In a recent episode of the ICQ Podcast (and I apologize because I forget which episode, and I can’t seem to find it just now), the commentators discussed a flyer for a one-day Tech class being given by the Holland (MI) ARC. They seemed puzzled about how they could teach folks enough in a single day to allow them to pass an amateur radio license examination.
Being a big proponent of the one-day Tech class, and because I happen to know some guys in the Holland ARC, I thought I’d rise to their defense. I e-mailed all four of the commentators:
I was a bit surprised, and very interested, in your comments on the Holland Amateur Radio Club’s one-day Technician classes. I also teach one-day Tech classes here in Ann Arbor, MI, and Tom, K8TB, is a friend of mine. We both use my No Nonsense Technician Class License Study Guide for the class.
I always point out that the description “one-day class” is a bit of a misnomer. I always counsel students to read through the study guide, and take some online practice tests, before coming to the class. The Holland ARC informs their students, “Please understand that this is a “study hall” session, where you will memorize the test questions and the proper answer.”
I went on to describe my rationale for teaching a one-day class and some of my experiences with students who’ve taken the class. I finished with, “That’s it in a nutshell. I’d be happy to answer any questions that you might have about the one-day class format.”
As a result of the e-mail exchange that followed, I was invited to appear on the ICQ Podcast. My interview appears in episode 202 and begins about the 42:00 mark. It was a lot of fun to be part of their podcast, and Martin, M1MRB/W9ICQ is as gracious in person as he is on the show.
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