Blazed Hams Amateur Radio Club

So proud of our licensed seniors!

Congratulations to our new Technician class radio operators! From top left, Duck, Nico, Layla, Stephanie, Maddie, and Brian! 100% Tech success rate!

Sign up for the Ham cram at the Happening @ VSU on Aug. 28!

We will be having a Ham Cram radio exam on September 6th. Cram for the test, then take it before you forget anything. No preparation necessary. Email [email protected] with your name, phone number and FCC Registration Number (FRN. You can register for one at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do).
The cramming will start at 9am and the testing will happen at 1pm. (come then if you need to be tested for General or Extra or want to study on your own).
The event will be held at VSU in the atrium of Bailey Science Center.

We had a FANTASTIC Ham cram with a 90% success rate on 3/1. Congrats to our new techs: Julian, Jordan, Romeo, Corey, John, Marissa, Kisten, Savanna, and Bill! Thanks to Randy, Jack, and Ali, for your proctoring support in our first all digital testing session at Valdosta State University!

Be prepared for the next big natural disaster!

When power goes out, when cell towers die, when all else fails...
there’s amateur radio to keep in emergency contact!

For immediate release: As a public service, your Valdosta Amateur Radio Club will be hosting a FREE ham radio license exam on Saturday October 26th at the WAFT radio station at 215 Waft Hill Ln, Valdosta, GA 31602 from 9am to 1pm.

After successful completion, the FCC will issue you a $35 radio Technician’s license and call sign.

The test has 35 multiple choice questions in it, and you need to get at least 28 correct to pass. The test bank has 400 possible questions in it. We will get together at 9am for a structured study session to memorize all 400 answers and will have the test at 1pm. We average a 90% success rate with students from age 8-84 WITHOUT any prior studying!

You will need to do two things to participate:

Mark the date on the calendar and email [email protected] ASAP with your name, and phone number. Spots are limited.

Get your FCC Registration Number (FRN), you can register at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do). We’ll need it to transmit your test results to the FCC after you pass the test!

If you want to study on your own, and just come for the test, that’s possible too. Just let us know. The test bank can find them here: http://www.arrl.org/question-pools. A free study guide can be found here: https://www.kb6nu.com/study-guides/. A useful free self-study app is HamRadioExam at

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ham-radio-exam-tech/id601991935 or

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.delasystems.hamradioexamtech&hl=en_US. An example of an economical first ham radio is the $30 Baofeng K5PLUS. We teach radio use and etiquette at our monthly meetings (every 2nd Tuesday at 6:30 at WAFT).

There is a free Ham Cram radio technician exam scheduled for Saturday September 14th, at the WAFT radio station (https://maps.app.goo.gl/CVRcqA35Pa8rEFQ39) 215 Waft Hill Ln, Valdosta, GA 31602, from 9am to 1pm. Generals and Extras may come and test at 1pm. Please let us know you are coming, and bring your FRN (https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do)

The Laurel examiners of VARC will be hosting a license testing session on May 25th at 1pm at the WAFT radio station (215 Waft Hill Ln, Valdosta, GA 31602). We will be offering no-cost exams for the FCC Tech, General, and Extra licenses. Please let us know if you are coming and don't forget to bring your FRN (FCC Registration Number: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/getting-fcc-registration)

The Blazed Hams will be holding a soldering workshop for our fellow VSU students. They will learn about soldering basics, and then we will help them build a sound-activated LED kit.


College of Science & Mathematics at Valdosta State University

College of Science & Mathematics at Valdosta State University

Time to get back to classes and club meetings :-) Here is what the Valdosta State University Blazed Hams have planned for January.



College of Science & Mathematics at Valdosta State University

Santa Net is back on 3.916 MHz for the 18th year! Starting Friday, November 24th, good girls and boys can talk to Santa Claus, via amateur radio, nightly starting at 7:05 PM (Central). The Santa Net will run every night through Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023.

Pete Thomson (KE5GGY), of The 3916 Nets, commented on The Santa Net. He said, "What started 18 years ago as a small gathering on Christmas eve has really grown over the years. This year we expect to connect around 1,000 kids with Santa.”

Youngsters can talk to "Santa at The North Pole" via strategically placed operators (Santa Net Relay Stations) who relay the voice of Santa. Thomson said the dedication of 3916 net members is the reason for the net’s longevity. He said, "Santa Net is only possible because of the net members who volunteer their time and talents as relay stations and in other support roles. Each year our volunteers tell us that Santa Net was a highlight of their Holiday Season."

In addition to connecting kids with Santa, Thomson said that Santa Net also brings young people into amateur radio. He added, “Santa Net is often the first time many of these kids experience the magic of amateur radio. Every year we hear from parents and sometimes even the kids who go onto get their amateur license after taking part in Santa Net.”

Prior to each night's Santa Net, pre-net check-ins can be made at www.cqsanta.com Third party rules and regulations apply.

The Santa Net is presented by The 3916 Nets. The Rag Chew Crew, The Tailgaters, 3916 Trivia and The Freewheelers are all amateur radio nets that meet on 3.916 MHz nightly. For more information on The 3916 Nets, go to http://www.3916nets.com For more information on The Santa Net go to www.cqsanta.com or email KE5GGY at Gmail dot com.