Volunteer Examiner
Manual
by
Bart J. Jahnke, KB9NM
ARRL/VEC Manager
and by
Robert J. Inderbitzen, NQ1R
Assistant to the ARRL/VEC Manager
Contributors
Maria A. Somma - VE Services Supervisor
Suzanne T. Corliss - VEC Assistant
Evelyn M. Anderson - VEC Assistant
Laura F. Higgins - VEC Assistant
The American Radio Relay League, Inc.
Newington, Connecticut
Sixth Edition
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Statement of Purpose 3
Letter of Transmittal 4
Accreditation Application Form 5
Open Book Review 6
CHAPTER TITLE
1 The Volunteer Examiner Program 9
2 Accreditation 14
3 Setting Up a Test Session 19
4 Keeping Track of It All! 30
5 The Power of the Form 610 36
6 Test Day: Conducting the Test Session 45
7 Special Situations 64
Appendix A Samples of FCC and ARRL/VEC Forms 70
Appendix B FCC Rules and Regulations for the VE Program 90
Index 96
November 15, 1991
AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE - VOLUNTEER EXAMINER COORDINATOR
Statement of Purpose
PURPOSE:
The Purpose of the ARRL/VEC is to provide initial licensing examination for
prospective new hams and upgrade examination opportunities for those
already licensed.
OBJECTIVES:
* The ARRL/VEC will provide a sufficient number of examination
opportunities to meet the above purpose, on a schedule that is convenient
to the applicants.
* The ARRL/VEC will provide the examination candidate with tests that meet
all applicable requirements of current FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION Rules and Regulations and are administered in accordance
with those requirements and generally accepted educational testing
principles and practices.
* The ARRL/VEC will provide a service level of the highest order to our
CUSTOMERS, THE VOLUNTEER EXAMINERS.
Resolution of the ARRL Board of Directors
at the 1989 Annual Board Meeting
Letter of Transmittal
TO: All Prospective and Currently Accredited ARRL Volunteer Examiners
RE: The New ARRL 6th Edition VE Manual
This new ARRL VE Manual is for your use during 1992 and into the future. An
expiration date has not been specified since most of the information contained
within this manual will be valid for the next few years. Periodic updates to
this manual will be distributed as needed either in direct mailings or through
the VE Express newsletter.
Prospective VEs
Following this page is our Volunteer Examiner Application Form and Open-Book
Review. Please follow the instructions specified on the review and complete
and return both the Open Book Review and the VE Application Form to the VEC
when finished. If you are currently accredited with--and have participated in-
-another VEC program, you are not required to take the Open Book Review (you
may simply attach a copy of your other VEC credentials and a copy of your
current amateur license to the application form). In most cases, your
accreditation will be processed and back to you in two to three weeks, or
sooner!
Before you complete the necessary form(s), either photocopy them or carefully
cut them out of the manual. When completed, forward them to us for processing.
Binding these forms into the manual has saved the program several hundred
dollars. For those applying for accreditation, the VE Manual is yours to keep
for future reference; no charge!
If you choose not to apply for accreditation with the ARRL/VEC, please return
this manual to us so that we may pass it along to another interested amateur
(or you may retain it for a $10 fee). If you know of another amateur in your
area who is interested in the ARRL Volunteer Examining Program, please feel
free to pass it along to him or her.
Follows are a summary of highlights in this new edition:
* This manual specifies the 1992 ARRL test fee at $5.40 per candidate per
sitting (the only exception is for Novice license applicants who take Elements
1A and 2)--Chapter 3.
* Our testing the physically disabled section has been revised to include FCC
requirements for accommodating handicapped applicants; and includes the
necessary instructions and form for those applicants who seek the 13 or 20 WPM
Morse code exemption (after they've met the FCC's initial 5 WPM
requirement)--Chapter 7.
* New Services: Throughout this manual many of our new services are explained
in detail; including: A toll free VE Hotline 1-800-9-ARRL-VEC (800-927-7583)--
which can be found atop each page; VE Team reimbursements of up to $4 for out-
of-pocket expenses; Instant Accreditation for VEs who are accredited by
another VEC--and have participated in their program; Computer Software for
creating written or Morse code exams; multiple-choice Morse code format; and,
Express Mailing Services for expedient and tracked delivery of test session
packages.
* Sample forms that are currently being used by the ARRL/VEC--Chapter 4 (see
also Appendix A).
* Note that all footnotes are found at the end of each chapter.
If you have any further questions, please give us a call at the ARRL/VEC at 1-
800-927-7583!
73,
Bart J. Jahnke, KB9NM
Manager, ARRL/VEC
You, as a prospective ARRL/VEC Volunteer Examiner, are expected to read and
thoroughly understand the ARRL/VEC's VE Manual, on which this review is based.
Complete this Open Book Review as soon as possible and return it to the
ARRL/VEC (see address above) for grading. Before completing the review either
tear out these pages from the manual or photocopy them. We strongly recommend
that you keep a photocopy of your completed review for your records.
This review is not a test. It is simply a review that covers the material in
the VE Manual, 6th edition. Nevertheless, it is a very important part of the
accreditation process, the concept of which is not shared by other VECs.
Having successfully completed this Open Book Review certifies to both us and
the FCC that your training into the ARRL/VEC program is concluded and that you
are prepared to serve as a Volunteer Examiner along with the thousands of
others who share your enthusiasm. Remember, though, that you may not serve as
an ARRL/VEC-accredited Volunteer Examiner until we have reviewed your
application and attachments and formally approve your accreditation. Our
approval is reported to you when you receive your ARRL/VEC-accreditation the
appropriate credentials in the mail. Please allow three weeks for the ARRL/VEC
staff to grade your Open Book Review and process your VE credentials.
When completing this Open Book Review, you may work alone or with others in
researching the answers to the questions. However, please remember that all
ARRL/VEC-accredited Volunteer Examiners will be individually responsible for
understanding and abiding by the regulations and procedures as presented in
this edition. To ensure this, each of you must turn an original (not
photocopied) individually completed review. Good luck, and thanks for working
with the ARRL/VEC!
Please provide your full name and call sign:______________________________________(call)________________
1. On what does the FCC base the maximum permissible amount that can be
charged applicants who take Elements 1B, 1C, 3A, 3B, 4A and/or 4B?
____________________________________________________________
2. By how much can a VEC vary the test fee that it charges each candidate
during the calendar year to offset expenses incurred in coordinating sessions
that are smaller than usual? ________________________________
3. Which FCC bureau administers the VE Program?
____________________________________________________
4. Who is responsible for maintaining question pools from which all written-
element exams must be designed and assembled?
_________________________________________________________________________________
5. How old must an amateur be to be eligible for VE accreditation?
______________________________________
6. May an amateur be accredited by a VEC if his/her license was ever suspended
or revoked? YES NO
7. May a VE be accredited concurrently by more than one VEC? YES NO
8. When does the ARRL/VEC accredit a VE based solely on that person's existing
accreditation from another VEC?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
9. How long is the term of accreditation for ARRL/VEC Volunteer examiners?
______________________________
10. What is the minimum number of VEs needed to conduct a VEC-coordinated test
session? ______________
11. Who must grade the examination(s) of each examinee?
_____________________________________________
12. May VEs who are related, eg husband/wife, administer elements at the same
session? YES NO
13. What form is used by a license candidate to apply for an examination?
________________________________
14. Which element(s) can be administered by an Advanced class VE?
____________________________________
15. In the ARRL/VEC program, when may a VE Team Liaison who holds an Advanced
class license receive test papers for Elements 1B, 1C, 3B, 4A and/or 4B?
_________________________________________________
16. Which license class, if any, must the VE Team Contact Person hold?
__________________________________
17. Who decides when and where a test session will be held?
___________________________________________
18. What is the test fee to be charged each candidate who takes examination
elements for Technician or higher class licenses, or upgrades, at an ARRL/VEC-
coordinated session during 1992? _________________
19. When may a VE Team conduct a test session without having announced it
publicly in advance?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
20. If tests are given at a convention or hamfest, how much can a license
applicant be required to pay to gain access to the test site?
___________________________________________________________________________
21. How long does an average ARRL/VEC test session last?
_____________________________________________
22. What form is used for recording results for an entire session?
________________________________________
23. Which version(s) of the Form 610 are accepted by the FCC?
_________________________________________
24. May Form 610 applications be privately reproduced using white paper? YES
NO
25. When may an expired Radiotelegraph license be used for code-element
credit?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
26. If an unlicensed applicant passes either Element 1A or 2 at an ARRL/VEC-
coordinated session, should the administering VE Team issue that applicant a
CSCE for such credit? YES NO
27. Where must Form 610 applications for successful Novice candidates who pass
Elements 1A and 2 (only) be sent?
________________________________________________________________________________________
28. Where must Form 610 applications for successful Novice candidates who pass
Elements 1B (or 1C) and 2 be sent?
________________________________________________________________________________________
29. Can a valid CSCE be used in lieu of a license copy when an applicant's
Form 610 is submitted to the FCC? YES NO
30. When should applicants who are already licensed check Box 2C on the Form
610? _____________________
31. When must an amateur who upgrades apply for a call sign change?
__________________________________
32. On older, valid Form 610 applications, how is written-element credit to be
indicated?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
33. Under current FCC rules, for how long are Amateur Radio licenses normally
valid? _____________________
34. In the ARRL/VEC program, what credit can be issued an applicant who
successfully completes one or more elements but who cannot document successful
completion of lower elements?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
35. For how long is a CSCE valid?
____________________________________________________________________
36. What must a Technician class amateur, who passed the now-obsolete Element
3 exam, do in order to be credited for Element 3B toward an upgrade?
_______________________________________________________
37. Can an applicant take more than one written element without taking a code
element? YES NO
38. May the VE Team deny an applicant the use of a calculator? If so, when?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
39. Must unlicensed candidates who are applying for a Morse code exemption
pass an initial Morse code test? YES NO
40. In order to pass the one-minute solid-copy review, how many consecutive
characters must an applicant copy to successfully complete each code element?
1A______ 1B______ 1C______
41. Should elements that an applicant successfully completed at an earlier
session also be indicated on a CSCE issued at the next session where the
applicant successfully completes an additional element?
YES NO
42. To whom are the three copies of the CSCE to be distributed?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
43. According to FCC Rules, how soon must a VE Team mail applications for
successful (upgrading) candidates to the coordinating VEC after the test
session has been conducted? ________________________
44. Is an applicant who has successfully completed either Element 1B or 1C
required to pass lower code elements? YES NO
45. May a code test be successfully completed based on one-minute solid copy?
YES NO
46. Numbers, punctuation and procedural signals count as how many letters in
Morse code tests? __________
Chapter 1
The Volunteer Examiner Program
How the VE Program Began
ince the early days of Amateur Radio, there have
been several classes of license available to anyone
who qualified. To qualify, applicants were required
to pass examinations which were based on both Morse
code proficiency and knowledge of electronic theory as
it pertained to Amateur Radio.
The FCC Did the Testing. Except for Novice class
license exams, all testing was directly supervised by
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) personnel
at FCC offices located around the U.S. Remember
when even Novice license tests were administered by
FCC staff?
Amateur testing was available on at least a weekly
schedule, mostly at FCC Field Offices located in many
different U.S. cities. The FCC also sent examiners to
various cities ("suitcase sites") where field-office testing
was not conveniently available. Depending on the
FCC's schedule, such testing occurred every three, six
or twelve months.
Budget Cuts. A few years ago, however, the U.S.
government was forced to cut back on the budgets of
many of its agencies, and the FCC was not overlooked.
With less money to operate, the FCC had to "tighten
it's belt," a familiar phrase in the '80s.
The "suitcase sites" were cut early from the FCC's
amateur testing program. Testing schedules at field
offices were also cut way back--to quarterly or less
often in many cases. Then it wasn't long before the
FCC announced that they would get out of the amateur
exam business altogether. If amateurs wanted to
continue upgrading their licenses, amateurs would have
to do the testing themselves.
The VEC Program is Born. In late 1982, the
Goldwater-Wirth Bill was passed by Congress and
signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. This bill,
known as Public Law 97-259, amended the Com-
munications Act of 1934, permitting the FCC to accept
the voluntary and uncompensated services of licensed
radio amateurs to serve in preparing and administering
examinations. It also gave birth to the Volunteer
Examiner Coordinator (VEC) program.
At the 1983 Dayton HamVention, FCC examiners
supervised many volunteer examiners who administered
tests to more than 600 applicants! The VEs at that
enormous test session demonstrated to the FCC from
the start that volunteer efforts could be effectively used
for such high-profile and potentially delicate situations.
This successful demonstration of volunteer testing
efforts opened the door for the formation of Volunteer
Examiner Coordinators in early 1984.
Cost Recoupment. During 1983, the final year that
the FCC conducted all amateur upgrade testing, some
50,000 license candidates appeared before the Commis-
sion's examiners. The American Radio Relay League
realized that the elimination of frequent amateur
testing would be disastrous for Amateur Radio. The
League immediately set to work laying the tracks for
hams to begin making examinations available to their
peers. Thousands of hours were spent by members of
the League's Headquarters staff working with the FCC
to develop the basic rules that would be needed before
testing could begin.
Obviously, the heavy demand for amateur testing
continued. The ARRL wanted very much to perform
the task of coordinating examinations on a national
scale. The League was not willing, however, to spend
the thousands of membership dollars that would be
necessary to support such a project. And at that time,
there was no provision for recouping any of these
expenses.
In late 1983, Congress passed a bill, introduced by
(now-retired) Senator Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, that
provided specifically for recouping necessary expenses
in the VE Program. This bill was signed into law by the
President within ten days after being introduced into
Congress.
In 1984, the FCC began certifying organizations to
coordinate the efforts of the volunteer examiners; the
first VEC to be certified was the Anchorage (Alaska)
Amateur Radio Club.
By July 1984, the FCC had authorized cost
recoupment; the ARRL immediately applied for and
was granted certification as a Volunteer Examiner
Coordinator for all 13 FCC-defined regions. The
ARRL had already trained and accredited 4000
Volunteer Examiners in anticipation of that day.
We began coordinating exams in September of 1984.
With our first exam session held on September 2 at the
ARRL Pacific Division Convention in California, the
ARRL/VEC was on its way. Since then, we have grown
to more than 2,000 teams that have administered more
than 315,000 elements at more than 16,000 sessions!
What is a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator?
A Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) is an
organization which has entered into an agreement with
the Federal Communications Commission to coordinate
the efforts of volunteer examiners in preparing and
administering examinations for Amateur Radio licenses.
Many people confuse being a Volunteer Examiner
(VE) with being a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator
(VEC). VEs are individuals who are accredited by a
VEC, and are the people who actually administer the
exams. Examination sessions must be coordinated by a
VEC, but are conducted by VEs.
An organization must be found to comply with
several requirements before it can be granted its VEC
certification, and will be bound not only to the
conditions of the written agreements they sign with the
FCC, but also to the Commission's rules in Part 97.
Those requirements (see Section 97.521 of FCC Rules)
are:
* be organized at least partially for the purpose of
furthering Amateur Radio;
* be capable of serving as a VEC in at least the
VEC region proposed (VECs are no longer limited
only to the region{s} in which they were organized);
* agree to coordinate examinations for Technician,
General, Advanced and Amateur Extra Class operator
licenses;
* not discriminate against anyone, based on race,
sex, religion, national origin or membership (or lack
thereof) in any Amateur Radio organization; and
* not be engaged in the manufacture or distribution
of equipment used in connection with amateur station
transmissions, or in the preparation or distribution of
any publication used in preparation for obtaining
Amateur Radio licenses, unless a persuasive showing is
made to the FCC that preventative measures have
been taken to preclude any possible conflict of interest.
At one point, there were more than two dozen other
organizations signed up to be VECs. Nowadays there
are currently 18 VECs, all 18 being certified for all
thirteen FCC-defined regions.
At this time, the FCC believes that existing VECs
provide sufficient testing opportunities. Therefore, no
new applications to certify organizations will be ap-
proved.
A VEC is required to make known throughout the
region or regions which it serves that it is recruiting
volunteers to administer examinations. The
ARRL/VEC has more than 16,000 accredited VEs in
all 50 states and in several countries around the world.
We are always looking for qualified amateurs to
volunteer their services as examiners. Both Advanced
and Extra class licensees who are eligible are welcome
to serve with the ARRL/VEC. (Please refer to Chapter
2, "Accreditation.")
VECs utilize the FCC Rules as guidance for their
operating procedures. However, whenever VECs
discover a situation that is not specifically outlined in
Part 97, the FCC usually leaves the resolution of the
situation to the VECs.
Test Fees. The FCC authorizes VECs to collect a
fee from each candidate who takes one or more exam
elements (excluding Novice elements) through the VEC
program. The maximum permissible amount is set each
year by the FCC, based on the Consumer Price Index
(CPI) at the beginning of the federal government's
fiscal year, October 1.
The FCC has established the 1992 test fee ceiling at
$5.44. During 1992, the ARRL/VEC charges $5.40
(non-refundable) per candidate, per session.
Although VECs are not required to collect this or
any lesser amount, many VECs do charge a test fee to
offset some of the expenses they incur while running
their programs. If a VEC decides to collect a test fee
for any of its exams during a calendar year, however, it
must collect the same amount from each candidate that
it tests during that year. A VEC may determine each
year whether it will collect a test fee, and, if so, what
amount that test fee will be (up to the maximum allow-
able).
Test Fee Reimbursement. In early 1991, the
ARRL/VEC began permitting it's VEs to retain a
portion of the test fees they collected in order to
directly reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in setting up and conducting their
examination sessions.
At present, the ARRL/VEC permits its VEs to retain
up to $4 from each test fee collected. This level of
reimbursement was determined to be an amount that
the VE Team might expend per candidate in
conducting an average session.
Test Fee Certification. Every VEC that charges for
its exams is required to certify in writing to the FCC
that, during the year being reported, all expenses for
which reimbursement was obtained were necessarily
and prudently incurred. This statement must be
submitted no later than January 31 of the year
following that which the VEC is reporting (Section
97.527{d}).
Similarly, if volunteer examiners retain any portion of
the fees collected, they too are required to certify to
their VEC no later than January 15 of the following
year that the portion of the test fees they retained was
used only to cover expenses necessarily and prudently
incurred during the preparation or administration of
examinations. Examiners are also required to retain
their own cost recoupment records for three years
(Section 97.527{f}). A VEC must disaccredit any VE
who does not comply with this requirement, and to
report such action to the FCC (Section 97.527{g}).
(See Chapter 3--ARRL/VEC Test Fee.)
The FCC
The Commission Itself. The Federal
Communications Commission was created by the
Communications Act of 1934. Today, the FCC is
governed by five commissioners, each of whom must be
appointed to the post by the President and confirmed
by Congress. The term of each commissioner is five
years; commissioners may be reappointed for
subsequent terms.
The VEC System. The Volunteer Examiner Program
is administered under the Private Radio Bureau (PRB).
Components of PRB that are of particular interest to
amateurs are the Special Services Division in Washing-
ton, DC, and the Licensing Division at Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania.
Every amateur license is processed by the Licensing
Division's Special Services Branch at the FCC's facility
in Gettysburg (not to be confused with PRB's Special
Services Division in Washington). The Special Services
Branch (headed by Marcus Stevens) is also responsible
for the thousands of licenses in general mobile radio,
remote control (which used to include citizen's band
radio) and cellular radio licensing. The FCC's
VEC-contact person within the Licensing Division at
Gettysburg is Larry Weikert.
In Washington, DC, the Personal Radio Branch,
headed by John B. Johnston, W3BE, is the source of
rules and policies concerning Amateur Radio. It is part
of the Special Services Division.
On an organizational level equivalent to that of the
Private Radio Bureau is the Field Operations Bureau
(FOB), which oversees the day-to-day operation of the
FCC's Field Offices. Unfortunately, Field Offices are
often contacted for information concerning the VEC
program. As these offices are separate from those parts
of the FCC which deal administratively with Amateur
Radio, FOB personnel do not always have the most
current information about our service. Field Office
personnel should not be contacted for routine ham
radio questions or comments.
FCC Requirements. The most visible form of FCC
regulations is Part 97, which is devoted entirely to
Amateur Radio. Every amateur should at least be
familiar with the rules and regulations contained within
this part, and have an up-to-date copy close at hand.
The ARRL/VEC
The ARRL/VEC is based at the Headquarters of the
American Radio Relay League, 225 Main Street,
Newington, CT 06111, the national society of, by and
for radio amateurs.
The ARRL/VEC officially came into being on July
21, 1984 when ARRL President Larry Price, W4RA,
signed the VEC agreement with the FCC at the
ARRL's National Convention in New York City.
The ARRL/VEC operation may reside at ARRL
headquarters so long as it remains completely separate
from the League's publication's operations; and
maintains absolute security of test designs and other
confidential material.
The staff of the ARRL/VEC consists of six people.
Each person is a professional, knowledgeable in all
facets of the volunteer examiner program.
The ARRL/VEC works hard to make running test
sessions as easy as possible for its VE Teams. One of
our more valued services is supplying quality examina-
tion booklets for our VE Teams to use. Because we
design, print and distribute the exam booklets for our
VEs, they are not held responsible for any errors or
ambiguities that may creep into a particular test design.
Moreover, we store all of the used exam materials in
our locked "cage" to further ensure the integrity of the
program.
When a VE Team notifies us that they have
scheduled an exam session, we send them all supplies
necessary for them to successfully hold the session. And
they are sent early, so the VE team will receive all its
materials long before the day of the session. These
materials include an ample supply of Form 610s and
Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination
(CSCEs), sufficient quantities of each written-element
exam, high-quality code-test tapes, answer sheets,
answer keys, candidate rosters, test session reports and
other supplies intended to make the job easy.
Experienced teams who test frequently are given the
option of receiving stocks of materials that will last for
several months. (See Chapter 3 for more information
on setting up the test session.)
Local VE Coordinators. In some areas, unofficial
local coordinators collect and disseminate information
on testing from all VECs in the area to prevent con-
flicts between session dates and/or locations. These
coordinators are usually selected by VE Teams or clubs
in that area; they are not selected by the ARRL/VEC.
Though our VE Teams are not required to work with
local coordinators, they may do so if they choose.
Contact them to see if they have any information that
might affect your session. Don't forget, though, that
ARRL/VEC teams must coordinate their sessions
through the ARRL/VEC, and are encouraged to
register their sessions with us.
No VEC, VE Team, sponsoring club or local
coordinator of any kind "owns" an area or region, nor
do they have any kind of geographic "span of control."
The FCC has signed agreements with all VECs, and
the agreement states, in part, that no VEC has absolute
jurisdiction over any region. With the implementation
of the rewritten amateur rules on September 1, 1989,
all VECs may now coordinate sessions in all regions.
Exam Reporting to the FCC. The FCC's Form 610
is the application form that must be used for each
amateur license, whether the license is an applicant's
initial ticket, one that is being modified (e.g. for new
address or location), or one that's being upgraded.
VECs' responsibilities go beyond just coordinating
exams for Technician and higher classes. VECs must
also screen all Form 610s for both completeness and
authenticity before forwarding the applications to the
FCC's Licensing Division. The FCC will return a 610 to
the coordinating VEC without taking any action if there
is any discrepancy.
In much the same way, VEs' responsibilities go
beyond just administering exams. Though each
candidate is responsible for completing his or her Form
610 properly and accurately, the VE team is
responsible for ensuring that mistakes do not slip
through.
Instructions on how to fill out the Form 610 are
described in Chapter 5; and are also attached to the
application that the FCC sends to a candidate who
writes them requesting an application. For your
convenience, we have included the FCC instructions for
Form 610 in the Appendix.
Test Designs
Question Pools. Until 1987, the FCC maintained the
four (at that time) written-element question pools from
which all Amateur Radio examinations were designed.
(As part of Novice Enhancement that took effect on
March 21, 1987, Element 3 was divided into Element
3A {for Technician} and Element 3B {for General}.)
When the FCC released a question pool, all VECs had
up to six calendar months to revise distractors and
answers (when appropriate) and design and implement
new examinations. Most VECs, however, used the
multiple-choice-format distractors and answers that the
ARRL/VEC provided them.
In 1986, the FCC announced that they were turning
the responsibility for maintaining the pools over to the
VECs. At the 1987 VEC Conference, the VECs that
attended elected and charged a sub-committee with
developing, maintaining and distributing the five written
elements on behalf of all VECs, examiners, candidates
and publishers of Amateur Radio training materials.
The committee consists of three active VECs, with a
fourth VEC acting as alternate. Committee members
serve renewable one-year terms. The current
committee serves until June 1992.
Inquiries for additional information or input to the
question pools must be directed to the attention of all
three Question Pool Committee members at the follow-
ing addresses:
Western Carolina ARS/VEC (Chair)
ATTN: Ray Adams, N4BAQ
5833 Clinton Hwy, Suite 203
Knoxville, TN 37912
W5YI Report VEC (Vice-Chair)
ATTN: Fred Maia, W5YI
PO Box 565101
Dallas, TX 75356-5101
ARRL/VEC (Member)
ATTN: Bart J. Jahnke, KB9NM
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111
___________________
Greater Los Angeles ARG/VEC (Alternate)
ATTN: R.C. Smith, W6RZA
9737 Noble Ave.
Sepulveda, CA 91343
Each eligible radio amateur is welcome to submit
comments on any question pool that is currently under
revision. The revision process for each element starts
off with updating and revising the appropriate syllabus
(a study guide listing topics to be covered by element),
releasing the rough draft of the syllabus and soliciting
comments. This is followed by evaluating comments on
the actual pool of questions and eventually revising and
releasing the pool to all VECs.
Anyone who holds the appropriate operator class
license is eligible to submit questions to the Question
Pool Committee (QPC) using the form specified in the
Appendix for Question Pool Submissions. The require-
ments (defined in Section 97.507{a}) are simply:
Table 1
To Submit For: Must Hold:
Element 2 Technician or higher
Element 3A General or higher
Element 3B Advanced or higher
Elements 4A and 4B Extra
Question pools are revised based upon a timetable
decided by the QPC at its' annual meetings. Presently,
the following table indicates when a question pool was
last updated, and when revision of that pool may be
scheduled.
Table 2
Pool WasNew RevisionNew Revision
Last To Be To Be
Element Update Released Implemented
2/3A 7/1/9012/1/92 7/1/93
3B/4A/4B 11/1/90 not scheduled1 not scheduled1
Comments "from the field" that are received after
the published deadline for the pool being revised will
be held for the next revision cycle. Since the revision
cycle is a multi-year task, comments that are submitted
late may very well be outdated or otherwise
inappropriate when the next cycle arrives.
Again, if you wish to contribute questions, with
distractors and answers, to the QPC, you must utilize
the form shown in the Appendix and provide copies of
your form to the three active members of the
committee.
On to Business
This chapter has given you an idea of how volunteers
came to give exams, what a VEC is, and what makes a
VEC "tick." In sum, the ARRL/VEC is the leading
VEC only because of the excellent work of thousands
of volunteer examiners who have given so generously
of their time, energy and skill so that many thousand
more amateurs could advance through the amateur
ranks.
In the pages that follow, we'll cover the entire VE
program in more detail. Information that is based on
an FCC Part 97 regulation will be followed by the
specific rule number in parentheses, eg (Section
97.527{a}). (All current FCC regulations that pertain
or are related to the VEC Program can be found in the
Appendix and are reproduced from the ARRL's FCC
Rule Book, eighth edition.)
If you find an area that's not covered well enough or
maybe not at all, let us know. You are the reason this
manual was written, and it's only doing its job if it
answers your questions simply and completely. We
welcome your participation with the ARRL/VEC, and
thank you for your contribution to the program.
___________________________________________________________
1No revision schedule has been established for the General,
Advanced and Extra class pools. The next pool revision decision will
be made at the June 1992 Annual Conference of VECs meeting in
Gettysburg, PA.
Chapter 2
Accreditation
he FCC has confidence in amateurs as evidenced
by their permitting hams to perform all amateur
testing over the past 7 plus years. Their only
requirement is that any qualified hams who wish to
administer examinations for Technician and higher class
licenses must be accredited by a Volunteer Examiner
Coordinator.
VE Qualifications
The FCC established a set of four easy-to-meet
requirements, defined in Sections 97.511{b}{c} and
97.515, that each prospective Volunteer Examiner must
satisfy before qualifying for accreditation. Hams seeking
accreditation as VEs must:
* be 18 years of age or older;
* not own a significant interest in, or be an
employee of, any company or other entity which
manufactures or distributes equipment used in
connection with Amateur Radio transmissions; and, not
own a significant interest in, or be an employee of, any
company or other entity which prepares or distributes
any publication used in preparing for Amateur Radio
license exams;
* never have had their amateur station or operator
licenses suspended or revoked; and
* hold either a valid Advanced or Amateur Extra
class license.
If you meet these criteria, the ARRL/VEC would
like to hear from you!
Accreditation Required
The FCC states, "You are a major safeguard to the
integrity of the Volunteer Examiner Program." That
statement applies equally to VEs and to VECs.
The FCC does not prescribe an official procedure by
which Volunteer Examiners must be accredited. Each
VEC is left to decide how it will determine the
qualifications of its examiners. Worth noting, though, is
that several VECs have treated ARRL/VEC
accreditation as the standard, automatically accepting
ARRL/VEC-accredited examiners into their programs.
These organizations realize that the ARRL/VEC
requires its examiners to complete a simple yet
thorough training program.
