BRIDGTON – There will be a amateur radio course offered starting Monday, Oct. 6, which will run for six consecutive Monday evenings through Nov. 10. Classes will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the studios of Lake Region TV, 1 Chase Common (same building as the town office and police station). Cost of $20 per family covers all necessary books and materials.

The class is sponsored by Lake Region TV and the American Radio Relay League. It will prepare paticipants in getting their first FCC amateur radio license. To register, call the instructor at 583-4803 and leave a message, which includes your name and a telephone number. Academically, the minimum age recommendation is 12 years of age.

The instructor will be Ray Sirois N1RY of Harrison. Scouts who take this class will be able to complete the requirements for radio merit badge.

The purposes of the Amateur Radio Service include: to provide a voluntary, non-commercial communications service which can serve particularly well in times of national or natural emergencies, to increase the number of trained radio operators, to provide a laboratory for experimentation and the advancement of radio communications for electronics experts, and to enhance international goodwill.

Opportunities for first-hand communications with “hams” from around the world will be a part of this course. However, the course is designed for the beginner who wants to learn and get their first level amateur radio license.

Organizers are looking for an experienced video camera operator to tape the classes for re-broadcast on the Lake Region TV cable access channels. Call 583-4803 if you have any questions.