New Hams Workshop
The next workshop is planned as part of Frostfest 2023. It is described in https://rarclub.net/license/. The first workshop was held on April 30, 2022. Registration is required so we can purchase needed supplies. A registration link will be placed here when ready.
New General-Extra Upgrades Workshop
The first workshop is planned as part of Field Day 2022. It is described in https://rarclub.net/license/. Registration is required so we can purchase needed supplies. A registration link will be placed here when ready.
Registration for Spring 2022 closed
Fall class schedules will be posted by July 2022
All classes – exam prep and skills – subject to the pandemic worsening, the plan is to teach hybrid, a classroom-studio with students present and Zoom connection for distant students.
There is a minimum of 5 students for a class to be established since there are inevitable drop-outs.
The tuition fees cover instructors’ supplies, support the club, help cover the Zoom software license, and other RARC costs of providing these classes. The RARC is charged fees for your use of credit and debit cards, so a discount is offered for cash and check payment.
Registration
- Registration is on-line at https://rarclub.net/fcc-license-class-registration/.
Spring Exam preparation classes – registration closed
- Technician (first license) taught on Wednesday nights, 7pm to 9pm – Zoom only – instructors: George Starke, WB4VWR & John DeMajo, K5HTZ
- General (second license) meets Thursday nights, 7pm to 9pm, 5 weeks – instructors: Ken Zutavern, K4ZUT & Maylon Pearman, N4EG
- Extra (highest license) class is Tuesday nights, 7pm to 9pm – Zoom unless 4 or more students choose in-person, then Zoom plus classroom – instructors: Bruce MacAlister, W4BRU & Ken Liedner, WV0L
New Textbooks
With the spring of 2022 courses, the W5YI-Gordon-West texts are used. In prior years the ARRL texts were used. The club is moving towards the Nashua (NH) Area Radio Society model for teaching license classes. The spring of 2022 classes with the new text help the instructors acclimate to them. See https://www.gordonwestradioschool.com/main/page_w5yi_training_resources.html
Spring Skills Seminars – registration closed
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- Remote Station setup and operation, Sat March 19, 9am to noon, Zoom only, instructor Bruce MacAlister, W4BRU
- DStar setup and operation, Sat March 26, 9am to noon, hybrid in classroom 202 if 4 srudents tagree to meet in-person and on Zoom, instructor Win Grant, W4WIN, minimum of 5 students
- Antenna Modeling with EZNEC, Sat April 2, 9am to noon, Zoom only, instructor Robert Orndorff, W4BNO
- Remote Station setup and operation, Sat March 19, 9am to noon, Zoom only, instructor Bruce MacAlister, W4BRU
Registration:
Online at https://rarclub.net/seminar-registration-form/
Official FCC Exams
The Club provides a Volunteer Examiners (VE) testing session near the end of each course. This is a free examination because the Laurel VEC covers all the costs. Click VE Testing Schedules for the current schedule.
School Location
Registration, classes, and exams are held at the Bon Air United Methodist Church, 1645 Buford Road, Richmond, VA 23235. Please enter the church from the West Bon View Drive side of the building. Signs inside direct you to the correct rooms.
Other Information
If inclement weather causes the closing of the school, additional nights are usually negotiated to allow adequate time to cover necessary material.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the head of the school Bruce MacAlister, W4BRU at w4bru@arrl.net or 804-353-4269 or fill out the form below.