After The License Exam
======================

When you're done with the exam, return the test booklet, and the answer
sheet to the VE Team. They will grade it IMMEDIATELY (or as soon as is possible), and tell you whether you have passed or failed the test...
although they can NOT tell you what to study the next time, if you failed;
nor they can they tell you which questions you missed. Once your test
booklet and answer sheet have been turned into the VE Team, you may NOT
have them back.

As noted above, there is no disgrace in failing an exam. If the VE Team
has the time and resources, and you're willing to pay an additional test
fee, they will let you retest, but with a different set of questions. Not
every ham radio operator has passed their license exam on the first try...
and some have taken nearly a dozen tries to pass an exam element.

If you pass the exam, and you do not yet have a callsign or a license; depending on processing time, your new callsign and/or license class
should be available on the Internet at the QRZ Ham Radio website at http://www.qrz.com in about 10 to 14 days...but sometimes, it may take a
bit longer...or it may be a bit sooner. However, during a Government
Shutdown, it will be delayed until the governement (and FCC) reopen...and
there likely will be a huge backlog of data to be processed...so, your
patience in this regard is appreciated.

Once the callsign is there, you can begin operating. Look for the link entitled "FCC Reports"...and look for your name (last name first).
Archived entries are available, in case you can't access the Internet for
a period of time after you pass the test.

You can also go to the HamData website, http://www.hamdata.com to check
for new callsigns. Look under the link "Latest FCC Information".

The FCC no longer mails out a "paper copy" of ones amateur radio license. Instead, about 1 to 2 weeks after the exam session, the licensee will be notified via email that their license is available via the FCC ULS...and
they are provided logon credentials (usually the FRN and a temporary
password, which should be changed after initial logon).

Once logged on, they can print an "Official Copy" of their license,
plus a "Reference Copy" to take to a future license exam session, should
they decide to upgrade their license. Also, once logged on, they can
change their profile to request a paper copy be mailed to them. However,
with one getting it electronically, you can print it instantly, and not
have to worry about the license getting lost in the mail.

Once the paper copy of your new license is in hand, you may DESTROY the
old license, and the applicable CSCE for the new one, unless you'd like
to keep the CSCE as a novelty. Be sure to SIGN the new license before you
make a copy of it, and/or laminate it; as the license is NOT valid without
your signature.

If you have not seen your callsign or upgrade in the FCC ULS 2 weeks
after you took the test, you should call either the exam session liaison,
or the VEC. In the case of an ARRL/VEC test session, they can be reached
from 7am to 4pm U.S. Central Time, Monday through Friday (except holidays),
at (860) 594-0300 -- this is a long distance call. However, the FCC is NOT available during a Government Shutdown.

Be sure to keep your U.S. Mailing Address CURRENT...as your license may
be SUSPENDED/REVOKED by the FCC, if mail they send to you is returned as undeliverable.

If you have a Certificate Of Successful Completion Of Examination
(CSCE), with a current license and callsign...that shows you've upgraded
to a higher license class, you may begin using your new license class privileges IMMEDIATELY...with the special identifiers, as follows:

UPGRADING TO: VOICE IDENTIFIER: DIGITAL IDENTIFIER:

Technician Temporary KT /KT

NOTE: This ONLY applies if upgrading from the "old Novice" license;
otherwise, no identifier is required...since Technician is the entry
class license...and you would NOT have a callsign to start with. The
digital identifier is for either Morse Code, or on a digital mode,
such as packet, PSK31, etc. -- the phone identifier is for voice.

General Temporary AG /AG

Amateur Extra Temporary AE /AE

The use of these special ID's follow your callsign on the new bands
for which your CSCE shows that you've upgraded to. If you previously
had privileges on a certain band without the CSCE (for instance, you
upgraded from Technician to General), you're not required to use the
ID on frequencies above 50 Megahertz. However, using the Technician to
General upgrade example, if you want to use the frequencies for the
General Class licensee, you are REQUIRED to use the new identifier.

If you upgrade to the Extra Class license BEFORE your General Class
paper license copy is in hand, or in the FCC database, you keep your
Technician Class license, and the CSCE's for the General and Extra
Class upgrade, as proof of your upgrades. Again, using the upgrade to
Extra Class as an example, you use the special identifier for it,
instead of the General Class license identifier.

Once your new license grant appears in the FCC ULS database, or on
the QRZ or Hamdata websites noted above), you're no longer required to
use the special identifier. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks after the
day you passed the exam. Failure to use the identifier before your
license upgrade appears in the FCC database would make it appear that
you are operating on amateur radio bands outside your privileges, and
you could get a Notice Of Violation from the FCC if that occurs.

