Free “ham radio” courses for Technician (entry level), General and Extra classes are available.

The Technician and General classes will be from 9 a.m. until noon and 1-4 p.m. on Saturdays. The Technician Classes will be held Jan. 4-Feb. 8 (test session) and General Classes will be held Febr. 22-April 11 (test session).

The Extra Class will be from 1-6 p.m. on Sundays. The classes will be held Feb. 23-April 11 (test session).

Classes are held at the McKean County Department of Emergency Services, 17175 U.S. Route 6, Smethport.

Deadline to register is Dec. 16. To register, contact bmanning@zitomedia.net or call 814-331-3095. For more information about local amateur radio, visit www.w3vv.com.

Textbooks and the training site are provided by the McKean County Department of Emergency Services to encourage amateur radio operations to become involved with the Emergency Communications Team (EMCOMM). There is no requirement to sign up for the EMCOMM class.