Examiners may be accredited by more than one
VEC. VEs are not required to work with only one VE
Team or VEC and are not restricted to any particular
area.
Accreditation in the ARRL/VEC Program1
Applications. The ARRL/VEC office needs a
certain amount of basic information from each of its
examiners to meet FCC requirements and to ensure
the smooth operation of the VE Program. For a VE to
become accredited and to maintain his or her
accreditation with the ARRL/VEC, we must have on
file from that VE:
* a properly completed and signed VE Application
(a blank application that may be used can be found in
the beginning of this manual);
* please submit a photocopy of your current
Advanced or Amateur Extra class license;
* a "passing" grade on the open-book review,
completed by the VE; or
* if applying for "instant accreditation", attach a copy
of your other VEC accreditation credentials.
Open-Book Reviews. We take our responsibility for
training our VEs seriously. We know that nothing can
undermine a volunteer program more quickly than
failing to provide volunteers with the information they
need to know to do their job effectively. Thus, each of
our 16,000 accredited VEs has successfully completed
an open-book review based on the VE Manual
provided them by the ARRL/VEC, or has on-the-job
training through participation with another VEC.
Why an open-book review? It's our way of ensuring
that all our VEs have at least familiarized themselves
with the regulatory and procedural aspects of the
program, and know where to look for answers.
As the name implies, the open-book review is to be
completed using the VE Manual as both a study
manual and reference book; the review is not a test of
how well you can memorize details.
Incidentally, you'll want to keep the manual handy
long after you're accredited--especially during your first
few experiences serving as a VE.
Instant Accreditation. Since training is the key to
successfully preparing our volunteer examiners for the
challenges they will encounter, it's clear that on-the-job
training can be a substitute for the open-book review
process which we've required over the years. Many
down-in-the-trenches trained VEs, who have been
actively participating with the programs of other VECs,
are well prepared to be VEs in our program since most
procedures are similar--or are the same--from VEC to
VEC.
Our "instant accreditation" feature speaks for itself.
VEs from other VECs who have participated in the
program of another VEC may become accredited with
the ARRL/VEC instantly by completing our VE
Application form and attaching a copy of their current
FCC license, and accreditation credentials from another
VEC.
Once these requirements have been met, that VE is
instantly accredited as an ARRL VE and he/she may
immediately begin participating as an administering VE
at our sessions.
So that we can record this new accreditation, and
have the individuals application on file when processing
the test session, be sure to submit the accreditation
application (and required attachments) with any session
where you've used the services of an instantly
accredited VE; or if not in conjunction with a test
session, be sure that this paperwork is mailed to the
VEC so that no delays are experienced by the
applicant or VE Team for future sessions.
If the required attachments are not submitted with
the "instant accreditation" application, and if this
person was an administering VE at a test session, we
will not be able to certify and submit the Form-610
applications from that test session to the FCC until that
VE has provided us with the necessary information to
formalize the accreditation.
Once the accreditation is recorded in our data base,
ARRL/VEC-accreditation credentials will be
forthcoming. No ARRL VE accreditation badge will be
initially required of these VEs.
License in hand required. A prospective VE who
has upgraded to Advanced or Amateur Extra class will
not be accredited until they receive, and sign, their
actual FCC-issued license (FCC Form 660) and submit
it to us.
An Advanced class VE who upgrades to Extra class
can participate as an Extra class VE once the new
Form-660 Extra class license has been received by
bringing the Advanced class VE credentials and
original Extra class license to the test session. A
Novice, Technician or General class license holder
cannot become accredited as a VE until the actual
Advanced or Extra class license has been received from
the FCC, and it is signed. The accreditation process is
completed once our VE Badge and Accreditation
Certificate have been received by the applicant.
Credentials. Once accredited as an examiner in the
ARRL/VEC's program, your accreditation credentials
will be good for three years or until your FCC license
expires, whichever comes first. Your accreditation is
valid at any ARRL/VEC-coordinated session.
Accreditation does not, however, convey any rights to
participate as an examiner, i.e., the VE team
conducting the session has the authority to specify the
number of available VEs that are needed and who will
serve. Contact the VE Team that you'd like to work
with and find out if they can use your services. (We
urge you to test the VE waters carefully at first--take
the time to observe all aspects of several sessions
before jumping in yourself. Conscientious "on the job
training" has prevented many honest mistakes and
embarrassing situations!)
A handsome certificate of accreditation, suitable for
framing, is issued to newly accredited VEs. With the
certificate comes an official ARRL/VEC-accreditation
badge, which must be worn (a handy pocket/lapel clip
is provided) or at least clearly displayed, when you
serve at a test session. VEs who do not have a badge;
who have lost their badge, or have not yet received one
from the VEC; may still participate in the examination
session if the VE Team Liaison is satisfied that the VE
is currently accredited in our program. [Often times we
at the VEC will inform VEs over the telephone that
their accreditation is okay, or up-to-date, and we will
encourage that VE to advise the VE Team Liaison of
our telephone discussion so that the Team Liaison can
verify this information if necessary.] A VE's
accreditation status must be ensured by the VEC
before any Form-610 applications are forwarded to the
FCC.
ARRL/VEC badges are laminated so that they
cannot be altered. The badges are also color-coded:
green and black on a white background for Advanced
class VEs; red and black on a white background for
Extras. When you wear your badge, anyone at the
session will be able to tell at a glance which exam
elements you are authorized to administer. Don't
forget, however, that the ARRL/VEC accreditation will
not necessarily authorize you to administer exams in
any other VEC's program. Be sure to verify all
requirements with any other VEC.
Maintaining Your Accreditation
Accreditation renewal is automatic for VEs who have
participated in at least one examination during the 12-
month period prior to their accreditation's expiration.
For those who have not been active during this
period an accreditation renewal-reminder postcard is
sent out at about 8 weeks before expiration. That
postcard invites the VE to respond by mail or by
telephone with a response indicating whether the VE
wishes to continue to be accredited in our program. By
specifying that participation must have occurred in the
previous 12-month period for automatic accreditation
renewal, we can ensure that the needs of our active
VEs are met; while through the postcard we can make
sure that our lesser active VEs are served as well. Since
many factors can contribute to a VEs activity level,
these processes will ensure that no accreditation will
expire without a VE's knowledge or input. VEs from
whom we do not receive a response will be changed
from "accredited" status to an "inactive" status, and
renewal stickers will not be issued. No one's
accreditation will be permanently revoked solely
because of their inactivity.
VEs who may not actually have administered
Amateur Radio exams but who are reported as having
helped with a session are also credited with serving and
will qualify for automatic renewal.
Your ARRL/VEC accreditation normally remains in
effect for three years or until your Amateur Radio
license expires, whichever comes first. Consequently,
your credentials can expire for one of two reasons: (1)
your most recent accreditation has been in effect for
three years; you have not participated in an
ARRL/VEC examination during the previous 12
months; and you have not responded to our
accreditation renewal reminder postcard; or (2) your
Amateur Radio license expires. In either case, you'll
need to renew your accreditation.
The badge you wear at a test session must reflect
your current VE status. VEs are responsible for
ensuring that each participating-VE's accreditation is
valid before he or she administers exams at one of our
sessions. Failure to do so can have serious
consequences. If VEs are later found to have been
ineligible to serve, any elements administered by
ineligible VEs may be declared invalid! The
ARRL/VEC will also be obligated to review the VEs'
performance to determine whether any further action--
such as permanent removal from our program--is
necessary. In the VE Program, an ounce of prevention
is well worth a ton of cure.
Of paramount importance to the success of the VE
program is the need to ensure that examiners who
administer tests are actually authorized to do so. At
least one ARRL/VEC session was invalidated because
one of the three VEs who signed the applications had
not applied for accreditation in the ARRL/VEC's
program!
Reaccreditation--License Expiration. A Volunteer
Examiner whose license expires is not eligible to
administer any exam element. While an accreditation
within the ARRL/VEC program is normally valid for
three years, the accreditation is valid only if the VE's
amateur license is valid.
In order to ensure the eligibility of each VE whose
license--and, therefore, his or her accreditation--is
about to expire, we will issue renewed credentials after
FCC-licensing data reflects a current license status, and
once we are made aware of the status change. Let us
know when you receive your renewed license.
Reaccreditation--ARRL/VEC Credentials Expire. If
you advise us that your accreditation is about to expire,
we will renew your accreditation, and credentials, upon
your request. As mentioned above, we will also either
automatically renew them; or we will mail you a
reminder postcard.
If you have been active with us during the past 12
months, and if you have not yet received renewal
stickers for your accreditation within 30 days of your
expiration, please contact the ARRL/VEC office. This
is an excellent time to update your records, if you have
not done so earlier. Waiting a year or two to notify us
that you've upgraded, moved, changed your call sign,
changed your address or telephone number(s), doesn't
help us keep in touch. The FCC regularly updates our
licensing data, but you're the final authority.
VEs Who Upgrade
If you were an Advanced class VE who has just
upgraded to Amateur Extra, you may only begin
serving as an Amateur Extra VE after receipt of your
Extra class license from the FCC (Form 660), provided
that you bring (1) your original--signed--Amateur Extra
class license and (2) your current Advanced class VE
badge to the test session. Also, send a copy of your
Extra class license to the ARRL/VEC Office so that we
can issue you a new badge.
(We also ask your cooperation in helping us
eliminate unnecessary work. Here's an opportunity. If
you've requested a call sign change, we would prefer
that you wait until you receive your new license before
you request a new badge. When you receive your new
license, tell us what the new call sign is by sending us
your a copy of your new license; or by calling us. Your
cooperation will save us from issuing a badge
unnecessarily. Thank you!)
Drop-In VEs
Not all "situations" are easily anticipated. What do
you do when you're all set to kick-start your exam
session and an unknown VE materializes saying, "Hi!
Where do you want me?" Well, depending on your
needs for the session, your team's style and the visiting
VE's personality, this could be a blessing or a curse.
The call is yours. So long as the visitor has the proper,
current, ARRL/VEC credentials, you may use his or her
services--or not, at your discretion.
If you neither need nor want the services of another
accredited VE at this late stage of the game yet the VE
is adamant about serving (this stems from an actual
problem encountered by one of our VE Teams), please
show him or her this section of the manual:
Visiting VEs with the proper credentials may or may not
be used by a VE team at a particular exam session AT
THE VE TEAM's DISCRETION. Anyone--VE, observer
or candidate--who is disruptive or otherwise interferes with
an exam session will be asked to leave the test site.
Though sessions must be "open" to the public, no VE
Team need tolerate any interference.
ARRL/VEC accreditation does not mean that a VE's
services must be used by a particular VE Team or at a
particular session. Having said this, however, we should
note that anyone showing up to observe should be
permitted to do so unless their presence is disruptive.
Any interference at any session by an ARRL/VEC-acc-
redited VE should be reported to the ARRL/VEC office
immediately.
Handicapped VEs. In February 1991, the FCC
adopted rulemaking which makes the amateur service
more accessible to individuals with handicaps. Within
that rulemaking, the FCC stated their opinion
regarding how handicapped VEs may, or may not,
participate in administration of examinations. The FCC
allows VECs to accredit handicapped licensees to
become VEs. The FCC stated, while VEs might be
competent to administer a 20 WPM receiving test
where the message is sent by a tape player and the
content of the message is known by the VE, a VE who
does not have the skill to receive Morse code sent at
20 WPM, for instance, is not competent to administer
a 20 WPM sending test because the VE cannot receive
the message sent by the examinee. The FCC stipulated
that, "any VE who is not competent to perform the VE
functions required for any particular examination
should not administer that examination."
The ARRL/VEC's policy is to accredit all qualified
individuals--regardless of handicap. By signing the
certification on our VE Application form, however,
individuals (both handicapped and non-handicapped
alike) certify that they understand that even though
they may be accredited as a VE, if they are not able or
competent to perform certain VE functions required
for any particular examination, that they should not
administer that examination.
If a VE Team plans to utilize the services of an
individual who is handicapped, the VE Team may
determine in which ways that individual's assistance is
accepted. For example, if a VE Team is not
comfortable accepting the participation of a VE who is
not competent to receive Morse code messages sent by
the examinee, the team does not have to accept the
services of that VE in administering Morse code
examinations in that manner.
Lastly, a VE Team does not have to accept the
services of ANY VE if they do not wish to.
Covering the Bases
Some VECs do not accept the services of Advanced
class amateurs who otherwise qualify for VE accredita-
tion. We in the ARRL/VEC, however, recognize the
potential contributions Advanced class VEs can make.
Under the FCC's rules, Advanced class VEs are
permitted to administer only Elements 1A, 2 and 3A,
which will qualify a candidate for the Technician class
license. But that still provides them with many
opportunities. During our seven plus years of
coordinating exams, the ARRL/VEC has forwarded
more than 104,000 upgrade applications to the FCC;
56,000 (54%) alone were for Technician class tickets!
With the Technician class license the most sought
after ticket in these past seven-plus years, Advanced
class VEs are definitely needed! And now, with the
high popularity of applications for the new codeless
Technician license, Advanced class VEs can be carrying
a large portion of the workload.
We as a VEC are charged with ensuring that all of
our VEs are qualified to administer tests, not just
eligible to do so. That's why we provide this VE
Manual, and why we require that all prospects
complete the associated open-book review, or have on-
the-job training. The ARRL/VEC not only fields the
most active VE program in the country; we have the
finest one, too. This is true, thanks to our VEs'
commitment to excellence. With your help, we'll keep
it that way!
It's a Two-Way Street
Once you have been accredited with the ARRL/VEC
silence is not golden. Before, after, and with each
session, we are available to answer any questions that
you may have. When we have new information to share
with you, we will tell you about it. This information will
be disseminated to you either by special mailing or
through the VE Express.
Toll-Free Telephone Access. Another new service
made available to ARRL VEs in 1991 was our toll-free
VE hotline. By simply dialing 1-800-9-ARRL-VEC (1-
800-927-7583), ARRL VEs from across the country can
now--conveniently--contact us from home or work to
discuss any questions or needs that they may have.
This WATS toll-free service is being provided by US
Sprint and serves all of the United States, Alaska,
Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and 21 Foreign
areas--all toll free.
Although we are normally only in the office from 8
a.m. until 5 p.m. (EST), we do have an answering
machine on the WATS line during non-business hours.
Therefore, if you are not able to reach us during the
day, please feel free to leave us a message--which we
will respond to once we've returned to the office.
Electronic Services. Continuing improvements in
communications technology have necessitated that we
be able to communicate with our VEs, and others,
through electronics means. Those modes involve both
facsimile and computer-data mediums.
For VEs who wish to contact us in this manner, we
may be reached using the following services:
fax: (203) 665-7531 - 24 hour line
MCI Mail.................. MCI ID: 215-5052
CompuServe............. CompuServe ID: To Be Announced
Internet....................: bjahnke%arrlhq.UUCP@uhasun.hartford.edu
Prodigy.....................: Luck Hurder - MGTS39A
ARRL BBS (2400/1200/300 N-8-1)..: 203-665-0090 open to the public
VE Express. In early 1989 we released the first VE
Express newsletter. The VE Express, which is only
distributed to accredited ARRL VEs, provides
information on recent happenings and/or procedural
changes to keep you up-to-date. While we would like
to have the newsletter in your hands on a quarterly
basis (every three months), workload here at the VEC
may not permit it. So we will, at a minimum, provide
you with periodic newsletters and other special mailings
which will keep you advised of any changes.
Remember, if you ever have a question, please call us
at 1-800-927-7583!
___________________________________________________________
1The ARRL/VEC requests that all accreditation applicants submit a
copy of their current Advanced or Extra class FCC license with the
application for accreditation. This is not a mandatory requirement,
however.
Chapter 3
Setting Up a Test Session
hat are the two prime ingredients for a licensing
exam session? Examiners and examinees. One
without the other leads to lots of unproductive,
frustrated thumb twiddling. With over 16,000 VEs
accredited in the ARRL/VEC program, however, the
chances are very good that you'll find more than
enough VEs nearby to hold a test session. So, here's
what you need.
The VE Team
Three VEs Needed. Every VE Team must have at
least three accredited examiners present at a session
before any exams for Technician or higher class
licenses can be administered. VEs must be accredited
by the ARRL/VEC to serve in ARRL/VEC sessions;
VEs who are accredited by the ARRL/VEC may work
with any ARRL/VEC VE Teams where needed.
We strongly urge all of our VE Teams to have more
than three examiners signed up for each session. If only
three VEs are slated to work the session and one
doesn't show up, the session cannot be conducted.
VEs cannot administer exams to candidates to whom
they're related (Section 97.515{d}). Members of a VE's
family may test at a session where that examiner is
scheduled to serve, however, so long as that VE does
not administer exams, sign 610s or sign CSCEs for
them.
Under the ARRL/VEC's program, a VE Team
member's family may not test at sessions for which the
VE serves as Team Liaison. In fact, it's better all
around for VEs not to "work" sessions at which
relatives1 may be testing.
Don't get us wrong--we trust you implicitly or we
wouldn't even consider accrediting you. But for the
program to succeed in the long run, we must not only
conduct it in a way that is beyond reproach, we must
also avoid even the perception of impropriety. This
policy is in our mutual best interests.
Although administering VEs cannot be related to
their candidates, they may serve on the same team with
family members who are accredited examiners. Hus-
bands and wives, for example, may serve together as
VEs; though they may not administer exams to any of
their relatives.
If a VE Team Liaison who is field stocked will have
a relative that plans to be examined at an upcoming
ARRL test session, please tell us so that we may
provide that VE Team Liaison with special examination
materials which are different from those that are in
normal field-stock liaison's supplies. In this way, not
only the fact but also the perception of absolute
examination integrity is maintained and unsubstantiated
rumors can be avoided.
VE Team Liaison. Once the VE Team has lined up
examiners for its next session, the team designates one
of it's VEs to serve as VE Team Liaison. This position
is very important. The Liaison is the one VE to whom
the ARRL/VEC will send all of the confidential test
materials for a particular exam session, and the VE
who is held directly responsible for the security of the
test materials during the time that they are in his or
her possession. In most cases, the Team Liaison is the
only VE the VEC communicates with before, and after,
the session.
Whomever your team appoints as Liaison must be
currently accredited as a VE by the ARRL/VEC. If
your team will be administering only Elements 1A, 2
and 3A, the Team Liaison may be either an Advanced
or Extra class VE. But if your team will be
administering Elements 1B, 1C, 3B, 4A and/or 4B, the
VE Team Liaison must hold an Amateur Extra class
license.
The appointment as Liaison does not have to be a
permanent one if the team decides to switch assign-
ments. If your team has several VEs who are qualified
(and willing!) to serve as the Liaison, you may rotate
the assignment between them. Rotation of the duties
not only frees up someone who might be willing to act
as the Liaison but does not want to do so session after
session, but also would give more VEs the opportunity
to find out first hand what's involved in running the
session wearing the Liaison's hat.
The position of VE Team Liaison is one of a team
representative to the VEC; not specifically a team
leader or captain. Since each of the three, or more,
VEs on a VE Team is equally responsible for the
certifications they make to the FCC, the team's
authority can not be delegated to one individual for
matters that involve FCC Rules or procedural
requirements, or VEC-procedural requirements. Any
substantive decisions made by the VE Team must be
the result of a group consensus.
Indecision amongst a team should be resolved
through a team vote. Since a team is a minimum of
three equally qualified individuals, and if team
members offer their opinion on a matter, obviously a
majority decision will be reached if two of the three
VEs are of the same opinion. If a team has more than
three VEs, other VEs could participate in the decision
process as well. Obviously, however, all VEs should be
willing to accept the final decision.
VE Team Contact Person. The person who fills this
high-profile position is the VE program's local contact
with the general public, ham and non-ham alike. He or
she is responsible for handling the myriad of questions
that candidates will raise before the test session. Most
questions tend to be fairly routine, such as "What time
is the session scheduled to begin?" or "How do I get to
the test site?" or "When is your next session?" The
Contact Person also would typically accept Form 610
applications and test fees from those candidates who
preregister.
Anyone, accredited or not, is eligible to serve as the
Contact Person for your team. Though not legally
required to do so, many teams prefer to assign the task
to a licensed radio amateur who is familiar with
licensing requirements, testing procedures and the
Amateur Radio Service in general. Your Team's choice
is important--the Contact Person is your Team's and
Amateur Radio's "face" to the general public. Choose
your Contact Person with care.
When you register your session with the
ARRL/VEC, we immediately enter the information
into our computer data base so that candidates who
call our office will get the most current test session
information available. Your Contact Person's name, call
sign (if any), address and phone number will be given
in response to inquiries from candidates in your area.
An attractive feature of the job is that it allows the
Contact Person to be very knowledgeable about
examining without having to be a VE!
Soon after a VE Team registers a session, (about 30
days before the day of the examination, the VEC office
will send out the package of materials that the Team
will need to get its session going. The materials include
610 forms, candidate rosters, "confirmation-of-appoint-
ment" letters (if necessary), registration forms for
future sessions, the test booklets, answer sheets, answer
keys, Morse code tapes (if needed), Morse code copy
sheets, computer software, express mailers and other
items. Although the quantities of the materials included
in the package are limited, they are usually sufficient to
get the team and its session started. When you receive
the package from the VEC, please inspect the contents to
confirm that you have everything you require for the
session.
Administering VEs. As we already said, each team
of VEs must have at least three accredited examiners
present to administer exams. When setting up your
team, don't forget that all three must hold the Amateur
Extra class ticket if Elements 1B, 1C, 3B, 4A and/or 4B
will be administered at the session.
Scheduling the Test Session
When should you hold a session? Who determines
when and where? How often are sessions needed in
your area? These decisions are entirely up to you. We'll
refer inquiries from candidates in your area to your
team, but that's about as far as we at the ARRL/VEC
Office can go. You and the other hams in your
community--instructors, clubs and other VEs--have a
much better handle on what your community needs.
The decision to hold a session; and when, where and
how often; is solely yours. It's not up to the
ARRL/VEC or anyone else. No one knows the proper
balance between your local testing needs and your
team's availability better than your team. Assuming for
the moment that a need exists, the key becomes conve-
nience to the candidate. Consider all time and site
options available.
Don't forget the advantages of our volunteer
program over the old FCC Field Office program. Now
sessions can and should be held on weeknights and
weekends when candidates won't have to take time off
from work. And they should be held at a variety of
easily accessed sites where candidates won't have to
travel long distances. To give you a few ideas, here are
some suggestions based on our VEs' experiences over
the years. (See also Accommodating the Handicapped
in Chapter 7).
Regular Schedules--Monthly, bi-Monthly or Quarterly
Setting up a routine schedule can make your job
easier. Many clubs will publish your schedule in their
club newsletters, providing you with regular, widespread
dissemination.
With a regular schedule, though, comes added
responsibility. Developing a routine does imply a
commitment on your part to be there and to administer
exams on the dates indicated. You may, of course, have
to alter your schedule from time to time for valid,
unavoidable reasons. But if you do choose this route,
be faithful to your commitment. Schedule more VEs
for each session than you think you'll need--at some
session in the future, you will need them. Regularity
means consistency and reliability.
A word of caution: Making testing opportunities
available to area hams on a set schedule is great, but
please don't establish an overly ambitious schedule if
you expect only a couple of candidates (or no
candidates at all!) to show up. After all, you and your
fellow VEs are volunteers--you don't want to commit a
half-day for no reason. Moreover, frustrated VEs may
not be quite as willing to serve the next time when they
may really be needed.
Upgrade Classes. Most upgrade classes run for eight
to twelve weeks and are conducted during the winter
months. Novice and Technician classes are the largest
source of test candidates. Since many of these classes
end in late winter, the period between January and
April is a good time to schedule exams.
Hamfests and Conventions. What better place to
offer exams! Hamfests and Amateur Radio conventions
are popular places to hold exam sessions for just this
reason. They're usually very well publicized far in
advance and specify "talk-in" frequencies for directing
candidates who are unfamiliar with the area.
Most clubs or groups that sponsor hamfests will wel-
come the chance to feature VE exams at their sites.
This is especially true if the club knows that you and
your VE Team will take care of all details concerning
the test session, and that they won't have to worry
about the tests at all.
Exam sessions typically attract more people to
hamfests. Candidates may bring their families, who may
spend the time inside the hamfest while the candidates
take the test. Also, a candidate who has just upgraded
is more likely to want to celebrate his new privileges--
and spend quite a bit of money on a new rig. The
candidate is happy, the hamfest committee is happy,
and the dealers are happy (which means they will
probably be back!).
Remember, though, the FCC requires that exam candi-
dates cannot be charged a registration or any other kind
of entrance fee to the hamfest, if they come only for the
exams. Candidates will be liable for their own parking
fees, tolls and any other charges involved with getting
to and from the test site. If a candidate decides to visit
the event after the exam, however, they can be charged
the same as any other attendee, of course.
Registering the Test Session
If your team plans to conduct more than one session
and has a good idea when the sessions will be held, let
us know in advance what schedule you anticipate even
if the first session won't be held for several weeks or
months. With this information in hand, we can
distribute the schedule to a very wide audience.
Prospective applicants can also arrange their study
plans better. After all, applicants are the reason you do
what you do!
One Session at a Time
Most of our VE Teams register each session with us
well in advance, and we provide all test materials to
them session by session. Such teams can either: 1)
register several sessions at the same time, and submit
individual requests for test materials for each session as
the respective test dates approach; or 2) when register-
ing the session, also tell us what materials they will
need at that session.
In either case, we need to know what test materials
are needed at least 20 days before the test date, so that
we can use the least expensive reliable courier service
available to deliver the materials to the Liaison. If you
give us less lead time, we're forced to use more expen-
sive courier services.
This not only increases an already large postage bill,
but it also decreases the chances of correcting any
problems that may sneak in during the packaging of
the shipment. It is also simply not fair to the hundreds
of VE Teams that work hard to provide adequate
notice of their testing needs.
We will always supply our VE Teams with whatever
materials they need--even if overnight service (the most
expensive) is required to get the package there--but we
will not do it routinely.
Field-Stocking
Many of our teams have worked with us for more
than a year, having conducted at least four sessions
during each calendar year period. Several of these
teams have opted to receive and retain quantities of
test materials so that they can continue their regularly
scheduled sessions without the usual back-and-forth
correspondence with the VEC office. They also have
the flexibility to conduct any "on-the-spot" testing that
may be called for with short notice.2
When teams enroll in our field-stocking program, we
supply them with a standard test-material package that
consists of:
4 versions of each code and typically four versions of
each written test element, including 5 copies of all
Element 1A, 1B, 1C, 3B, 4A and 4B versions, and 10
copies of Elements 2 and 3A;
3 Answer keys for all elements and versions;
100 written test answer sheets;
100 code test copy sheets;
50 CSCEs;
100 Form 610 applications;
10 Candidate Rosters;
10 Session Reports;
10 registration/request for test materials forms;
5 USPS Express-Mail envelopes and address labels
(airbills) for returning the completed test session
package using our overnight-guaranteed service;
3 "Tyvek" shipping envelopes for returning unused test
materials--with Postpaid Business Reply Labels.
Of course, the VE Team Liaison must acknowledge that
he/she is responsible for the security of the test materials
while they're in the team's possession.
Stocked teams should provide the ARRL/VEC office
with lists of scheduled--firm or tentative--test dates so
that the information can be distributed as widely as
possibly. A simple list of dates will suffice.
If your team has worked with the ARRL/VEC
through several sessions, conducts (or has registered) at
least four (4) sessions a year, and is interested in
signing up for the field-stocking program, call or drop
us a line. We'd like to hear from you!
Computer Software. If you've got a IBM compatible
personal computer, you might like to try using our free
computer software to generate your own exams. Our
software, which is free--but only to ARRL VEs, is
available in versions for both Advanced and Extra class
VEs to assist you in conducting your examination
sessions.
The software package includes separate programs for
the random creation of written exams for all five
license classes and a program to generate and
administer Morse code texts that meet FCC standards
for examinations. Also included in the package are
nearly all of the forms you will use in conducting your
session (e.g., Candidate Roster, Test Session Report,
Registration Form, Morse Code Exemption Form {and
instructions}).
The written exam software program Gentest--which
was written here at ARRL HQ by ARRL Laboratory
Supervisor Jon Bloom, KE3Z--will generate as many of
the same, or randomly different, written exams as you
desire running under MS-DOS 2.0 or greater [note
that, however, some users with DOS ver. 2.11 have had
problems running the SETUP.EXE program, therefore,
a DOS version higher than ver. 2.11 is highly recom-
mended]. For graphics purposes, note that each test
booklet will require you to attach a graphics addendum
sheet--supplied as part of our package--except for
General class examinations which have no graphics.
Should you require additional graphics supplements,
please contact us.
Some special features which Gentest offers includes:
* a pool check mode for testing a question pool
after it has been updated;
* provides support for many common printers;
* ability to format exam designs based upon pre-
existing grading templates/overlays;
* ability to customize your examinations using ASCII
editable files;
* a lockout file is referenced for removing damaged
(or no longer valid) questions from the exams you
create--including the ability to lock out questions with
graphics for sight-impaired examinees;
* an option to repeat a particular exam design is
available in case you, or we, need to recreate a
particular exam for review, or other, purposes.
By the way, we have had some requests for software
which will run with computer operating system formats
other than MS-DOS. We are evaluating those needs at
this time. Therefore, if you have special needs which
are not met within our current package, please let us
know so that we may consider those as well.
