Amateur radio license courses starting April 1

Emergency Services Coordinating Agency radio operators
participating in an emergency communications exercise

Brier, WA, - The Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA) is offering two amateur radio license courses starting Monday, April 1, 2013 to prepare students for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) license examination. 

Courses for the entry and mid-level license convene simultaneously Monday evenings, 7pm to 9pm at the Brier City Hall for eight consecutive weeks. The courses conclude with FCC exams scheduled on May 20.

The Brier City Hall address is 2901 228th Street, SW, Brier, WA  98036. The courses are free with the exception of a $25.00 text book and $15.00 FCC exam fee.

The beginner level amateur band radio license is required for entry into the fascinating hobby of “ham” radio. It’s all about getting on the air and communicating with a region-wide network of ham radio operators for fun, providing communications for charity events or helping governments transmit vital disaster response information when telephones fail.

Those already holding the prerequisite license may attend the separate, but simultaneous mid-level license course.  These license holders enjoy greater power output and frequency privileges required for world-wide communications.

The textbooks for both courses are available through the ESCA office for the discounted price of $25. 

Contact the Course Manager, Dan Good, at 425-776-3722,  or Vickie Fontaine, Program Assistant, to register or ask questions about getting started in amateur band radio.

The Emergency Services Coordinating Agency was created by the cities of Brier, Edmonds, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Woodinville, and the Town of Woodway to provide city government disaster planning, mitigation, response, and recovery services.