LV Life

Jones tunes in amateur radio club

Trying to recruit members for the new Amateur Radio Club, Dr. Jay Jones, associate professor of biology and biochemistry, explains to junior computer science major Manny Estrada how a two-way radio works. "Ham" radio is often used in times of disaster when other forms of communication are inoperable. Jones hopes that the club can become a part of the University's disaster preparedness plan. / photo by Heather Morales
Trying to recruit members for the new Amateur Radio Club, Dr. Jay Jones, associate professor of biology and biochemistry, explains to junior computer science major Manny Estrada how a two-way radio works. “Ham” radio is often used in times of disaster when other forms of communication are inoperable. Jones hopes that the club can become a part of the University’s disaster preparedness plan. / photo by Heather Morales

by Jody P. Bethel
Staff Writer

An amateur radio club is waiting to happen at the University of La Verne, and interested faculty and students are asked to come forward by Dr. Jay Jones, associate professor of biology and biochemistry, to get the club started.

As of now, there is no set time for a first meeting, but plans are in progress. Dr. Jones, who is initiating the club, has an advanced amateur radio license. He has also obtained an educational license that may be used by members of the club if they have not already obtained their own personal license.

Just as the Internet took off as a new means to communicating with the world, amateur radio can be seen as a different sort of communication that has not yet been discovered by the majority of people, according to Dr. Jones.

Amateur radio clubs have been formed on other college campuses and around the world. “Hams,” or amateur hand held radios, are often used in times of emergency. When other means of communication are shut down in a crisis, such as the telephone lines or the Internet, hand held radio will always be of access, said Dr. Jones.

He believes amateur radio is also seen by many as a hobby. It is just another way that enables the world to communicate with one another.

“Ham” is a link to the local area, a distant country, or an orbiting space station.

“Amateur radio knows no country boundaries, and brings people around the world together as good friends,” according to the American Radio Relay League’s Web page.

In order to operate a hand held radio, a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is required. There are five different stages to earning a license. At first a technical class license or a novice license needs to be obtained. The technical class no longer requires the ability to understand and send Morse code, but the novice requires at least five words per minute of Morse code. The levels go on to general, advanced and extra at the highest level.

Each exam consist of multiple choice questions. The test is based on knowledge of the rules and regulations, the basic theory and formulas. Once a license is obtained, and a mastering of each level is completed, an “Extra” license can be obtained by the person. A study guide titled, “Now You’re Talking,” can be found at Radio Shack stores.

Dr. Jones, who is donating some of his own equipment to the club, is also interested in finding equipment to be donated.

The regular meeting time and location of the club is not yet known. Once people come forward, and the club is formed the “how to’s” will be open for discussion.

Some of the possible club activities would be to first prepare for disaster if it should ever strike. The La Verne Police Department will help make this part of its emergency procedures. The club may also start communication with other campuses locally, and around the world for emergency contact as well as a means for a chatting ground.

“I don’t think people understand how powerful it is, in other aspects of their lives,” said Dr. Jones.

It better enables people to understand technology, and to broaden their ways of communication; it goes into a whole new dimension, according to Dr. Jones.

The University is even considering offering a class, to teach individuals more about amateur radio and get more people interested in it.

Those interested in more information about joining the amateur radio club at ULV can contact Dr. Jones at ext. 4040.

Jody P. Bethel
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