For those of you wondering about the programming
language used to create the Gentest package, be aware
that the language is Turbo C. Those fluent with this
language may request a copy of the program "code"-
-should you wish to further streamline the reports, etc.,
by modifying the program directly.
The Morse code software, Morse Academy, also
included within our package, has been provided to us
by Joe Speroni, AHA--who is an ARRL VE from the
Philadelphia area. Morse Academy is designed to only
administer exam designs which are already made--it will
not create exam texts. To create valid Morse code
exam texts that meet the FCC's requirements, Joe has
provided a separate QSO Generator program which can
be used in conjunction with Morse Academy or other
programs.
To simplify your work, we distribute four test designs
with the package for each of the 5, 13 and 20 WPM
Morse code speeds--along with answer keys,
fill-in-the-blank answer sheets and multiple-choice
answer sheets (with filename extensions .KEY, .ANS
and .MLT).
If you plan to conduct your sessions using the
computer software (exclusively), be sure that you
request an ample supply of FCC Form 610s and
CSCEs. While the software package does include
nearly all of the necessary forms you'll use, the 610s
and CSCEs are special.
Public Notice Required
Public notice must be given before each session
where Elements 1B, 1C, 3A, 3B, 4A and/or 4B will be
administered (Section 97.511{d}). The announcement
must also include the amount of the test fee--$5.40 per
candidate at ARRL/VEC sessions during 1992--and
where and how it is to be paid. The announcement
may be made at any time prior to any
VEC-coordinated session--the sooner the better!
Any session, whether it was scheduled months in ad-
vance or at the last minute, needs to be publicly an-
nounced at least once. (This, of course, makes
on-the-spot testing more convenient to do.)
The ARRL/VEC policy is that we expect every test
session to receive the proper exposure through the
various forms of Amateur Radio media within the
intended coverage area of the test session in addition
to your registration of the session with us. Some
examples of such media are:
1) verbal announcements at club meetings and training
classes;
2) radio club newsletter announcements (every club
newsletter editor can use and will welcome this kind
of information);
3) on-the-air announcements, especially during nets and
informal roundtables that are held on repeaters;
4) hand-posted announcements (fliers) that, with
permission, may be placed on bulletin boards in
local schools, supermarkets, electronics stores,
churches, Boys' and Girls' Clubs, shopping malls,
fraternal organizations, and YMCA/YWCAs;
5) news releases sent to local radio or TV stations
(especially cable companies that have "`local' town
access" channels) and to newspapers;
6) don't forget, local computer bulletin board systems
give you access to a high-tech audience.
If you have registered your session with us and have
requested test materials, we may delay sending the
materials immediately if the session is not to be held
for many months.
For teams that register well in advance, we will
target this mailing to arrive at the Liaison's listed
mailing address four to six weeks before the session.
If your team plans to hold sessions on a regular
schedule, such as monthly or quarterly, let us know
what materials you would need specifying larger
quantities than normal and which sessions these
materials are to cover. The materials will be mailed to
the designated VE Team Liaison, who can turn over
the materials to future liaisons when they assume these
duties for the team. This way, the number of mailings
can be reduced.
Request for Test Materials. So that we can ship test
materials in a timely fashion, let the ARRL/VEC office
know what test materials and what quantities you'll
need at least 20 days before the session. The request
form can also be used to order additional Form 610s
and any other items you think you'll need.
For your convenience, we have two ways in which
materials can be requested. For periodic test sessions,
the Test Session Registration/Request For Test Materials
form is used to request examinations materials on a
session-by-session basis. For field stocked teams, a
special Re-Stock Materials Request form is distributed to
stocked teams along with their stocks, or with
subsequent stocked-team mailings. Whether you are
field stocked or not, remember that if you need
additional materials (eg, to replenish your field-stock)
just send your request in on the form with your next
session registration. Else, just drop us a note with your
request.
Although the request can be submitted by any team
member, we recommend that the Team Liaison be
responsible for sending it in. The two main reasons are:
1) it will reduce chances that a second request would
mistakenly be submitted by another team member
(it's happened many times); and
2) the Team Liaison is the one who will receive any
test material shipments from the VEC office and
he/she will need to know what materials and
quantities to look for.
What Information Is Needed? When completing a
registration form, please list as many test session dates
on the form as you like. Should the location or sponsor
information differ with certain sessions, we would like
those dates to be listed separately in conjunction with
their associated information. If the sessions will be held
at the same place each time, writing in all scheduled
test dates on a single form is easiest.
Using prepared forms to register sessions is helpful,
but not essential. The essential information we need is:
1) date and time (local) of the session.
2) whether additional sittings will bee held with this
session (e.g., hamfests or conventions).
3) will walk-ins be accepted.
4) name of sponsoring group.
5) test site address.
6) VE Team Contact Person's name, call sign (if any),
mailing address and contact/information phone
number.
7) VE Team Liaison's name, call, mailing address and
day and night telephone numbers.
8) whether the team has been bulk stocked.
9) will the team be using ARRL/VEC exam software.
10) what number of exam booklets, Morse code tests,
answer sheets and other materials are required for
the session; would you like more than one exam
version? For Morse code, do you wish to use the
fill-in-the-blank or multiple choice format?
11) which express service will you be using to return
your completed examination materials to us? USPS
Express Mail, UPS, Federal Express or AirBorne
Express.
12) will you need any other supplies for the
examination? 610s, CSCEs, etc.
13) please list the names and especially call signs of
those VEs who most likely will work the session.
The information about the Contact Person will be
given out over the telephone and will appear on
computer-generated printouts of test session referrals;
and will be submitted to the electronic BBS services
(CompuServe, Prodigy, etc.). The Team Liaison will be
sent the test materials and should have a mailing
address (not a PO Box!) listed for reliable daytime
UPS or US Mail.
The VEs who are listed on the registration form are
not committing themselves to serve, but rather are
among those who are expected to work the session.
Canceling a Session. The earlier you tell us that
your session is canceled, the earlier we can remove the
registration from the computerized listings that we
distribute. No formal written cancellation is needed.
This reduces the number of telephone calls that the
team will get, and saves the expense of shipping test
materials. If you are canceling a session, but plan to
hold one in the future, let us know this as well.
Where to Hold the Session
Before It's Lined Up. Once your team has decided
that there's sufficient need for holding a test session, a
test site has to be selected and secured. The key to
obtaining a location to hold your test session is to make
the arrangements well in advance of the test date.
Several locations in most towns are usually available at
no charge to the team. We'll get to those shortly.
How Long to Plan For. An important question when
scheduling a test site is for how long to reserve it. The
size of the session your team will be running will
usually give you the answer. The average ARRL/VEC
session tests 13 people and lasts about 3-1/2 hours.
There have been less-than-typical-size sessions where
the candidates whipped through the exams and
everyone was gone within a couple of hours. Then
there are the big ones--usually at larger hamfests or at
conventions--that span two or three days.
If your team is planning to administer exams to a
larger number of candidates (such as 25 to 30), it may
be advisable to split the session into two (or even
three) sittings. You are not required to separate larger
sessions into two or more sittings, so long as the VEs
who are present can handle the overload. The
improved ratio of candidates to examiners is offset
somewhat by having to staff each sitting with a
minimum complement of three VEs (Section
97.511{b}{c}), though the decision of how many
sittings to run is left to the VE Team.
Most teams that schedule two-sitting sessions stagger
the sittings so that one is held in the morning and one
in the afternoon. Popular times are 9 A.M. and 1 P.M.
This way, the same VEs are usually available for both
sessions, particularly useful when your VE Team is
small.
Suitable Test Sites. Most towns have at least one
location where exams can be held without the VE
Team having to pay rent. Some of these places might
be local schools (either in classrooms or in the
gymnasiums), churches, community centers, fire
stations, corporate and hospital meeting rooms, office
building cafeterias, and sometimes even banks, utility
company lounges and libraries. Many towns have public
buildings that are available for use at no cost. Contact
the local town or city government to find out. Also, try
the local Red Cross building and find out when they
will be holding their weekend CPR courses. Frequently,
Red Cross personnel will let you use another room on
the same day(s), since their building will be open
anyway. Likewise for the YMCA or YWCA; they seem
to always have something going on during evenings and
weekends.
Another possibility would be trying the various
fraternal organizations in town, such as the Elks, Lions,
Masons, VFW and American Legion. These groups
often have excellent meeting halls they may allow you
to use. Since organizations must pay for the upkeep of
their buildings, they may ask a modest rental fee.
Before you walk away discouraged, search out your
own club members; perhaps one of them is a member
of one of these organizations who may be able to
arrange for the use of the facility for free! Don't forget
to tell them you are volunteers who are providing a
public service to your community, and that the
ARRL/VEC is a not-for-profit organization.
Problems with Securing a Test Site. A lot of VE
Teams are not "sponsored" by radio clubs. If your team
is one of these, you may find a location that is ideal for
holding a test session, but that is run by a group that
will not allow you to use the site. The person with
whom you discuss the arrangements may not be at all
familiar with Amateur Radio and for some reason may
think you want to install a radio station! Or perhaps
the person just doesn't "loan out" the building to
someone he/she doesn't know.
If this happens, try getting the local radio club to act
as sponsor even if none of the club's members will be
participating with (or testing at) the session. It can't
hurt--and frequently helps--to have some official-soun-
ding name to lend credibility. Moreover, once the club
finds itself involved indirectly, its officers and members
may decide to get into the act themselves!
Another problem that you may encounter after
locating a great site is that, though the person you talk
to would like to give you permission to use the place,
he simply does not have the authority to offer its use.
Since that is, of course, no one's fault, don't hesitate to
speak to the next higher person on the administrative
ladder, until either you get the needed permission or
you exhaust all possibilities.
Every so often, the owner of a building that may be
suitable does not see any particular advantage to
"loaning out" the site or otherwise hesitates to let your
group use it. The easiest way to tackle this one is to
find out what the owner's concerns are. Answer the
owner's questions and satisfy his concerns, IF those
concerns are reasonable.
If you have real problems in locating a test site,
contact us in the ARRL/VEC office; we may be able to
come up with a few new suggestions or can provide a
"letter of introduction" for you.
Lastly, sometimes many teams just have to face the
fact that a good room or hall isn't available for free.
VE Teams may have to decide to rent a facility if it's
the only viable option. Room rental is reimbursable as
an out-of-pocket expense.
Give Directions. Wherever your team holds its test
session, be sure that both the examiners and the candi-
dates will be able to find the location easily. They have
enough on their minds on test day without having to
worry about where the test site is.
Rather than giving directions off the top of your
head, put yourself in the candidate's place. Consider
the possibility that the candidate may be from out of
town and may never have been to your area before.
Give out directions that are complete, yet easy to
follow, just as you would want when you're visiting an
unfamiliar area. The ARRL/VEC supplies its VE
Teams with Confirmation of Appointment letters that
have space on them for the teams to include additional
information. The space can also be used for drawing
simple maps for the candidates to use. Also, some VE
Teams prepare and distribute their own maps when
sending out information on their sessions.
Test Materials
The VEC office sends test materials, in the quantities
ordered, only to the VE Team Liaison. We send our
packages using various courier services, depending on
how much lead time we are given. The more lead time
that is provided, the more routine--and therefore less
expensive--service can be used (see Table 3 for the
system currently in use).
Inventory the Materials First. The security of exam
materials will always be the responsibility of the VE
Team Liaison while they are in the team's possession.
The liaison should immediately go through the
materials when they arrive from the VEC office to
ensure that the team has all the materials it needs in
the right quantities. Should additional materials be
needed, contact the ARRL/VEC office at
1-800-927-7583 as soon as possible so we can ship the
extra materials in time for your session.
Some VEs believe that they would be compromising
the system if they opened the package of test materials
before Test Day. Not at all! Please don't wait until the
last minute to go through the materials. Finding out
only then that you have a problem leaves us no time to
correct it.
Lead Time We Will Ship Via:
30 days or more UPS Brown or First-Class
Mail (unless otherwise
specified)
21 to 30 days UPS Brown Label 14 to 20 days AirBorne Express, UPS
Blue or First-Class Mail
7 to 13 days AirBorne Express, UPS Blue,
USPS Express Mail or
Federal Express (second
day)
3 to 6 days AirBorne Express, UPS Red,
USPS Express Mail or
Federal Express
1 to 4 days AirBorne Express, UPS Red or
Federal Express (all
overnight)
Quantities. Since the ARRL/VEC's first exam
session in September 1984, our VEs have administered
exams to over 192,000 candidates. Most of the
applicants who test under the ARRL/VEC take a
code-element exam. Also, nearly all take at least one
written-element exam. Table 4 illustrates the relative
demand of each element.
Table 4
*Element 3 was separated into Elements 3A (for Technician
class) and 3B (for General class) on March 21, 1987. Element
3 percentage is based upon pre-3/21/87 statistics.
Based on these numbers, an ARRL/VEC session of
average size (13 candidates) should have on hand the
following quantities of test elements (including spares):
Table 5
Element Quantity
1A 5
1B 10
1C 5
2 10
3A 15
3B 10
4A 5
4B 5
These numbers should be used only as a guide. We
don't intend them to restrict you in any way. Modify
them to suit your team's testing needs. (Additional
Form 610s, CSCEs Confirmation of Appointment
letters and Candidate Rosters are also available.) "Pad"
the order as needed if you believe it appropriate,
especially if you expect a larger-than-normal walk-in
turnout; or expect several recent instructional class
graduates to show up for Novice, Technician, or other
levels. Be sure to order enough 610s and CSCEs.
Please be reasonable in requesting the materials,
though, since we supply materials to over 200 different
test sites every month.
Photocopying Exams When You've Run Out. Often
times, it is difficult for teams to estimate what
quantities of exam elements will be needed for an
upcoming test session.
When teams do run low, or out, of test materials, VE
Teams may certainly photocopy written test booklets,
Morse code exams, answer sheets, etc., to meet the
immediate needs of the test session. After the test
session, unless the team is field stocked, all used and
unused test materials are to be returned to the VEC,
including all leftover photocopies.
Remember that 610s may not be printed or copied on
white paper; and ARRL/VEC CSCEs may not be copied
(since they are a three-part NCR carbon form).
Therefore, order an ample amount of 610s and CSCEs
for your use.
Making Your Own Exams. The FCC Rules stipulate
the requirements for creating written and Morse code
examinations. Certain parameters must be maintained
when creating either type of examination as specified
in Section 97.503 and 97.507 of the rules.
The ARRL/VEC permits its' VEs to make their own
examinations if they so choose. To make exam
assembly easier, however, we do provide VEs with
computer software which extremely simplifies this task.
For Morse code exam creation, however, the job is
a bit more difficult. Especially in regard to creating
multiple-choice format question sets.
Our pre-recorded Morse code exam audio cassette
tapes can be obtained and used by VE Teams if they
so choose. For those who wish to let the computer do
the work, software is available from the VEC. This
software will create fill-in-the-blank question sets, but
doesn't address the multiple-choice format, however.
Should you choose to create your own Morse code
exams and/or multiple-choice format question sets, we
recommend that you use the following guidelines (as
they are what we follow in creating our exams here at
HQ):
1. Precede each exam message with one minute of
practice at that prescribed speed. Messages should use
the Farnsworth method of character speed and spacing
with the following standards: 5 WPM exam (character
speed at 18 WPM); 13 WPM exam (character speed of
18 WPM), and; 20 WPM exam (character speed at 20
WPM). If special messages for non-handicapped/-
disabled applicants require different speeds/spacings,
please by all means feel free to meet those applicants
needs (maintaining the minimum 5, 13 and 20 WPM
requirements).
Of course, handicapped/disabled applicants who
require an accommodated examination
procedure--including pauses, where warranted--must be
provided those accommodations as needed.
2. The Morse code message content should follow a
normal "ragchew" QSO. The test should be kept as
close to the 5 minute minimum as possible (typically
with a 5 WPM text, however, it's difficult to keep the
message under 7 minutes). The message should not be
overly abbreviated--especially at 5 WPM. Where
possible, spell out all text (i.e., full City and State
names). Keep "Q" signals to a minimum; RST,
however, is okay.
3. Be sure that all FCC-required characters are used.
They include: the complete alphabet; numbers -9;
period, comma, question mark, slash mark (/) or ,
and prosigns , and . We typically end our
VEC created Morse code exam messages with "
", even though normal QSOs would not necessarily
follow this protocol due to back and forth exchanges.
4. Of the ten questions, no more than three of them
should be completely numerical (excluding call signs).
5. Punctuation or procedural signals should not be part
of a correct answer, nor should the six "V"s in the
preamble.
6. Abbreviations should not be part of a correct
answer. Furthermore, answers should be one complete
word--spelled out.
7. The answers chosen should not require
overwhelming spelling skills. City and State names
should be of familiar nature. A City name like
"Chicoutimi" is too obscure, while "Albuquerque" and
"Phoenix" are overly difficult to spell.
8. Answering a question correctly should not be a
question of comprehension or of Amateur Radio
operating procedures, but should strictly test
code-copying ability. Therefore, the message text and
questions should be phrased in as straightforward a
manner as possible.
9. Any determination of the fairness of a test should be
made from the perspective of an applicant who has
on-the-air operating experience. Any doubt as to the
fairness or appropriateness of the message text (or a
question) should be resolved in the favor of the
applicant. For example, if a question asks the
transmitting station's brand of transceiver and the text
of the message makes no reference to a transceiver,
then the applicant should be given credit for the
question.
10. On multiple-choice format question sets, three
distractors and one correct answer should be provided.
If a question asking the State of the sending station is
asked, the sending station's call sign should not be
asked as a question in that exam (while the receiving
station's call--hopefully in a different call area--is fine).
If the sending station's call sign were included, the call
area designator of the call sign might give away the
correct answer to the State question. Also, call signs in
distractors should all use the same number(s)-only
changing the alphabetical characters. When choosing
City names, those names common to more than one
state are preferred.
Exam Fees
FCC Sets the Limit. The FCC has established the
maximum test fee allowable during any 1992
VEC-coordinated examination session (Technician or
higher) at $5.44. Although VECs are not required to
charge any fee, if they do charge, all of their test
candidates must be charged the same amount at all
sessions throughout the year. Also, no VEC may charge
more than that ceiling during 1992.
Only the FCC can modify the test fee ceiling
(Section 97.527{b}). They announce the adjustment
soon after the government's fiscal year begins on
October 1. The increase, which is based on the
Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the previous fiscal
year, takes effect the following January 1--and remains
in force for the entire calendar year.
There is no charge to candidates who take only
elements to qualify for the Novice class.
Individuals wishing to upgrade from codeless
Technician to Technician with HF privileges must pay
a test fee (even if Element 1A is taken). The reason
that this is permissible is that the applicant is upgrading
above the level of Novice--and only Novice license
applicants are exempt.
An examination fee is also charged to applicants for
Morse code exemptions who present VEs with an
upgrade application but already have the necessary
written-element credit(s) toward an upgrade. Since you,
and we at the VEC, will incur postage costs and
perhaps duplication costs in handling this paperwork,
charging a fee is justified--and is permitted by the FCC.
Whether licensed or not, any person who takes
Elements 1B, 1C, 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B is required to pay
the test fee.
ARRL/VEC Test Fee
During 1992, the ARRL/VEC charges $5.40
(non-refundable) per candidate, per session. Candidates
appearing for our exams should make out a personal
check or money order, payable to the "ARRL/VEC," or
as to whomever your team specifies.
Candidates who preregister for an examination, but
do not show, will not be given a refund of their fee
paid. After all, both you and we have expended
resources in preparing for their attendance.
Candidates who have preregistered--who have paid
their test fee in advance--and do show up but cannot
be served for whatever reason(s), should be refunded
their preregistration test fee. This scenario shouldn't be
allowed to happen, however. Teams must strive to
always serve all preregistered candidates.
Retaining A Portion of the Fees. Since mid-1984, the
FCC has permitted VEs and VECs to collect test fees
in order to offset expenses incurred in operating the
volunteer examining program. Until recently, however,
the ARRL/VEC required that those fees be returned
directly to the VEC--the VEC would then reimburse
the VEs. Even though this had been the ARRL/VEC
policy over the past six years, VEs had continued to
request that they be able to be directly reimbursed for
their necessary and prudent expenses--a policy which
other VECs did endorse. After consideration of these
and other factors, we too decided to give it a try.
Necessary and Prudent Expenses. In setting up and
conducting tests sessions, VEs do usually have some
out-of-pocket expenses. Expenses like toll calls,
postage, photocopying, stationery (pens, pencils,
erasers, paper, staples/stapler, etc.), room/site rental
and publicity/advertising. All of these expenses--so long
as they were necessary and prudent-may be directly
reimbursed by the VE Team. There can also be other
expenses which in our opinion may qualify for
reimbursement, such as: obtaining or replacing cassette
recorders (don't forget batteries if applicable);
assembling or maintaining a Morse code audio (or
other medium) distribution system using headphones;
materials to accommodate handicapped/disabled
individuals such as vibrating surfaces, flashing lights,
etc.; unusual travel expenses (like traveling to the
residence of a handicapped individual) at the actual
fuel cost--or at a mileage rate of $0.275/mile (watch VE
Express for any changes to this mileage amount), tolls,
etc.; necessary computer software/hardware; and basic
refreshments for the session.
We recognize that some of you may not agree that
all of the above are necessary and/or prudent, however,
the specific judgment as to what is (or is not)
acceptable is your call to make. When VEs contact the
VEC to inquire about what expenses we consider
reimbursable, our opinion will indicate that all of the
above items are acceptable.
Retaining the fee and determining how much to
withhold (up to $4 maximum) is decided by the VE
Team. In order to do so, the team must document the
expenses which they have incurred, or estimate what
they will incur, in conducting their test session(s). The
FCC indicates (Section 97.527{e}) that expense and
reimbursement records must be retained by each VE
and each VEC for three years, and must be made
available to the FCC upon request. So, documentation
of expenses is necessary. Please keep your receipts.
The VE Team may retain a minimal amount of the
test fee above and beyond the session expenses if some
more-costly future expenses are expected. Those goals,
however, should be well documented--and once the
item(s) have been expended out of the account, the
balance should be reduced back to the minimal amount
necessary to meet the teams ongoing publicity or
session set-up needs.
Left-over funds must always be returned to the VEC
if no future goals or ongoing costs exist.
How to (and where to) deposit the money. VE
Teams may open their own bank accounts to maintain
income and expenses for their team. The account
should be one that is free of monthly checking or
maintenance charges--since the cash flow through the
account should be the minimum necessary to meet the
team's needs.
If a team chooses, we believe that the team funds
may be retained within a checking account established
for other purposes as long as all parties involved (and
those with account signature privileges) have a clear
understanding that the funds ear-marked for VEC Test
Session activities must remain untouched--except for
meeting the VE Team's purposes. Again, those funds
cannot be spent on educational or on other non
test-session needs; and they may not be collected or
retained for non-examination purposes.
VE Teams may endorse and deposit checks written
out to the ARRL/VEC if they wish. Our only
recommendation for depositing of those checks is that
your endorsement include the City and State of the test
site. For example, the endorsement can read:
For Deposit Only!
ARRL/VEC VE Team
Anytown, Anystate
In this way, if a candidate should contact the VEC
indicating that the check was deposited, we can
determine from the check endorsement where it was
deposited--if not done so in Newington, CT.
Dissolving a VE Team and Dispersing Team
Equipment. If your team acquires a large collection of
team-owned equipment and materials (e.g., headphone
distribution system, audio cassette players, stationery,
computer software/hardware, etc.), if--for whatever
reasons--the team dissolves, it is the team's decision as
to what will be done with it.
Some worthwhile causes which team-owned
equipment could be disbursed to includes: other VE
teams; a club or other sponsoring organization; class-
es/instructors or other similar groups; schools; libraries;
etc. The point here being that the team should
determine how to disburse the group's assets and to
whom. And, as mentioned above, any monetary assets
must be returned to ARRL/VEC.
Test Fee Certification. Every VEC that charges for
its exams is required to certify in writing to the FCC
that, during the year being reported, all expenses for
which reimbursement was obtained were necessarily
and prudently incurred. This statement must be
submitted no later than January 31 of the year
following that which the VEC is reporting (Section
97.527{d}).
Similarly, if volunteer examiners retain any portion of
the fees collected, they too are required to certify to
their VEC no later than January 15 of the following
year that the portion of the test fees they retained was
used only to cover expenses necessarily and prudently
incurred during the preparation or administration of
examinations. Examiners are also required to retain
their own cost recoupment records for three years
(Section 97.527{f}). A VEC must disaccredit any VE
who does not comply with this requirement, and to
report such action to the FCC (Section 97.527{g}).
In meeting the FCCs end-of-year certification
requirement the ARRL has ensured that the process
has been kept simple through the use of our Test
Session Report form (see Chapter 6 and Appendix A)
which requires the signatures of all VEs who
participated at the session. That form, on the front side
at the bottom, makes the certification for you in real
time at each session where fees are retained by the
team when all three VE Team members sign the back
of the form. The certification made by the VEs, as
stated on bottom/front of the form, reads: "Each of the
administering VEs and other participating VEs must
sign their names on the back of this form. By doing so,
each of these VEs certifies that the reimbursements
retained (as indicated above) were necessarily and
prudently incurred." The "(as indicated above)"
quotation is in reference to the Test Fee Summary as
found on the front of the Test Session Report form.
Teams who do not retain any of the test fee at their
sessions do not need to sign the Test Session Report
form--but must still complete it so that the
administering VEs who participated in the test session
are given the appropriate activity credit.
The ARRL/VEC will attach the original of each of
these Test Session Report forms to our VEC
certification which must be submitted to the FCC by
January 31 of the following year.
It's Show Time
So what's with all the text if we said in the beginning
of this chapter that there were only two prime
ingredients needed for holding a licensing exam
session? Well, the operative word there was "prime." It
should be obvious after reading this chapter that you
have a lot to think about before the doors swing open
and your candidates come tumbling in. But, at least you
will now have a realistic idea as to what goes on
beforehand.
__________________________________________________________
1 See FCC Rules Section 97.515(d).
__________________________________________________________
2 FCC Rules Section 97.511(d) requires the administer VEs to make
a public announcement of the examination prior administering the
examination.
Chapter 4
Keeping Track of It All!
Using Forms to Your Advantage
o other VEC handles the volume of business that
the ARRL/VEC does. During April 1991, our VEs
administered 8,060 exam elements to 4,773
candidates. Since this was one of our busiest months
ever, we can appreciate even more the work conducted
by our teams which kept the detailed information, on
all those elements and the candidates that took them,
straight.
To minimize the confusion, we supply forms for the
benefit of our examiners so that their jobs as VEs will
be a bit easier. That's why all of our VEs need to
become familiar with the paperwork involved with the
ARRL/VEC program.
This chapter explains how to use the ARRL/VEC's
different forms properly (except for the Form 610) to
make your job easier. Samples of each form are includ-
ed in the Appendix for your VE Team to use.
Form 610 Deferment. Although a simple form in
nature, the Form 610 (Application for Amateur Radio
Station and/or Operator License) has caused many a
case of heartburn. Since there are so many uses for and
methods of handling the Form 610, it will be dealt with
by itself in Chapter 5.
Let Us Know What's Needed
The key to conducting a session with minimal hassles
lies in preparation. Chapter 3 outlines the basic
information that you'll need to get things rolling.
Session Registration/Request for Test Materials. (See
sample form in Figure 1 and in the Appendix).
The ARRL/VEC uses one form both to register an
upcoming session and to define what test materials the
VE Team needs to conduct the session. Here's a quick
walk-through.
Item 1--Test date and start-up time: List the session
date(s), plus the local time that the session is scheduled
to start.
Item 2--Most sessions will have only one sitting, but
the team may decide that two or more are needed.
Multiple-sitting sessions are most often held in
conjunction with hamfests and conventions, e.g. the
Dayton HamVention.
Item 3--Whether walk-in candidates will be accepted
at the session is entirely up to the VE Team. Some
teams require all applicants to preregister; some take
both preregistrations and walk-ins, while still other
teams prefer to handle all candidates as walk-ins.
Item 4--Indicate the name of the sponsor (or the
sponsoring group) of the session. If there is no sponsor,
write in "unsponsored."
Figure 1 - Sample Session Registration/Request For Test Materials form (front
/ back)
Item 5--Please provide the actual location of the
session. Although this is not essential for the
registration, including the information at this point
helps when applicants request referrals to upcoming
sessions. With an incomplete address, the VE Team
Contact person (see Item 6) may receive more requests
for information than are really necessary.
Item 6--Indicate who will be the primary information
source for the VE Team. Inquiries directed to the VE
Team Contact Person are usually for test dates, times,
walk-in info, talk-in frequencies, and other public
information. The Contact Person does not have to be
a ham, nor an accredited VE, but he or she may be if
the team so chooses. A telephone number should be
specified for contact information (directions to the test
site, etc.) that will best meet the needs of candidates--
most often an evening-accessible number.
Item 7--The VE Team Liaison must be a VE who is
accredited with the ARRL/VEC. The Liaison is the
only person who will receive test materials on behalf of
the VE Team. If the VE Team will administer
Elements 1B, 1C, 3B, 4A and/or 4B, the VE Team
Liaison must hold the Amateur Extra class license. Do
not appoint or elect someone as Liaison for a session
if any of his or her relatives will test at that session.
