The Adventist Disaster Response includes a team of Amateur Radio operators. The members of this team are trained in radio communications are used for passing messages to and from areas that otherwise may not have other communications methods available.

Amateur Radio operators are licensed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). There are three classes of radio licenses: Technician, General, and Extra. (There are other classes from the past that are grandfathered but no new such licenses are granted.)

• Technician - This the starting point. It allows frequencies primarily that general cover a local area with a range of about 100 miles. Special circumstances may apply that allow much greater or much less area.
• General - A big step up from Technician that allows frequencies the can cover the world. A ham radio operator using HF is probably at least a General or Extra.
• Extra - A step up from General that allows slightly more frequencies that are reserved for the Extra class operator..

Note: As of February 23, 2007 Morse Code in no longer a requirement to be licensed as an Amateur Radio operator.

A class in ham radio was taught at the Michigan Camp Meeting at Great Lakes Adventist Academy. Their were a dozen new ham radio operators as a result. Two passed two tests and became General class operators. Since the class others have also upgraded to General.

It is anticpated that the class will be repeated during the 2008 campmeeting.

The class textbook will be the "ARRL Ham Radio License Manual" (2006). You can buy the manual at a discount ($20) from us by paying in advance. Or you should bring your copy to the first class. You may purchase one from the ARRL, Barnes and Noble, Border's, or other online or storefront book retailers. The list price is $24.95. We may have have extra copies available at camp meeting. If you plan to take the class please let us know in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

HAM LICENSE TESTING is scheduled for Friday. To take the test you will need to have a legal form of photo ID (such as a driver's license) and you will also need your social security number. All students must bring any two of the following:

• Nonphoto ID / Drivers License,
• Social Security Card (FCC requires each applicant to supply a taxpayer ID number),
• Birth Certificate (with appropriate seal),
• Minor's work permit or school report card,
• Utility bill, bank statement, or other business correspondence with your current address on it,
• Postmarked envelope addressed to his/her current address

Instructors are currently set to be Steve Sowder, N5SDZ and David Carter, KA1HDG.

Need more information? Contact Steve at the link below.

If you are not trained as a "ham" here are some links to help you get started.
Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) This site contains many resources for ham radio, including how to get licensed. The book they offer "The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual" is a good place to start. (Look in the "Catalog & Store" link.) This book is also offered via Amazon.com and other online places and in retail book stores.
W5YI Group Another good resource for all things ham and for getting started.
Gordon West Another good source. Has study guides that are very good at explaining principles of radio. (Note: Gordon West is W5YI.)