First-Year Amateur Radio Licensing for Electrical Engineering Students

In this paper, we describe the results of having all Electrical Engineering students take their amateur radio technician examination during their first quarter on campus as part of an orientation course. Benefits include students becoming licensed to use Federal Communication Commission (FCC) allocated amateur radio spectrum, introduction of circuit/electronics concepts and applications early in the curriculum along with an increased electronics experimentation culture among students. The large pool of licensed radio amateurs provides a sustaining source of membership for the on-campus amateur club and radio community.