Item 8--If the VE Team is already participating in
the ARRL/VEC's field-stocking program (see Chapter
3), check the "yes" box. If the VE Team has our
computer-software package, please check the
appropriate box.
Item 9--If the VE Team will be using the exam
software exclusively, check the "yes" box.
Item 10--If you are not already field stocked, tell us
what test materials your VE Team will need for the
session. The number that is placed on each element's
blank line will be the number of copies of the test that
will be sent. Many sessions accommodate very few
applicants, and it is not unusual for only one or two
exams of any given element to be administered.
Therefore, if your VE Team requests only one (for
example) Element 1A exam, they will be sent the
Element 1A tape but one Element 1A quiz. Please
take care when ordering the materials, so that
supplementary shipments will not have to be made just
before the session date. If you are field stocked, and
require additional materials to supplement your stock,
please indicate your needs here, or on our Re-Stock
Materials Request form, or on a separate request.
Also, if you would like to receive a second version of
the elements you've requested, please check the
appropriate box.
Be sure to specify which Morse code examination
format you would like to use; i.e., fill-in-the-blank or
multiple choice.
Item 11--Indicate the express "overnight" shipping
service you wish to use in returning your examination
packages to us at the VEC.
Item 12--Similar to Item 10 above, tell us if you need
additional Form 610 applications, candidate rosters,
session registration/request for test materials, confirma-
tion of appointment letters, CSCEs or any other
item(s). If nothing is indicated, we will assume that you
have all additional materials that you need. If you wish
to receive our computer software, please check the
applicable box.
Item 13--Please tell us the call signs and names of
those who are expected to work the session as VEs.
This will enable us to verify that the VEs who
administer tests at your session are duly accredited.
Include those persons who have applied for but not
received their credentials.
Candidate Roster (see sample form Figure 2 and see
Appendix).
We provide a two-ply, no-carbon-required (NCR)
form for VE Teams to use for specifying what
element(s) each candidate took, which were passed or
failed, and what upgrades (if any) were earned. One
roster sheet will accommodate up to 15 candidates.
Each page of the roster is color coded since each
page has a different, though similar, purpose. The top
(white) copy is labeled "VEC's PERMANENT
RECORD" and is the copy that the VE Team
completes and returns to the VEC office with the
completed session results. All entries made before,
during or after the session are written on this top page,
with the second page aligned underneath so that the
information will be imprinted onto it. When making
entries on the top page, please ensure that information
does indeed carry through to the second copy.
The second (yellow) copy is marked "VE TEAM's
PERMANENT RECORD." This page is for the VE
Team to retain in its records; the VE Team Liaison will
hold on to it.
It is extremely important that your VE Team
completes the roster accurately. If your test materials
and Form 610s that are sent back to the VEC office
don't make it to us (this has happened several times),
we will have to reconstruct the session using your VE
Team's records! If your team does not retain this very
important roster, you could cost some applicant a
hard-earned upgrade!
Using the Roster. Some teams use the roster to tell
them how the session is going at any point and how
many candidates are still testing. Also, some teams
have devised their own "flow control" systems for use at
their sessions. This is fine as long as they also complete
the roster and provide the VEC office with the finished
top copy. If your team has a computerized system
which provides a report listing all of the VEC required
information, please share a copy with us for review. We
may be able to accept it for use in place of our
standard form.
Figure 2 - Sample Candidate Roster form
Indicate at the top of the roster the location (city
and state) of the session, the test date and the sponsor
(or sponsoring group) of the session. Print the name
and call sign (if any) of each candidate who tests at
your session; use more rosters as needed. Be sure to
indicate whether the candidate paid a test fee.
"LICENSE CLASS BEFORE TEST"--Place a single
letter in the box to indicate which license class the
candidate holds when he or she comes to the session,
e.g. "N" for Novice, "T" for codeless Technician, "T
w/HF" or "T+" for Technicians who have passed a
Morse code exam (or hold a license which includes a
Morse code requirement), "G" for General, "A" for
Advanced, and "E" for Extra.
For candidate-roster purposes, a licensee who also
holds a CSCE that upgrades his/her license should be
indicated on the roster indicating the current class of
license held, and then any element credit held by
presenting the CSCE(s) by inserting a "C" in the
applicable box.
To be given such credit, however, the applicant must
show the VE Team the actual license and CSCE(s)
that document the upgrade. (Credit must be evidenced
by an original CSCE only, a photocopied document is
not to be honored.) For example, a General class
licensee who has also passed the Advanced class test
may upgrade to Amateur Extra at your session if he or
she presents your team with the actual original General
class ticket plus the Advanced class CSCE. (The CSCE
must indicate credit for Element 4A.)
An examinee is required to present both a
photocopy and his or her original FCC-issued license.
In cases where an applicant presents only a CSCE and
cannot produce his or her current amateur license, the
applicant may take the requested exams. However,
upon passing, the applicant should be given a CSCE
that is marked only for credit for the element(s) passed
at the session, not for upgrade credit. The upgrade
paperwork will have to be worked out between the
candidate and the VEC (with the candidate supplying
proof of possessing a FCC-issued license) after the
session.
"ELEMENTS TAKEN"--Indicate how the candidate
fared on the element(s) by placing either a "P"
(passed), "F" (failed), "C" (CSCE credit) or "H" (Morse
code exemption/Handicap credit) under each box as
appropriate. Boxes for elements not taken should be
left blank.
"LICENSE CLASS EARNED"--Place a single letter
in the box to indicate the highest class of license class
that the candidate earned at the session, based on 1)
the element(s) passed during the session, and 2) the
actual license and CSCE documents that the applicant
showed the VE Team at the beginning of the session.
Again, use the following identifier codes: "N" for
Novice; "T" for codeless Technician; "T w/HF or "T+"
for Technicians who have passed a Morse code exam--
or who are upgrading from Novice, "G" for General,
"A" for Advanced; and "E" for Extra. Leave the box
blank or put a dash in the box if the applicant did not
upgrade at the session. (Except for Novice applications
involving the administration of Elements 1B or 1C, be
sure to send any 610s {indicating Element 1A and 2
credit} for Novice licenses directly to the FCC and not
to the VEC office. VEs may indicate Element 1A
credit in lieu of 1B or 1C so that the 610 may be sent
directly to the FCC. Since the FCC indicates that
higher speed Morse code proficiency supersedes that of
lower speeds, someone who passes 13 or 20 WPM may
certainly be credited for 5 WPM. VEs should make an
appropriate notation in their session files if they make
this adjustment. The applicant should receive the
appropriate Element 1B or 1C CSCE, however (see
also Chapter 5).
Older Rosters. Some VE Teams still have copies of
the now-obsolete "monster" Candidate Roster that the
ARRL/VEC employed until 1988. The roster design
now in use is much simpler to use, requiring only
information that is essential to the applicant's record.
If your team still has any of this style roster, you may
use it, of course. However, follow the guide in the
preceding paragraphs when completing the roster;
leave the other columns blank or complete them, at
your discretion.
Test Session Report (see sample form in Figure 3 and in
Appendix)
Gauging the Session's Output. Many times, VEs
don't realize the number of candidates that came
through the exam room doors. Moreover, sessions can
progress so quickly that it becomes impossible for
anyone to keep a mental count of how the candidates
are doing on each test. The Test Session Report form is
a summary that tells the VE Team the overall story of
what went on at their session.
More than satisfying simple curiosity, the summary
serves as a tally sheet for elements passed compared to
elements administered and the Form 610s that are
submitted for processing. This information is also
referred to the FCC for their use.
Completing the Test Session Report Form. Complete
the top portion of the report sheet (test site {city and
state} and test date).
Passed vs Failed. For each element, tally the
number of exams passed and enter the numbers in the
appropriate boxes in the "passed" row. Then, tally the
number of exams failed for each element and enter
those numbers in the appropriate boxes in the "failed"
row. Finally, in each element column, add the number
passed and the number failed and enter this total in the
appropriate box of the "total" row.
At the right side of this area on the summary is
another column marked "TOTAL." In this column, the
sum of the exams passed (adding left to right) is
indicated on the first line, the sum of the exams failed
is entered on the second line, and, finally, the sum of
all column totals is entered on the third line.
One easy way to verify that all exams, regardless of
whether they were passed or failed, are accounted for
properly is to compare the sum of the column totals
with the sum of the two rows for passed and failed
exams. If the two sums are not the same, recheck your
actual test results.
Handicap Credit (shown as an "H" on the roster)
should not be counter as either an examination element
passed, or failed.
Upgrades. In the first column marked
"TECHNICIAN EARNED," enter the number of Form
610s which indicate that a codeless Technician class
license was earned and that your VE Team is
forwarding the application(s) to the VEC. This number
also includes any 610s that the VEC will hold for
pending license copies and the like. Then follow the
same steps for the 610s for Technician w/HF, General,
Advanced and Extra class licenses earned. Finally, add
the five numbers to arrive at the total number of
licenses earned from the session; indicate this number
in the "TOTAL" column.
As a final check before mailing the test results to the
VEC, the number of 610s indicated in the "TOTAL"
column MUST match the number of applications for
Technician and higher class licenses that the team mails
to the VEC. (Form 610s for Novice class that involved
Elements 1A and 2 are to be mailed directly to the
FCC.) Although applications for individuals who passed
either Element 1B or 1C instead of 1A are to be sent
to the VEC along with the test session results, they are
not to be added in with the rest of the 610s indicated
in the "TOTAL" column.
Candidates Who Did Not Upgrade. This is the
number of applicants who did not upgrade at the
session.
Candidates Who Earned A Novice. As mentioned
above, Novice applications submitted directly to the
FCC--and those submitted through the VEC (who
passed Elements 1B or 1C)--are not considered
upgrades on this form. Enter the number of successful
Novice applications here. (Although testing for Novice
licenses is not specifically provided for in the rules for
the VE Program, there will occasionally be unlicensed
applicants who apply for Technician {or higher} class
licenses, but pass only Elements 1A and 2, thereby
qualifying for Novice. These applicants should be
included on this line.)
Total Candidates Served. Indicate in this box the
total number of candidates, regardless of what license
classes are applied for, who attended the session.
Test Fee Summary. Indicate in this box the number
of applicants who tested at your session, excluding
those applicants who took only Elements 1A and/or 2.
(As some applicants come to VEC sessions with CSCE
credit for either Element 1A or 2, they may come to
your session to complete only 1A or 2--the remaining
requirements for their initial tickets.)
Test Fees Submitted. Multiply the number in the
"Test Fee Summary" box by the 1992 ARRL/VEC test
fee, $5.40. If your team is retaining a portion of the fee
to directly offset out-of-pocket expenses that were
necessarily and prudently incurred, enter the amount
retained from each test fee in the applicable column
(up to $4.00 per test fee collected). Then, lastly,
multiply the number of test-fee paying applicants times
the amount of test fee being forwarded (per test fee)
to determine the amount of fees being forwarded to
the ARRL/VEC.
This should will be the total amount of test fees
submitted with the session results. (The total should, of
course, include any test fees submitted with earlier
preregistration information.)
Most applicants will pay by check or money order.
Please do not send cash with the session results. If your
team collects any cash at the session, please send a
team check for the amount being forwarded to the
VEC. See the example on the Test Session Report form
for guidance.
On The Back--Participating VE's List. Please have
each of your administering VEs and other participating
VEs sign their names and list their call signs legibly on
the back of the Test Session Report form. The first line
should list the signature of the Team Liaison. Include
also those who assisted but who may not have actually
signed 610s or CSCEs. VE Teams who do not retain a
portion of the test fees are not required to sign this
form. However, to avoid confusion, including signatures
on each report submitted will avoid any future
problems.
Figure 3 - Sample Test Session Report form (front / back)
Session Evaluation. On the back, please give us
any comments or suggestions that you think may
help us process the session to the FCC or improve
the program overall. If any irregularities or
problems were experienced in the administration of
the test session please note them on this form. Of
course, if something significantly out-of-the-
ordinary took place at your session that may
result in follow-up communications to other VEs or
candidates, feel free to contact us at 1-800-927-
7583 to discuss the matter. Nevertheless, contrary
to popular belief, we do read the session comments
you return to us.
"Formal" Wrap-up
We have worked hard to simplify the necessary
paperwork for our VEs to use, and we're pretty
confident that what little we do require is as easy, if not
easier, to work with than any other VEC's. We'd love
to hear your comments whether you agree or disagree
and any suggestions for further improvement.
Chapter 5
The Power of the Form 610
Scope of the Form 610
The FCC Form 610, properly titled "Application for
Amateur Radio Station and/or Operator License,"
asks the applicant for routine personal
information. The 610 serves not only for license
upgrades, but also for renewals and changes of name,
mailing address and station location.
This chapter explains how the Form 610 should be
completed. (CSCEs are covered in Chapter 6.) This
may be the most important chapter to this VE Manual
because the Form 610 application represents the brand
new license or upgrade earned by each candidate at
your session. The FCC bases its licensing actions on the
610s you, the VE, properly complete and sign.
The Candidate's Role
Correct Version. Form 610 versions released June
1984 or later are the only 610s that the FCC will accept
for any amateur license. Versions released before then
will be returned by the FCC to the applicant without
action, and the applicant will have to resubmit using a
current version.
There are presently six versions of Form 610 which
are valid for use. Only four of them show release dates
in the lower right corner of the 610. They are: June
1984, July 1985, March 19861, September 19872 and
February 1990. The other version, virtually identical to
the September 1987 form, was released in February
1987, but it does not show a release date. This form
has an expiration date of 12/31/89 printed in the upper
right-hand corner, however, as does the September
1987 one. All but the latest three versions will require
some modifications to the form when it is filled out.
The June 1984 version indicates an expiration date
of 5/31/87, and both the July 1985 and March 1986
versions show an expiration date of 3/31/88. The FCC's
Licensing Division has informed the ARRL/VEC,
however, that they are continuing to accept these
versions of the application. They will eventually issue a
Public Notice of the cutoff date after which these
versions may no longer be accepted.
The 1984, '85 and '86 versions may still be used,
although several modifications must be made to the
applications before they are used for upgrading
purposes. Because there are several modifications to be
made, these Form 610s are best used for renewals of
and/or modifications to amateur licenses, such as
mailing address changes. The form released in
February 1987 (not printed on the form), and the
September 1987 released version, both of which show
an expiration date of 12/31/89, require no modifications
to be used in the VE Program, nor does the February
1990 form (which carries an expiration date of
12/31/92).
Availability. The ARRL/VEC supplies all of our VE
Teams with the February 1990 (12/31/92 expiration
date) version for their sessions. If a candidate submits
an otherwise valid Form 610, it should be accepted and
any required changes (described below) can be made
to the application as appropriate.
Additional 610 Forms may be obtained from ARRL
HQ or from the FCC in Gettysburg, PA. The FCC will
supply minimal quantities up to 200 from the FCC's
Licensing Facility; FCC, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg,
PA 17325-7245. Larger quantities may be requested
directly by calling 202-632-3676 and leaving your
request on the answering machine. Request will be
fulfilled and mailed within three working days via first-
class mail (except for large bulk orders which may be
mailed via third-class mail). You may also request 610
forms by writing to Federal Communications
Commission, Forms Distribution Center, 2803 52nd
Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20781. When writing, please note
on your letter the FCC form # (Form 610, of course)
and the quantity you are requesting; and include your
full mailing address with your request. A peelable,
self-adhesive, return address label would help expedite
your supplies. (The FCC indicates that a special
postcard is normally used to request these supplies
from their Forms Distribution Center; the postcard is
referenced as FCC Form 207).
Reproducing 610 Forms. The FCC has stated that
Form 610s may be reproduced privately "as long as
your copies are exact duplicates of the FCC form,
including paper size, weight, color (mandatory that it be
ivory/buff--ED), etc." This directive prohibits your using
any 610 that has been photocopied (commonly onto
white paper--taboo!). VE Teams should request
candidates to complete a fresh Form 610 if the team
believes it to be necessary. However, no candidate
should have to complete more than two 610s--do offer
assistance to those who need it--don't simply tell them
it's wrong, and to do it over again and again.
A well known radio school reproduces its own 610s
with the school's logo on the front of the application.
Also, at least one VEC includes its logo in several
places on the Form 610. These modified 610s are
technically illegal because of such unauthorized
advertising. The FCC has rejected some of these
applications. VE Teams in the ARRL/VEC program
should not accept such modified 610s--instead, have the
examinee complete the 610 form which you are
providing.
Making Corrections to 610 Forms. Errors or
changes to information on a candidate's application
must be corrected before the form is sent to the FCC
in Gettysburg. Changes should be made by drawing a
single line through the information being changed,
writing the new information above it and initialing each
change.
Most VE Teams review 610s for accuracy and
completeness before the session begins. Ideally, the
applicant should make any changes, but the
responsibility falls upon the VE Team and then on the
VEC if the candidate doesn't make the changes.
The FCC will return any Form 610 to the
coordinating VEC, or the applicant that submitted it, if
errors are found. To err is human, but to forgive is not
incumbent on the FCC.
Completing the Form 610
The ARRL/VEC and most other VECs are using the
February 1990 version (showing a 12/31/92 expiration
date) of the Form 610. The following information
describes how to complete this version. Where the
information that is given can be applied to all
acceptable versions, we've marked the explanation
with an asterisk (*).
Samples of the 1984, '85 and '90 versions of the 610
are shown herein. The March 1986 and September
1987/1989 versions have been omitted because they are
nearly identical to their 1985/1990 counterparts which
they updated.
Four Parts. There are four primary parts to the
Form 610: Administering VE's Report (called
Volunteer Examiner Team Report on previous
versions); Section I (applicant's info); Section II-A (VE
certification for Novice class license exams {Elements
1A and 2 only}), and; Section II-B (VE certification for
Technician and higher class license exams).
Administering VE's Report. Item A*--In the box
labeled "Class:," indicate the class of license currently
held by the applicant by circling the alphabetical
character corresponding to the class of license held--the
same class of license (original or photocopy) that is
attached atop the back of the 610 (if the examinee is
not licensed, write "NONE"); on earlier versions write
Form 610 - February 1990 version (virtually
identical to the September 1987 and February 1987 versions)
Form 610 - July 1985 version (virtually identical
to the March 1986 version)
Form 610 - June 1984 version
in the class of license (i.e., GENERAL, etc.).
Also, place check marks in the appropriate boxes
at the right to show for which elements the
candidate is credited by virtue of holding the
license. The capital letters in parentheses,
"(NT)," "(GA)," etc., are there to assist the VEs
to ensure that only the correct examination
elements are checked. Only one code element is to
be checked; for example, if Element 1B is checked,
do not check 1A as well. For Technician licensees
with a license begin date after 2/14/91, simply
check Elements 2 and 3A. For Morse code exemption
applicants who present the correctly-completed
Physician's Certification of Disability and
Patient's Release form (see Appendix) for Element
1C credit, be sure that the applicant has passed
an initial Morse code examination by either
checking the Element 1A box (if you can verify
that a previous license--or earlier license date
{or Novice license} validates it), or by
presentation of a CSCE for Morse code credit is
presented {feel free to defer any CSCE
verifications to the VEC if you are not sure that
all requirements have been met}).
Note! Presentation at an examination session of an
FCC-issued Commercial Radiotelegraph license either
unexpired, (or expired less than 5 years) gives credit for
Element 1C. Please forward a copy to the VEC.
Item B--List the date of issue for each element for
which the candidate possesses CSCE credit that will be
applied toward the desired upgrade.
Elements that are not required for the license class
earned do not have to be shown. For example, if a
Technician class licensee also holds CSCE credit for
Elements 3B, 4A and 4B and passes Element 1B at the
session, the box for Element 4B may be left blank as
the candidate is upgraded to Advanced class and not to
Extra.
Handicap credit is shown as an "H" in Element 1C.
Also, if an applicant provides your team with a
license (or expired CSCE) dated before March 21, 1987
for Element 3 credit, indicate this credit on Line B
under the Element 3B box. Applicants who passed the
now-obsolete Element 3 exam, but whose
Technician-class ticket is dated on or after March 21,
1987, are still eligible for Element 3B credit so long as
they provide the administering VE Team with the
actual CSCE or license.
Item C--The candidate must present the actual
Radiotelegraph license original (with a photocopy) to
the VE Team, who will return the original to the
licensee after reviewing it for authenticity. The
Radiotelegraph license must be currently valid or have
been valid within the past five years prior to the exam
date (Section 97.505{a}[4]).
Write the number of the license in the box marked
"Number," and then write the license's expiration date
in the box under Element 1C. The license number,
located in the upper right-hand corner of the license,
will begin with T1, T2 or T3 (indicating the class of
license), be followed by "HQ," and will close out with
a sequentially issued three- or four-digit serial number,
e.g. T2-HQ-5983.
No code credit is to be given if the candidate cannot
produce the original license. Also, the Radiotelephone
license does not convey to its holder any element credit
toward amateur licenses.
Item D--Place a check in the appropriate box(es) to
indicate which element(s) the candidate passed at the
session. These elements also should be indicated on the
CSCE that is issued to the candidate.
On 610s that are for Novice class, be sure to check
Boxes 1A (or 1B or 1C, if appropriate) and 2.
Although not the case in the past, the FCC now
requires that the Administering VEs' Report be filled
out completely, including Line D. (Refer to the
wording in Section II-A's VE Certification.) This is now
required even if the Novice elements are administered
under non-VEC conditions.
Items E, E1 and E2--If the applicant did not earn a
license or an upgrade at the session, the "None" box in
Item E is to be checked. Also, return the application to
the candidate (Section 97.509{g}).
Check the box marked E1 if the applicant qualifies
for Novice. If the applicant qualified for a Novice class
license by passing Elements 1A and 2 (or if you've
checked box 1A in lieu of 1B or 1C for application
purposes), have the two administering VEs sign the
back of the 610 in Section II-A (at the top), and
forward the 610 directly to the FCC's Gettysburg office
(1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245). (Do
not send the application to the VEC.)
If the applicant qualified for the Novice ticket by
passing either Element 1B or 1C (13- or 20-WPM code,
respectively) plus Element 2, and if the VEs have
chosen not to check box 1A in lieu of box 1B or 1C,
the three administering VEs must sign the back of the
610 in Section II-B (at the bottom). Forward this 610
along with the rest of the test materials to the VEC,
even though the application is for Novice.
Sending this application directly to the FCC will
result in the 610 being returned to the VEC without
action. The VEC must then refile it. Similarly, if only
two VEs sign a 610 for Novice that involves either
Elements 1B or 1C, the 610 will have to be returned
for the third VE's signature. (Again, the three VEs'
signatures must be in Section II-B.) Remember, those
awaiting their initial license do not appreciate
unnecessary delays.
Issue the candidate a CSCE that shows credit for the
element(s) passed. This CSCE can be used in lieu of
the photocopied 610 that would normally be provided
the candidate, and it's certainly a lot more convenient!
He or she can use the CSCE to test for higher classes
of license before his or her Novice ticket arrives.
Item F*--For all of our sessions, write in
"ARRL/VEC." Do not write the name or call sign of
the VEs or of the sponsoring group.
Item G*--Write in only the city and state where the
session was held. Please completely spell out the city
name. (Do not enter the specific street address or
location.)
Item H*--Write in the date of the session; use local
time (the FCC prefers the date to be in the
MM/DD/YY format).
Item I--Leave blank; this is for VEC/FCC use only.
Section I--The Candidate's Portion.
Item 1--Any Form 610 that is submitted to the FCC
to upgrade an already existing license must have that
license (or a photocopy of it) attached to the
application. The FCC will return any upgrade 610 that
does not have the appropriate and current FCC license
attached. The license (or photocopy) should be affixed
to the top of the back of the 610, facing out, using
staples (if a stapler is not readily available then paper
clips are encouraged). CSCEs, of course, serve to
validate applicants' temporary operating privileges, and
to verify the applicants' element credit at future
sessions. The FCC will not accept the CSCE for
subsequent credit, however, even when it is attached to
the application along with the license that was
upgraded by the certificate. The ticket itself (or copy)
is required before the FCC will process the upgrade.
For example the FCC will not accept for credit a
Technician class license and CSCE upgrading it to
General attached to the back of a 610 for upgrade to
Advanced class. The FCC will only accept the General
class ticket or photocopy thereof (see our special
"Notice To Upgraders With Pending Licenses" letter in
the Appendix).
Candidates whose licenses are lost or were stolen
may be examined at your test session at the discretion
of the VE Team. Because the FCC requires the VEs to
compare the original FCC license against any
photocopy presented to ensure that neither have been
altered, however, the VEs may choose not to examine
an applicant. If the team chooses to examine a
candidate, however, the team must be able to clearly
identify the examinee utilizing a photo-ID, or other
means of clear identification. As a result, it will be
necessary for the VEC to conduct the necessary
document verification after the completed test session
has been forwarded to us. The VEC must ensure that
the necessary license copy (or original) has been
attached to the 610 form.
If the applicant has lost his/her license, the FCC now
requires that a replacement document be obtained
before any new upgrade application is submitted. In
order to obtain a replacement license, the applicant
must write the FCC (1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg, PA
17325-7245) and request a replacement license--
indicating why the replacement is requested. To reduce
the upgrade delay, however, the applicant is
encouraged to request a Verification Of License Letter,
Form 1010-B from the FCC by calling them at (717)
337-1212. The Form 1010-B verification letter may be
attached to the Form 610 upgrade application, and is
a legally binding license document.
Item 2--The applicant should check the appropriate
boxes, but must also fill in any information that is
called for on the 610.
Box 2A*--Since this is only for renewing a license
that is about to expire and not for any other
modifications to an existing ticket, this box is not of
direct concern in the VE Program. When used for
upgrades, the "expiration date" box to the right of the
arrow should NOT be filled in (unless the license copy
attached has expired but is within the FCC's grace
period).
Box 2B*--Similar to Box 2A, this one is also of little
concern to administering VEs. It should be checked
only by those who wish to renew a license that has
been expired for less than two years for a 10-year
license (or expired less than five years for a five-year
term license).
With the grace period for ten-year licenses being two
years, the first 10-year license will reach the limit of its
grace period on 12/14/95 (12/14/93 plus two years). On
that date, all privileges are lost and reinstatement
requests will not be honored.
The grace period for the five-year license is five
years. If a reinstatement request for a five-year license
is received by the FCC and the license has been
expired for less than two years, the license will be
reinstated with the original call sign and license class
held prior to its expiration. If the reinstatement request
is received beyond two years after the expiration date,
then the FCC call sign will not be reinstated--but
instead the reinstatement request will be honored with
the assignment of a new FCC-issued call sign
(sequentially issued from the applicable call-sign block
for that persons license class and call area) based upon
the license class held at expiration. The expiration date
of the last five-year license will be reached on 12/13/93-
-since the last five-year license was renewed on
12/13/83 and expired on 12/13/88.
Any license-reinstatement requests received by the
FCC after the fifth year of the grace period (for the
five-year license) has elapsed will not be honored.
Nowadays, applicants who upgrade are issued
licenses carrying a fresh, 10-year maximum, term.
Therefore, applicants at your session should leave this
item alone as well.
Box 2C--Only unlicensed persons who apply for an
initial amateur license should check this box. Although
an upgraded ticket is "new" to the individual waiting for
it, the FCC considers only initial licenses to be new
licenses, regardless of license class. Candidates who had
a license in the past that is now long-expired (beyond
the grace period) and who are now testing for a new
license should also check this box. If Box 2C is
checked, do not check Box 2D.
Box 2D--Only licensed candidates applying for an
upgrade should check this box. Unlicensed individuals
who earn amateur tickets are to check Box 2C (de-
scribed above), as their first ticket will be an initial
license and not an upgraded one. If Box 2D is checked,
do not check Box 2C.
Box 2E*--Licensed applicants who desire to change
their call signs may check this box if they so choose.
The FCC no longer limits applicants to requesting a
call sign change when changing call districts, or
upgrading to a call-sign change eligible license class. It
is strictly the candidate's option; neither the VE Team
nor the VEC has the right to alter this box without the
candidate's expressed permission.
Be aware, and make your examinees aware, that the
FCC will reissue call signs from the same call sign
group if an examinee is upgrading from Technician to
General class; or if all of the Group C call signs have
been exhausted in their call district. In some cases, in
the fourth call area for example, if Technician licensee
N4ZZZ upgrades to General class and requests a call
sign change, the FCC will act upon that request by
issuing a new General class license and a Group D call
sign such as KD4XXX.
According to both Section 97.17(f) and in Public
Notices released periodically, the FCC stipulates that it
issues all call signs systematically and will not honor any
request for a specific call sign, even if the candidate
once held the call sign being requested.
The chart in Figure 4 depicts the sequence of
assigning call signs under the current system.
Occasionally, candidates with second thoughts about
retaining or changing their call signs ask us to check or
"uncheck" Box 2E on their applications. The ARRL/-
VEC will make such a change after the session only if
the candidate gives us the authority in writing.
Box 2F*--Very few candidates change their names. If
Box 2F is checked, make sure that the candidate has
completed the info boxes to the right.
Boxes 2G* and 2H*--These boxes should be checked
only if the candidate has changed his/her mailing
address and/or station location from what the FCC has
on record. (This, of course, does not apply to
applicants for initial licenses.) The candidate's new
address and station location information should be
listed in Items 7 and 8, respectively. Do not check
Boxes 2G and 2H on applications for initial licenses.