(CONTINUED NEXT MESSAGE)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MESSSAGE)

The Exam Session
================

Test materials, answer sheets, scratch paper, pens, pencils, and copies
of NCVEC Form 605 will be provided at the session. If you have questions
on how to fill out the form(s), the VE Team will gladly instruct you on
this. The NCVEC form 605 is ONLY to be used at a VE Test Session by the
VE Team. If you submit the form to the FCC, it will be returned to you
WITHOUT ACTION...making your effort A WASTE OF TIME, and postage.

As noted, when you arrive at the exam session, you basically are either
ready to take the exam, or you are not. It is advised that you bring a
set of earplugs, if you are distracted by noise.

With COVID-19 restrictions, you will likely be REQUIRED to wear a mask,
plus wearing gloves is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Also, the amount of exams
one can take may be LIMITED TO ONE (1)...to minimize potential exposure
to those in attendance.

If you have a medical disability (such as a vision or hearing impairment, reading disability, etc.), or require special procedures to complete your
exam, please notify the VE Team as far in advance of the test session as possible, so accomodations can be made for your disability. MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION MAY BE REQUIRED if your disability is not obvious.

These can be exams without graphics, or the VE reading the questions
and available answers to the examinee....who tells the VE which answer
to mark. The VE is NOT permitted to make any vocal inflections, or give
any other "help" or "coaching" to the examinee.

As noted above, those who have disabilities can contact Handi-Hams (www.handiham.org on the Internet), as they assist people with
disabilities to learn material to obtain their amateur radio license,
and helping with the exam itself.

Be sure to use the restroom BEFORE you begin the test. Nature "tends
to call" at the most inopportune times...so, if you "get the urge to go
urinate (pee) or defecate (poop)" during the test...BEFORE GOING TO THE RESTROOM...you MUST turn in your test, whether or not you've finished it.

Basically, "if you can't hold it", you will have to turn your test in
BEFORE leaving the room...and will have to START OVER with a NEW TEST
(and pay a new fee) when you return...whether you finished it or not.

For the exam itself, you will mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET,
and NOT in the test booklet itself. You will either bubble in the
desired letter, or make an "X" through it...do NOT just CIRCLE the
letter.

If you are at an exam session adminstered by an ARRL/VEC VE Team, when
you're given the test booklet and answer sheet, examine them to make sure
they have the right number of questions, as follows:

License Exam: Exam Color: Questions: Pages:

Technician Goldenrod 35 4
General Yellow 35 4
Amateur Extra Pink 50 5-6

If the VE Team is using the Exam Maker software, the Technician and
General exams have 10 pages, and the Amateur Extra exam has 15 pages.

Test booklets with other VE Teams (instead of ARRL/VEC) may be different,
but the number of questions will be the same.

If you notice pages missing, or other discrepancies, notify the VE Team IMMEDIATELY...and they will replace the defective copy of the materials in question. You will fill out the appropriate information on the left side
of the answer sheet, where required.

Cellphones, pagers, IPods, watches with hourly chimes, etc. MUST BE
TURNED OFF, and PUT AWAY during the test session. While examinees with
hearing aids may use them, any other device (headsets, books, notes, possessions, etc.) MUST be put away, until the test session is completed.
As noted above, if your calculator has been CLEARED of memory resident formulas, you may use it during the exam...but, the VE Team will verify
that this is the case.

The only things that you may take with you upon leaving the test session,
are the personal belongings you brought with you when you arrived, and any applicable CSCE given to you by the VE Team. You may NOT take any test materials, answer sheets, or any other forms from the test session.

If you pass one test, and wish to take the next one in line to upgrade,
you won't be required to pay an additional fee. But, if you fail an exam,
and wish to retest...you will be required to pay another test fee, as
noted above...if the VE team will allow you to retake the exam with a
DIFFERENT set of questions. Whether or not you take more than one license
class exam at a test session is at your option, and it's not required that
you do so.

(CONTINUED NEXT MESSAGE)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)

(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MESSAGE)

The Exam Session
================

Test materials, answer sheets, scratch paper, pens, pencils, and copies
of NCVEC Form 605 will be provided at the session. If you have questions
on how to fill out the form(s), the VE Team will gladly instruct you on
this. The NCVEC form 605 is ONLY to be used at a VE Test Session by the
VE Team. If you submit the form to the FCC, it will be returned to you
WITHOUT ACTION...making your effort A WASTE OF TIME, and postage.

As noted, when you arrive at the exam session, you basically are either
ready to take the exam, or you are not. It is advised that you bring a
set of earplugs, if you are distracted by noise. You can tell the VE
Team to "drop the noise to a low roar"...either with the examiners,
examinees, or both.

With COVID-19 restrictions, you will likely be REQUIRED to wear a mask,
plus wearing gloves is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Also, the amount of exams
one can take may be LIMITED TO ONE (1)...to minimize potential exposure
to those in attendance.

