The Delaware Lehigh Amateur Radio Club is offering free classes this fall for anyone who would like to obtain an amateur radio license.

The program, which starts Sept. 27, will run for 10 weeks and prepare students to take the Federal Communications Commission’s Amateur basic license examination.

Ham radio has played an important role in communications for more than 100 years. It is part of many emergency management plans because it can be used to communicate if landline telephone lines, cell towers and/or electric grids fail.

According to the American Radio Relay League, the nationally recognized organization for ham radio operators, there are more than 750,000 amateur radio license holders in the United States and more than 3 million worldwide.

Based in Bethlehem, the nonprofit Delaware Lehigh Amateur Radio Club has more than 100 members. Classes are offered as a community service.

Classes are weekly from 7-9 p.m. at the 911 Center at 100 Gracedale Avenue in Nazareth. For details or to register, contact KE3AW@arrl.net or call 610-419-9286.