[TVARC] ARRL News Info VEC

[Bruce Cusanelli]

On April 30, the FCC issued the following message to the public, affirming
that VECs are allowed to conduct remote amateur radio licensing. There are
several groups, including the ARRL VEC that are actively creating the
ability to deliver secure remote testing without opportunities to be
dishonest, in the style that multiple learning institutions have done for
many years.

 

I've received many emails from the Division about this, and I personally
believe that we need to move technology forward when we are able to do so
while preserving the integrity of the testing process.

 

Many of you remember (as I do) that no one received a permanent amateur
radio license without a visit to an FCC office. When Volunteer Examinations
were established, there was an outcry that this would be negative for
amateur radio. Our conscientious group of VE's work all the time to make
examinations available to everyone - this is just another evolution in
getting examinations to those who cannot, for whatever reason, attend a
testing session.

 

Thank you for your concerns - but the ARRL VEC is going to extraordinary
measures to make sure that this testing has the same level on integrity as
many of you and I experienced in my visit to an FCC Field Office to be
tested.

 

73,

 

Mickey Baker N4MB

Director, Southeastern Division

 

FCC Release -------------------

 

DA 20-467

 

Released: April 30, 2020

 

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU CONFIRMS THAT

 

AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATIONS

 

MAY BE HELD REMOTELY

 

The Amateur Radio Service provides opportunities for self-training,
intercommunication, and technical

 

investigations for qualified persons of any age who are interested in radio
technique solely with a personal

 

aim and without pecuniary interest. To operate an Amateur Radio Service
station, an operator must have

 

an FCC license. The Commission issues three classes of operator licenses,
each authorizing a different

 

level of privilege.1 The class for which each licensee is qualified is
determined during an examination by

 

the level of skill and knowledge in operating a station that the licensee
demonstrates to volunteer

 

examiners, who conduct this testing on behalf of FCC-certified volunteer
examiner coordinators.

 

Many potential amateur radio test takers and volunteer examiners have
contacted the Chairman and the

 

Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to request that the Commission allow
remote testing in light of

 

current public health guidelines regarding social distancing during the

COVID-19 pandemic. We make

 

clear here that nothing in the FCC's rules prohibits remote testing, and
prior FCC approval is not required

 

to conduct remote tests.2 The Commission provides flexibility to volunteer
examiners and coordinators

 

who wish to develop remote testing methods or to increase remote testing
programs already in place.3

 

We recognize that some volunteer examiner coordinators may not have the
immediate capacity for

 

widespread remote testing. We expect those volunteer examiner coordinators
with limited remote testing

 

capacity to work closely with those requesting such testing to prioritize
any available remote testing slots.

 

- FCC -

 

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ARRL Southeastern Division

Director: Mickey V Baker, N4MB

n4mb at arrl.org <mailto:n4mb at arrl.org> 

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