Items 3* and 4*--The candidate's current call sign
and class of operator license respectively appear in
these boxes. These items should be left blank on
applications for initial licenses.
Item 5*--The candidate's full name, including any
suffixes, should be printed (not signed) here. The
signature in Item 13 (below) must match the name in
Item 5.
Item 6*--The FCC prefers that the date of birth be
written in MM/DD/YY form, i.e. a date of birth of
June 29, 1922 would be written "06/29/22." They will
normally accept information written in most commonly
used formats as long as the information is legible and
correct.
Be aware that many applicants absent-mindedly write
the wrong year in as their year of birth; often they
write in the current year. Be on the lookout for these
applications; otherwise, they will have to be returned to
the applicant.
Also watch for 610s that show ambiguous birth dates
and signature dates like 12/5/87. This example could
stand for December 5 or May 12. This is also a
common problem in DXing!
Items 7* and 8*--All mailing addresses and station
locations must be within the United States, its
Figure 4 - FCC Call Sign Assignment Bulletin
(11/91)
territories or its possessions. Applicants whose station
location and mailing address will be at the same place
(as most are), may print "SAME" or "SAME AS
ABOVE" in Item 8 after Item 7 is completed.
If the applicant's mailing address and station location
will be different, e.g. an applicant uses a post office box
for mailing purposes, the applicant must complete Item
8 by providing the specific geographic location (usually
a street address) or exact directions to where the
station is to be located. These directions should be
completed using the same description that would be
used to direct someone to your station from the center
of the town nearest to you (or from the Post Office in
that town). The FCC will NOT accept PO Boxes, RFD
numbers and general delivery addresses on Form 610s
as station locations, however.
APO/FPO addresses are fine for a mailing address
(Item 7) so long as the station location (Item 8) meets
FCC requirements. Military installations in other
countries may not be listed on the Form 610 as the
station location (Item 8)--instead, those in the military
should list his or her domicile address which is declared
for voting or IRS Tax filing purposes.
Applicants living on boats should give the Marina
name, address and slip number as the station location.
Item 8 is often mistakenly left blank on applications
for initial licenses, because the applicants believe that
since they have no gear--and, therefore, no station--
there is no station location info to supply. They must
fill this box in or the application will not be processed.
Item 9*--Most applicants will check the "No" box. In
brief, the FCC wants to know if granting the
application will result in "monster" antennas, facilities
that are located in officially designated wilderness areas
or preserves or that will affect sites that are "significant
in American History," or construction that will involve
extensive changes in surface features.
Applicants who answer "yes" must also submit an
Environmental Impact Narrative Statement (EINS). A
description of the EINS may be found on page 2 of the
FCC's instructions for the Form 610. (A copy of the
Form 610 instructions is included in the Appendix.)
Items 10*, 11* and 12*--The "yes" box in Item 10
should be checked only if the applicant has a 610
pending at the FCC.
If "yes" is checked, the candidate must complete
Items 11 and 12.
Many candidates who have 610s filed with the FCC
for processing upgrades and are going for another
upgrade believe they should check the "yes" box.
However, the 610 for a new license, or upgrade to a
new operator class, that is still pending must be held by
the VEC until the pending license is issued and a
photocopy is sent to the VEC holding the 610.
Therefore, the FCC will see the latter 610 only after
the pending license has been attached to the
application.
Items 13 and 14--The signature in Item 13 must
match the applicant's printed name in Item 5, and the
date signed should appear in Item 14. Applicants who
are unable to sign their names for themselves should
still make some kind of mark, or an "X" which the FCC
will accept in lieu of the actual signature. The mark, or
"X", should be followed by the signature of one witness
(only one is necessary).
Section II-A--Although the Novice license is not a
primary area of concern for the VE Program, many
applicants qualify for Novice licenses at VEC-coor-
dinated sessions. In most cases, the administering VEs
must still complete this section and should ignore the
certification at the bottom of the 610.
Those 610s for Novice licenses involving only
Elements 1A and 2--even if the tests were administered
under the VE Program--are to be sent directly to the
FCC, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245.
As mentioned earlier, if the Novice license was
earned by the applicant's passing either Element 1B or
1C and 2, the 610 must be signed by the three
administering VEs and then forwarded to the VEC (or
Element 1A may be checked in lieu of Elements 1B or
1C if the examiners so choose--appropriately
documenting this action in their own records). All other
610s (for Technician or higher class licenses) are to be
forwarded to the VEC office.
While we do forward 610s for Novice tickets to the
FCC, they have informed us that they strongly
discourage this practice.
Section II-B--Each of the three administering VEs at
a VEC-coordinated session must provide his/her full
name, station call sign, and also sign and date the 610.
All three VEs must sign in this section. Hundreds of
610s that have been submitted to the ARRL/VEC
office have had to be returned to the administering VE
Teams for the required signatures.
Every application that must be returned by the VEC
office for any reason will cause a licensing delay of
several weeks, longer if the problem is not resolved
early on. If the FCC spots a problem and returns the
610 for additional information, they will simply "toss it
back in the hopper" once the resubmitted 610 is
received, with no consideration of when the application
was originally submitted.
1984-1986 Versions. The three other versions that
are current (1984, 1985 and 1986) can be completed in
much the same way as was just outlined for the 1990
version. Some blocks of information that must be
completed in one specific way on the 1990 forms,
however, may have to be completed somewhat
differently, if at all, on the other 610 versions. The
following describes how each block is to be handled
(where necessary).
Volunteer Examiner Team Report. This is now
called the "Administering VE's Report."
Line A--No change.
Line B--Check the appropriate box to indicate code
element credit. If written-element credit is also held,
place a heavy check mark in the appropriate box.
Make sure that the check mark is dark enough to be
readily visible through the Xs. (If the FCC is unsure
that a check mark is actually there, they will return the
application without action because of the apparent
non-administration of the written elements, causing the
license to be delayed further.)
Line C--The difference is rather subtle, so be careful.
Write in both the license number and expiration date
in the appropriately marked boxes. Also check Element
1C to indicate code credit.
Line D--On the 1987 version of the 610, the FCC
changed the VEs' certification for the administration of
Novice elements. Although Novice elements are to be
indicated on the new version's VE Report, VEs would
be wise to apply this requirement to older versions as
well whenever they're used. The application may other-
wise be returned without action.
Line E--As with the 1990 version, check off the
appropriate license class (only one) that the candidate
earned at the session. If any of these 610s are used as
Novice class license applications, they can be used for
credit for the elements passed if the appropriate
photocopy of both sides of the completed and signed
610 are provided to the candidate.
Similarly, an unlicensed person who passes either
Element 1A or 2, but not both, does not qualify for a
license. The original 610 marked with the successfully
completed element must be returned to the applicant
so that the 610 can also be used for credit for that
element.
Lines F, G and H--No changes.
Line I (June 1984 version only)--Leave blank; the
session identifier code requirement was deleted when
the July 1985 version was released and has not been
used since.
Section I--The Candidate's Portion
Item 1--No change.
Item 2--Changes are as follows.
Boxes 2A and 2B--No changes.
Box 2C--Only unlicensed persons are to check this
box. The license class boxes to the right can be ignored.
If a box is checked, however, it must match what is
checked on Line E of the VE Team Report.
Box 2D--Again, the license class boxes to the right
can be ignored. As with Box 2C above, if one is
checked it must match what is checked on Line E of
the VE Team Report.
Box 2E, 2F, 2G and 2H--No changes.
Items 3 through 12--No changes.
Items 13, 14 and 15--These items may be ignored as
they pertain to the now-obsolete rule (formerly Section
97.26{h}; deleted in November 1985) that required a
candidate who had failed an exam to wait at least 30
days before retesting. A waiting period is not required
now.
Items 16 and 17--The signature in Item 16 must
match the applicant's name in Item 5; the date signed
should appear in Item 17.
Section II-A. These 610s may still be used for
Novice class licenses even though the recent Novice
Enhancement rules now require that two examiners
administer the exams and sign the applications.
To use the older, valid versions each item in this
section must be separated into two separate boxes and
renumbered so that one administering VE can
complete boxes 1A through 1G, while the second VE
can complete boxes 2A through 2G.
Both VEs must complete Section II-A; any
application for Novice that is submitted under the "old"
one-examiner system will be returned by the FCC.
(Remember that Novice 610s involving the
administration of either Element 1B or 1C must be
signed by the three administering VEs in Section II-B.)
The certification statement has been changed on the
most recent 610 to reflect the FCC's requirement that
the Novice elements passed be indicated on Line D of
the Administering VEs' Report. While the FCC has not
stated that they require the elements to be indicated in
the VEs' Report on older versions of the 610, the
elements should be marked appropriately to minimize
chances of delay.
Section II-B (1985-86 Versions). Again, each of the
three administering VEs at a VEC-coordinated session
must provide his or her full name and station call sign.
Each must sign and date the 610.
Section II-B (1984 Version). This version originally
required each of the three administering VEs to supply
his or her full name, mailing address, class of operator
license, station call sign, and license expiration date. Of
course, each VE must sign and date the application.
If this version will be used, supply only the VEs' full
names (1A, 2A and 3A), call signs (1D, 2D and 3D),
signatures and the date(s) (1F, 2F and 3F) the date the
610 was signed. (Later printings of the 1984 version
had "NO LONGER REQUIRED" printed over much
of the VE spaces.)
"My License Hasn't Come Yet"
Lost Applications. Every now and then a candidate's
610 form disappears after it has been mailed to the
FCC. Though that's not a fatal problem, the
candidate's ticket won't get issued as soon as it should.
The FCC requires all VECs to retain all materials
from a test session for at least 15 months. After 15
months, the VEC can legally purge from their files all
the used exam booklets and papers. Nonetheless, the
FCC requires that all VECs retain session-summary
records indefinitely.
We keep everything for such a long time because we
want to be able to document (at any time during the
term of a candidate's license or even into the license's
expiration grace period--and because we have to)
whether the candidate actually passed a given element
or set of elements for an upgrade. Since Amateur
Radio licenses are issued for 10-year terms and carry
two-year grace periods, we could theoretically be called
upon by a candidate for such element verification much
later, perhaps 11 years following the issuance of the
upgraded license.
Tracking Down a Ticket. Occasionally, we are
contacted by a candidate who upgraded at one of our
sessions but whose new ticket hasn't arrived from the
FCC after a reasonable time. (Licenses frequently start
showing up about five to ten weeks after the date of
the session.) Assuming that the candidate's application
went to the FCC without any delays, we will check with
the FCC about the status of the license, and if they
have any record of having processed it.
If you or a candidate wishes to determine whether a
license or upgrade has been granted by the FCC, the
FCC makes available a Consumer Assistance
information number of 717-337-1212.
If the license has not yet been issued, the FCC will
say that they "show no record of the application."
Unfortunately, most people panic when they hear such
a negative sounding statement, thinking that the
application has been lost. Not necessarily true. All the
FCC means is that the information from the license
application has not been entered into the FCC's
computer at the time of the inquiry, and that the
inquiry may be just a shade premature. The FCC will
continue to report "no record" until the application is
actually processed. The information will then appear on
their computer.
All is not lost even if the candidate's application
really is nowhere to be found at the FCC. The
candidate will not have to be retested if the VE Team
documented the candidate's upgrade and returned all
test materials. There are two ways that licenses are
delayed. Here's how the upgrade is recovered.
If the ARRL/VEC shows no record of having
received the candidate's 610 but has the candidate's
exam booklet(s) and/or paper(s), we will contact the
VE Team that administered the candidate's exam(s).
The Team should in turn have the candidate complete
a fresh 610 and provide a copy of his or her current
amateur license, and have the administering VEs sign
the application just as they did at the test session. The
VEs should submit the new application to the VEC
office, which must certify in writing to the FCC that
this new 610 was simply delayed and explain why it was
late. The candidate's license should be issued within
about five to ten weeks after that.
If the ARRL/VEC properly processed the
application and mailed it to the FCC, but the FCC has
no record of having received it, they will accept
certification only from the ARRL/VEC that the
candidate passed the appropriate element(s) needed
for the overdue license upgrade. They will sometimes
also require a replacement application, signed by the
candidate, plus a copy of the current license. Even in
this case, no signatures from the VEs are needed.
Save the Mailman. In over seven years of
coordinating Amateur Radio examination sessions, our
VEs have tested over 192,000 candidates. On the
behalf of those candidates, we've screened and
submitted well over 105,000 Form 610 applications to
the FCC. Also, although we have never kept track of
610s for Novice class (since exams for that license are
not officially coordinated under the VEC program), we
do know that we have handled several thousands of
those as well.
Those 105,000-plus applications that have come
through our office have shown us just about every error
that can be committed in filling out a Form 610.
There's nothing that we enjoy more than to forward
to the FCC a huge envelope of 610s. We at the VEC
office know first-hand what it means to anxiously await-
-and sometimes attack!--the mailman every day looking
for that license. We went into such great detail in this
chapter because we want to keep the waiting time
down, not just for the candidates' sake, but also for the
mailman's!
____________________________________________________________________
1The FCC released a small quantity of 610s that are dated March
1986. There was no difference between this 610 and the version
released in July 1985 except for the new release date in the lower
right-hand corner and a change in the FCC's ZIP code in Gettysburg,
which is now 17326.
_____________________________________________________________________
2The September 1987 version was released earlier in the year (in
February, but with no release date marked) to reflect the regulatory
changes resulting from Novice Enhancement. There are no
substantive changes between both 1987-released 610s. Only the one
released in September shows its release date in the lower right-hand
corner but they both show an expiration date of 12/31/89. (Refer to
April 1987 QST, pp 21-23, for more information on Novice
Enhancement.)
Chapter 6
Test Day: Conducting the Test Session
Well, this is the day for which you have prepared. All
the time that you spent in completing your open
book review (or training) to get your ARRL/VEC
accreditation, establishing a test date, lining up your
VEs and checking through the materials is about to pay
off.
Nonetheless, we strongly urge you to go through a
little OJT (on-the-job training). If at all possible, join
up with an experienced VE Team for a session or two.
No matter how well you think you understand this
manual, you'll benefit greatly from the experience.
Good luck!
Just Before the Doors Are Opened
The Candidates Arrive. Those candidates who have
preregistered should present their "confirmation of
appointment" letters to you when they arrive. These
letters are their guarantees of having the opportunity of
testing at your session.
Since some teams limit the number of applicants to
whom they will administer exams (permitted by Section
97.509{a}), they may not be able to accommodate all
walk-in candidates who show up. Since the
preregistered candidates who arrive on time for their
exam(s) made prior arrangements, however, they
should be set up for their tests before the team
processes any walk-in candidates.
For whatever reasons, if a preregistered candidate
who has paid the test fee up front cannot be served at
your session, you must refund the test fee collected.
Those preregistered applicants who do not show up for
the examination, however, are not entitled to a refund--
because in preparing for their attendance, you and we
have expended resources to serve their needs.
Identification. No one may take an amateur exam
for another person. Therefore, the FCC requires that
the VE Team check a candidate's identification before
allowing the candidate to sit for an exam.
The candidate must present a legal photo ID. This is
usually a driver's license, but it can be a passport or
another legal identification card with the candidate's
photo on it. (Radiotelegraph licenses may also be used.
More on these shortly.) Where no photo ID is
available, the candidate must present any two of the
following items:
* non-photo ID/driver's license (some states still
have them);
* birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal);
* minor's work permit or school report card;
* utility bill, bank statement or other business
correspondence that specifically names the
person; or
* a postmarked envelope addressed to the person at
his or her current mailing address as it appears on
the Form 610.
Original License. The FCC also instructs the
candidate to present the team with his or her current
ACTUAL, ORIGINAL, SIGNED amateur license; if
the candidate holds one. The team should compare the
signature on the actual license with the signature on
the license photocopy attached to the 610 form. The
VEs must also compare the photocopied license against
the original to ensure that neither document has been
altered.
The original license is to be returned immediately to
the licensee after inspection. (This information
appears on page 3 of the FCC's instructions for
completing the Form 610.)
The FCC currently issues Amateur Radio licenses
using their official license form, FCC Form 660 (see
Figure 5). During the past year, the FCC introduced a
revamped form which is now laser printed and includes
two official licenses on an 8-1/2" x 11" document. The
standard wallet sized license which measures
approximately 2-1/4" tall by 6-3/4" wide is found atop
the new form. Also included is a 5" by 7" license which
is suitable for framing and for displaying in the shack.
Both of these license documents, each of which
requires the licensee's signature, are legal licensing
documents. As you will note, the background in both
documents includes hundreds of gray hash marks in
vertical and horizontal patterns. The document has
been printed on tan (light-brown) colored stock.
All FCC licenses issued before mid-April 1991 still
used the previous FCC-license format, however. That
format was the 2-1/4" by 6-3/4" wallet size. The
background for this form included 150 miniature FCC
insignias, printed in yellow.
Alterations that have been made or attempted on
either of the Form 660 documents will usually be
detected easily.
It is possible that someone may attempt to sneak
through a neatly modified (forged) license photocopy
to the VE Team. If the team does not compare the
license photocopy with the candidate's original license
and if the candidate successfully upgrades at the
session, the fake license will then go on to FCC's
licensing facility at Gettysburg and go through the same
processing as do those for legitimate upgrades.
Keep in mind that FCC checks every Form 610 for
upgrade against their existing records. If a forged
license comes through their office, they will spot it
Figure 5 - For verification purposes, we've provided
illustrations of both the old and new FCC Form-660
license documents for you below.
quickly. Should that happen, they will immediately
terminate the upgrade processing and refer the matter
to their Personal Radio Branch in Washington, DC, for
investigation.
If the candidate is lucky, only the upgrade will be
invalidated. The FCC does have the authority to take
further, more severe actions, some of which could be
against the administering VEs.
All is not lost, however, for the licensed candidate
who, for whatever reason, does not bring his/her
original FCC license--as long as the person brings other
appropriate identification. (In many cases, the applicant
upgraded at a recent session, and has not yet received
a new original license.) Assuming that the identification
checks out, the candidate can still take the test(s).
While the candidate who has proven his or her
identity without showing an original license can take
upgrade exam(s) at the session, the candidate may only
be issued a Certificate of Successful Completion of
Examination (CSCE) that indicates element credit, not
upgrade credit. The candidate is responsible for
sending a photocopy of the missing license to the
ARRL/VEC office; when we receive it, we will
compare the data on the license with that on the
candidate's Form 610 and, if necessary, contact the
FCC for confirmation of the information. (See "Issuing
CSCEs" later in this chapter.)
Seating the Candidates. Since many VE Teams hold
their code testing in an area separate from where the
written exams are administered, the VEs should direct
the candidates' seating as needed. You may wish to
seat those candidates who are going only for written
tests, for example, Novice to Technician or General to
Advanced, away from the area where code testing will
be conducted, but in the same room. Although it is not
a requirement, applicants would certainly appreciate
this gesture, as it reduces noise from the code tests that
might distract them.
Another gesture that is always appreciated is to have
the members of the VE Team introduce themselves to
the candidates after everybody has been seated. The
candidates are usually aware that the examiners are
hams, but a little reassurance from them may have a
somewhat calming effect.
Separate Rooms. Some VE Teams that have access
to at least one other room may opt to dedicate one
room to code-test administration and another to written
exams. This is fine, of course, as long as each room in
which there will be one or more exams given has a
minimum of three VEs on hand to administer and
supervise exams (Section 97.509{a})--and that the VEs
in each testing areas only make certifications for the
element(s) which they, themselves, administer.
Since FCC requires each administering VE to certify
that he/she has clearly identified the examinee
(comparing the original license against any photocopy
presented to ensure that neither has been altered);
administered all examinations to the examinee in
accordance with FCC Rules and procedures; graded
the examination--in conjunction with the grading also
being conducted by the other two VEs, has agreed with
the grade reached by the other VEs and has informed
the examinee of the grade; been present and observed
the examinee throughout the entire examination
process; each VE clearly cannot delegate his or her
authority to any other VE.
If the three administering VEs can meet these
objectives, especially in regard to overseeing the
examinee throughout the entire examination process
(both exams; Morse code and written), then the testing
areas can be separated.
However, in most cases, by separating testing areas
VEs would most likely not be able to meet all of the
FCCs requirements. Therefore, to separate rooms,
steps must be taken by VE teams to ensure that the
above FCC requirements are upheld.
Separating Testing Areas--A Workable Solution. A
workable solution is available, the concept of which has
actually been in place for some time. It is the "sittings
concept," the concept where a team would offer two or
more test sessions in the same day--held at different
times. One Form 610 application would summarize
activities from all sittings; while multiple CSCEs would
result if candidates attended two or more sittings.
This "sittings" concept is used to overcome the
separation of testing areas problem.
In using the sittings concept, three administering VEs
must be present in each testing area. Those three VEs
must each clearly identify applicants by checking their
identification and license documents; they must agree
that the grade given to the examinee is correct--and
inform the examinee of the grade given; and, they must
each certify to the FCC that they were present and that
they observed the examinee throughout the
examination process by making a certification. In this
case, the VE's certification is made by signing the
CSCE given to the examinee for elements which only
they administered. These three administering VEs
would also sign the 610 form if they were the last three
VEs to be seen by that examinee for that session/day.
For example, if an examinee (let's call him Joe) were
to go to Team #1 (the team administering written
exams in the written exam testing area) and pass a
written element, each VE in Team #1 would identify
him, agree to the correctness of the grade given to him,
and would then certify any elements passed (or
upgrades earned) on the CSCE. If that was the only
test that Joe was to take at that test session, and if it
resulted in an upgrade, then Team #1 would also
complete and sign Joe's 610 form.
However, if Joe wanted to take a Morse code test,
he could then carry his CSCE (from Team #1) to
Team #2 (the three administering VEs on the Morse
code exam team) where they would accept it for the
credit shown, and they would administer any Morse
code elements desired by Joe. After Joe completed
and passed any Morse code exam elements, Team #2
would issue Joe a second CSCE indicating the elements
passed (or upgrades earned) which only they (Team
#2) administered.
If Joe wanted to stop there, and if the elements that
Team #2 administered resulted in an upgrade, then
Team #2 would complete and sign the 610 form
instead of Team #1.
The last team to administer examination elements to
Joe which resulted in an upgrade, would be the team
who completes and signs the 610 form.
As a result, if Joe saw two teams, he would have
received two separate CSCEs--with each CSCE only
indicating those elements (or upgrades earned) which
were administered by those three VEs. In this way,
VEs are accountable only for the elements which they
administered.
Completing the 610 Form When Multiple Rooms
Are Used. The 610 form, line B, would show the dates
of those CSCEs presented by Joe to those VEs who
sign the 610 form. If Team #2 signs the 610 form, they
would write the date(s) of any CSCEs presented to
them (even if it is the same date) in the appropriate
boxes on line B.
Only one Candidate Roster need be completed;
although it would be appropriate for all teams (groups
of three VEs) to maintain a working copy in their
testing area.
Only one fee is charged at the beginning of the test
session to Joe--unless he fails a particular examination
element, and a retest is offered using a different exam
version.
In Figure 6, the CSCE from Team #1 is shown.
Before these three VEs, Joe passed written Elements
3A and 3B and earned an upgrade to Technician as
shown.
In Figure 7, the CSCE from Team #2 is shown. Joe
presented Team #2 with his Novice license, and CSCE
credit for Elements 3A and 3B--as issued by Team #1
that same day. Team #2 administered an Element 1B
test to Joe, which he passed. Joe's CSCE from Team
#2 indicated credit for Element 1B and upgrade to
General class.
In Figure 8, the Form 610--ADMINISTERING VEs
REPORT is completed by indicating on line A that Joe
held a Novice license (Element 1A and 2 credit). On
line B, the date "9-15-91" from the CSCE presented to
Team #2 is shown in the boxes for both Elements 3A
and 3B. The Element 1B exam administered by Team
Figure 6 - The CSCE issued by Team #1.
Figure 8 - The 610 completed and signed by Team #2.
Figure 7 - The CSCE issued by Team #2.
Figure 9 - Form 610, Section II-B, Administer VEs
Certification.
Elements administered by Team #2 is indicated on
line D. Lines E, F, G and H are completed as
before.
In Figure 9, the Form 610--Section II-B
Administering VEs Certification is completed by Team
#2 since an upgrade was the result of those elements
which they administered. Had the elements
administered by Team #2 not resulted in an upgrade,
then Team #1 would sign the 610 form.
The bottom line is that, while many more CSCEs are
used to ensure that the FCC's requirements are met, a
workable solution is available to VE Teams so that
they may separate their testing areas.
Form 610s
We won't go into a detailed discussion on completing
the Form 610 at this time because it is covered
thoroughly in Chapter 5, "The Power of the Form 610."
A few points need to be brought up again at this time,
however.
Section I. The bottom two thirds (on the front) of
the Form 610 should be checked early in the session--
preferably before the candidates begin their exams--to
allow candidates to make corrections or to provide
missing information with minimum interruptions during
the session.
Even if you do not find any problems with the
applications, it may help if you return the already
completed Form 610s to the candidates who turned in
their forms prior to the day of the test session. In some
cases, the candidates may have submitted their 610s
two or three months before the session. During that
time period, some things may have occurred that will
require changes to be made.
If something on the front of the Form 610 has to be
changed, have the candidate make the alteration, if
possible. This should be done by having the candidate
mark a single line through the item to be changed,
make the correction, and INITIAL the correction.
If the session has already ended and the candidate is
no longer available to make the appropriate change(s),
one of the VEs should make the correction and initial
it as described above.
Element Credit
Each applicant who holds an amateur license and/or
a valid CSCE is to receive credit for the elements for
which the license and/or CSCE was issued. To receive
the credit, the applicant must present his or her current
license and any appropriate CSCE to the administering
VE Team for their examination. The VEs are to return
the original copy of any license and/or CSCE after they
are satisfied of the documents' authenticity.
Element credit to be given applicants for their
current licenses is based on the following chart (Section
97.505 {a}[1][3][4]):
License Class Elements
Novice license; 1A and 2
or photocopy of a successful Form
610 for a Novice license which was
submitted to the FCC:
An original Form 610 application 1A or 2
which indicates that either Element
1A or Element 2 (but not both) was
passed before two General (or higher)
class VEs (valid for 365 days, only!):
Technician license (issued before 1A, 2, 3A & 3B
3/21/87 {also known as
Technician w/HF}):
Technician license (issued on or 1A, 2 and 3A
after 3/21/87, but before 2/14/91
{also known as Technician w/HF}):
Technician license (issued on or after 2 and 3A
2/14/91 {also known as a codeless
Technician}):
General license 1B, 2, 3A & 3B
Advanced license 1B, 2, 3A, 3B & 4A
Amateur Extra license 1C, 2, 3A, 3B, 4A & 4B
Check the appropriate boxes on Line A of the
administering VEs' Report on the Form 610.
CSCEs. Section 97.505(2)(3) provides for a
candidate to be given credit for code and written
elements passed at earlier VEC-coordinated sessions
(or by two General or higher class examiners who may
issue single-element credit). A CSCE (or original
single-element credit Form 610) is valid for up to 365
days after it is issued. A CSCE conveys credit for only
those elements and the upgrade indicated. (Not all
CSCEs validate an upgrade.)
To be given CSCE credit for any element(s) claimed
at your test session, the candidate must present your
team with the actual valid CSCE (or original 610
form)--not a photocopy--that indicates the element(s)
that the candidate is claiming that were passed within
the previous 365 days. A candidate may hold more
than one valid CSCE at test time. The CSCE(s) may
have been issued by any VEC (or by any two General
or higher class examiners for Novice licenses) and still
be accepted in the ARRL/VEC Program.
Let us know in the comments section of the
Summary sheet and by attaching a brief note to the
applicant's 610, if you question a particular certificate's
validity; we will check our records or those of the VEC
that coordinated the session where the CSCE was
issued and will verify the status.
Once you have satisfied yourself that the credit
conveyed by the CSCE is legitimate, place the CSCE's
date of issue (MM/DD/YY format) for each applicable
element on Line B of the Administering VE's Report
on the Form 610. Then always return the original
certificate to the candidate. (When using 610s dated
1984, 1985 or 1986, place a heavy check in the
appropriate box{es} to indicate the CSCE credit. See
Chapter 5 for more information on filling out the Form
610.)
If, at the test session, you doubt the validity of a
candidate's CSCE, allow the candidate to take the
elements for which he or she applied, but issue a CSCE
to the candidate marked only for credit for those
elements that the he or she actually passes at your
session; do not indicate that an upgrade is earned on
the CSCE that you give to the candidate. Complete a
second CSCE that indicates both element and upgrade
credit, and send the white and pink copies along to the
VEC office along with the information about the
candidate's CSCE that you are questioning. No doubt
you will be questioned by the candidate as to why you
are taking this action. When responding, try to be as
informative as possible with the candidate--advising the
candidate why the action is being taken.
Questioning a CSCEs Authenticity. If you are
presented with an original CSCE (or a photocopy)
which you believe has been altered, do try to collect
that CSCE from the applicant so that we determine its
authenticity at the VEC. If it has been altered, we will
be presenting that document to the FCC for follow-up
action by them. If the CSCE being presented is
questionable, the examiners can choose to administer
any examination(s) to the examinee. If the examinee
passes, only element-credit should be issued to that
examinee. If any upgrade is earned, complete a second
CSCE indicating both element and upgrade credit and
forward it to the VEC with the test session. When (and
if) we verify the candidate's claim for element credit,
we will mail the white copy of the CSCE that indicates
element and upgrade credit directly to the candidate.
