By Kris Harrell

The Jim Bell Wireless Association is organizing an entry-level amateur radio class with a curriculum to help participants who may want to earn their Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician License. 

The association is an Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) radio club, with operators who practice radio etiquette and procedures to further their hobby and to practice for communication and disaster scenarios. 

The instructor for the course and treasurer of the Jim Bell Wireless Association, Jerry McCullough, has instructed radio technician classes in the past.

“We do this to offer individuals who desire to get a license the opportunity to do so in a classroom environment and to foster amateur radio awareness,” McCullough said.

During the course, participants will learn more about the radio operating rules and regulations, procedures, frequency allocation and more. All of the information will come from the ARRL handbook used to teach the course. 

The classes begin on Feb 11 and continue every Tuesday from 7 – 9 p.m for seven to nine weeks at the Rutledge Town Hall.  McCullough will ask participants to read a chapter of the ARRL handbook every week and allow class time for discussion and questions. 

At the end of the course, participants will take a test at one of the exam locations for amateur radio technician courses. The test will be 35 questions randomly selected from chapters within the ARRL handbook.
“I teach the class a bit differently than others,” McCullough said. “Each individual has a different knowledge base; what some people may understand readily, others may not understand at all. The fact that students themselves take part in the discussion, it helps everyone to understand the questions and the material in the book.” 

While the class is free, there are additional fees attributed to learning and testing inside the course. The ARRL Handbook costs $30 for participants, and the test at the end of the course is $15. 

After taking the test, learners who pass with less than eight questions missed can submit a $35 fee to the FCC to begin the process of being issued an amateur radio technician license. With the license, participants earn the privilege of operating on amateur frequency bands. Licensed operators will receive their callsign, which is how they are identified by other operators.

To register for the classes, please contact McCullough at wa4mo.Jerry@gmail.com or at 334-301-5007. Registration is open and will run until Jan 20. 

The organization, which meets regularly in Greenville, will host its annual Winter Field Day, Jan. 25 at 2606 Old Stage Rd in Greenville starting at 8 a.m.