Tag: #ve

Volunteer exams

Licensing Education & Training

Social Distancing Exam Sessions Demonstrate Pent-Up Demand for Testing

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ARRL VEC logo/bannerFrom ARRL Web:

A recent in-person “social-distancing” amateur radio exam session in Indiana and a “drive-in” session in California are representative of those that are relieving some of the pent-up demand for testing. As the COVID-19 pandemic lumbers on, in-person exam sessions have begun to resume across the US and elsewhere in the world.

“With in-person sessions starting up again around the country, we are hearing the same story from volunteer examiner (VE) teams everywhere,” said ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) Maria Somma, AB1FM. “Large numbers of candidates who have been waiting to test are contacting teams and are thankful for the opportunity to sit for an exam. So far, we’ve heard mostly positive results; candidates are very prepared as they’ve had extra time to study. VE teams and candidates are following CDC and state guidelines for social distancing.” [Full story]

Clubs

K1BG: “CWOPs CW Academy” at K1USN Radio Club, May 26, 2020

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The next K1USN Radio Club online meeting will feature guest presenter Bruce Blain, K1BG, who will speak about CWops CW Academy.  Immediately prior to Bruce’s talk, Phil Temples, K9HI, will briefly recap his experiences in helping conduct remote VE tests with the New England Amateur Radio, Inc., VE team.

The meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 26, 2020 at  8 PM.

For Zoom conference details, contact Pi, K1RV, at k1rv -at- arrl -dot- net.

Licensing Education & Training / Organization

ARRL VEC Update

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ARRL VEC logo/bannerFrom ARRL Web:

(04/02/2020) – We know many examiners have canceled amateur radio license exam sessions to meet the requirements and recommendations of national and local government and of health officials. The health and safety of examinees and our Volunteer Examiners (VEs) is first and foremost in any decision-making process. The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) does not offer video-supervised online amateur radio licensing exams at the present time. We are aware, however, that some VE teams are exploring alternative formats on a local basis. Please use ARRL’s License Exam Search to find scheduled exam sessions in your area and verify with the local exam team that the session is still being held.

The ARRL VEC is continuing to process license examination materials from VEs who have completed exam sessions, although some delays may occur under the circumstances. The ARRL VEC electronically forwards all required data to the FCC for qualified examinees. [Full story]

Licensing Education & Training

New Amateur Extra class (Element 4) pool will take effect on July 1, 2020

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ARRL VEC logo/bannerFrom the ARRL VE Newsletter, January 2020:

The new Amateur Extra class license examination question pool, effective from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2024, has been released and is available at the National Conference of Volunteer Coordinators (NCVEC) website.

The 2020 – 2024 Extra class pool incorporates significant changes compared to the current 2016 – 2020 question pool, which expires on June 30. The number of questions in the pool was reduced from 712 to 622. The result was 239 modified questions, 49 new questions, and 139 questions removed due to changes in what was felt to be an abundance of outdated questions, while areas of new technology and subjects were added.

In addition, an effort was made to balance the difficulty level, removing or replacing some questions deemed too easy or too difficult compared to the rest of the pool. The 2020 pool has 10 diagrams, which have been renumbered because the new Question Pool has two fewer than the 2016 Question Pool.

Licensing Education & Training

Whitman ARC General License Class Begins December 10, 2019

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Whitman ARC logoThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club will hold a weekly General license class for eight sessions beginning Tuesday, December 10, 2019 from 7-9 PM at the Whitman Police Station. The class will conclude on January 28, 2020. A volunteer exam session will follow, date to be determined.  Material will be based on the ARRL General Class License Manual.

The course is offered free of charge; however students are responsible for acquiring their own textbooks. Interested parties are asked to contact the course instructor, Ross Hochstrasser, W1EKG via email at bavarianradio@comcast.net or by phone at 781-447-9104 or visit http://www.wa1npo.org/training/training.htm for additional information.