Unless your team is challenging a candidate's CSCE,
it is not necessary for you to retain a photocopy of the
certificate (we would, however, like to have
photocopies of CSCEs from other VECs since we do
not have easy access to other VEC's files). We cannot
stress enough, however, that your team should accept
only the original CSCE, not a photocopy, for review
toward element credit; the candidate must provide you
with the actual CSCE that was issued at the earlier
session to receive such credit. (This will be the top
{white} copy of a CSCE that is issued at an
ARRL/VEC-coordinated session.) Also, the candidate's
call sign indicated on the CSCE by the VE Team that
issued must be currently issued to the candidate or
must have been currently issued when the CSCE was
completed.
An example of the latter would be a Novice class
licensee who attempted the Amateur Extra class license
exams and also applied for a call-sign change. If this
candidate had passed only the 20-WPM code test and
the Element 3A written exam, he or she would have
been issued a CSCE validating temporary Technician
class privileges but also carrying 20-WPM credit for use
within 365 days after the exam. The VE Team would
have issued the CSCE with the candidate's current
(Novice) call sign on it. This candidate would then have
been issued (if 6 to 8 weeks have passed) a new call
sign reflecting the new Technician class license (unless
that call district's Group C calls are exhausted). Later,
within that same 365-day period, the candidate may
again apply to take the Amateur Extra class exam and
would present the CSCE that carries the 20-WPM
credit, but which lists the candidate's Novice call sign.
Written-Element Credit. In early 1987, the FCC
announced that candidates who wish to take only
written elements may do so--even though they would
still be required to take any requisite code element to
earn the upgrade.
While the FCC requires that all applicants who
attend VEC-coordinated test sessions apply for an
upgrade (by completing and submitting a Form 610
license application at each test session), a candidate
can not be forced to take an examination element that
he/she is not prepared to take.
An applicant may take a series of written exams or
Morse code exams in any order to qualify for a license.
As far as the FCC is concerned, as long as all of the
necessary pieces are earned toward a class of license or
upgrade, no particular order must be followed in
earning those pieces.
As an ARRL/VEC recommendation, however, we
ask that examiners strive to administer the written
examination elements in ascending order; while
administering Morse code elements in descending
order. If examiners have a special situation where an
examinee has prepared for an element that does not
comply with our ascending order recommendation, we
will honor the VE Team's decision.
An example of a scenario which the VE Team may
choose to permit examinations to be administered out
of ascending order might involve a codeless Technician
license applicant who comes to your examination
prepared to take the Technician written (Element 3A)
exam, but was not aware that Novice written (Element
2) exam was also required to qualify for that license.
Similarly, if an applicant takes Element 2 but fails, the
VE Team might permit that applicant to take Element
3A examination for credit. These recommendations are
sensible considering the relationship between these two
elements, and provide the successful candidate with a
sense of accomplishment toward their licensing goal.
Similar determinations may be made regarding the
remaining written elements, but candidates must clearly
understand that each CSCE conveying element credit is
individually valid for 365 days from the date it was
issued. No subsequently-issued CSCE will renew another
CSCE's validation period.
If an examinee fails a particular examination
element, when considering examination elements above
Element 2 and 3A, we would still recommend that the
examinee must first retake the failed element and pass
it before proceeding to take a higher examination
element.
Candidates who pass elements that do not result in
an upgrade must always be issued CSCEs that carry
only element credit. Passing all (or some) of the written
elements before tackling the code tests (or vice versa)
is sometimes to the candidate's advantage, because the
candidate can then concentrate solely on the code test
that is needed after the written tests are out of the way.
It is, therefore, permissible to allow an Advanced
class licensee, for example, to take the Amateur Extra
class written test and defer taking the 20-WPM code
test (required for Extra) until a later session. No
upgrade is achieved until the code test is also passed,
but some candidates are more comfortable leaving the
code (or written) exam until later.
Morse Code Exemption--Element 1C Credit. If a
candidate presents a correctly-completed Physician's
Certification of Disability and Patient's Release form the
VE Team must accept that document as credit for
Element 1C (20 WPM) in conjunction with any
necessary written-element credit(s) required for an
upgrade--after ensuring that the candidate has met the
FCC's initial Morse code requirement (Section
97.505{a}{5}{i}{ii}).
Upon acceptance of the certification form, the VEs
must issue a CSCE to the candidate indicating Element
1C Handicap Credit or Physician's Cert. and Release:
1C, and indicating any upgrade earned as a result of
receiving this credit (see examples at the end of this
chapter).
A CSCE may only be issued to the Morse code
exemption applicant if an upgrade has been earned.
Unless an upgrade is earned, the Form 610 application
and Physician's Certification attachment will not be
submitted to the FCC. Therefore, in order for the
Morse code exemption to be valid, the FCC must
received the certification form with an upgrade
application (see Appendix).
If a candidate seeks a Morse code exempted
upgrade, but he/she submits an incorrect--or incorrectly
completed--Physician's Certification form, the applicant
may not be given an upgrade CSCE--or a CSCE
indicating Element 1C (Physician's Cert. and Release:
1C) credit. If this should happen, the VEs should
create all documents (CSCE, 610, etc.) as if the
correctly-completed Physician's Certification had been
presented. Provide the candidate with the correct fill-in-
the-blank certification form (see in Appendix), or have
the candidate or his/her Physician complete the form--if
it is incorrectly completed. If the candidate has passed
any written or Morse code exams, be sure to issue the
appropriate CSCE to the candidate--not including the
20 WPM exemption or resulting upgrade.
Once the session is over, be sure to have the team
complete the necessary documents as if the applicant
had submitted a correctly-completed form. Ensure that
both the CSCE and 610 form carry all three VE
signatures. Then forward those documents to us at the
ARRL/VEC for holding. In the mean time the
candidate should be working on obtaining the correctly-
completed form.
Desert Storm CSCEs
The FCC has announced that they will consider, on
a case-by-case basis, waiver requests to extend the
acceptance period of CSCEs from applicants whose
CSCE credit(s) expired while they were serving in the
Military during the Persian Gulf War.
An example text for the waiver request could read:
Name:____________________
Address:____________________
City/St/ZIP:____________________
Date:____________________
To: Federal Communications Commission
Special Services Branch
1270 Fairfield Rd
Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245
I request a waiver of Section 97.505(a)(2)(3) of the
Commission Rules 47 C.F.R. 97.505(a)(2)(3) because
I am an individual who during my Military service in
the Persian Gulf War had my examination credit
expire for the following Elements:
_________________________________________.
In support of my request, I submit a copy of my
Military orders for the period in question along with
copies of my expired credit documents (see
attached).
_____________________________
(signed)
* Be sure to attach the necessary documents.
Those applicants who qualify must submit a written
request for Waiver of Section 97.505(a)(2)(3) of the
FCC Rules along with any upgrade Form 610
application to the VE Team and must include a copy
of their Military orders for service in the Gulf.
The FCC also indicates that, while they hope this will
not inspire others to request a waiver (we assume they
mean for other purposes), the purpose of the exam
credit provision is to relieve the VEs of the burden of
unnecessarily readministering examinations. The
assumption, they say, is that there is some period
during which a person who has passed your tests
retains the requisite knowledge or skill even while not
making use of it. Although such a period probably
varies from element to element and person to person,
365 days serves as the often-contested practical
compromise, FCC said.
Radiotelegraph Licenses. The only other form of
code element credit available is a First-, Second- or
Third-Class Radiotelegraph license, issued by the FCC.
The Radiotelegraph license does not carry credit for
any written element.
The holder of a valid Radiotelegraph license or one
that was valid within five years prior to the test session
will be given credit for any of the three code elements
(Section 97.505{4}). However, the FCC designed the
Form 610 applications such that only credit for
Element 1C can be given. (This point is made for the
sake of completeness only. Although credit could
technically be given solely for the 5-WPM code test; for
example, it doesn't make sense for credit to be given
for anything less than 20 WPM.)
The license must be currently valid, or have been
valid within the five years prior to the test date. Also,
as with the candidate's license and CSCE, the actual
Radiotelegraph license must be presented to the VEs
who will examine the license for authenticity and then
return it to the licensee. Photocopies of the
radiotelegraph licenses are not acceptable as proof.
The original license may be presented as
identification, since it carries both the licensee's
signature and photograph. Forging this license would
be very difficult, if not impossible: When issuing them,
the FCC places a layer of heavy plastic completely over
the photograph and then stamps "Issued at FCC
Headquarters, Washington, D.C." partly on the
plastic-covered photo and partly beyond the photo's
edge.
It is very important that there be no confusion in
distinguishing between the FCC's Radiotelegraph and
Radiotelephone licenses. No examination credit of any
kind may be given to a candidate who holds a
radiotelephone license--currently valid or not. The two
licenses do resemble each other somewhat, but the
'phone license does not carry a photograph, although
it will have a rather brief general physical description
of the licensee.
(Some other nations' governments issue equivalent
licenses to US licensees who are radio officers on
foreign flag vessels in the Merchant Marine Service.
Some of these licenses closely resemble the FCC's
Radiotelegraph license, but do not carry any written- or
code-element credit towards US amateur licenses.)
Instructions to the Candidates
Now that the candidates have been checked in and
the initial paperwork completed, you are almost ready
to get the session underway. If you have not introduced
yourself and your fellow VE Team members, do so at
this time. Again, it will help put the candidates at ease
(at least as much as their own nervousness will allow).
It will also provide you a convenient opening to go over
with the candidates some of the following very
important instructions.
Collect All Materials. Instruct the candidates that
they are not to leave the test site with any materials,
other than what they brought with them and any CSCE
and other instructions that the VE Team provides
them. No candidate may be permitted to retain copy
sheets, test booklets, quiz sheets or any other related
materials.
When a candidate completes any element, he or she
is to return all materials involved with that test to the
administering VEs. Also, once the candidate turns in
the materials, the test may not be returned to the
candidate for any reason, either to review or to find out
which answers the candidate got right or wrong.
However, if a candidate does not score a passing grade
on any examination element, VEs must advise the
candidate of his or her grade. If no upgrade is earned,
VEs must return Form 610 to the candidates as well.
(You need not force a candidate to take back the 610
form, in fact, if the candidate does not request that the
form be returned, just return it to the VEC with the
used test materials.)
Cheating. Cheating shall not be tolerated. Any
candidates found to be cheating on any exam will have
their exams terminated immediately and will be issued
failing grades, regardless of how well they are doing on
the test. At the team's discretion (all three or more
VEs participating in the decision), candidates found
cheating may or may not receive credit for the
elements successfully completed before being caught at
cheating. The candidates are then dismissed from the
test session.
Should you or your VEs observe cheating going on,
or observe other questionable action on the part of the
examinee, handle the situation with all the self-control
and diplomacy that can be mustered. Candidates may
become belligerent when confronted by an accusing
VE. Don't tolerate any kind of verbal abuse from the
candidate and, by all means, don't reciprocate with
your own comments.
Candidates' Possessions. The candidates must put
away any headsets, books, paper or earphones that they
may have brought with them to the session. Also,
watches that give any kind of alarm or hourly chimes
should be disabled, so that other candidates will not be
distracted during their exams. Candidates who must use
hearing aids should be allowed to wear them.
Instruct the candidates that no "crib notes" or other
kind of written assistance is permitted once the exams
are begun. Using any kind of aid on the test, other than
a calculator (see below), will not be allowed. If you are
not confident that a calculator is absent of these special
abilities (or if you cannot verify that the memorie(s)
have been erased, do not permit it to be used. (Slide
rules and logarithmic tables are, of course, acceptable
as long as they are free from notes.) Candidates who
are found to be using unauthorized aids will have their
exams terminated and will be assigned failing grades.
They will then be dismissed from the test session.
Calculators. Most applicants will bring some type of
scientific calculator to use on their exams. Most of
these, including programmable calculators, are
acceptable. The candidate must, upon the VEs'
request, demonstrate that all of the calculator's
memories have been cleared. The VE Team has the
right to refuse a candidate the use of a calculator if the
team is not convinced that this has been accomplished.
(Most calculators clear their memories automatically
when they are shut off, but some calculators have an
internal back-up battery that powers the memories
continuously even when the main battery is dead or
removed.) Note that many of todays calculators support
program features such as built-in formulas.
Rest Breaks Between Exam Elements. Once a candi-
date completes an exam element and is then waiting to
take the next element, he or she may leave the room
if the VE Team allows it. Again, this is left entirely up
to the VE Team, not the candidate. If it is permitted,
it is the best time for candidates to "run down the hall"
without having to be escorted.
Mother Nature. She has a strange habit of calling at
the most inopportune times. Inform the candidates that
once they begin their exams, however, they will not be
permitted to leave the room until they turn in their
tests.
If a candidate does have a genuine emergency, a VE
Team helper or one of the VEs who is not directly
involved with administering exams must escort the
candidate to the restroom to ensure that the candidate
does not have access to any notes or books outside the
examination room.
If this is not acceptable to the candidate "in need,"
he or she will have to turn in the test papers, and the
exam will be graded regardless of how much the
candidate has left to do on the exam. There can be no
exceptions to this rule.
The Moment Is At Hand
All preliminary details have been taken care of. Now,
you're all set to actually begin administering the tests.
Good luck to both the VE Team and the candidates!
Which Element First?
For years, the FCC required each candidate to pass
all elements associated with a license class before going
on to take subsequent elements; no credit was
available. Beginning in the late '70s, code-element
credit could be issued. Finally, the FCC lifted the
written-element credit rule in early 1987, making testing
much easier for candidates and examiners alike.
One at a Time. A candidate may be administered
only one element at a time, even if he or she intends to
take the entire battery of amateur exams from scratch.
As each element is completed, the candidate must turn
in the papers for grading (see "Grading Exams," later
in this chapter).
An exam must be graded immediately after the
applicant completes it (Section 97.509{e}). This is
particularly important when an applicant is taking a
series of written elements, as the applicant must pass
each test in succession before going onto the next
higher element.
Code Tests
Start with the Highest Speed. Most test sessions
involve at least one code test element; usually, all code
elements are administered. The FCC recommends that
code tests be conducted in descending order of
difficulty, starting with the 20-WPM test followed by
the 13- and 5-WPM tests respectively. This does not
mean, however, that if there are no "takers" for the
20-WPM test, the test must still be run; administer only
those code and written elements that are needed at the
session.
Aside from being an FCC recommendation, this
practice is beneficial in nature to almost all
code-element candidates. There are two strong
arguments for giving the code starting at the highest
speed and working down, both of which usually work in
the candidates' favor.
First, every candidate (aside from codeless
applicants) should apply for Element 1C, or at least 1B,
even if he or she is not confident of passing. Since the
candidate is obviously not required to pay a second test
fee for that session, there should be little reason for the
candidate not to at least make an attempt at
subsequent elements.
A candidate who passes a higher level code element,
Element 1C for example, does not have to pass the
lower level(s) of the code elements. The holder of a
CSCE for Element 1B does not have to take the 1A
exam; likewise the candidate with credit for 1C does
not have to test for 1A or 1B. Second, many people
think that listening to a higher speed code run before
taking their (slower) test makes their code test sound
even slower, usually making their copy a bit easier.
Sometimes, this psychological edge makes the
difference between the candidate's passing and failing!
Morse--The Farnsworth Way. The ARRL/VEC
provides Morse code audio cassette tapes which utilize
the Farnsworth method of Morse code which generates
characters at a faster rate, while extra space is inserted
between characters and words to slow the overall
speed. For example, the ARRL/VEC 5 WPM Morse
code exam has the characters sent at 18 WPM, while
the spacings between characters and words slows the
overall rate to 5 WPM. The same is true for our 13
WPM exam. As for 20 WPM, the character speed is 20
WPM--Farnsworth is therefore not used.
Sending Tests. Section 97.509(d) states that passing
a telegraphy receiving examination is adequate proof of
an examinee's ability to both send and receive
telegraphy. The administering VEs, however, may also
include a sending segment in a telegraphy examination-
-but it is not required. Therefore, based on this FCC
recommendation, ARRL/VEC teams administer only
receiving tests and do not require sending tests.
A sending test may be used as an accommodation for a
handicapped individual. As mentioned earlier, the
examination may be administered by allowing the
examinee to send using a key, keyer or other similar
device--a computer keyboard is not acceptable,
however. Sending texts may be requested from the
VEC for this purpose, or the VE Team may create
their own--or use one of our standard texts from our
Morse code tapes.
In an accommodated sending test for a handicapped
individual, the VEs must decide whether the candidate
has maintained the required 5, 13 or 20 WPM
character speed. Spacing between the characters, since
this is an accommodated exam, is not being judged.
Depending on the severity of a particular handicap,
while some candidates can maintain a high sending
speed, others may only be able to demonstrate single
characters--and even those characters may be extremely
difficult for the candidate to accomplish. The minimum
sending test may be limited to include only the FCC's
required 43 characters sent randomly, as administered
by the examiners. For extreme cases, a passing grade
can be based upon a 70-percent accurate
demonstration of ability.
The examiners decision should be based upon the
candidates ability to comprehend the Morse code message
by overcoming the handicap through an accommodated
means.
Code Tests Only. The code tests should be adminis-
tered starting with the highest speed test to be run and
working down. Candidates whose upgrade attempts
require that a code element be passed, for example an
Advanced who brings in a CSCE that shows credit for
Element 4B, must pass only the required code test in
order to achieve the upgrade. Those who wish simply
to "knock out" only the code portion and leave the
written for another time may take whichever of the
three speeds they want; the 13-WPM test is the more
commonly requested of the three, but many people
want to take the 20-WPM test to get the code
requirement completely out of the way.
Code Administration. Play the code test tape and
adjust the volume (and the position of the speaker
when it's a concern). Our code test tapes begin with a
voice introduction that gives the applicants an outline
of how the code test will proceed. The introduction will
lead into a one-minute practice run that applicants may
use to warm up for the actual test. After the practice
run concludes, another voice announcement will warn
the candidate that the code text is about to begin, and
that the text will start with two sets of three Vs and
conclude with the prosign "".
In conformance with Section 97.503(a), our code test
designs include all 26 letters of the alphabet, numerals
-9, period, comma, question mark, slant mark (also
known as ), (also known as plus "+") , (also
known as equals "=") and .
After the tape has been played allow your
candidate(s) a few moments to complete writing down
what they have copied or to give their copy a cursory
glance (no more than 30 seconds should be allowed
{this amount may be determined by the VE Team}).
At this time, you may opt to distribute the 10-question
fill-in-the-blank (or multiple-choice) questionnaire; or
to instruct the candidates to turn over their code copy
sheets. (If any candidates would like their code copy
reviewed for one-minute of solid copy, now would be
a good time to do the review if your team uses the
one-minute review procedure feature first. And, if your
team does the one-minute review procedure first, then
those candidates who did not successfully pass the one-
minute review may now be distributed the 10-question
quiz.) Now distribute to the candidate(s) the
10-question code exam quiz that is based on the code
that was just sent.
If applicable, keep in mind that a candidate's ability
to write dots and dashes on paper (transcribe) does not
qualify them with the ability to copy the Morse code
characters (translate) at a particular speed. VE Teams
should announce any particular grading protocols of
this nature to the examinees prior to the onset of the
Morse code examination.
Many VE Teams wait until each group of code test
takers is finished and their papers graded before
running the next speed. This way, a Technician who
fails the 20-WPM exam may want to take the 13-WPM
test to upgrade to General or Advanced. Running the
13-WPM tape and then the 5-WPM tape while the
20-WPM candidates are completing their written
quizzes is acceptable. Waiting for all candidates to
complete their quizzes before starting the next speed's
test lengthens the session but also keeps down the
in-room noise. This is an aspect that people appreciate
if they're the ones copying the next level code test and
could be distracted by the candidates who are turning
in their test papers. (See "Grading Exams," later in this
chapter.)
After grading a candidate's code quiz, issue a CSCE
for the code element passed to any candidates who are
only taking code exams. Unless an upgrade results,
return the Form 610 to the applicant. If passing the
code test earns the candidate an upgrade, issue the
CSCE for both element and upgrade credit. (The only
exception is for a candidate who does not provide the
acceptable evidence that documents the license class
claimed on his or her Form 610. For these persons,
issue CSCEs only for element credit and send a second
element and upgrade credit CSCE to us at the VEC so
that we may do the authentication after the session.)
Written Exams
Single-Element Upgrades. Candidates who will be
taking only written elements, either for upgrade or just
for element credit, may be given their tests before the
code test is run.
When convenient, these candidates also may be
taken to a room separate from where the code tests
will be administered, so that they will be disturbed as
little as possible. As mentioned earlier, the drawback is
that a separate team of three VEs is required to check
identification documents, administer and oversee the
examination, participate in the grading process and
certify the examination administered by completing and
signing both a CSCE and the Form 610 upgrade
application.
Written Tests Only. As with the code elements, a
candidate whose upgrade attempt requires that only a
written element be passed, must pass the required
element before the upgrade is achieved. A candidate
may opt to concentrate solely on written elements, even
if no upgrade does result. For this person, issue a
CSCE that indicates the elements that were passed at
the test session; do not indicate that an upgrade was
earned unless appropriate. For example, a General
class ham who takes both the Advanced and Extra
class written tests (but not the 20-WPM code test) shall
be issued a CSCE for upgrade to Advanced plus credit
for Elements 4A and 4B.
The ARRL/VEC provides our VE Teams with all
five written elements. Each element exam is in booklet
form, and each element's booklet is color-coded so that
it is easily distinguished from the other elements. Also,
the element, test version number and class of license
normally associated with the exam are located on the
cover page; the element and the test version number
are located at the top of each page of text in the
booklet. The elements are designed in booklet form, as
follows:
Element 2 4-page exam white stock
Element 3A 4-page exam goldenrod stock
Element 3B 4-page exam yellow stock
Element 4A 6/8 page exam green stock
Element 4B 6-page exam pink stock
Note! There may be some variation in the page count of the test
booklets from time to time. Also, due to some computerization at the
VEC, limited variations in test booklet layout may occur.
Written elements should be administered in
ascending order, beginning with the first element above
the elements for which the candidate holds credit.
Therefore, if a candidate comes to the session with a
General class license, he or she will be credited with
written elements 2, 3A and 3B; the Element 4A exam
will be the next in line for this applicant.
Similarly, if the General-class applicant comes to the
session with a valid CSCE for Element 4A (but the
Advanced class license has not yet been received),
Element 4B may be administered. At the teams's
discretion, elements may be administered out of order.
The Codeless Technician Written Examination. On
February 14, 1991, the FCC implemented a first-ever
codeless license for Amateur Radio operators. That
license, who's name speaks for itself, is a modification
of the earlier Technician class license.
To qualify for the codeless Technician license,
candidates are only required to pass the Novice written
(Element 2) and Technician written (Element 3A)
examinations. The 5 WPM Morse code test (Element
1A) is no longer a requirement for earning the license.
Codeless Technicians are issued call signs from the
Group C (or Group D {where Group C has been
exhausted}) as before.
To upgrade a codeless Technician license to earn
Novice/Technician HF privileges, candidates must pass
a Morse code examination at a VEC examination. If a
candidate chooses to upgrade to Technician with HF
privileges by passing a 5 WPM examination, that
examination may only be administered by a three-person
VE Team at a VEC-coordinated examination. Two
General or higher class examiners may not administer
this examination for upgrade purposes.
Codeless Technicians wishing to upgrade to General
class must pass the Element 3B General class written
examination and the Element 1B 13 WPM Morse
code exam.
Codeless Technicians cannot utilize the FCC's Morse
code exemption process until they have passed the
necessary written examinations required for the
upgrade, and after they have passed an initial Morse
code examination of at least 5 WPM (in order to meet
International Agreement requirements).
Novice Upgrades. Novices may upgrade to
Technician class by simply passing the Technician class
written (Element 3A) examination. Either Element 1A
(5 WPM) or Element 2 (Novice class written exam)
may be administered by two General or higher class
examiners participating in the Novice examining
program. These examiners may issue credit to their
examinees (credit acceptable at any ARRL/VEC
examination session) in the form of a photocopy of a
successful Novice license application that was mailed to
the FCC, indicating that Elements 1A and 2 were
passed; or through the original Form 610 application
returned to the applicant which indicates that "none"
license was earned, and that either Element 1A or 2
(but not both) was passed. In both cases, the VEs
Certification in Section II-A must be completed and
signed by both administering VEs.
Unlicensed Candidates. Start these folks off with the
Morse code test element of their choice; or for
codeless Technician applicants written exam Element
2. Remember if a candidate passes any code element
other than 1A, his or her 610 must be processed with
the session and may not be submitted to the FCC
directly. VEs may indicate Element 1A on the 610 form
(in lieu of Element 1B or 1C) and submit the
application to the FCC; since the FCC stipulates that
passing a higher speed exam is proof of Morse code
ability at the lower speeds. Make a clear note in your
records if you submit the 610 form in this manner.
And, of course, the candidate should still be issued a
CSCE indicating the actual element that was passed
(either Element 1B or 1C as applicable).
Individuals who hold CSCE credit for Elements 2
and 3A, but who have not yet submitted an application
for a codeless Technician license may do so by sending
a Form 610 application with Section I completed, and
their original Element 2 and 3A CSCE(s) {if issued
within the previous 365 days}, to us at the ARRL/VEC.
Upon verification, we will complete and submit the
Form 610 application to the FCC for a codeless
Technician license; and we will then return the original
CSCE(s) back to the applicant for his/her files.
To qualify for the Technician license with HF
privileges, candidates may earned either Element 1A
and/or Element 2 credit from two General or higher
class examiners for the Novice license and then attend
a VEC-coordinated examination to finish the
requirements. An applicant who comes to a VEC-
coordinated examination with an original Form 610
indicating credit for Element 1A (5 WPM) will be
allowed to take the Element 2 and Element 3A written
exams in order to qualify as a Technician w/HF
privileges. The candidate would be issued a CSCE
indicating Element 2 and 3A credit, and upgrade to
Technician with HF privileges. Advise the candidate,
however, that he/she must retain that original Element
1A Form 610 credit document with his/her Technician
license henceforth (or until an upgrade to General or
higher class is earned).
Grading Exams
Immediate Grading. Exams are to be graded after
the applicant turns them in to the VE Team (Section
97.509{e}). Three answer sheets have been provided to
the VE Team for each examination. Work is
progressing toward transparent grading overlays for
future use by VE Teams.
All Three VEs Must Grade. In all cases, all three
administering VEs must grade all Morse code and
written element exams. The Form 610 requires that
each of the three administering VEs sign a certification
that they administered the elements in due order. In
the legal sense, they are putting their own amateur
licenses on the line.
Having only one or two of the VEs do the grading is
not permitted by the FCC; and could be considered as
the "Russian Roulette" of the VE Program. The VEs
who grade probably won't make any errors, but
marking wrong a correct answer could cost the
candidate an upgrade. If the FCC should ask each of
the three certifying VEs if they graded the examination
(or in more practical terms, did he/she agree with the
grade given to the examinee), no is not an acceptable
answer.
Grading Code Tests. The VE Team has been
provided with three copies of the answer key for each
code test element that is administered at the session.
The speed and a version number are marked at the top
of each answer key. These indicate which exam the key
is to be used with.
Following this is the text of the code test
transmission. Most of the printed text is in lower case;
the words that are in all upper-case letters indicate the
answers to the 10-question quiz.
The 10-question quiz and answers are found in the
bottom half of the answer key.
The candidate is responsible for copying the text
exactly as it was sent; and also for transcribing the
answers on to the quiz sheet. On their quiz sheet,
candidates are advised to print each answer exactly as
it was sent in the message. The candidates' written
answers must compare exactly with what the answer
key indicates. If the answer key shows that the answer
to a question is "New York," the candidate must write
"New York" and not "NY" or anything else. Conversely,
if the answer is "NY," the candidate must write "NY"
and not "New York." The only exception in grading
should be allowed a candidate who provides a two- or
three-word answer where the answer indicated on the
key is only one word, as long as two conditions are
met: 1) the phrase words were actually part of the
appropriate text; and 2) the answer given by the
applicant is spelled exactly as it was transmitted.
The passing grade for each code test is 7 or more
correct answers out of a possible 10. After grading the
quiz paper, write the number correct in the box in the
upper right hand corner.
If the candidate does not score a passing grade
(scoring six or fewer correct), and if you haven't
already checked the candidate's copy sheet for one
minute of solid copy at the transmitted speed, do so
now. One minute of solid copy at each of the three
speeds is defined as 1) 25 characters straight at 5
WPM, 2) 65 characters straight at 13 WPM, and 3) 100
characters straight at 20 WPM. Failing the 10-question
quiz but achieving one minute solid copy will still earn
the candidate a passing grade.
Note! An applicant who fails a higher code element
(1B or 1C) may qualify for credit at a lesser speed if
one minute of solid copy at the lesser speed can be
found on the applicant's code copy paper. For example,
if an applicant fails the 20-WPM code test but copies
a string of at least 65 characters but fewer than 100
characters, the applicant is credited with passing the
13-WPM (Element 1B) exam; or at least 25 characters
is credit for 5 WPM.
Within a one-minute of solid copy review, a few
dot/dash characters, perhaps up to 10 within a one-
minute string, can be accepted/translated by the
candidate and considered for grading. More than 10
characters, however, is excessive (in our opinion) and
should not be accepted within a one-minute review.
