Welcome to the Benicia Amateur Radio Club Website

On May 9, 2015 we are launching a One-Day Technician Class Ham Radio study session to allow more people in the East and North Bay to quickly earn their Ham licenses. Our facilitators have studied the very successful methods used by thousands at Bay Area Educational Amateur Radio Society (BAEARS) sessions and we are working hard to provide a similar experience.

The method was developed by John Portune, W6NBC, in 1995 to improve the percentage of people passing the exam. See John’s website for information on the design and results from this learning system. This method has helped approximately 5000 people obtain their radio licenses.

This is NOT a class in the normal sense. It is a guided study of six 45-minute pool reading periods, with breaks and time to grab a lunch nearby. This is the most efficient way to maximize attention span against study fatigue. In other words, we tell you how to study, keep you doing it in an organized way and then give the test as soon as you are finished. It is a proven “winning formula.” Short term memory is the “secret” of the high success rate. All exam questions will be what you study during the session. This is the biggest reason why 90% are easily able to recognize the correct answers immediately after reading the question pool thoroughly, leading to a high pass ratio.

Those who are very young (under the age of 14) and those with learning disabilities will not do as well with this method. Because this system allows the individual to study at their own pace, it requires the individual be self motivated.

The study session begins at 8:00 AM. The exam on the material starts at 4:00 P.M. The exam is open to all students in the class, as well as anyone else wishing to take a Technician exam without attending the study session.

At this time, we do not offer study sessions for other license levels. Eventually we will add the General Class upgrade and all exam levels. On the other hand, we do offer all exam levels without training sessions, quarterly. Use this link and simply enter Benicia into the “City” box to see upcoming Test Only sessions.

Sign up for our May 9, 2015 One-Day Ham Radio Class.

The Benicia Amateur Radio Club (BARC) is a multi-faceted radio club that from time-to-time provides classes and testing for those interested in getting their Amateur Radio license or in upgrading their existing license.