Operating Course – Spring 2021

The National Electronics Museum is sponsoring its well-received Operating Course again starting April 15, 2021 and running each Thursday for 11 weeks from 6:30 to 9:30 EDST on Zoom.   There is no charge for participation.  The purpose of these classes is to provide information to help licensed radio amateurs to participate in the many on-the-air activities available in the hobby.  The presenters are very experienced in their topics—many are nationally known experts—and they will be available to answer your questions following the presentations.   The exact order of presentations will be determined and published in the next few weeks.   These are independent presentations, and participants are free to participate in any or all of the evenings.   Feel free to pass this announcement along to others, but we request that all prospective attendees register by emailing Tom Christovich at tom.christovich@gmail.com . You will receive confirmation of enrollment and the Zoom link for attendance by reply email.  Here is a tentative list of topics:

  • All About Operating-an Introduction
  • Amateur Radio Organizations: Local, National, and International clubs, societies and groups devoted to specific aspects of amateur radio
  • Ham Radio Operating Award Hunting—from working Lighthouses to the DXCC Challenge
  • DXing
  • QSLing
  • VHF/UHF Weak Signal Work
  • Remote Station Control Over Internet
  • CW in the No-code Era
  • Digital modes
  • Imaging Operating
  • Contesting
  • Logging Software
  • HF Propagation
  • Amateur Satellite Comms
  • Portable (backpacking) Operation, including Park and Summits
  • Setting Up an HF Station
  • Emergency and Public Service Communications (ARES and RACES)
  • Traffic Handling
  • Lightning Protection and Grounding