For the 10-question comprehensive exam, while an
all dots and dashes transcription should be rejected, a
mix of transcription and translation could be accepted--
but those examinees should be given no more time to
complete the 10-question review than the majority of
the other applicants required to do the same within a
given timeframe (of course, not applying to the
handicapped or disabled who require accommodated
testing).
The FCC considers a word to be five characters.
Letters count as one character; numerals, punctuation
marks and procedural signals (prosigns) count as two
characters. For example, the transmitted phrase "I
worked 5 states." would break down to 13 letters (at
one character each), one numeral (counted as two
characters), and one punctuation mark (at two
characters). The 13 letters count for 13 characters, the
numeral for two, and the period counts as two
characters; the sentence is 17 characters or 3.4 words.
The word PARIS is the one-word standard.
Grading Written Exams. The ARRL/VEC uses
written-element answer keys that are easily compared
with the candidates' answer sheets. The element and
test version number are marked in large letters at the
top of each answer key. These indicate which license
class and test version the answer key goes with.
Line up the key with the answer sheet to be graded.
Verify that the key you are to use is actually the right
one. (Using the wrong key when grading is an easy
mistake to make; several VEs have caught themselves
using the wrong key to grade candidates' exams.)
If the paper that you're grading seems to have a
rather high number of wrong answers marked, recheck
to make sure that you're using the correct answer key.
If you're not using the right one, don't make an issue
of it; simply locate the correct key and regrade the
exam. If you are using the correct key, and the
candidate has more than the allowable number of
incorrect answers, continue grading the answer sheet
until you've completed and then (this is mandatory)
diplomatically advise the candidate of his or her grade
and you can mention that some additional studying may
be needed before he or she comes back for retesting!
Written Element Passing Grades. The FCC requires
that the candidate must correctly answer the required
number of questions for each written element exam in
order to achieve a passing grade1 (Section 97.503{b}).
Table 6 below indicates how each element is graded on
a pass/fail basis.
Table 6
Questions Minimum Maximum Maximum
Element Class on Test Right Wrong
2 Novice 30 22 8
3A Technician 25 19 6
3B General 25 19 6
4A Advanced 50 37 13
4B Extra 40 30 10
Results to the Candidates. After the candidate's
exam paper has been graded, advise the candidate of
the exam results (pass or fail), and inform the
candidate of their grade (Section 97.509{e}{g}). Again,
no candidate may review the test booklet or answer
sheet once they are turned in, nor may the VE Team
give advice to the candidate as to which topic(s) to
study for a better (passing) grade.
Although the FCC Rules require that you return
Form 610 applications to those candidates who did not
earn an upgrade at the session (Section 97.509{g}),
unless the applicant asks for it, we encourage you to
return these 610s to us at the VEC. This includes
candidates who passed one or more elements without
earning an upgrade. (Although many applicants go for
element credit only with the intention of completing the
upgrade later, they are still required to submit a
completed Form 610.)
If you do attempt to return the 610 form, don't be
surprised if a candidate who has just failed leaves
immediately before you can return his or her 610. Most
candidates don't realize that they can have their
applications back; more often, they don't care to get
them back. In either case, if a candidate who does not
upgrade leaves before you can return the 610, as
always, send it to the ARRL/VEC office along with the
rest of the used test materials; we'll hold on to it.
Candidates who do pass their tests may then be
given the next exam element, if they applied for one. If
a candidate did not apply for additional elements, use
your discretion as to whether to offer the candidate the
opportunity to continue testing. Base your decision on
what materials you have available, the lateness of the
exam session, and whether you and/or your team
members are willing to continue. You and your team
make the decision; the candidate does not.
Retesting. An applicant who fails an element at an
ARRL/VEC-coordinated session may retake that
element at the same session, if: 1) the administering
VE Team has a different version of that element,
which the applicant has not taken (Section 97.509{c});
2) the VE Team has the time and resources and is
willing to administer the additional version; and
3) the applicant pays an additional test fee (as the
applicant is then considered to be a walk-in candidate
who just arrived even if he or she arrived at the begin-
ning of the session).
Issuing CSCEs
The ARRL/VEC's CSCE is designed such that a
single certificate may convey credit to the holder for
successfully completed elements and, where applicable,
validation of a new license-class earned. When
completing the CSCE, use a ball point pen. Press hard
enough so that the information comes through to the
second (pink -- sent to ARRL/VEC) and third (yellow -
- retained by the VE Team) copies of the certificate. If
the VE Team chooses, they may relinquish their yellow
copy to the VEC--and not retain a copy for their records.
Some teams have chosen this option to reduce the size of
their paperwork archives.
Applicants who pass one or more exam elements
shall be issued a CSCE for the element(s) passed
(Section 97.511{e}). This applies even if the applicant
does not complete all elements necessary for an
upgrade at the session, or if the applicant does not
have the original documentation needed to support a
claimed license class.
Again, the candidate is responsible for providing the
administering VEs with all necessary evidence of having
passed the elements that he or she claims. Such evi-
dence must be in the form of the original amateur
license plus any still-valid original CSCE(s) (or Form
610 for Element 1A or 2) indicating credit for elements
passed that are not otherwise documented by the
license.
Completing the CSCE. The following information
should be filled in on the CSCE: 1) test site (city and
state); 2) test date; 3) candidate's name, call sign (if
any {if none, write "none"}), and complete address; and
4) the signatures and call signs of the three VEs who
administered the exams (all three are mandatory).
Any exam element(s) that the candidate does not
successfully complete at the session, even if they were
not taken, must be lined out entirely. Elements passed
should be circled. Similarly, if the candidate earns an
upgrade at the session, the license class earned should
be circled and the other three classes are to be lined
out completely (see the sample CSCE in this section).
A CSCE that is issued to an unlicensed person who
qualifies for a Novice license by passing Elements 1A
and 2 must also be signed by all three administering
VEs. The FCC set up the three-examiner VEC
Program for the administration of exams for Technician
and higher class licenses, so there is no direct provision
for qualifying an applicant for a Novice class ticket.
When the Novice-level elements are administered by
the three VEC-accredited examiners, all three VEs
must sign the CSCE. The Form 610 for the Novice
class license must be signed off by only two VEs in
Section II-A on the back of the application, however.
Upgrade CSCEs. Only applicants who provide the
administering VE Team with their actual license (plus
CSCEs for element credit, when appropriate) can be
issued CSCEs that validate temporary operation at the
upgraded license class earned.
An applicant who upgrades should be issued a CSCE
that indicates both the element(s) passed at the session
plus the new license class to which he/she has
upgraded/earned. Since a candidate can upgrade to
only one license class at any given session, only one
license class should be indicated on the upgrade CSCE,
regardless of how many license classes he/she
oversteps; Novice to Advanced class, for example.
Again, all elements that were not taken or passed at
the session should be lined out completely.
Occasionally, a candidate will pass one code element
and decide to go for the next higher code element.
(This is fine, of course, if it is acceptable to the VE
Team.) If a candidate passes both code elements, issue
the CSCE to indicate credit only for the higher of the
two code elements passed.
On the following page we have provided examples of
the front and back of the ARRL/VEC Certificate of
Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE).
The ARRL/VEC Certificate of Successful Completion
of Examination (CSCE) [front/back].
CSCEs for upgrade must indicate that at least one
element was passed at the session where the
certificates were issued (the Element 1C Handicap
Credit {Physician Cert. and Release: 1C} box is
considered a passed element for these purposes).
That is, a CSCE that upgrades a candidate by at
least one license class must also indicate the
successful completion of at least one element. A
CSCE that indicates only that the Novice class
holder upgraded to Technician but does not
indicate which elements were passed, should not be
accepted by VE Teams at later sessions: The Novice
may have passed the "old" Element 3 exam, the new
3A or perhaps both 3A and 3B.
CSCEs for Element Credit Only. Candidates may
elect to take only the written or only the code elements
available at the test session. This flexibility allows those
who want to concentrate on the written or code portion
to do so; and to defer testing for the other part of the
exam for up to 365 days.
Candidates who claim credit for one or more
elements must present the actual evidence to validate
the claim. If the candidate cannot produce the actual
license and/or CSCE for element credit, he may still
test, but upon passing he can only be issued a CSCE
that indicates element credit only even if passing the
element(s) would normally result in an upgrade. In
nearly all cases, however, the delay is a short one and
the needed information easily collected and verified.
When issuing the CSCE for element credit only
(when an upgrade is otherwise earned), send the VEC
the photocopies of the candidate's materials that could
not be verified; we will do the necessary detective
work. Also fill out and sign a second CSCE; this one
should indicate the upgrade that was earned. Send that
second CSCE (white and pink copies) to us as well; so
that if and when we verify the candidate's information,
we will put the second white copy of the CSCE (for
upgrade) in the mail to the candidate.
If the candidate cannot provide the ARRL/VEC
office with the required evidence of license and/or
element credit, we cannot send the application to the
FCC for processing and no license will be issued. Form
610 applications can be submitted to the FCC only
when "all the pieces" are gathered.
Novice Element Credit. Although the FCC did not
intend for Novice elements to be administered under
the VEC program, Novices were not left out of the
testing picture. When the FCC authorized written
element credit in 1987, they also announced that a
photocopy of a completed and signed Form 610 for
Novice license would be acceptable as proof of the
candidate's having passed Elements 1A and 2 (Section
97.505{a}{3}).
Should an unlicensed individual apply for the
Technician but qualify only for Novice, issue him a
CSCE that indicates credit for Elements 1A and 2. If
he doesn't earn the Novice, issue the CSCE for credit
for the element(s) that he or she passed.
As mentioned earlier, all three administering VEs
must sign the CSCE for it to be valid. The candidate
can take this CSCE to other VEC-coordinated sessions
and be granted credit for those elements (for up to 365
days).
Also, you must submit the application for Novice
(Elements 1A and 2 only!) directly to the FCC in
Gettysburg. More on this later.
Morse code exempted CSCEs. Those candidates who
present a correctly-completed Physician's Certification
of Disability and Patient's Release form who already
hold (or have earned) the necessary written element
credit(s) toward the upgrade they are seeking--and who
have met the FCC's initial 5 WPM minimum Morse
code requirement--will be issued a CSCE indicating
Element 1C Handicap Credit (or Physician's Cert. and
Release: 1C) and the upgrade earned (see example
CSCE in this chapter).
After the Session. Once the candidates have all left
the test site, the VE Team must summarize the session
statistically for three important purposes: 1) to ensure
that the candidates returned all test materials; 2) to
double check that all CSCEs and 610s have been
looked over and signed; and 3) to report the results to
the VEC office.
Complete both sides of the green Test Session Report.
The ARRL/VEC sends the summarized information
contained on the Test Session Report to the FCC when
the 610s for upgrades from the session are submitted
for processing.
When packing the session's results to be sent to the
VEC office, please keep each candidate's 610 form,
license copy, CSCE copy and test materials (both
passed and failed) together. We recommend the
following order for arranging packages: Pink CSCE
carbon atop; then 610 face up (with license copy and
any other attachments {Physician's Certifications, etc.}
attached to the back; then CSCE copies, if any; then,
lastly, all examination documents (test booklet, answer
sheets, code copy sheets) in ascending order by
element.
Return all used examination materials (copy sheets,
answer sheets, written-in/on test booklets, mistakenly
completed CSCEs or 610s, failed 610s, etc.) to the VEC
with the completed test-session package--within 10 days
of the examination. This helps when we cross-check
each person's test papers against the Candidate Roster.
Sample VE Test Session Documents - 610s and CSCEs
Also, placing both the examination's Test Session Report
and the Candidate Roster together with the code test
tapes and any checks and/or money orders all on the
top of the used (and unused if not a stocked team)
materials IS A REAL BIG HELP! Then put the
materials into the overnight express-mailing
envelope provided. Non-stocked teams should use
the large white "Tyvek" envelope for the return of
unused materials, only!
When using the express-mailer envelopes and
address labels (airbills), or white tyveks and
ARRL/VEC Business Reply Label, peel off the backing
from the address labels and affix them to the front of
the envelope.
The package can now be sent off to the ARRL/VEC.
When using the white tyvek envelope to return
completed examinations (no longer recommended), it
is wise to have the package's mailing label hand--
canceled at the post office.
We highly recommend that you do use the overnight
express packaging that we've provided to you. These
services, provided by USPS Express Mail, UPS, Federal
Express and other services, provide a
guaranteed/tracked overnight delivery of your
important test-session package to us. Too many test
session packages have been lost in the mail over the
past several years; and recreating dozens of 610s plus
obtaining four times as many VE and applicant
signatures, is no small task. More on express services
follows.
Occasionally, materials from a test session have
taken an unusually long time to get back to the VEC
office. If the FCC doesn't realize that the package was
held up in the mails, they will decide that the materials
were mailed late, and they could decide to invalidate
the session! By having the package handstamped, or by
using an overnight express delivery service, the
postmark (receipt date) on the package could then be
given to the FCC as proof that the session materials
were mailed on time.
Express Mailing Services.
We've taken steps to ensure that your completed test
sessions are delivered to the ARRL/VEC without
failure. This is being done through the use of overnight
express-mailing services.
To guarantee that we receive your packages, and to
reduce the time required to send applications to the
FCC, the following services are available to you.
In making the most effective use of them, we
recommend that you process your sessions at your
earliest convenience.
Which Service Is Right For My Team? You will
have the option to use an Express Service which is the
most convenient for you to return your completed
sessions. The options are: US Postal Service Express
Mail or UPS (which are quite cost-effective express
methods), or Federal Express, or AirBorne Express--all
being prepaid express methods of returning your
packages to us at the ARRL/VEC.
Again, everything is postage-paid using our
established accounts.
* For US Postal Service Express Mail, simply affix the
air-bill label to the Express Mail envelope and present it at
any post office, or place it in a convenient nearby Express
Mail drop box, or simply hand it to your postal carrier. The
package will be post-paid--billed to our ARRL/VEC
Corporate Account Number: X61-617.
* For UPS, using their Next Day Air Letter Pak, place the
UPS Air Bill (ASD Form) on their letter pack and then
present it at the local UPS drop point you normally use. Bill
to BIN Account Number: 370-251-6775. Be aware that not
all package drop (or mail-it franchises) can handle the BIN
account. We recommend you use a UPS Drop Box, an
actual UPS Company Pickup or any UPS Service Desk.
* For Federal Express, packages may be returned to us
by simply affixing the generic ARRL/VEC Address Label to
the generic Tyvek envelope provided; then dropping the
package at your nearest Federal Express service location.
Specifying billing of the charges to the recipient at FED-X
Account Number: 149-358-838.
* For AirBorne Express, packages may be returned to
us by affixing AirBorne Express airbill to your package and
presenting the package to any AirBorne Express courier, or
service center; or call AirBorne Express for a special pickup
at your convenience. Specifying billing of the charges to the
recipient at Account Number: 63-758-172.
If you do use an express courier, please note:
* USED MATERIALS (610s, exams, etc.); please
return all used materials from the session using the
express service.
* Unused Materials (unused exam booklets, etc.);
please return all unused materials in a separate
envelope using the First-Class Mail Business Reply
Label we've provided.
AirBorne Express is by far the most cost-effective
service available to us. In fact, our daily FCC packages
are sent using AirBorne Express. The US Postal
Service Express Mail and UPS appear to the next best,
and perhaps the more convenient, express services for
you.
Just let us know which service is the most convenient
for you and we will arrange to send you special airbills
and envelopes for that service.
Reporting to the VEC. A VE Team shall submit all
applications for successful (upgrading) candidates plus
all test papers for Technician and higher licenses to the
coordinating VEC within ten calendar days following
the date of the session (Section 97.511{f}). Even for
the larger test sessions, like the Dayton HamVention or
the Fort Tuthill Hamfest in Arizona, this is normally
ample time for the VEs to process the session's records
and put them in the mail.
If your team cannot mail the materials within 10
days, let us know immediately so that we can still
report the session to the FCC. Again, if they decide
that the session was reported late--and therefore in
non-compliance with Part 97 regulations--they could
decide to invalidate the 610 applications.
The best time to go over the session's materials is
right after the session is completed: most of the
session's events will still be fresh in your mind; most (if
not all) of the VEs will still be available to sign 610s
that were overlooked. In addition, newly upgraded
candidates can sometimes be found on local repeaters
using their brand new privileges.
Many VEs choose to wait a day or so before tackling
the post-session check-out. The main advantage to this
is that it allows the VEs time to relax from the now--
completed session.
Don't shortchange yourself or your upgrading
candidates by putting off the review of the materials for
too long. Deadlines are notorious for sneaking up
faster than expected.
It's a Big Project
After having worked at least one session, you'll know
first hand that there is nothing difficult about being a
VE--unless the details are not checked--and there seem
to be a million of them! Although we at the
ARRL/VEC office have visited many test sessions
(including several coordinated by other VECs),
describing how to run a session cannot be substituted
for actually being there and doing it. Thus, we'll repeat
once again--we can't urge this too strongly--work with
an experienced team for your first session or two. The
experience will be worth a dozen readings of this
manual.
This chapter has provided you with the basic tools
you need to be a good examiner. Let us know if there
is an area in this overview that needs enhancing. We
want to help other VEs understand that we're all part
of this big project, but it really is simple!
Chapter 7
Special Situations
How'd That Happen?
ith any VE session, there will always be the chance
(experienced VEs would say, "the likelihood") that
something will happen that is out of the ordinary.
In this chapter, we will discuss a variety of possible
events.
Late Starts. Start the session on time, if at all
possible. The decision to accept latecomers is strictly up
to the VE Team; candidates who arrive after the
appointed starting time may be refused entry if that's
what the VEs decide.
Too Many Show Up. Occasionally you may have
more candidates show up for an exam than the room
will hold. At that point, the VEs will have to decide
whether to schedule an impromptu sitting of that
session at a later hour (with versions different from
those used at the first session) or to turn away
candidates even if adequate test materials are on hand.
At any VEC-coordinated session, the number of candi-
dates may be limited (Section 97.511{d}).
If you've run short of 610s, be aware that the FCC
will not accept photocopied 610s on white paper. Since
both 610s, and ARRL/VEC CSCEs, cannot be
photocopied, plan to have an over-abundance of those
forms on hand.
Special Testing
A candidate who requires special testing procedures
because of a physical disability must be accommodated
(Section 97.509{h}). The rules stipulate that the VE
Team may require a Doctor's Statement indicating the
nature of any disability before determining which, if
any, accommodations must be used.
If accommodations are permitted, the VE Team
should indicate this action on the Test Session Report
form. Including the names of those non-VEs who will
read or copy the candidate's answers is also
recommended. The Doctor's Statement should be
submitted to the VEC with the candidate's test
booklets and papers which we will retain indefinitely in
our session records.
Accommodations and Morse code Exemptions.
Volunteer Examiners are allowed great flexibility in
accommodating handicapped or disabled candidates.
Many of the current accommodative procedures, which
were initially announced by the FCC on June 15, 1990
at the National VEC Conference in Gettysburg
Pennsylvania, were formalized through the adoption of
PR Docket No. 90-356 on February 14, 1991 which is
the Amendment of the Amateur Radio Service Rules
to Make the Service More Accessible to Persons with
Handicaps.
The accommodative procedures which VEs must
make available to handicapped or disabled examinees
may be used if the candidate has either a visually
identifiable handicap or if the candidate presents you
with a Doctor's Statement indicating the nature of the
claimed handicap/disability; as provided for in Section
97.509(h) of the FCC Rules. The Doctor's Statement
may suggest ways in which the examinee may be
accommodated in order to overcome the particular
handicap.
[For those individuals with severe handicaps which
may preclude them from passing the higher speed 13
or 20 WPM Morse code examinations; and if the
candidate has passed (or possesses a license conveying
credit for) a Morse code examination element (most
often Element 1A {5 WPM}); a Morse code exemption
mechanism is available from the FCC. More on this
follows in this section.]
Accommodations. Accommodative procedures must
be used when an applicant who is handicapped requires
them. The accommodations may include administering
the examination at a place and time convenient and
comfortable to the examinee, even at bedside. Other
procedures can include:
* reading or writing for those candidates who cannot
do so themselves. Even illiteracy is considered to be a
reading handicap. Other reading handicaps can be
experienced by those who are very young (who may not
yet be old enough to read or understand certain words,
or sentence structure), or the elderly whose eye sight
may be failing. Enlarging materials to two or three
times their normal size will sometimes be effective.
Writing handicaps may also effect the very young or
elderly;
* varying the volume, audio frequency or speed
(more on this to follow) of Morse code examination
texts will often accommodate those with minimal
hearing impairments. For those with more severe
hearing impairments, use of flashing lights or vibrating
surface (tactile pad, feeling the surface of a speaker,
etc.,) are often used in lieu of hearing;
* pausing the examination message, where
warranted, may be a very successful accommodative
procedure to overcome candidates ability to write
quickly, or to respond quickly. The pauses may be
included after each sentence or phrase, or after each
word, or even after each character to allow the
examinee the time to write, absorb and/or interpret
what was sent. The decision as to the level of pausing
which is warranted is determined by the VE Team in
conjunction with input from the candidate or the
candidates Doctor's Statement. The level of
accommodation should be the least necessary to
overcome the candidates handicap.
* a sending test may be substituted for a receiving
test for handicapped candidates where the examinee's
particular handicap precludes a receiving test.
In the case of the character-by-character
examination, you may administer a standard 5-minute
QSO Format with a 10-question fill-in-the-blank or
multiple-choice examination (obviously this exam could
take close to three times as long), or you may
administer a character receiving (or sending)
examination which includes all the characters of the
alphabet, all numbers -9, the period, comma, question
mark, slant mark (/), and prosigns , and .
For a character-by-character examination, a grade of
70 percent or more correct characters can be
considered passing.
If you require text for use in a sending test please let
us know. The applicant may use a key, keyer or other
similar device, to send the required text.
In most cases, the above flexibility will allow
handicapped candidates to pass the Morse code
examination on their own.
If the candidate does not have a readily identifiable
handicap/disability, or if the candidate does not provide
a Doctor's Statement describing the handicap/disability
that he/she suffers from, you are not to offer the more
flexible accommodations in administering the Morse
code examination.
There is no difference in the paperwork, or in the
qualifications, of any applicant who passes the Morse code
examination using accommodative procedures. No special
notations are required on any document.
It's entirely possible that, even when using the most
extreme accommodative procedures, a candidate may
not be able to pass the Morse code examination. In
having put forth the extra effort, their should be
satisfaction in knowing that everyone tried their best.
Morse Code Exemptions. If a severely handicapped
individual obtains the necessary FCC-required
Physician's Certification of Disability and Patient's
Release form, he/she may meet the necessary
requirements in order to be exempted from the higher
speed 13 or 20 WPM Morse code examination
requirements (Section 97.505{a}{5}{i}{ii}).
To qualify for the complete exemption, individuals
must already have earned credit for (or hold a license
which includes credit for having passed) at least 5
WPM. That 5 WPM examination may be an
accommodated examination if necessary.
No specific handicap is included, or excluded, for
consideration toward the Morse code exemption. The
decision as to whether an exemption is warranted, or
not, is determined between the candidate and his/her
personal Physician (M.D. or D.O., only!).
If the candidate presents a correctly-completed
Physician's Certification of Disability and Patient's
Release form (see and Appendix) the VE Team must
accept that document as credit for Element 1C (20
WPM) in conjunction with any necessary written-
element credit(s) required for an upgrade--after
ensuring that the candidate has met the FCC's initial
Morse code requirement.
Upon acceptance of the certification form, the VEs
must issue a CSCE to the candidate indicating Element
1C Handicap Credit or Physician's Cert. and Release:
1C, and indicating any upgrade earned as a result of
receiving this credit.
A CSCE may only be issued to the Morse code
exemption applicant if an upgrade has been earned.
Unless an upgrade is earned, the Form 610 application
and Physician's Certification attachment will not be
submitted to the FCC. Therefore, in order for the
Morse code exemption to be valid, the FCC must
receive the certification form with an upgrade
application.
If a candidate seeks a Morse code exempted
upgrade, but he/she submits an incorrect--or incorrectly
completed--Physician's Certification form, the applicant
may not be given an upgrade CSCE--or a CSCE
indicating Element 1C (Physician's Cert. and Release:
1C) credit. If this should happen, the VEs should
create all documents (CSCE, 610, etc.) as if the
correctly-completed Physician's Certification had been
presented. Provide the candidate with the correct fill-in-
the-blank certification form (see in Appendix), or have
the candidate or his/her Physician complete the form--if
it has been completed incorrectly, or is incomplete. If
the candidate has passed any written or Morse code
exams, be sure to issue the appropriate CSCE to the
candidate--not including the 20 WPM exemption or
resulting upgrade.
Once the session is over, be sure to have the team
complete the necessary documents as if the applicant
had submitted a correctly-completed form. Ensure that
both the CSCE and 610 form carry all three VE
signatures. Then forward those documents to us at the
ARRL/VEC for holding. In the mean time the
candidate should be working on obtaining the correctly-
completed form for submission directly to the VEC.
Morse Code Exemption Applicants Will Be Charged
Our Standard Test Fee. Regardless of whether the
applicant is required to take a written exam, or not, a
test fee will be charged to Morse code exemption
applicants ($5.40 for 1992).
As always, exemption applicants must bring any valid
original written element (or Morse code element)
CSCEs to the examination session in order to be
considered toward their desired upgrade.
Authenticity of Certifications. Although VEs
determine whether the Physician's Certification is
correctly-completed, VEs may not make any judgement
as to acceptability of the certification in the
representations made by the applicant or the Physician.
The VEs must accept the certification form, if correctly
completed, and must allow the form to be submitted to
the FCC along with the upgrade Form 610 application.
If the VE Team feels that they must share any
observations they have made regarding an applicant
with the FCC, they may do so in a separate letter
submitted along with the candidates application.
The FCC suggests that VEs and VE Teams may
choose to verify on a local level whether the Physician
does indeed exist. We at the VEC certainly do not
object to the VE Team doing so, but we are not
compelled to encourage you to do any more than is
directly required of you. This decision to do so,
however, must be yours.
Lastly, the Physician's Certification of Disability may
only be completed by Medical Doctors or Doctors of
Osteopathy. No other medical practitioners may make
the necessary certification.
Procedures for Testing the Physically Disabled
In addition to the accommodative procedures
discussed above, the following information provided by
the Courage HANDI-HAM System will assist you in
providing examinations to the handicapped or disabled.
If you have any question about testing the physically
disabled, and if they are not answered herein, please
call us at the ARRL/VEC. If we do not have the
answer when you call, we will discuss your question
with the staff of the Courage HANDI-HAM System
and get you an answer as soon as possible. If you
would like more information regarding the Courage
HANDI-HAM System, you may contact them at: 3915
Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN 55422. Or
call (612) 520-0520.
Visually Impaired. The major modification needed
for testing the visually impaired is that the tests should
be given orally by reading the exam questions and
multiple choice distractors to the candidate and then
writing the candidate's verbal response on the answer
sheet. Be sure that the reader is familiar with the
correct pronunciation of amateur terms. If the
candidate would rather read the examination in Braille,
the ARRL/VEC is working with Handi-Hams to
provide this opportunity. Check with the ARRL/VEC
for availability.
When testing a visually impaired candidate for
proficiency in Morse code, simply have him or her
dictate what has been copied either letter-by-letter,
word-for-word, or by stopping the tape at intervals as
described above. Some candidates may choose to type
their copy.
Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is a disability with
extreme variations ranging from quadriplegia (paralysis
of all limbs) and no speech communication, to a slight
limp. Persons who are unable to speak or have a
slowed speech often need to find other means by which
to dictate information to the VEs. The use of devices
such as word boards, large cards with the individual
multiple choice letters printed on them so they can be
pointed at by the candidate, and the typewriter
keyboard which can be activated by head wand or
mouth stick are some common alternatives to oral
communication.
Multiple Sclerosis. Like Cerebral Palsy, Multiple
Sclerosis has many variations depending upon which
part of the body is affected. Their ability to read or
write will vary depending on the extent of disability.
The primary difficulty for most M.S. candidates will be
fatigue. Because of medication needs and fatigue, the
time of the day which the individual is most alert is the
best time for him or her to be tested. For this reason,
home testing or special arrangements are sometimes
appropriate for persons with M.S.
Muscular Dystrophy. Test candidates having
Muscular Dystrophy experience muscle weakness and
fatigue. They are generally able to read and write their
own exams. Occasionally Morse code exams may need
to be given orally, as is done for sight impaired
candidates, if the candidate is physically not able to
write fast enough. However, this is not usually needed
unless the candidate has serious physical limitations.
Persons with Muscular Dystrophy may find home
testing or special arrangements by VE Teams
necessary, depending on the level of muscular
weakness.
Arthritis. Because of the difficulties some candidates
have with sitting in one position for long periods, VEs
need to keep in mind in working with severe arthritics
that they need to allow breaks in the test session so
that the candidate(s) may stretch or move around. This
should be done at a convenient time between exam
elements. Candidates with arthritic discomfort may find
that, depending on which Morse code element is
administered, writing the code at the faster speeds is
difficult and may ask to take the exam orally.
