ARRL-VEC Test Sessions

For More Information About ARRL-VEC Test Sessions Please Contact:

Please direct all questions regarding the Test Sessionsto:
(325) 672-8889

Ron Harden, Sr. - KB5DSL, VE Liaison

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Tentative Next  ARRL-VEC TEST SESSION  in the ABILENE, TEXAS area:
Saturday January 7th,2012 1:00 P.M.
Berry Lane Baptist Church     1515 Lakeside Drive
(Between Maple St. & Oldham Lane in SE Abilene)

Tentative  ARRL-VEC TEST SESSION  in the ABILENE, TEXAS area:
Saturday March 3rd, 2012 1:00 P.M.
Berry Lane Baptist Church     1515 Lakeside Drive
(Between Maple St. & Oldham Lane in SE Abilene)

Tentative  ARRL-VEC TEST SESSION  in the ABILENE, TEXAS area:
Saturday May 5th, 2012 1:00 P.M.
Berry Lane Baptist Church     1515 Lakeside Drive
(Between Maple St. & Oldham Lane in SE Abilene)

ARRL-VEC Test Sessions

Bring an official photo ID, or 2 non-photo forms of ID
(Social Security Card, birth certificate, report card, etc)
Original and 1 photocopy of any CSCE forms and FCC licenses (if applicable).

Effective 2/23/2007:
Technician, General and Extra written exams will be the ONLY exam elements offered.
Novice and Technician Question Pools were combined in 2000.
Technician class (Element 2) Pool effective July 1, 2006 valid until June 30, 2010.
New General Class Question Pool becomes effective July 1, 2007.
Advanced & Extra Class Question Pools were combined in 2000.
The current Extra Pool was updated, effective July 1, 2008.
Volunteer Examiner and Medical Waiver guideline changes have been made
(NO Medical Waivers allowed after 4/15/2000).

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How much does it cost to take a VE Test?

To take the tests for any class of amateur radio license, there is a small charge ($15.00 for 2010) to cover copying costs and running the testing sessions. The cost of a radio is really dependent on what you want to do. You can make your own radio and antenna for under $150. You can buy a used single-band radio for $150-$300. Or you can buy a new multi-band multi-mode radio with all the extra features for $300-$3000. I'd suggest you learn more about ham radio, talk to local hams, find out what you want to do with ham radio first.

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Where can I take the tests?

The Novice tests used to be given by any two qualified hams of General class license or above. Now all the license tests are given by three qualified Volunteer Examiners (VEs) who contribute their time to participate in the sessions.

The KCARC has a team of VEs that normally give tests every 8-12 weeks. Look on here for announcements of dates and locations. Call Peg - KA4UPA   325-672-8889 for information.

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What are the different US amateur classes and what can each of them do?

License Classes Effective 2/23/2007
2/23/2007 License Restructuring

2000 Amateur License Restructuring Information

Technician, General and Extra Classes retained; Morse Code at 5wpm deleted 2/23/2007.
NO "automatic" upgrades (grandfathering) granted.

Technician - has full privileges on all VHF/UHF bands above 30 MHz.

Required are 35-question Technician test.  A Technician may access the HF bands without passing a 5 wpm Morse code test.

General - has all Technician privileges, plus larger access to more HF bands, including CW and Voice on 160, 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meter bands. A General class amateur can give Technician tests.

Required are Technician and 35-question General test.

Amateur Extra - has full privileges on all amateur bands. An Extra can become a VE and give all amateur tests.

Required are Technician, General and 50-question Extra test.

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Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) forms are valid for a period of one year after you pass an examination element. If you pass the written examination for a license level, or upgrade requirement, you have 365 days to pass the Morse code portion, or vice-versa.   Once you have been issued a license as an Amateur Radio Operator, you do not have to repeat the same examinations, unless you fail to renew your license within two years after expiration of the ten year licensing period.

Under recent FCC rule revisions, you may contact the ARRL, FCC, or an electronic database of Amateur Radio licenses directly originating from the FCC's records, and go "on-the-air" before you actually receive the printed copy of your license in the mail.    This usually takes 14 days from the next business day after the test session for your new call sign to be issued and entered into the FCC's records.

Please DO NOT Call the FCC or ARRL until at least 10-14 business days have passed since the test session.

Federal Communications Commission,   Licensing Office
(800) 322-1117   M-F   8-3:30   Eastern Time

American Radio Relay League, VEC Records Division
(860) 594-0300   M-F   8-5   Eastern Time
(Callsign/License Information available M-F until 9 p.m. Eastern Time)

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Call Sign Server (updated from FCC records daily)
http://www.ualr.edu/hamradio/