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Author Topic: ARRL Self-Study Courses  (Read 266 times)

KG7LEA

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ARRL Self-Study Courses
« on: March 17, 2020, 05:52:26 AM »

I just completed the Introduction to Emergency Communications self-study course and I was prepared not to be impressed. I was impressed. The course is well written and has good, solid information. I am a local volunteer leader and have been through the Oregon Amateur Communications Emergency Solutions course (taught in it), AUXCOMM, Skywarn, and everything I can get. Space is given to other radio services like GMRS and MURS and digital modes are mentioned (hard to keep current). This acknowledges the shift from radio-with-a-ham-attached to volunteer-with-a-radio. AR licensees can do more than show up with a go-box. This is a good course for both the newbie interested in public service and an experienced volunteer.

I was annoyed at the space spent on ARRL field organization, wearing ARRL clothing, the National Traffic System, and the ARRL radiogram. Most of the questions I missed were in these topics since I pay no attention to section managers, radiogram field, etc. I got past all that and can recommend the course to other volunteers.

I am now into the Public Service and Emergency Communications Management for Radio Amateurs course which was written by the ARRL marketing department. There is emphasis on the sale of amateur radio rather than being good volunteers. I will power through the course, but I don't feel like I'm learning as much as the Introduction course.

If you have time—and we all have time at this writing—I recommend the first course.

Wash your hands. My yellow vest has pockets for wipes and hand sanitizer as well as candy bars.
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K6CPO

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Re: ARRL Self-Study Courses
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2020, 01:23:00 PM »

I haven't taken either of these courses, and I probably won't, in spite of being the Public Information Officer for our local ARES group.  I believe those courses would be a repetition of what I've already learned from taking on-line FEMA courses and classroom courses offered by the California Specialized Training Institute.  I've had the AUXCOMM course offered by DHS and was recently approved for the Emergency Management Public Information Officer Specialist Certificate awarded by the California Office of Emergency Services. 
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KA9WRZ

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Re: ARRL Self-Study Courses
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2020, 02:26:21 PM »

I took it as well last fall.  Very good and kept my interest.  I need to take some more self study courses, but just a bit lazy right now.  I'll get with the program soon.....
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KG7LEA

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Re: ARRL Self-Study Courses
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2020, 02:07:32 PM »

I did not find the follow-on course EC-016: Public Service and Emergency Communications Management for Radio Amateurs useful. It is written from the ARRL point of view with emphasis on ARES organization and job descriptions. In the self exams the questions I miss are all about the ARES structure and who reports to whom. The first course appears to be written by specialists in emergency response and I recommend it. This one did not help me and I did not finish it.
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