ARRLWeb: VE E-Express Newsletter Winter 2005/2006

ARRL VEC · Introduction · Fact Sheet · Contact Us · Licensing and Testing · Current Test Fee · License Study Materials · Licensing Forms · License Levels and Requirements · Question Pools · Search for Classes · Test Locations · Join a Club · Exam Element Credit · Renewal · Vanity Callsigns · Club/ Military Recreation/ RACES · Special Event (1x1) Call Signs · Cancelling a License (SKs) · VE Resources · Become an ARRL VE · VE Session Counts · VE List Updates · News Briefs, Announcements, Newsletters · ARRL VEC VE Patches · VE Manual · VE Exam Win Software · Register a Test Session · Links · FCC Amateur Radio Service · FCC Commercial (non-amateur) Licenses · ARRL Call Sign Search · Other call sign servers · Additional Information · About Amateur Radio · About ARRL · Contact Us

-----Original Message-----
From: Somma, Maria, AB1FM [mailto:msomma@arrl.org]
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 1:27 PM
To: ve-list
Subject: ARRL VE update for Winter 2005/2006

The following VE E-Express Newsletter includes updates regarding the ARRL VEC test fee for 2006, the question pool schedule, and other pertinent information. Some of this material will also be appearing in the January QST Exam Info column.

As always, we are here to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us via your ARRL VE Hotline at 800-927-7583 or by e-mail at vec@arrl.org.

Test Fee: The ARRL VEC Test Fee for 2006 will remain at $14.00. The fee cannot be reduced or waived, as FCC requires VECs who charge a fee to apply it uniformly throughout the calendar year. The $14 fee is charged to anyone applying for a new amateur license or applying to upgrade their license class and operating privileges as listed on the ARRL VEC Candidate Roster. That one fee pays for one attempt at each of the four exam elements.

Applicants failing an exam element at ARRL sessions, where the team allows retesting on an exam element that was failed moments earlier, must pay a retest fee of $14 (and another Roster entry is created). Retests are only permitted if the VE team has adequate time, if the VE team has another different test version on hand (different than the test design failed that date) and assuming the applicant is willing to pay another test fee. With retests, only a single NCVEC Form 605 need be completed and signed--and only one CSCE need be completed for the applicant's activities at that test session.

Reimbursements: The maximum reimbursement the ARRL VEC allows ARRL Volunteer Examiner (VE) Teams to retain for test sessions is "up to $6.00" per exam fee collected. Only the amount needed to offset out-of-pocket expenses incurred (or to be incurred) is to be retained. As long as the expense is warranted and has been prudently incurred, the expense is specifically related to exam administration and the team keeps a complete record of the expenses paid (with receipts kept in team records for three years), then the fee can be retained.

Per the 8th Edition VE Manual, Page 27, reasonable expense examples might include: obtaining or replacing cassette or CD players (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 person) at the actual fuel cost--or at a mileage rate for 2006 of $0.445/mile, tolls, etc; and basic refreshments for the attendees of the session (not simply refreshments for the VEs only).

FCC License Renewals or Modifications (not including Vanity call sign requests): ARRL VEC will process for FREE applications from ARRL MEMBERS seeking an FCC license renewal (within the FCC's 90-day window before expiration, or up to 2 years after expiration) or address, systematic call sign or name changes. If a member of ARRL uses the test session simply as a mailing vehicle (taking no tests) there is no charge.

ARRL VEC will process for a $14 fee (fee parallels the ARRL VEC exam fee for each calendar year) applications from non-ARRL members seeking an FCC license renewal (within the FCC's 90-day window before expiration, or up to 2 years after expiration) or address, systematic call sign or name changes. If a non-member takes no tests at a test session but simply use the session as a mailing vehicle, there is a $14 processing fee. The $6 reimbursement may not be retained for these non-session related transactions. If a $39 payment is sent (annual membership term rate for under age 65), the applicant will be submitted for full ARRL membership, and the FCC application will be processed as a FREE member's-only service. For ARRL Member benefits see http://www.arrl.org/services.html.

ARRL sponsored national exam day weekends are held annually on the last full weekends of April and September. Spring national exam day weekend is April 29 -30, 2006. Fall national exam day weekend is September 23-24, 2006. We thank you for your support of these events.

The VEC invites you to take a tour of the redesigned VEC web pages.The new and improved pages are now easier to understand and navigate through, offering information and resources for VEs and candidates. As we update and refine the web site, if there is some information missing or something you would like to see included on the web site, please email your suggestions to vec@arrl.org .

