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[DPRG] Amateur Radio
Subject: [DPRG] Amateur Radio
From: Kipton Moravec
kip at kdream.com
Date: Mon Mar 26 10:00:36 CDT 2007
I don't know if you know or not, but on February 23, 2007 the FCC
dropped all requirements for Morse Code from all license classes.
This weekend I took a 8-5 On Saturday, and Noon-3 On Sunday, Technician
(first level) class in Allen. Not only did I pass the Technician Test
but the General Level Class exam also! (I had gone through the 500
possible questions Saturday night and Sunday Morning as the only
studying for the General License Test.) 100% of the people who took the
class passed the Technician test. We had a retired couple, a nurse, a
hospital administrator, a fireman and a few other non-technical types
take the test and pass.
For the Technician class the only electronics theory is Ohms Law (V = I
* R) and calculating Power (Watts = Voltage * Amps). The rest is
procedures, rules, and safety. It should be pretty easy for anyone
taking on robotics.
One of the reasons they dropped Morse Code is that there are so many
different ways to communicate, including digital modes nowadays.
For example APRS is an automatic position reporting system. If you have
a APRS system, you can be tracked anywhere in the US. You can put one on
your robot, and always know where it is! :)
There are also digital transmitting modes, which you could use to
control your robot from a very long distance.
Here are a few of the upcoming courses:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/courses/
I should know my call sign by the end of the day today (posted in the
FCC database), then I will be official!
Kip
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