[PBARC] VE Testing After BELSUS Forum Oct. 16, 2010

[Randy Geater]

With the suggestion of Randy, K5NDX (he and his XYL, Tonya, KE5SNS, are also 
ARRL/VEC Amateur Extra Class VE's, as I am), we will do a VE Testing (ham radio 
license exam session) after the BELSUS Forum at Fisher Communications on 
Saturday, Oct. 16. The forum will be held at 12 Noon, and we'll do VE Testing at 
2pm. That'll give plenty of time for the forum on the use of Echolink...along 
with an Echolink Demo...and for folks to have a break in between.

However, we will need a room to conduct the forum, and the testing afterwards. I 
am a Field Stocked VE, so I have plenty of supplies, and can get it on the 
testing calendar at ARRL/VEC.

Unless Randy and Tonya have an objection, we'll allow walk-ins up to 2:30pm. If 
I can get things converted over, the same room we do the forum in, we can do the 
VE Testing in. Obviously, we'll need the room where outside noise is kept 
outside, so folks can hear the forum, and examinees can test afterwards.

To Randy...if you have other ARRL/VEC Extra Class VE's in your club, they're 
welcome to come assist. I saw that Bob, KC5YHQ, is a General Class VE, so he can 
help grade the Technician exams, but that's all. Randy, Tonya, and myself, being 
Extra Class VE's, can do all of them.

Those desiring to test should contact either Randy, K5NDX at k5ndx at yahoo.com or 
myself, Daryl, AE5WX, at ae5wx at arrl.net -- to get on the roster. Examinees also 
need to bring the following:

1) A Photo ID, such as a Drivers License or Passport. Lacking that, they need 2 
forms of non-photo ID, such as a Birth Certificate with the proper seal affixed, 
a utility bill, bank statement, piece of mail addressed to them, or their Social 
Security Card.

2) If not yet licensed, they must provide their Social Security Number (SSN). 
Licensed amateur radio operators must use their Federal Registration Number 
(FRN).

3) If licensed, the ORIGINAL and a PHOTOCOPY of their amateur radio license. If 
they have taken an amateur radio license exam from Oct. 17, 2009 or later, and 
they have a Certificate Of Successful Completion Of Examination (CSCE), they 
need to bring the ORIGINAL and a PHOTOCOPY of it. If they already have an 
amateur radio license for what the CSCE indicates, the CSCE is not needed.

4) Calculators are allowed, if they are cleared of any formulas. The VE Team 
must inspect these beforehand to verify such. I have 3 basic calculators for 
loan, if needed.

5) Cash, check, or money order, payable to ARRL/VEC, for $15...do NOT bring bank 
or credit cards for payment. Only one (1) retest per failed element will be 
permitted (with a different set of questions, and another test fee), due to time 
constraints. Besides, if they fail an exam element twice, in my opinion, they 
need to do more studying.

Also, examinees should use the restroom BEFORE the testing starts. Plus, the 
General Class License Question pool changes July 1, 2011...so those who would 
like to obtain a General Class license may want to do so before then. There's 
currently only one (1) schematic diagram in the General Class pool, but that's 
likely to change. Examinees will also need to pass the Technician Class exam, if 
they haven't already, to take the General Class exam...the license that most 
hams hold.

Daryl Stout, AE5WX
Central Arkansas VE Team Liasion