If your team is using ExamWin software, please be sure that you have the latest update. Recently a number of sessions have come in to the ARRL VEC with outdated computer generated General Class Exams. The current version, ExamWin -- (vers. 1.25), was released July 2004. It can be downloaded from the VEC web site at http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examwin/ . If you will need any NCVEC Form 605s, CSCEs, other exam summary forms or code supplies to go with your ExamWin, please contact us directly.

Technician class (Element 2) Pool is due for release in January 2006 and will become effective July 1, 2006.

General class (Element 3) will be released December 1, 2006 and will become effective July 1, 2007.

The Extra class (Element 4) will be released December 1, 2007 and will become effective July 1, 2008.

New Technician Class Element 2

A revised Technician class question pool will take effect for all Element 2 Technician class license written exams on July 1, 2006. The new question pool, due for released to the public in January 2006 by the Question Pool Committee (QPC) of the National Conference of Volunteer Examiners, includes significant efforts to present the pool in a more friendly and understandable fashion for beginners while maintaining appropriate emphasis on safety, rules and operating procedures. The QPC feels it is imperative to produce a new Technician Class pool now to better position the Amateur Radio Service for growth in the years ahead.

Exams: With the Technician class exams changing July 1, 2006, new test designs must be used effective that day. ARRL VEC will be supplying all its (near 1,000) Field Stocked VE teams with new test booklets about the 3rd week in June. Current ARRL/VEC-supplied Technician class test booklets versions (2-1-2003, 2-2-2003,

2-5-2003 and 2-6-2004) are valid until June 30, 2006. In the summer of 2004 the General class pool changed. Please be sure that if your team is formally Field Stocked that you have only "2004 series" General tests in your supply of materials. Current versions of the Extra class exams are the "2002 series".

Software: The ARRL/VEC ExamWin Software will get updated too. If you use our ExamWin Software package, an ExamWin software update will be available on the web site about mid-June 2006. If you will need any NCVEC Form 605s, CSCEs, other exam summary forms or code supplies to go with your current ExamWin (vers. 1.25), please contact us at the ARRL VEC.

Please continue to send in your session dates for 2006. Remember to schedule your yearly listings [specific date(s) and location(s)] with us near the beginning of every year. Team liaisons should contact the ARRL VEC directly so that we have the most up to date information posted in our computer and on the ARRL VEC Exam Session Search page http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml.

Under normal situations, the team should try to register 3 to 4 weeks in advance of the session. This way we can make certain the materials requested reach the team in a timely and cost effective manner.

Field Stocked teams should be especially vigilant about keeping us informed of who has possession of the exam supplies. Notify us immediately when the teams Field Stock changes hands to ensure that any exam updates will be mailed to and received by the proper person. Periodically check your supplies to make sure they are current and that the quantities are sufficient.

For Field Stocked ARRL VE teams, do not return unused test supplies--keep them with your field stock. But do send back anything the applicant has written on, including any Form 605, applicant's written element answer sheet(s), code copy sheet, and the 10-question quiz used with the code test. Also send back any sheet used by the applicant during the exam for calculations or notes, etc. Send back every test document, including all passed AND failed tests. Yes, send us the failed tests! Also send us a copy of EVERY credit document the applicant presents to you seeking exam credit. Finally, each applicant's exam materials should be grouped together and then the applicants placed in candidate roster order.

For non-stocked ARRL VE teams, you must return ALL used and unused materials after each test session. This includes anything the applicant has written on, Form 605, applicant's written element answer sheet(s), code copy sheet, and the 10-question quiz used with the code test. Also send back any sheet used by the applicant during the exam for calculations or notes, etc. Send back every test document, including all passed AND failed tests. Also send us a copy of EVERY credit document the applicant presents to you seeking exam credit. Finally, each applicant's exam materials should be grouped together and then the applicants placed in candidate roster order.

Volunteer Examiner patches are available for ARRL VEs. Send a self-addressed envelope and a copy of your ARRL VE Badge with $5 to the ARRL/VEC. Additional patches can be obtained at $5 per patch. ARRL/VEC will pay the postage.

VE Newsbrief is published by the American Radio Relay League, Inc. The National Association For Amateur Radio

Email: vec@arrl.org
ARRL VEC telephone: 860-594-0300
ARRL VEC Fax: 860-594-0339
ARRL telephone: 860-594-0200

Jim Haynie, W5JBP - President
David Sumner, K1ZZ - Chief Executive Officer
Harold Kramer, WJ1B - Chief Operating Officer
Maria Somma, AB1FM - VEC Manager / Editor