Announcement:

The Boulder County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (BCARES) organization is holding 2 free one day seminars: the first is at the Nederland Community Center on Saturday, October 22^ndfrom 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM, and the second one will be in Gold Hill on Saturday, October 29th from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

The purpose of these seminars is to assist individuals who are interested in acquiring their Technician level amateur radio license.  This license is required to legally operate a radio on the amateur radio frequencies.

With an amateur radio license, individuals will be able to participate in a new radio network being implemented by BCARES in the foothills and mountains of Boulder County.   The network is called MERN and stands for; the Mountain Emergency Radio Network and is intended to provide emergency communications capability when commercial power and or phone/cell service is interrupted for extended periods of time such as events like Four Mile Canyon fire.  During non-emergency time, the network is available for personal use by those who are properly licensed.

Class will consist of instructors who will take the students through the requirements necessary to pass the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) test which will be administered on November 9^th.  The exact time and place will be announced soon.

Students should arrive before 9:00 AM and have a note book and pen to take notes and accumulate handout materials.  Everyone is encouraged to bring a lunch since the class will continue during the lunch hour.

If you have questions please contact Allen Bishop at (303) 437-7835 or by email at allenbishop@nullcomcast.net.