If you have a medical disability (such as a vision or hearing impairment, reading disability, etc.), or require special procedures to complete your
exam, please notify the VE Team as far in advance of the test session as possible, so accomodations can be made for your disability. MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION MAY BE REQUIRED if your disability is not obvious.

These can be exams without graphics, or the VE reading the questions
and available answers to the examinee....who tells the VE which answer
to mark. The VE is NOT permitted to make any vocal inflections, or give
any other "help" or "coaching" to the examinee.

As noted above, those who have disabilities can contact Handi-Hams (www.handiham.org on the Internet), as they assist people with
disabilities to learn material to obtain their amateur radio license,
and helping with the exam itself.

Be sure to use the restroom BEFORE you begin the test. Nature "tends
to call" at the most inopportune times...so, if you "get the urge to go
urinate (pee) or defecate (poop)" during the test...BEFORE GOING TO THE RESTROOM...you MUST turn in your test, whether or not you've finished it.
This is to ensure the examinee does NOT have access to study items outside
the exam room.

Basically, "if you can't hold it", you will have to turn your test in
BEFORE leaving the room...and will have to START OVER with a NEW TEST
(and pay a new fee) when you return...whether you finished it or not.
While one of the symptoms of being diabetic is frequent urination, and
if one is taking Lasix (for congestive heart failure, or to prevent
fluid retention), you still have to turn in the items before going to
the restroom.

For the exam itself, you will mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET,
and NOT in the test booklet itself. You will either bubble in the
desired letter, or make an "X" through it...do NOT just CIRCLE the
letter.

If you are at an exam session adminstered by an ARRL/VEC VE Team, when
you're given the test booklet and answer sheet, examine them to make sure
they have the right number of questions, as follows:

License Exam: Exam Color: Questions: Pages:

Technician Goldenrod 35 4
General Yellow 35 4
Amateur Extra Pink 50 5-6

If the VE Team is using the Exam Tools software, the number of pages
per exam may vary.

Test booklets with other VE Teams (instead of ARRL/VEC) may be different,
but the number of questions will be the same.

If you notice pages missing, or other discrepancies, notify the VE Team IMMEDIATELY...and they will replace the defective copy of the materials in question. You will fill out the appropriate information on the left side
of the answer sheet, where required.

Cellphones, pagers, IPods, watches with hourly chimes, etc. MUST BE
TURNED OFF, and PUT AWAY during the test session. While examinees with
hearing aids may use them, any other device (headsets, books, notes, possessions, etc.) MUST be put away, until the test session is completed.
As noted above, if your calculator has been CLEARED of memory resident formulas, you may use it during the exam...but, the VE Team will verify
that this is the case.

The only things that you may take with you upon leaving the test session,
are the personal belongings you brought with you when you arrived, and any applicable CSCE given to you by the VE Team. You may NOT take any test materials, answer sheets, or any other forms from the test session.

If you pass one test, and wish to take the next one in line to upgrade,
you won't be required to pay an additional fee. But, if you fail an exam,
and wish to retest...you will be required to pay another test fee, as
noted above...if the VE team will allow you to retake the exam with a
DIFFERENT set of questions. Whether or not you take more than one license
class exam at a test session is at your option, and it's not required that
you do so.

Some VE Test sessions will LIMIT the number of retest attempts, because
of time constraints. With most test sessions, only one (1) retest of a
failed element is allowed. If you fail the exam for a particular license
class twice in one session, it's best that you study some more before
trying again. With COVID-19, some sessions may limit testing to one (1)
exam ONLY, to minimize potential exposure to those in attendance.

If you need to take a break between tests (to stretch your legs, use
the restroom, etc.) you may do so. However, as noted above, CHEATING, IN
ANY FORM, WON'T BE TOLERATED!! The Volunteer Examiner Team will CONSTANTLY
BE OBSERVING ALL EXAMINEES during ALL tests, to make sure that this is
the case!!

There is NO RUSH to complete the test...as you're more likely to make
errors if you do!! Take your time, and answer the questions that you know FIRST. Go back to the ones you're not sure of, and save the difficult ones
for last. If you do have to GUESS, do it INTELLIGENTLY. You have a 1 out
of 4 chance of getting the question right, without doing anything.

If you leave a question blank...or mark more than one answer per question
on the answer sheet, it is AUTOMATICALLY A WRONG ANSWER...and it could be
the difference between PASSING and FAILING the exam!! If you have to CHANGE your answer, make sure you notate it as such. However, unless you're quite sure, your first choice is usually the correct answer.

If you finish the test early, turn your test booklet, and answer sheet
into the VE Team...once you're satisfied that "you've done the best that
you can do".

As noted above, PLEASE REMAIN QUIET, until everyone else has finished
their exams as well. Disruptive behavior by examinees or observers will
NOT be tolerated, and the disruptees will be dismissed from the test
session.

(CONTINUED NEXT MESSAGE)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)