COEUR d'ALENE - People interested in becoming ham radio operators have the opportunity to obtain their entry-level technician license.

The Kootenai Amateur Radio Society is sponsoring a ham radio technician license class at 7 p.m. Fridays starting May 1 through June 5 in the Health Resource Center Tamarack Room at Kootenai Health. Space is limited, as the room can only hold around 35 people.

"It's an old hobby that we're trying to get younger people interested in," said Bonnie Patterson, KARS member. "It allows you to talk to anyone in the world if you have the right frequency and the right license."

The six-week course introduces students to the legal rules and regulations, and to basic electronics. There is no cost, but students are encouraged to purchase a license manual provided by the American Radio Relay League for $27, which is available at the class. Dale Duree, a technician himself and a professional commercial radio installer, will be instructing the course.

"The goal of the class is that all the students will be able to pass their written test and they will be able to get on the air as technicians," Patterson said. "The first license lets you use your radio on the air and gives you a spectrum of frequencies where you can communicate."

The Federal Communications Commission requires ham radio operators to obtain a license, Patterson said. There are three licenses; the technician license, which the course offers, allows operators to have access to all Amateur Radio frequencies above 30 megahertz.

Students are required to pass one exam totaling 35 questions on radio theory, regulations and operating practices, according to the national association for Amateur Radio. Licenses are valid for 10 years.

The higher class of license an operator obtains, the more frequencies are available. Patterson said the club has not been able to generate a large enough group to offer the general and the amateur extra license courses.

Larry Telles, an extra license ham radio operator and life member of KARS, has been a ham radio operator for 57 years. He said the club encourages youths to take the course. Three people under the age of 15 have already signed up, and the course usually has a combination of all ages.

"There's something for everybody and I think that's what's so wonderful about it," he said. "All the new modes that have come out just made it curious for a lot of us that have been around for a while."

Ham radio operators not only can communicate with other operators, but they can also send photos, videos and send a message similar to email. Telles said he uses his ham radio daily and sometimes stays awake in the middle of the night to see what exotic country he can find.

"If you are interested in communications, I think it's a fun thing to do. You get a chance to meet a lot of different people without being right in front of them," Patterson said. "If you have a ham radio, you can go out where cellphone signals can't reach."

Patterson said the club has one member who uses her ham radio when she goes horseback riding to contact her husband in case of an emergency. On a local level, a ham radio technician can help with emergency communications. A ham radio operator can get a signal in the wilderness where a cellphone cannot, while helping with a search party, Telles said. Morse code can also be sent through a ham radio.

"It's a good, wonderful group that says 'hey we are here to help and we are here to have fun and learn,'" Telles said.

For more information or to register, contact Bonnie Patterson at (208) 683-2939. Registration needs to be completed by noon Friday.