East Hudson Valley News

Amateur radio operators, known as ham radio operators, have the ability to communicate across various distances without relying on the internet or cell phones. These operators are vital during emergencies and natural disasters, such as fires, floods, or hurricanes. For individuals interested in obtaining or upgrading their ham radio license, Dutchess County Emergency Response is partnering with the Mount Beacon Amateur Radio Club to host an FCC licensing exam.

The exam will take place at 1 pm on Sunday, October 6th at the Emergency Response campus located at 392 Creek Road, Poughkeepsie. The fee for the exam is $15, and successful candidates will incur an additional $35 FCC licensing fee. Pre-registration is required by September 13th.

A free three-day training course will be offered to review the material from the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition. The sessions are scheduled for Friday, October 4th from 6-9 pm; Saturday, October 5th from 8 am-5 pm; and Sunday, October 6th from 8 am-noon. Although attendance at this training is recommended, it is not mandatory for taking the exam. Registration for this course must also be completed by September 13th.

To register for both the class and the exam or to seek more information, interested parties can contact Adam Nowik Jr. at (845) 849-3666 or via email at AE2AN@aol.com. For those wishing to register only for the exam, Lynn Rightmeyer can be reached at kv2j54@yahoo.com.

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