All

Woodstock of Amateur Radio: NEAR-Fest XXVI, October 11-12, 2019

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NEAR-Fest logoNEAR-Fest XXVI will be held on October 11-12, 2019. It is held twice annually, spring and fall, rain or shine, at the Deerfield Fairgrounds in Deerfield New Hampshire beginning on Friday at 0900 and ending Saturday at 1500 hours.

Admission is $10. Persons under 18 and over 80 are admitted free of charge upon presentation of government-issued ID. Inside parking is available for $10 and includes a “reasonable amount of flea market selling space” for PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS selling their own personal property. Commercial vendors must register and pay applicable fees. If you are wondering if you are a “commercial vendor” you probably are. One complimentary inside commercial space is available for clubs, estates and other “non-profit organizations” on an “as available” basis.

Overnight camping, trailer and RV hookups are available. Three food vendors provide meals and snacks at reasonable prices. The Deerfield Community Church ladies serve up a breakfast that has to be consumed to be believed. Angelino’s offers hamburgers, steak, sausage submarines and other great “fair food” specialities and Patty’s Polish Kitchen menu features wonderful “Mitteleuropa” cuisine. No one goes hungry at NEAR-Fest. We are extremely proud of the high quality of food that these vendors offer our guests while they are at the ‘Fester.

NEAR-Fest typically attracts attendees from the six New England states, NY, NJ, PA, MD and other states as well as from Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Canada. Some attendees travel great distances; one gentleman from Los Angeles has attended fifteen events and in 2010 one radio amateur traveled from Greece to join us for the fun.

The program of activities and events at NEAR-Fest is extensive; a huge outdoor electronic flea market, three buildings full of commercial vendors, forums, technical seminars and symposia, demonstrations, exhibits, displays, licensing examinations, special events radio stations, a “jam session”, good food, fellowship, fun and general mishigoss. NEAR-Fest is the largest event of its kind in the Northeast and has once been described as the “Woodstock of Amateur Radio”.

All

Woodstock of Amateur Radio: NEAR-Fest XXV, May 3-4, 2019

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NEAR-Fest logoNEAR-Fest XXV will be held on May 3-4, 2019. It is held twice annually, spring and fall, rain or shine, at the Deerfield Fairgrounds in Deerfield New Hampshire beginning on Friday at 0900 and ending Saturday at 1500 hours.

Admission is $10. Persons under 18 and over 80 are admitted free of charge upon presentation of government-issued ID. Inside parking is available for $10 and includes a “reasonable amount of flea market selling space” for PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS selling their own personal property. Commercial vendors must register and pay applicable fees. If you are wondering if you are a “commercial vendor” you probably are. One complimentary inside commercial space is available for clubs, estates and other “non-profit organizations” on an “as available” basis.

Overnight camping, trailer and RV hookups are available. Three food vendors provide meals and snacks at reasonable prices. The Deerfield Community Church ladies serve up a breakfast that has to be consumed to be believed. Angelino’s offers hamburgers, steak, sausage submarines and other great “fair food” specialities and Patty’s Polish Kitchen menu features wonderful “Mitteleuropa” cuisine. No one goes hungry at NEAR-Fest. We are extremely proud of the high quality of food that these vendors offer our guests while they are at the ‘Fester.

NEAR-Fest typically attracts attendees from the six New England states, NY, NJ, PA, MD and other states as well as from Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Canada. Some attendees travel great distances; one gentleman from Los Angeles has attended fifteen events and in 2010 one radio amateur traveled from Greece to join us for the fun.

The program of activities and events at NEAR-Fest is extensive; a huge outdoor electronic flea market, three buildings full of commercial vendors, forums, technical seminars and symposia, demonstrations, exhibits, displays, licensing examinations, special events radio stations, a “jam session”, good food, fellowship, fun and general mishigoss. NEAR-Fest is the largest event of its kind in the Northeast and has once been described as the “Woodstock of Amateur Radio”.