Hearing Impaired. These candidates will not require
any special assistance in taking the written exams
(unless they are also Visually Disabled). Since hearing
impairments can vary from absolute deafness to only a
limited degree of tonal deafness, it may be difficult to
administer the Morse code examination with candidates
who do not have a hearing impairment. To administer
the code examination to a candidate with limited
hearing impairment, simply vary the volume and/or
tone frequency to those which they can hear. If special
frequency tapes are needed (for any tone frequency
other than 720-750 Hz {ARRL/VEC tapes are
generated at 716 Hz}), the Team Liaison should
request them--indicating the specified frequency--when
registering the session. If amplification is not feasible,
the use of a transducer (usually supplied by the
candidate), which allows the candidate to feel the code,
is a possible alternative (a large woofer speaker with a
LOT of base response has worked in the past). Some
persons have also used the flashing light method, but
generally this only works at the slowest Morse code
speed of 5 WPM, or in exceptional cases 13 WPM.
Heart Defects. Persons with serious heart defects
may find travel to exam sites too strenuous. Though
they will probably not have other special requirements,
arranging to hold the exam session in the home is often
necessary.
Spinal Cord Injury. Persons who have spinal cord
injury usually experience paralysis to some degree. For
the candidate who is able to use his or her hands
effectively enough to write, no modification is necessary
other than the site being accessible to wheelchair
applicants. For the candidate who is quadriplegic (no
use of hands or feet) and is unable to write, it is neces-
sary for him or her to read the exam (it does not need
to be read to them) and let him or her dictate the
answers. Likewise, the Morse code exam can be given
orally or can be typed on a keyboard with the use of a
head wand or mouth stick.
Stroke. Persons who have suffered one or more
strokes may require someone to write the test answers
for them because they may suffer from partial paralysis.
Also, if aphasia (loss or impairment of the ability to use
words) is a problem, VEs may sometimes need to have
the candidate both say and physically point at the
answer for a particular question. Likewise, if their
speech is impaired, to indicate that they are
comprehending Morse code text as it is being sent, the
candidate may indicate the Morse code characters by
pointing to them on an alphabet board as they are
being sent.
Epilepsy. Some epileptic seizure activity can be trig-
gered through anxiety and nervousness. Therefore,
keeping a relaxed and calm environment during the
test session, without undue waiting to take the exams,
is important. Also, if the candidates adjust the
medication taken, through consultation with their
physician, they can control the anxiety and/or
nervousness. Testing epileptic candidates in their homes
to keep down stress is sometimes necessary.
Please keep in mind that each candidate's situation
is different and these are only general guidelines. In all
cases, keeping the test session as non-stressful as
possible will result in the best performance by the
candidate and makes the examination process easier
for everyone.
Travel to Remote Test Sites. With over 16,000 VEs
accredited in the ARRL/VEC program, most areas
throughout the country now have their own testing
teams. VEs are not expected to travel extensively to
conduct test sessions.
The ARRL/VEC staff can usually locate an
additional VE, frequently close to the test site, for a
VE Team that needs a third member. Should a VE be
requested to travel over an extended distance, VE
Teams can provide expense relief to that VE in the
form of mileage reimbursement or expense
reimbursement.
Late or Missing Materials. We normally ship our
materials to our VE Teams by United Parcel Service
(UPS) Brown Label (ground service which has a
guaranteed delivery time of 21 working days {M-F}).
This usually takes one to three weeks to be delivered
to the VE Team Liaison.
If the VE Team notified the ARRL/VEC with
adequate lead time and if the materials have not been
received by the VE Team Liaison five business days
before the session, or if materials for additional
applicants are needed, contact the ARRL/VEC
immediately by telephone at 1-800-927-7583 so we can
correct the problem quickly. We cannot guarantee
delivery, however, if we are given less than 24 hours
notice. (Note, also, that some areas are too far away
from courier offices to even guarantee overnight
delivery!)
Special Test Materials
Code Tests. One of the more common hearing
impairments is the ability to hear only a limited range
of audio frequencies.
The ARRL/VEC can, on request, produce code tests
using any audio frequency pitch above 40 Hz. Candi-
dates who can hear only a limited band of audio fre-
quencies should notify the VE Team well in advance of
the desired session so that proper accommodations can
be made.
The VE Team will need to determine what the cand-
idate's approximate audio range is. When notifying us
that a special tape is needed, please specify the specific
frequency required. Telling us that a "low" or "high"
pitch is needed probably won't be accurate enough,
because the candidate may have a different opinion as
to what "low" or "high" means.
Audio Distribution. Many VEs have expressed their
desire to provide headphones to applicants taking code
tests so that others who are taking written exams are
not unnecessarily distracted. A simple solution used by
several VE teams is to wire up a string of four to six
phono plugs, depending on the number of headphones
to be used, and plug them into the headphones jack on
the tape player. Because the impedance of the string of
headphones will be higher than that for one set, the
volume may have to be turned up somewhat so the
applicants can hear adequately.
Written Exams. At this time, we are preparing
written exams in Braille for each element. These will
soon be available to teams on a one-to-one, as-needed
basis. Applicants who will be using these versions of the
exams will not be subject to providing the physician's
statement required by Section 97.509(h) for special
testing procedures.
Disagreements
Debate About a Test Question. While the FCC
recognizes that the VEs are responsible for determining
the correctness of the answers, the ARRL/VEC's policy
is such that the examiners are to grade all exams using
the answer keys that are provided with the test
materials. This way, examiners are not directly held
responsible for providing the decision.
Usually, a candidate who fails an element will not
make an issue of it. A rare exception, for example,
would be if someone who misses 14 on a 50-question
written test. If a candidate fails but sincerely believes
that he or she really passed, either the VE Team or the
candidate may request that the VEC office review the
failed exam element.
Should we determine that the candidate failed
because of an error on the answer key, we will contact
the administering VE Team to inform them of the
error and request that they not only issue the candidate
the appropriate CSCE, but also complete and return
the candidate's Form 610 to us for forwarding to the
FCC if an upgrade was earned.
Important! The ARRL/VEC will not overrule a
decision that the VE Team makes. If we believe that a
candidate failed an exam element because of an error
in the administration of the exam, we will attempt to
convince the VEs to reverse their decision. We realize,
of course, that by signing either the CSCE or Form 610
application (or both), the VEs are putting their own
amateur licenses on the line by certifying to the FCC
that the candidate earned the appropriate element and
upgrade credit. We will not force VEs to jeopardize
their licenses if they really don't believe the candidate
earned a passing grade.
Anything Overlooked?
We know that in every program there is no way to
cover all the special situations that may arise at test
sessions. The VE Program is no different. But we have
tried to cover the more common ones in this chapter.
If you know of some unique occurrence that should
have been discussed in this chapter but was not, please
let us know. We do want to hear about it.
And Finally...
The purpose of this sixth edition of the VE Manual
is to prepare you, as an examiner, with or without
experience in the examining field, for handling a task
that is very simple, yet requires great attention to
detail.
As this is written, the ARRL/VEC has been in full
operation as a coordinating body for more than seven
years. In that time, more than 16,000 sessions have
been held under the League's VEC banner. Out of
those sessions have come more than 105,000 upgrades,
and this number does not include the thousands of
Novices who have earned their initial tickets at our
sessions.
So please excuse the trumpets blaring and flags
waving in the background, but you, the VE, are the key
to both the past and future success of the ARRL/VEC.
Without the support of the thousands of examiners who
volunteered their time and efforts to run the program,
the ARRL/VEC would not be enjoying the great
success that it does today.
To you, the VE, we just want to say...
THANKS !!
Appendices
Appendix A - Blank VEC Forms
Appendix B - Excerpted from FCC Rules and Regulations
97.5 Station license required.
(a) When a station is transmitting on any amateur
service frequency from a geographic location within 50
km of the Earth's surface where the amateur service is
regulated by the FCC, the person having physical
control of the apparatus must hold an FCC-issued
written authorization for an amateur station.
(b) When a station is transmitting on any amateur
service frequency from a location within 50 km of the
Earth's surface and aboard any vessel or craft that is
documented or registered in the United States, the
person having physical control of the apparatus must
hold an FCC-issued written authorization for an
amateur station.
(c) When a station is transmitting on any amateur-
satellite service frequency from a location more than 50
km above the Earth's surface aboard any craft that is
documented or registered in the United States, the
person having physical control of the apparatus must
hold an FCC-issued written authorization for an
amateur station.
(d) The types of written authorizations that permit
amateur station operation where the amateur service is
regulated by the FCC are:
(1) An operator/primary station license (FCC Form
660) issued to the person by the FCC. A primary
station license is issued only to a person, together with
an operator license on the same document. Every
amateur operator licensed by the FCC must have one,
but only one, primary station license. Except a
representative of a foreign government, any person
who qualifies by examination is eligible to apply for an
operator/primary station license.
(2) A club station license (FCC Form 660) issued
to the person by the FCC. A club station license is
issued only to the person who is the license trustee
designated by an officer of the club. The trustee must
hold an FCC-issued Amateur Extra, Advanced,
General, or Technician operator license. The club
must be composed of at least two persons and must
have a name, a document of organization, management
and a primary purpose devoted to amateur service
activities consistent with this Part.
(3) A military recreation station license (FCC Form
660) issued to the person by the FCC. A military
recreation station license is issued only to the person
who is the license custodian designated by the official
in charge of the United States military recreational
premises where the station is situated. The custodian
must not be a representative of a foreign government.
The custodian need not hold an amateur operator
license.
(4) A RACES station license (FCC Form 660)
issued to the person by the FCC. A RACES station
license is issued only to the person who is the license
custodian designated by the official responsible for the
governmental agency served by that civil defense
organization. The custodian must not be a
representative of a foreign government. The custodian
must be the civil defense official responsible for
coordination of all civil defense activities in the area
concerned. The custodian need not hold an amateur
operator license.
(5) A reciprocal permit for alien amateur licensee
(FCC Form 610-AL) issued to the person by the FCC.
A reciprocal permit for alien amateur licensee is issued
only to a person who is a citizen of a country with
which the United States has arrangements to grant
reciprocal operating permits to visiting alien amateur
operators. The person must be a citizen of the same
country that issued the amateur service license. No
person who is a citizen of the United States, regardless
of any other citizenship also held, is eligible for a
reciprocal permit for alien amateur licensee. No
person holding an FCC-issued amateur service license
will be issued a reciprocal permit for alien amateur
licensee.
(6) An amateur service license issued to the person
by the Government of Canada. The person must be a
Canadian citizen.
(e) The written authorization for an amateur station
authorizes the use in accordance with the FCC Rules
of all transmitting apparatus under the physical control
of the station licensee at points where the amateur
service is regulated by the FCC. The original written
authorization document or a photocopy thereof must
be retained at the station.
97.9 Operator license.
(a) There are 5 classes of operator licenses: Novice,
Technician, General, Advanced and Amateur Extra.
An operator license authorizes the holder to be the
control operator of a station with the privileges of the
operator class specified on the license. The license
document or a photocopy thereof must be in the
personal possession of the licensee at all times when
the person is the control operator of a station.
(b) A person holding a Novice, Technician, General,
or Advanced Class operator license who has properly
filed with the FCC an application for a higher operator
class which has not yet been acted upon, and who holds
a CSCE indicating that the person completed the
necessary examinations within the previous 365 days is
authorized to exercise the rights and privileges of the
higher operator class.
97.13 Restrictions on station locations.
(a) Before placing an amateur station on land of
environmental importance or that is significant in
American history, architecture or culture, the licensee
may be required to take certain actions prescribed by
1.1301-1.1319 of the FCC Rules.
(b) A station within 1600 m (1 mile) of an FCC
monitoring facility must protect that facility from
harmful interference. Failure to do so could result in
imposition of operating restrictions upon the amateur
station by an EIC pursuant to 97.121 of this Part.
Geographical coordinates of the facilities that require
protection are listed in 0.121(c) of the FCC Rules.
97.17 Application for new license.
(a) Any qualified person is eligible to apply for an
amateur service license.
(b) Each application for a new operator/primary
station license must be made on FCC Form 610. Each
application for a reciprocal permit for alien amateur
licensee must be made on FCC Form 610-A. No new
license for a club, military recreation, or RACES
station will be issued.
(c) Each application for a new operator/primary
station license and each application involving a change
in operator class must be submitted to the VEs
administering the qualifying examination.
(d) Any qualified person is eligible to apply for a
reciprocal permit for alien amateur licensee. The
application must be submitted to the FCC, P.O. Box
1020, Gettysburg, PA 17326.
(e) No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain, or
assist another person to obtain or attempt to obtain, an
operator license or reciprocal permit for alien amateur
licensee by fraudulent means.
(f) A call sign will be assigned systematically to each
station. The FCC will issue public announcements
detailing the policies and procedures of the call sign
assignment system. The FCC will not grant any request
for a specific call sign.
97.19 Application for a renewed or modified license.
(a) Each application for a renewed or modified
operator/primary station license must be made on FCC
Form 610. Each application for a renewed or modified
club, military recreation or RACES station license must
be made on FCC Form 610-B. A reciprocal permit for
alien amateur licensee is not renewable. A new
reciprocal permit may be issued upon proper
application.
(b) Each application for a renewed or modified
amateur service license must be accompanied by a
photocopy of the license document or the original
document, unless it has been lost, mutilated or
destroyed. Each application for a modified operator
license involving a change in operator class must be
submitted to the VEs administering the qualifying
examination. All other applications must be submitted
to: FCC, P.O. Box 1020, Gettysburg, PA 17326.
(c) When the licensee has submitted a timely
application for renewal of an unexpired license
(between 60 and 90 days prior to the end of the license
term is recommended), the licensee may continue to
operate until the disposition of the application has
been determined. If a license expires, application for
renewal may be made during a grace period of 2 years
after the expiration date. During this grace period, the
expired license is not valid. A license renewed during
the grace period must be dated as of the date of the
renewal.
97.21 Mailing address and station location.
Each application for an amateur service license and
each application for a reciprocal permit for alien
amateur licensee must show a mailing address and a
station location (the addresses may be the same) in an
area where the amateur service is regulated by the
FCC. The mailing address must be one where the
licensee can receive mail delivery by the United States
Postal Service. The station location must be a place
where a station can be physically located. (A post
office box whether provided by the United States
Postal Service or by any other party, a rural or highway
contract route designation and box number, and
general delivery are unsuitable as a station location.)
97.23 License term.
(a) An amateur service license is normally issued for
a 10-year term.
(b) A reciprocal permit for alien amateur licensee is
normally issued for a 1-year term.
97.25 FCC modification of station license.
(a) The FCC may modify a station license, either for
a limited time or for the duration of the term thereof,
if it determines:
(1) That such action will promote the public
interest, convenience and necessity; or
(2) That such action will promote fuller compliance
with the provisions of the Communications Act of 1934,
as amended, or of any treaty ratified by the United
States.
(b) When the FCC makes such a determination, it
will issue an order of modification. The order will not
become final until the licensee is notified in writing of
the proposed action and the grounds and reasons
therefor. The licensee will be given reasonable
opportunity of no less than 30 days to protest the
modification; except that, where safety of life or
property is involved, a shorter period of notice may be
provided. Any protest by a licensee of an FCC order
of modification will be handled in accordance with the
provisions of 47 U.S.C. 316.
97.27 Replacement license.
Each licensee or permittee whose original document
is lost, mutilated or destroyed must request a
replacement. The request must be made to: FCC, P.O.
Box 1020, Gettysburg, PA 17326. A statement of how
the document was lost, mutilated or destroyed must be
attached to the request. A replacement license must
bear the same expiration date as the license that it
replaces.
97.501 Qualifying for an amateur operator license.
An applicant must pass an examination for the
issuance of a new amateur operator license and for
each change in operator class. Each applicant for the
class of operator license specified below must pass, or
otherwise receive examination credit for, the following
examination elements:
(a) Amateur Extra Class operator: Elements 1(C), 2,
3(A), 3(B), 4(A), and 4(B);
(b) Advanced Class operator: Elements 1(B) or 1(C),
2, 3(A), 3(B), and 4(A);
(c) General Class operator: Elements 1(B) or 1(C), 2,
3(A), and 3(B);
(d) Technician Class operator: Elements 2 and 3A;
(e) Novice Class operator: Elements 1A or 1(B) or
1(C), and 2.
97.503 Element standards.
(a) A telegraphy examination must be sufficient to
prove that the examinee has the ability to send
correctly by hand and to receive correctly by ear texts
in the international Morse code at not less than the
prescribed speed, using all the letters of the alphabet,
numerals 0-9, period, comma, question mark, slant
mark and prosigns ar, bt and sk.
(1) Element 1(A): 5 words per minute;
(2) Element 1(B): 13 words per minute;
(3) Element 1(C): 20 words per minute.
(b) A written examination must be such as to prove
that the examinee possesses the operational and
technical qualifications required to perform properly
the duties of an amateur service licensee. Each written
examination must be comprised of a question set as
follows:
(1) Element 2: 30 questions concerning the
privileges of a Novice Class operator license. The
minimum passing score is 22 questions answered
correctly.
(2) Element 3(A): 25 questions concerning the
additional privileges of a Technician Class operator
license. The minimum passing score is 19 questions
answered correctly.
(3) Element 3(B): 25 questions concerning the
additional privileges of a General Class operator
license. The minimum passing score is 19 questions
answered correctly.
(4) Element 4(A): 50 questions concerning the
additional privileges of an Advanced Class operator
license. The minimum passing score is 37 questions
answered correctly.
(5) Element 4(B): 40 questions concerning the
additional privileges of an Amateur Extra Class
operator license. The minimum passing score is 30
questions answered correctly.
(c) The topics and number of questions required in
each question set are listed below for the appropriate
examination element:
Topics Element: 2 3(A) 3(B) 4(A) 4(B)
(1) FCC rules for the amateur services 10 5 4 6 8
(2) Amateur station operating procedures 2 3 3 1 4
(3) Radio wave propagation characteristics
of amateur service frequency bands 1 3 3 2 2
(4) Amateur radio practices 4 4 5 4 4
(5) Electrical principles as applied to
amateur station equipment 4 2 2 10 6
(6) Amateur station equipment circuit
components 2 2 1 6 4
(7) Practical circuits employed in amateur
station equipment 2 1 1 10 4
(8) Signals and emissions transmitted by
amateur stations 2 2 2 6 4
(9) Amateur station antennas and feed lines 3 3 4 5 4
97.505 Element credit.
(a) The administering VEs must give credit as
specified below to an examinee holding any of the
following documents:
(1) An unexpired (or within the grace period) FCC-
issued amateur operator license: The least elements
required for the license held. For a Technician Class
operator license issued before March 21, 1987, credit
must also be given for Element 3(B).
(2) A CSCE: Each element the CSCE indicates the
examinee passed within the previous 365 days.
(3) A photocopy of a FCC Form 610 which was
submitted to the FCC indicating the examinee qualified
for a Novice Class operator license within the previous
365 days: Elements 1(A) and 2.
(4) An unexpired (or expired less than 5 years)
FCC-issued commercial radio-telegraph operator
license or permit: Element 1(C).
(5) A current, or expired but within the grace
period for renewal, Novice, Technician plus a CSCE
indicating that the person passed Element 1(A) or
1(B). Technician issued before February 14, 1991.
General, or Advanced Class operator license, and a
Form 610 containing:
(i) A physician's certification stating that because
the person is an individual with a severe handicap, the
duration of which extends for more than 365 days
beyond the date of certification, the person is unable to
pass a 13 or 20 words per minute telegraphy
examination; and
(ii) A release signed by the person permitting
disclosure to the FCC of medical information
pertaining to the person's handicap: Element 1(C).
(b) No examination credit, except as herein provided,
shall be allowed on the basis of holding or having held
any other license.
97.507 Preparing an examination.
(a) Each telegraphy message and each written
question set administered to an examinee must be
prepared by a VE holding an FCC-issued Amateur
Extra Class license. A telegraphy message or written
question set, however, may also be prepared for the
following elements by a VE holding an FCC-issued
operator license of the Class indicated:
(1) Element 3(B): Advanced Class operator.
(2) Elements 1(A) and 3(A): Advanced or General
Class operator.
(3) Element 2: Advanced, General or Technician
Class operator.
(b) Each question set administered to an examinee
must utilize questions taken from the applicable
question pool.
(c) Each telegraphy message and each written
question set administered to an examinee for a
Technician, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra
Class operator license must be prepared, or obtained
from a supplier, by the administering VEs according to
instructions from the coordinating VEC.
(d) The preparation of each telegraphy message and
each written question set administered to an examinee
for a Novice Class operator license is the responsibility
of the administering VEs. The telegraphy message and
written question set may be obtained by the
administering VEs from a supplier.
(e) A telegraphy examination must consist of a
message sent in the international Morse code at no less
than the prescribed speed for a minimum of 5 minutes.
The message must contain each required telegraphy
character at least once. No message known to the
examinee may be administered in a telegraphy
examination. Each 5 letters of the alphabet must be
counted as 1 word. Each numeral, punctuation mark
and prosign must be counted as 2 letters of the
alphabet.
97.509 Administering an examination.
(a) Each examination for an amateur operator license
must be administered at a location and a time specified
by the administering VEs. Each administering VE
must be present and observe the examinee throughout
the entire examination. The administering VEs are
responsible for the proper conduct and necessary
supervision of each examination. The administering
VEs must immediately terminate the examination upon
failure of the examinee to comply with their
instructions.
(b) Each examinee must comply with the instructions
given by the administering VEs.
(c) No examination that has been compromised shall
be administered to any examinee. Neither the same
telegraphy message nor the same question set may be
readministered to the same examinee.
(d) Passing a telegraphy receiving examination is
adequate proof of an examinee's ability to both send
and receive telegraphy. The administering VEs,
however, may also include a sending segment in a
telegraphy examination.
(e) Upon completion of each examination element,
the administering VEs must immediately grade the
examinee's answers. The administering VEs are
responsible for determining the correctness of the
examinee's answers.
(f) When the examinee is credited for all examination
elements required for the operator license sought, the
administering VEs must certify on the examinee's
application form that the applicant is qualified for the
license and report the basis for the qualification.
(g) When the examinee does not score a passing
grade on an examination element, the administering
VEs must return the application form to the examinee
and inform the examinee of the grade.
(h) The administering VEs must accommodate an
examinee whose physical disabilities require a special
examination procedure. The administering VEs may
require a physician's certification indicating the nature
of the disability before determining which, if any,
special procedures must be used.
(i) The FCC may:
(1) Administer any examination element itself;
(2) Readminister any examination element
previously administered by VEs, either itself or under
the supervision of VEs designated by the FCC; or
(3) Cancel the operator and station licenses of any
licensee who fails to appear for readministration of an
examination when directed by the FCC, or who does
not successfully complete any required element which
is readministered. In an instance of such cancellation,
the person will be issued operator and station licenses
consistent with completed examination elements that
have not been invalidated by not appearing for, or by
failing, the examination upon readministration.
97.511 Technician, General, Advanced and Amateur
Extra Class operator license examination.
(a) Each session where an examination for a
Technician, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class
operator license is administered must be coordinated
by a VEC. Each administering VE must be accredited
by the coordinating VEC.
(b) Each examination for a Technician Class operator
license must be administered by 3 administering VEs,
each of whom must hold an FCC-issued Amateur Extra
or Advanced Class operator license.
(c) Each examination for a General, Advanced or
Amateur Extra Class operator license must be
administered by 3 administering VEs, each of whom
must hold an FCC-issued Amateur Extra Class
operator license.
(d) The administering VEs must make a public
announcement before administering an examination for
Technician, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class
operator license. The number of candidates at any
examination may be limited.
(e) The administering VEs must issue a CSCE to an
examinee who scores a passing grade on an
examination element.
(f) Within 10 days of the administration of a
successful examination for the Technician, General,
Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license, the
administering VEs must submit the application to the
coordinating VEC. If telegraphy element credit is
claimed under Section 97.505(a)(5), the physician's
certification and the patient's release on the license
application, Form 610, must be completed.
97.513 Novice Class operator license examination.
(a) Each examination for a Novice Class operator
license must be administered by 2 VEs. The VEs do
not have to be accredited by a VEC. Each
administering VE must hold a current FCC-issued
Amateur Extra, Advanced or General Class operator
license.
(b) Within 10 days of the administration of a
successful examination for a Novice Class operator
license, the administering VEs must submit the
application to: FCC, P.O. Box 1020, Gettysburg, PA
17326.
97.515 Volunteer examiner requirements.
(a) Each administering VE must be at least 18 years
of age.
(b) Any person who owns a significant interest in, or
is an employee of, any company or other entity that is
engaged in the manufacture or distribution of
equipment used in connection with amateur station
transmissions, or in the preparation or distribution of
any publication used in preparation for obtaining
amateur licenses, is ineligible to be an administering
VE. An employee who does not normally
communicate with that part of an entity engaged in the
manufacture or distribution of such equipment, or in
the preparation or distribution of any publication used
in preparation for obtaining amateur operator licenses,
is eligible to be an administering VE.
(c) No person may be a VE if that person's amateur
station license or amateur operator license has ever
been revoked or suspended.
(d) No VE may administer an examination to that
VE's spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren,
parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters,
stepbrothers, stepsisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews,
and in-laws.
97.517 Volunteer examiner conduct.
No VE may administer or certify any examination by
fraudulent means or for monetary or other
consideration including reimbursement in any amount
in excess of that permitted. Violation of this provision
may result in the revocation of the VE's amateur
station license and the suspension of the VE's amateur
operator license.
97.519 Coordinating examination sessions.
(a) A VEC must coordinate the efforts of VEs in
preparing and administering examinations.
(b) At the completion of each examination session
coordinated, the coordinating VEC must collect the
applications and test results from the administering
VEs. The coordinating VEC must screen and forward
all applications for qualified examinees within 10 days
of their receipt from the administering VEs to: FCC,
P.O. Box 1020, Gettysburg, PA 17326.
(c) Each VEC must make any examination records
available to the FCC, upon request.
97.521 VEC qualifications.
No organization may serve as a VEC unless it has
entered into a written agreement with the FCC. The
VEC must abide by the terms of the agreement. In
order to be eligible to be a VEC, the entity must:
(a) Be an organization that exists for the purpose of
furthering the amateur service;
(b) Be capable of serving as a VEC in at least the
VEC region (see Appendix 2) proposed;
(c) Agree to coordinate examinations for Technician,
General, Advanced, and Amateur Extra Class operator
licenses;
(d) Agree to assure that, for any examination, every
examinee qualified under these rules is registered
without regard to race, sex, religion, national origin or
membership (or lack thereof) in any amateur service
organization;
(e) Not be engaged in the manufacture or distribution
of equipment used in connection with amateur station
transmissions, or in the preparation or distribution of
any publication used in preparation for obtaining
amateur licenses, unless a persuasive showing is made
to the FCC that preventive measures have been taken
to preclude any possible conflict of interest.
97.523 Question pools.
All VECs must cooperate in maintaining one question
pool for each written examination element. Each
question pool must contain at least 10 times the
number of questions required for a single examination.
Each question pool must be published and made
available to the public prior to its use for making a
question set. Each question on each VEC question
pool must be prepared by a VE holding the required
FCC-issued operator license, See 97.507(a) of this
Part.
97.525 Accrediting VEs.
(a) No VEC may accredit a person as a VE if:
(1) The person does not meet minimum VE
statutory qualifications or minimum qualifications as
prescribed by this Part;
(2) The FCC does not accept the voluntary and
uncompensated services of the person;
(3) The VEC determines that the person is not
competent to perform the VE functions; or
(4) The VEC determines that questions of the
person's integrity or honesty could compromise the
examinations.
(b) Each VEC must seek a broad representation of
amateur operators to be VEs. No VEC may
discriminate in accrediting VEs on the basis of race,
sex, religion or national origin; nor on the basis of
membership (or lack thereof) in an amateur service
organization; nor on the basis of the person accepting
or declining to accept reimbursement.
96.527 Reimbursement for expenses.
(a) VEs and VECs may be reimbursed by examinees
for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in preparing,
processing, administering, or coordinating an
examination for a Technician, General, Advanced, or
Amateur Extra operator license.
(b) The maximum amount of re imbursement from
any one examinee for any one examination at a
particular session regardless of the number of
examination elements taken must not exceed that
announced by the FCC in a Public Notice. (The basis
for the maximum fee is $4.00 for 1984, adjusted
annually each January 1 thereafter for changes in the
Department of Labor Consumer Price Index.)
(c) No reimbursement may be accepted by any VE
for preparing, processing, or administering an
examination for a Novice operator license.
(d) Each VE and each VEC accepting reimbursement
must maintain records of out-of-pocket expenses and
reimbursements for each examination session. Written
certifications must be filed with the FCC each year that
all expenses for the period from January 1 to
December 31 of the preceding year for which
reimbursement was obtained were necessarily and
prudently incurred.
(e) The expense and reimbursement records must be
retained by each VE and each VEC for 3 years and be
made available to the FCC upon request.
(f) Each VE must forward the certification by January
15 of each year to the coordinating VEC for the
examinations for which reimbursement was received.
Each VEC must forward all such certifications and its
own certification to the FCC on or before January 31
of each year.
(g) Each VEC must disaccredit any VE failing to
provide the certification. The VEC must advise the
FCC on January 31 of each year of any VE that it has
disaccredited for this reason.
Appendix 2 - VEC Regions.
1. Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
2. New Jersey and New York.
3. Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland and
Pennsylvania.
4. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
5. Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico,
Oklahoma and Texas.
6. California.
7. Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,
Washington and Wyoming.
8. Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
9. Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
10. Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
11. Alaska
12. Caribbean Insular areas.
13. Hawaii and Pacific Insular areas.
*eof 13. H