SATERN offers opportunity to obtain radio license

Tony Straughter, a member of the local SATERN Committee, at a recent seminar the committee put on at The Salvation Army. For those who would like to further help The Salvation Army by obtaining an amateur radio license and volunteering with SATERN, the committee is hosting a licensing class on Feb. 28 at the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps office.  Photo courtesy of Tony Stephen

Capt. Stephen Ball, commanding officer of The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps, addresses a recent seminar about the importance of SATERN’s radio communications during the Corps disaster relief efforts. Photo courtesy of Tony Stephen

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – The Inland Empire’s Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network, also known as SATERN, invites all Salvation Army officers, cadets, volunteers and friends to attend the Amateur Licensing Class on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at The Salvation Army Corps, 746 W. Fifth St. in San Bernardino.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. followed by the six-hour class that starts at 8:30 a.m. Testing begins at 4 p.m. with a license exam fee of $15. Lunch will be provided for those who attend, and will not exceed $5.

The six-hour class will cover the basic materials required to obtain an FCC Technician Class Amateur Radio License. Sample tests are available online at WWW.QRZ.COM.

SATERN uses amateur radio to communicate among its own members who are participating in a Salvation Army disaster relief effort, and with the emergency workers they’re helping.

The Salvation Army has helped in just about every disaster that has broken out over the last century, including fires, earthquakes, floods and the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The Inland Empire Corps’ most recent disaster relief efforts were during the Triangle Complex fire near Corona last year.

For more information about the class, call Paul Hager at (909) 499-0732.

SATERN asks those attending to R.S.V.P. by email to AE6TR@arrl.net by February 23, 2009.

About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.

The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.

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