SMETHPORT — The McKean County Department of Emergency Services and Emergency Communications team have announced they will offer an amateur radio general class for local communities.

The course is being offered free to anyone interested in upgrading from a technician class license. Organizers are offering a seven-day class to assist in providing technician class licensees in upgrading their privileges in the fascinating hobby of amateur radio.

The course will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Department of Emergency Services Building, 17175 U.S. Route 6, Smethport, on the following dates: March 18 and April 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. April 29 will be a review and testing for the general class license.

The class will be taught by three experienced amateur radio operators who will offer not only classroom work but also some hands-on experience, such as tuning an antenna tuner and building an antenna. Participants will learn about resistance, voltage and current readings and how to interpret these. They will get on the air and make contacts with other amateurs on the high frequency bands.

Amateur radio is not only a hobby but also offers direct support to public safety agencies, as well as hospitals, the National Weather Service and other government and non-government agencies.

The biggest draw for many is being able to communicate when the power goes out or a disaster strikes. With a general class license, people can communicate not only locally but across the state, nation or world. When all else fails, amateur radio will get through because it does not depend on commercial infrastructure such as the power grid, cell towers or the internet.

For more information and/or to register contact Bruce Manning at bmanning@zitomedia.net or 814-331-3095.