8:00 AM - Ham Radio 101: New Technician

9:30 AM - Ham radio 102 - Intro to digital voice modes (DMR, D-STAR, Fusion)

10:30 AM - Ham Radio 201: New General/Extra

Pacificon℠ offers License Testing for those who want to get their first ham license, or those who want to upgrade to a higher class license. You've passed, congratulations! ...Now what? What do you need to know? What rig should you buy? What features do you need? What is CTCSS? Can you ever be truly happy without a tower? How do you install an antenna without destroying your house or killing yourself in the process? When a disaster happens - how can you be useful? How can you be better prepared? Should you spend $500 for a new Icom/Yaesu/Kenwood handheld radio, or buy a Baofeng handheld for $20?

There is a lot of interest in digital voice modes (DMR, D-STAR, Fusion) so this year we will include a section dedicated to those new modes.

Another scenario is the Technician who has just upgraded to General or Extra, but has only operated VHF/UHF. You've passed your upgrade to General or Extra and want to work HF. What do you really need in terms of radios, antennas, and accessories? What kind of antenna? Should you learn CW? Do you need a kilowatt amplifier? Can you operate HF if even if you live in an apartment?

To help answer these and other questions, members of the Bay-Net amateur radio group will conduct a half-day seminar for newly licensed and newly upgraded hams. The seminar will be split into three parts:

Ham Radio 101: New Technician

• Gear: Your First Radio, Setting Up Your Station

• Operating: Using Your Radio, Bands & Modes, Operating Tips

• Introduction to DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) and other digital voice modes

• Audience Q&A

Ham Radio 102: Intro to digital voice modes (DMR, D-STAR, Fusion)

• Digital voice mode overview

• Gear: Radios, repeaters, hot spots

• Operating: Using your digital radio and connecting over the internet

Ham Radio 201: New General/Extra

• Gear: Your First HF Station, Antennas, Setting Up Your HF Station

• Operating: Bands, Modes, Making Contacts

• Audience Q&A