Starting on March 5, the Delaware Lehigh Amateur Radio Club Inc. will offer free classes for people who would like to obtain an amateur radio license. The class will run for 10 weeks and will 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 and continues to do so. 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.

It also is a fun hobby for people who enjoy talking with amateur radio operators locally and around the world, participating in contests and field days, and even making contact with the International Space Station.

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 3,000,000 worldwide.

Based in Nazareth, the Delaware Lehigh Amateur Radio Club Inc. has more than 100 members. It is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) charitable organization. Classes are offered as a community service.

Classes will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC - formerly known as the 911 Center) at 100 Gracedale Avenue in Nazareth.

For details or to register, contact KE3AW@ARRL.NET or call 610-419-9286.