Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact me and I'll get back to you.
What is the Russell Elementary Amateur Radio Club?
The Russell Elementary Amateur Radio Club began very informally in 2015 when some students asked about how they could become licensed amateur radio operators. They stayed after school for several weeks studying and then some of them passed the FCC's exam, earning a technician class license to operate on amateur radio frequencies.
Our club has grown tremendously in a short period of time. We now have a permanent club station from which we have made radio contacts all over the world. We now also have a dedicated 2 meter radio on which we monitor frequency 146.400 simplex. Give us a call if you are in the area. Our rooftop antenna has made contacts up to about 25 miles away on simplex.
Why do you call the club KM4RE?
KM4RE is our call sign that is registered to our club by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Read the response to the question "What is a call sign?" to learn more about call signs.
Our original call sign was KM4OLE, but we quickly applied for the call sign KM4RE. "RE" stands for Russell Elementary.
What is amateur radio?
Amateur radio, also called "ham radio," refers to a set of frequencies assigned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and set aside for radio operators to use who have been licensed. Amateur radio operators can use these frequencies in many different ways including voice, CW (morse code), and digital communications. These frequencies can be used to communicate with someone in the next room or on the other side of the world. Ham radio is used for recreation and to make friends, but it is also used to support communities in different ways including providing communication assistance during natural disasters and emergencies. Ham radio helps students to develop self-confidence and the highly technical nature of the hobby is a natural motivator to encourage young people to pursue a future in STEM.
Why is it called "ham" radio?
The word "ham" used to refer to someone who was an amateur radio, as opposed to being a paid professional. The term was then applied to amateur and it stuck. Amateur radio operators refer to themselves and each other as "hams." It is not considered an insulting term.
How can I get into the club?
Look for information coming home with the 4th and 5th grade students on the first day of school. Club membership requires attendance in a training course after school Monday through Thursday for four weeks. This course will prepare students for the amateur radio license exam from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To earn an amateur radio operator's license from the FCC, the student must pass a 35-question exam with a score of 74% or higher. Click HERE for information on how to study for the exam and where to take it. Students who do not pass the exam may remain in the club as long as they did not miss more than two training days. If you do not get the information on the first day of school, you can contact me by email and I will email it to you.
What is a call sign?
When a person passes their exam and earns an amateur radio operator's license, the FCC will assign them a call sign consisting of one or two letters (prefix) followed by a number and then two or three more letters (suffix). Call signs in the United States all have a suffix that begins with A, K, N, or W. The number indicates the area where the licensee lived when they earned their license. (4 is used for licensees in the southeast US) The prefix is letter combinations that are assigned in sequence. Operators must identify themselves when transmitting by using their call sign at least once every 10 minutes and at the end of each communication. More information about call signs can be found HERE.
Our club has a call sign also. It is KM4RE.
What does all of the stuff mean that they are saying?
Ham radio operators use a lot of codes and slang when they communicate on the air. Click HERE for a short explanation of what some of it means.
Who pays for all of this?
We are funded 100% by donations and grants. If you would like to make a donation of money or equipment in working condition, please contact Chris Laster at [email protected]