M.O.R.E. Project

Interested in getting an Amateur Radio License?

The Make Operating Radio Easier (MORE) Project is an initiative to reduce both gender and age imbalances in Amateur (Ham) Radio, through education and hands-on activities. The ambitious goals of the MORE Project (running through June 2026) are: to train and license 500 new U.S. Radio Amateurs; to examine and explore various types of radio signals, such as by using Software Defined Radio (SDR); and to help our new Hams learn basic communications protocols by observing and participating in HF and VHF operations.

Amateur Radio involves all of the aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and can lead to degrees and occupations in these fields. While Hams enjoy this lifelong hobby world-wide, they are also a critical part of local, national and international emergency readiness, as their communications are possible even during severe infrastructure failures due to catastrophic circumstances.

Our training course is provided in 6 sessions, typically one 2.5-hour session per week, and may be scheduled to occur virtually and/or in person. Students must have access to the Internet in order to view and download study materials, and to participate in Zoom sessions using video and audio. The MORE Project covers the costs of training, testing, licensing and some equipment for students. Successful licensees who have completed a MORE Project Approved Course will receive a handheld 2-way radio, plus coaching in how to Get On The Air.

Resource materials can be found at the MORE Project Resource Page.

Download:
MORE Project Poster
Download:
MORE Project Call for Participation Flyer

Call for Participation:

While the MORE Project is primarily seeking youth (ages 12-17) and non-male applicants, we are currently accepting students of ALL ages (12+) and genders.

STUDENTS: To be considered for this program, you must be at least 12 years old (or older). As radio operations in the U.S.A. are overseen by the Federal Government, all participants in the MORE Project must be willing to create a permanent public record of certain salient personal information.

Step 1: Go to <https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/getting-fcc-registration-number-frn> to obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN).

Step 2: Download our registration form:
MORE Project Registration and Agreement

Fill in ALL of the requested information, carefully and clearly (plus your parent’s or guardian’s full name and email address, if you are within 12 to 17 years of age). When you save the file (as a jpg or pdf), add your first and last name to the file name of the registration form.

Step 3: Send an email to Dr. Rebecca Mercuri, K3RPM at <MOREProject500@gmail.com> with your registration form as an attachment. We’ll add you to our mailing list to receive information about upcoming MORE Project Approved Courses. Your completed registration form MUST be received and approved by the MORE Project BEFORE you take the Technician license exam.

GROUP LEADERS: The MORE Project also wants to hear from STEM clubs, youth scouting groups, preparedness teams, societies and lodges, senior centers, and other educational or recreational activity organizers. If your members would like to learn about radio technology and how it is used in a wide range of applications, including informal chatting, emergency search and rescue, global and outer-space communication, and much more, please contact Dr. Mercuri at <MOREProject500@gmail.com>, with a description of your group.

TRAINERS and VEs: We will have an ongoing need for FCC-licensed amateur radio operators at the General level or above, in the U.S.A. or territories, who are certified as Volunteer Examiners (or who want to earn this certificate), to assist with training, testing, GOTA activities and outreach.  If you would like to be involved, please provide your full name and callsign in an email, with the subject line — MORE Project — to Rebecca K3RPM at <MOREProject500@gmail.com>.

The formal description of the MORE Project is available here: MORE Project Description

MORE Project Resources:

Resource materials can be found at the MORE Project Resource Page.

Our Sponsors:

The MORE Project is supported by a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (AR|DC) <ampr.org> and is sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Princeton / Central Jersey Section, Broadcast Technology Chapter (IEEE PCJS BTC) <site.ieee.org/pcjs>, with the assistance of the David Sarnoff Radio Club (DSRC) <n2re.org> and ARCsquared <arcsquared.org>.