FEDERATION OF AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS
				About the Club
	E-Mail The Club Home Page About The Club    HF Activities   - Field Day   - Sweepstakes
				Introduction. The Federation of Amateur Radio Operators was initially formed in 1983 as a Field Day group.  The club was then known as the Federation of Amateur Radio Transmitters, or FART.  In 1991, the club affiliated with the Amercian Radio Relay League, and the club name was then changed to the Federation of Amateur Radio Operators, or FARO. The club began entering the Sweepstakes local club competition, as well as continuing as a Field Day group.  Over the years, the Federation has run Field Day events in St.Clair and Madison Counties of Illinois, and all of the club members currently reside in one of those two counties.  Current Activities. The club is one of the top groups in the nation for Field Day, and had very strong local club entries when it competed in the  Sweespstakes.  This is due to the exceptional operating and organizational abilities of many of the club members.  For a summary of the clubs results in these two events, see the club's Field Day page and the Sweepstakes page.     Club Membership. Traditionally, the club has been a tight knit group, so membership  has been limited to an invitation basis only.  Existing members will typcially invite various amateurs to participate in club activities as a guest operator first, and then may accept the ham as a full member of the club. However, the club may be interested in considering for membership anyone who is seriously interested in assisting the club in it's current activities or in developing possible future activities. Such individuals should E-mail the club. On Becoming a Ham. The club welcomes individuals into the ham radio community.  It is an exciting hobby.  Currently, the club does not offer amateur radio tests, as the club resources are limited.  However, several other St. Louis local area radio clubs do offer both amateur radio prepatory classes, as well as the tests to become a ham.  In Southern Illinois, the St. Clair Amateur Radio Club offers classes and exams.  On the Missouri side of the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, the Suburban Radio Club also has classes and exams.  The American Radio Relay League provides exam manuals, and can refer individuals to a number of radio clubs that hold classes and/or VE exams.  The Federal Law and Rules applicable to amateur radio can be found on the web-site of the Federal Communication Commission.