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Additional VEs Needed, Billerica ARS, April 11, 2019

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Billerica ARS logoGary Frascarelli, W1GFF, Billerica VE Liaison, writes on the Billerica ARS list:

The Billerica VE Session is short on VEs for this month’s test session [on April 11, 2019].  I need 6 (SIX) due to the fact that in addition to our regular session we need to have a second session in  a different room for someone who is visually disabled and needs the test read to him.   I only have two plus myself at this time, so I really need four or five more.  Please respond direct to me.  It is held at the Chelmsford Bible Church, 128 Gorham St, Chelmsford (across from Gary’s Ice Cream).  Park and come in the downstairs door out back.  

Gary Frascarelli <gary@garyfrascarelli.com>

 

 

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Framingham ARA Flea Market and VE Session, April 7, 2019

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Framingham ARA logoThe Framingham ARA Spring Flea Market will take place on April 7, 2019 at the Keefe Technical School, 750 Winter Street in Framingham. Admission for buyers is $5; under the age of 12 is free. Tables are $20 in advance and $25 at the door if available. There will be refreshments, a VE session and door prizes.

For complete information, visit <https://w1fy.org/flea>.

Licensing Education & Training / Youth

New England Sci-Tech Technician License Course, March 30-31, 2019

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NE1AR logoFor junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults interested in wireless communications and electronics, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the Amateur Radio Technician license exam.

Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Some preliminary reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course. Material will be sent a few days before the course.

The Technician level course runs on Saturday, 9 AM-4 PM and Sunday, 9 AM-1 PM, followed by the FCC Technician exam at 1:00, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick. [Full description]

 

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Algonquin ARC Flea Market, Marlborough, February 16, 2019

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Agonquin ARC logoThe Algonquin Amateur Radio Club is again holding its Marlborough Flea Market on February 16, 2019 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the 1Lt Charles W. Whitcomb School, 25 Union St., Marlborough, MA. Talk-in is on the MMRA repeater, 147.27+ (PL 146.2).

A VE session will be held beginning at 9:00 AM. General admission is $5. Vendor tables are $15 before February 9, 2018, or $20 at the door if space is available. Each table includes one admission.

For more information, contact Tim Ikeda, KA1OS at 508-919-6136 (before 9:00 PM), email fleamarket@n1em.org or visit http://www.qsl.net/n1em/FleaMarketFlyer.jpg.  

 

 

Licensing Education & Training

Whitman ARC Offering Amateur Extra Course, January 3 – March 7, 2019

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The Whitman Amateur Radio Club is offering an Amateur Extra License Class lasting approximately eight weeks, beginning Thursday, January 3, 2019 at the Whitman Police Station, 20 Essex Street, Whitman.  The class meets each Tuesday and Thursday (except February 14) from 7 to 9 PM and will culminate in an exam session March 7.  The training coordinator is Ross Hochstrasser, W1EKG. He can be reached at: (781) 447-9104 or email at: bavarianradio@comcast.net.

Ross Hochstrasser, W1EKG, and Paul DeLory W1GTX, will use the ARRL Amateur Extra Class License Manual. The current version of the manual and question pool are valid through June 30th, 2020. The class is free of charge.

For more information, see <http://www.wa1npo.org/training/training.htm>.

 

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Whitman ARC Offering Technician Class, September 4-27, 2018

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Recent licensing class held by the Whitman ARCThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club is currently conducting a Technician training class at the Whitman police station at 20 Essex Street on Tuesdays until September 27, 2018. Ross Hochstrasser, W1EKG, and Paul DeLory, W1GTX, are instructing. The class will culminate in a volunteer exam on October 2, 2018. For details, visit http://www.wa1npo.org/training/training.htm.

Licensing Education & Training

New Technician Class Element 2 Exams Will Take Effect for Exam Sessions Beginning July 1, 2018

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From the ARRL VE Newsletter, June, 2018:

The newly revised pool, released in January 2018 (updated and re-released February 12, 2018) by the Question Pool Committee (QPC) of the NationalConference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC), must be in use starting July 1. There are three graphics required for this pool and 423questions in this pool, down slightly from 426 in the previous pool.

