Topic: Technican Ham Class Comes to Near-Fest III

[w1sj]

I'm very excited to report that we will have a Ham Radio Class at Nearfest.  Bring your family member, friend or significant other and deposit them in the class and we'll make a bonafide hamster out them in a few hours!

Details:
1. This class is for the Technician Class Amateur Radio License.
2. You must pre-register - earlier the better! When you enroll, I will send you a book and workbook and homework!! Yes, you have to do some work before class!
3. Class will meet in two sessions:  Friday 6-9 PM and Saturday 8-11 AM. These times might vary a little as we nail down room logistics. You must attend both sessions!
4. Exams will be given at the conclusion of the class.
5. License will be issued a few days after class.
6. Class will be taught by Mitch W1SJ - I've been doing this for a looooong time, so you'll be in good hands!
7. To ask questions or enroll: contact Mitch at:
w1sj@arrl.net
802-879-6589 (noon-6 + M/W evenings)
I'll give you details such as cost and registration procedure.
For more specific details on the class, go to www.ranv.org and click on Ham Class.

Keep Amateur Radio Growing!  Send someone to Ham Class at Near-Fest!

73, Mitch

[K1WIZ]

This is an EXCELLENT idea.  I hope to convince some friends to join.  Thanks for stepping up to the plate.

[AA1SU]

Mitch,
This sounds like a good idea. I will contact a local friend to she if she is interested in this class.

[trooperbill1313]

hey great idea , just regstered for it looking forward to it thanks for the hard work mitch  see you soon ......     GO RED SOX!!!!!

[w1sj]

Folks are registering for the Near-Fest Technician Class and we promise to produce a new crop Hamsters for Festering Fun.

I know that there are several of you procrastinating about getting your ham license.  Don't wait!! Register now so that you can receive the course materials before the hamfest weekend and the class. While it is possible to join the class at the last moment, it is very difficult to learn everything at one and this is not recommended.

I also know that some potential hams will say, I'll pick up a book and learn it on my own. I can tell you that folks who said that to me 10 years ago are still not hams!

The Near-Fest Technician Class is great in that you can pick up your license and pick up your new (or used) radio with one-stop shopping. How can you beat that!

To register for the class, call me at 802-879-6589 weekday afternoons and Mon/Wed evenings.
I'll go over the class details, pricing and registration procedure. You can also reach me at: w1sj@arrl.net.

See you at Near-Fest!

Mitch W1SJ

[w1sj]

Near-Fest III is over and I can happily report that the in-fest Technician Class was a success. We will end up with 5 new hamsters! The class was nothing more than an idea only 1 month ago and eventually became a reality. Many told me this was a good idea. Several said that I was nuts. Myriad details and logistics were worked out over the course of a few weeks.

The class was only publicized via this forum. Usually I put publicity in a variety of newspapers in the area. Initially response was very slow. However, as more and more people starting checking the site the last few days before Near-Fest, the interest grew. My apologies to those who wanted to sign on to the course on Friday. By that time, I had to close enrollment.

This class requires that students do a certain amount of home study prior to class time. Ideally I look for enrollments at least several weeks in advance of class. It is very difficult to come into the class totally cold and do well. The fact that I was able to get good results with students who enrolled the day before pleases me to no end.

Because this class did work out well, I am willing to try this again in the fall. I already do a class in Manchester at the end of October and my initial thought is that two classes in the same area in the same month are too much. But I know that folks who come to Deerfield from all New England might not be willing to come to Manchester just for the class. However, for the Near-Fest class to be reality, I have to have see interest in the class well before the hamfest.

So, the message is to go out the spread the word about the opportunity to train for an amateur license and obtain one at Near-Fest. Think of family and friends who you can tow along to the hamfest! Ideally, students will be enrolling in September for this class. And if students cannot get to Near-Fest, other options are the late October class in Manchester, or the on-line courses I also offer. Contact me via E-mail or at 802-879-6589 for more detailed information.

See you all in the fall!

Mitch

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

Glad you were able to provide this service, Mitch. The content makes the 'fest, and providing a license class is about as 'back to basics' as it gets. Many thanks for your efforts.