[SMCARA] SMD AMATEUR RADIO TESTING ANNOUNCEMENT

Tue, 06 May 2003 20:29:15 -0400

                         BRYANTOWN-ZEKIAH SWAMP VE GROUP
                       AMATEUR RADIO TESTING ANNOUNCEMENT

1.  TEST DATE:  Tuesday, 13May03, TIME:  1900-2030 Eastern.

This is a test session for a graduating class.  Walk-in's will be accommodated if
possible, students of this class have priority.

2.  SESSION SPONSOR: Bryantown-Zekiah Swamp VE Group (member,American Radio Relay
League (ARRL) Volunteer Examiner).

3. TEST SITE LOCATION: : American Red Cross (ARC) training center, 2295 Pierce Road,
Waldorf MD.  The ARC training center is located in the north side of the Enterprise
rent-a-car building.  The building is at the corner of MD-301 and Pierce Road,
directly across the highway from Ken Dixon Chevrolet

4.  CONTACT PERSON:

NAME:  JD Delancy W1JD
PHONE:  Night <301>884-6115 before 2100 (9 PM Eastern)
        Day   <703>428-4185 (M-F 8AM-4:30PM Eastern)
24 HR VOICE MAIL: <703>902-5800 Box 9276
INTERNET:  [email protected]

5.  THINGS TO REMEMBER.

The testing session will incur a charge of $12.00, cash preferred, checks accepted,
no plastic.

If already licensed bring your CURRENT ORIGINAL and A COPY of your Amateur Radio
License to satisfy a FCC Requirement. Once the copy is verified against the
original, the original will be returned to the owner.

A PHOTO identification, such as drivers license, or any two forms of positive
identification, again to satisfy an FCC requirement.  Alternative forms can be:

-non-drivers photo State issued identification card
-other ID card (school, employer's badge)
-military ID card (active duty, retired, dependents)
-passport (current or expired)
-minors work permit

Same day retake of failed elements will be available. You will incur an additional
charge for each retake of an element.

Electronic calculators are allowed but be prepared to demonstrate to the VE team
that the memories have been cleared and that it has no built-in formulas (except for
pie).

If you hold a CSCE(s) (issued by any VEC) that is (are) less than 365 days old,
bring the original(s) and a copy(s) with you.  The original(s) will be returned to
the owner after verification, the copies will be filed with the FCC form 605.

The FCC Form 610 is invalid and no longer useable for any purpose. The FCC Form 605
must be utilized.  The VE Team has a limited supply of them.

The structure of amateur radio tests changed on 15 Apr 00. Starting April 15, 2000,
there are three license classes--Technician, General, and Amateur Extra--and a
single Morse code requirement--5 WPM.

Starting April 15, 2000, individuals who qualified for the Technician class license
prior to March 21, 1987, will be able to upgrade to General class by providing
documentary proof to a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator, paying an application fee,
and completing FCC Form 605.

The FCC decided to lump Technician and Tech Plus licensees into a single licensee
database, all designated as "Technician" licensees. Those who can document having
passed the 5 WPM Morse code examination will continue to have the current Tech Plus
HF privileges. "If documentation is needed to verify whether a licensee has passed a
telegraphy examination, we may request the documentation from that licensee or the
VECs," the FCC said.

In addition to reducing the number of license classes from six to three and
eliminating the 20 and 13 WPM code tests, the FCC also will reduce the number of
written examination elements from five to three, authorize Advanced Class hams
to prepare and administer General class examinations.

Under the new licensing scheme, there are four examination elements. Element 1 is
the 5 WPM Morse code exam. Element 2 is a 35-question written test to obtain a
Technician license; Element 3 is a 35-question written test to obtain a General
license, and Element 4 is a 50-question written test for the Amateur Extra license.
The FCC has left it in the hands of the National Conference of VECs Question Pool
Committee to determine the specific mix and makeup of written examination questions.

If you are a technician class licensee filing for an upgrade to a General Class,
your license was issued on or before 3/21/87, or to element 1 (license issued after
3/21/87 but before 2/14/91) the burden of proof to your claim rests with you.