With the Technician class exam questions changing July 1, new test designs must be used effective that day. Previous ARRL VEC supplied Technician class exam booklet versions (2014 series) and computer-generated Technician class exams created from the 2014 question pool are only valid until midnight June 30, 2018. At that time VE Team leaders should destroy or throw away the old versions of the Technician exams (do not return them to VEC).To avoid a mix-up at the session, do not save old exam versions!

Licensing Education & Training

New Technician Class Pool to Take Effect July 1, 2018

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ARRL VEC logo/bannerOn July 1, 2018 a new Element 2 Technician class question pool will take effect for examinations. VECs and VEs will have new test designs available for use at exam sessions effective that date. 

The newly revised pool released in January 2018 (updated and re-released February 12, 2018) by the Question Pool Committee (QPC) of the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) must be in use starting July 1. There are three graphics required for this pool and 423 questions in this pool, down slightly from 426 in the previous pool.

ARRL VEC will be supplying all its (near 1,000) Field Stocked VE teams with new test booklets about the 3rd week in June.  Do not destroy the 2014 versions of the Technician exams until June 30!

With the Technician class exam questions changing July 1, new test designs must be used effective that day. Previous ARRL VEC supplied Technician class exam booklet versions (2014 series) and computer-generated Technician class exams created from the 2014 question pool are only valid until midnight June 30, 2018. At that time VE Team leaders should destroy or throw away the old versions of the Technician exams (do not return them to VEC). To avoid a mix-up at the session, do not save old exam versions!

Field Stocked teams that no longer meet the field stock requirements or who have not conducted a session in the past year and non-field stocked teams that have been keeping supplies without qualifying through the VEC will not receive an updated package. Non-stocked VE Teams should be returning their exam packages and supplies to ARRL VEC after each session is completed. The officially stocked VE Teams receive their exam supplies in a large box which is a 6-month-to-1-year supply depending on the team’s activity levels. To see if your team qualifies to be field stocked with a bulk quantity of our test materials visit http://www.arrl.org/field-stocked-ve-teams. 

The question pools review is part of a regular process and each question pool is reviewed and updated on a four year rotation. The General pool is scheduled for an update in 2019. All current question pools and useful information pertaining to the pools can be viewed on the ARRL Web atwww.arrl.org/question-pools. To view all three questions pools, visit the NCVEC web site at www.ncvec.org/. 

–ARRL VE Newsletter, May 2018

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

CAARA “Tech In A Day” Graduates New Techs

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Attendees at CAARA Tech in a Day who passed their Technician license exam
Stephanie Frontiera, Alison Miniter & Lillian Reilly, members of Ipswich CERT who passed their Technician license exam.

Stephanie Frontiera is one determined young woman. At this spring’s Tech in a Day held at the Lanesville Community Center, she was one of seven students—and one of three from the Ipswich CERT. These CERT members were given radios and encouraged to get their Amateur Radio Technician license. She was determined to do it.

Tech in a Day is a program modeled after the Ham Cram program. It is a study session of the FCC question pool of 426 questions for the exam. There are 35 sections in the question pool, corresponding to the 35 questions on the exam. Every question a student sees on the test will be in the pool.

The good thing? The answers have always been part of the pool. Do the students learn all they have to know about Amateur Radio this way? No, the aim is to pass the test. The students are unlikely to learn everything from a book either—it takes practice and more often the help of a friendly Elmer, or a club to teach the practical matters of operating. After six 45-minute study sessions, the students are ready for the test.

This session was relatively easy—seven exams, plus two walk-ins for testing. CAARA’s crack team of volunteer examiners: Bill Poulin, WZ1L; Dave Robertson, KD1NA; Tony Sarracino, AB1KX; Larry Beaulieu, AJ1Z; Hank McCarl, W4RIG; Stan Stone, W4HIX and VE team liaison Rick Maybury, WZ1B conducted the exam session.

