First, some history:
PARC has always had a long-time schedule of License exam sessions: Every second Saturday of every odd month at 9am. Operators from counties over will plan trips to Fort Walton Beach just to upgrade their licenses. Unlicensed folks from all walks of life will ask where they can test for their Technician, and Playground Amateur Radio is usually in the top 3 suggestions. The club has always been proud to present a robust VE team, with many of their membership carrying Volunteer Examiner and/or Instructor Credentials.
Over the years, sessions have been typically registered via email, or by walk-in on the morning of the session (these days the email is the primary registration). Some Saturdays, the VE team would end up meeting with no candidates, but most of the time they could count on at least one to attend.
In October of 2025, PARC embarked into the wide world of Amateur Radio Licensing Instruction. They decided, with the support of its Executive Board, that the classes they offered would be free of charge to students. Books optional, the instructors encouraged the use of free resources from the ARRL, phone Apps, and websites available online. Their goal was to cut the initial “start-up” fees associated with becoming a licensed operator with the FCC. The first class garnered two students, and as they navigated the holidays, school and work schedules, both students achieved their Technician ticket and one upgraded to General almost immediately after. With one successful class in the books, membership began asking if PARC would offer any General License classes. At PARC, if there is an interest, they take action! Instructors planned to teach one Technician course before the question pool renewed, followed immediately by a General course. By the start of the General course, the group had grown to about 9 Techs looking to upgrade and 3 or 4 beginners who took on studying for both Tech and General, all prepping to test on the regularly scheduled Exam session of September 12th.
On that fateful day, Playground Amateur Radio Club hosted what could have possibly been their largest group of examinees in club history!
Here is the final result:
1 new Technician, callsign pending
1 General license reinstated, new callsign pending
4 upgrades to General: KR4ETE/AG; KR4IUU/AG; K4HNY/AG; KJ4ECP/AG
2 upgrades to Extra: KF0ASK/AE, K4MAM/AE
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL FOR A JOB WELL DONE!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE VOLUNTEER EXAMINERS WHO CAME OUT TO PROCTOR EXAMS, AS NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT ANY OF YOUR DEDICATION!
Playground ARC is currently preparing for our Annual Swampfest in November, the area-wide Holiday Party in December, and of course our Hamfest in March, and we hope to have another series of classes beginning again in April! Please keep an eye on the website www.w4zbb.org and our socials for updates on upcoming events and classes, and as always, email the Executive Board and their committees with questions, comments, or to register for exams at parcfwb@gmail.com
Until next time, be safe and enjoy Amateur Radio!
73 de KQ4FRB
