Amateur band radio license courses starting Sept 29 in Brier

The Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA) is offering two amateur radio license courses starting Monday, September 29, 2014 to prepare students for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) license examination.  

Courses for the entry and mid-level license convene simultaneously Monday evenings, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Brier City Hall for eight consecutive weeks. The courses conclude with FCC exams scheduled on November 17.  

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 for the Technician and $30 for the General books.  

Contact the Course Manager, Vickie Fontaine, at 425-776-3722, 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.