So why did I say that Stephanie was so determined? She told me that she was going to pass this test—and get her General soon after that. But Stephanie was distracted during the session and it took her three tries to finally pass the exam. We all cheered when she made it. So, this session gave us seven out of seven for students and another two walk-ins who passed. All in all, it was a good day. 

[CAARA News May, 2018]
Licensing Education & Training

Amateur Extra License Class, Whitman, April 10-May 29, 2018

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Recent licensing class held by the Whitman ARCThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club is offering an Amateur Extra License Class beginning Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at the Whitman Police Station, 20 Essex Street, Whitman from 7-9 PM.  The class will meet each Tuesday and Thursday and culminate in an exam session on May 29.  The training coordinator is Ross Hochstrasser, W1EKG. He can be reached at: (781) 447-9104 or email at: bavarianradio@comcast.net.

Ross follows the ARRL published license manual. He reviews the exam questions, discusses the answers, and takes any questions from the students. He also uses an online flashcard system projected at the front of the class for question review, presented with multiple choice answers as with the actual exam.

The class is free of charge.

For more information, see <http://www.wa1npo.org/training/training.htm>.

 

 

Licensing Education & Training / Youth

Clay Center ARC Technician Class Begins March 28, 2018

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Clay Center ARC logoThe Clay Center Amateur Radio Club, in conjunction with Brookline Adult and Community Education (BA&CE) and Newton Community Education (NCE)  will offer a six-week Technician Class course beginning Wednesday, March 28, 2018 for adults and child-parent pairs to facilitate their successful completion of the FCC radio license test. Children who pass the test receive a free membership in the Clay Center ARC, the largest youth-oriented radio club in New England. Yes, this course is geared toward children! (Ages 11 and up.) Adults without children are also welcome. To register, go to <http://www.brooklineadulted.org/> or  <https://registration.xenegrade.com/nce/coursedisplay.cfm?schID=11469>.

The Clay Center Amateur Radio Club is a youth club, and as such strives to provide educational opportunities for students as well as parents.

All

“Woodstock of Amateur Radio”: NEAR-Fest XXIII, May 4-5, 2018

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NEAR-Fest logoMichael Crestohl, W1RC/VE2VW writes:

NEAR-Fest XXIII will be held on May 4-5, 2018. It is held twice annually, spring and fall, rain or shine, at the Deerfield Fairgrounds in Deerfield New Hampshire beginning on Friday at 0900 and ending Saturday at 1500 hours.

Admission is $10. Persons under 18 and over 80 are admitted free of charge upon presentation of government-issued ID. Inside parking is available for $10 and includes a “reasonable amount of flea market selling space” for PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS selling their own personal property. Commercial vendors must register and pay applicable fees. If you are wondering if you are a “commercial vendor” you probably are. One complimentary inside commercial space is available for clubs, estates and other “non-profit organizations” on an “as available” basis.

Overnight camping, trailer and RV hookups are available. Three food vendors provide meals and snacks at reasonable prices. The Deerfield Community Church ladies serve up a breakfast that has to be consumed to be believed. Angelino’s offers hamburgers, steak, sausage submarines and other great “fair food” specialities and Patty’s Polish Kitchen menu features wonderful “Mitteleuropa” cuisine. No one goes hungry at NEAR-Fest. We are extremely proud of the high quality of food that these vendors offer our guests while they are at the ‘Fester.

NEAR-Fest typically attracts attendees from the six New England states, NY, NJ, PA, MD and other states as well as from Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Canada. Some attendees travel great distances; one gentleman from Los Angeles has attended fifteen events and in 2010 one radio amateur traveled from Greece to join us for the fun.

The program of activities and events at NEAR-Fest is extensive; a huge outdoor electronic flea market, three buildings full of commercial vendors, forums, technical seminars and symposia, demonstrations, exhibits, displays, licensing examinations, special events radio stations, a “jam session”, good food, fellowship, fun and general mishigoss. NEAR-Fest is the largest event of its kind in the Northeast and has once been described as the “Woodstock of Amateur Radio”.