KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports, classifiedsAmateur radio operators prep in Jonesboro

Amateur radio operators prep in Jonesboro

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JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) – St. Bernards Medical Center is training a new class of amateur radio operators this weekend.

Hospital personnel and volunteers met Saturday in Stroud Hall at the St. Bernards Annex Building. They attended the first of two classes aimed at preparing operators for an FCC licensing exam.

The group is mainly interested in using amateur radio, also known as ham radio, to communicate during an emergency or disaster. John Nordlund facilitated the class as tactical communication specialist for the Arkansas Department of Health.

"Amateur radio has proven itself, time and time again, as being the one communication system that can get the message from point A to point B," Nordlund said, "no matter what happens."

The class was also broadcasted to trainees at the CrossRidge Community Hospital in Wynne.

The class continues Sunday, starting at 8:30 a.m. Later that afternoon, the hospital will offer the test to become licensed as a ham radio operator.

The exam will be open to the public if anyone would like to take it. If interested Nordlund asks people to stop by the St. Bernards Annex Building around 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Copyright 2012 KAIT. All rights reserved.

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