An original CSCE showing successful passing of those elements 1a, 2 and 3 and/or
license showing technician privileges (or novice for element 1A) within those "dates
windows" along with your current license are examples of acceptable proof.

If such documentation has been lost or destroyed, the FCC may be able to itself
issue the necessary Grandfather credit verification (FCC can do this based on
license records going back  about 15 years or so).  To obtain such verification,
acceptable by all VE Teams and VECs, write to FCC and request a "Letter of
Verification of Technician License Held Prior To March 21, 1987".  Mail (or fax
717-338-2696) your request to: FCC, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg PA Verification of
Technician License Held Prior To March 21, 1987".  Mail (or fax 717-338-2696) your
request to: FCC, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg PA  17325-7245.  If you include
reference to a fax number in your reply, the FCC will fax your verification letter
to you.  Normal turnaround at FCC is 3-5 business days after receipt.  Bring the
original, and a copy, of any FCC-issued verification letter to the test session.

Elimination of the 13 and 20 WPM Morse requirements also put an end to physician
certification waivers for applicants claiming an inability to pass the Morse code
examination due to physical handicap.

Good luck to all who may be testing.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: SMD VEC SESSION REGISTRATION
Date: Tue, 06 May 2003 20:26:28 -0400
From: JD Delancy <[email protected]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
Organization: Every day of FREEDOM is a good day to thank a Veteran..
To: W9JJ <[email protected]>, [email protected]
CC: WA3YUV <[email protected]>

SESSION REGISTRATION/REQUEST FOR TEST MATERIALS
BRYANTOWN-ZEKIAH SWAMP VE GROUP

1.  TEST DATE:  Tuesday, 13 May 03, TIME:  1830-2030 ET,

2.  WILL ADDITIONAL SITTINGS BE HELD AT THIS SESSION. No

3.  WILL WALK-IN CANDIDATES BE ACCEPTED. This is a test session for a graduating
technician class.  Walk-in's will be accommodated if possible, students of this
class have priority.

4.  SESSION SPONSOR:  The Bryantown-Zekiah Swamp VE Group (member, American Radio
Relay League (ARRL) Volunteer Examiner)

5.  ADDRESS OF TEST SITE: American Red Cross (ARC) training center, 2295 Pierce
Road, Waldorf MD.  The ARC training center is located in the north side of the
Enterprise rent-a-car building.  The building is at the corner of MD-301 and Pierce
Road, directly across the highway from Ken Dixon Chevrolet

6.  VE TEAM CONTACT PERSONS' ADDRESSES

NAME:  JD Delancy, W1JD
PHONE:  Night <301>884-6115, Day <703>428-4185 (M-F 0830-1630)
EMail:  [email protected]
24 HR VOICE MAIL: <703>902-5800 VM-Box 99276
UPS/FEDEX MAIL ADDRESS: 39735 White Feather Ln, Mechanicsville, MD 20659

7.  VE TEAM Liaison's MAILING ADDRESS: Same as Contact Person?  Yes

8.  HAS THE VE TEAM BEEN BULK STOCKED WITH MATERIALS?  Yes

9.  WILL THE VE TEAM BE USING THE ARRL/VEC EXAM SOFTWARE?  No

10.  LIST BY ELEMENT THE MATERIALS THAT WILL BE NEEDED FOR THIS SESSION:

None

11.  WHAT EXPRESS MAIL SERVICE WILL YOU BE USING TO RETURN THE
COMPLETED SESSION?

USPS Priority Mail (Two Day sack)

12.  LIST QUANTITITES OF ANY ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES YOU NEED:

13.  LIST YOUR PROPOSED VE TEAM:

J. Delancy, W1JD, Extra
G. Jones, K3GJ, Extra
D, Flynn, N3ZVU, Extra
J. Harding, K3DRJ, Extra
J. Wilson, N3SBT, Extra
R. Adams, W7UH, Extra

14.  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT RELEASED: 06May03