industry Canada
- Copying of some course materials
- Associate membership in HARC
- Copies of the Club's monthly newsletter, The Reflector.
Let me know that you are interested in taking the course, and I will put you on the distribution list for further information, including the detailed curriculum outline. I look forward to helping you become a part of this wonderful hobby!
Erik Hein, VE1JEH (902) 826-7145 Basic Radio Course Coordinator
E-mail: VE1JEH@bellaliant.net
Volunteer Examiners
- Bill Elliott, VE1MR (902) 865-8567