• Local License Exam Update

    From Daryl Stout@618:250/33 to All on Thu May 6 12:28:52 2021
    NOTE: CORRECTED REPOST FOR TYPOS (darn fat finger syndrome). DS

    There will be a ham radio license exam session in central Arkansas
    next Saturday, May 15, 2021, at Lake Cherrywood Park in Sherwood.

    Testing will start at 11:30am...it'll be outdoors with social
    distancing done. It's recommended you wear a mask, especially if
    you haven't yet had the shots for COVID-19 protection.

    The park is on Summit Street...to get there, there are 2 ways:

    1) From US 67/167 take the Kiehl Avenue Exit, and go west about 1.2
    miles. Turn left onto Summit Street (across from Ace Hardware). The
    park is about a 1/4 mile on the right.

    2) From Highway 107 (JFK Blvd.), turn right onto Kiehl Avenue. I
    believe the light at Kiehl Avenue is the 11th traffic light, after
    the traffic signal on the north side of Interstate 40. Right before
    Kiehl Avenue, will be a Wendy's on your right. Turn right onto Kiehl
    Avenue, and Summit Street is about 1.7 miles to the east.

    Since I will be bringing supplies as well (Loma, KU5J, will be
    running the session), we will take walk-ins. However, if you plan
    to test, please be there no later than 12 Noon.

    Examinees will be REQUIRED to bring the following items:

    A) A photo ID, such as a Drivers License, Military ID, State ID,
    or Passport.

    B) If they've ever had a ham radio license, whether it's current
    or expired (and no matter how long), the original and a copy of
    the license.

    If the license is expired more than 2 years, it is WORTHLESS if it
    was a Novice or Technician license. However, if it was a General,
    Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class license, PARTIAL CREDIT is available.

    If the former license was General or Advanced, credit for the General
    Class Exam (Element 3) is given...but, if the former license was Amateur
    Extra, credit for the General Class Exam (Element 3) and the Amateur
    Extra Class Exam (Element 4) is given. However, in ALL CASES, they MUST
    take and pass Element 2, the Technician exam.

    Note that former Advanced Class licenses are DOWNGRADED to General;
    but they can get those privileges back, and more, by also taking and
    passing the Amateur Extra exam. Also, Morse Code knowledge is NOT
    required to get a ham radio license.

    C) A Federal Registration Number (FRN). They can NOT use their
    Social Security Number (SSN) on the NCVEC Form 605. They MUST go
    to the FCC CORES website (https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do)
    BEFORE arriving at the exam site. They MUST provide their SSN to
    get a FRN.

    D) An Email Address. Effective June 29, 2021, examinees MUST provide
    an email address on the NCVEC Form 605.

    NOTE: The license application will be DISMISSED AS DEFECTIVE if there
    is a SSN, and/or if there is not an email address on the NCVEC Form
    605. Also, you can no longer request a printed copy of the license
    from the FCC...it is now emailed to you. For those who do not have a
    computer or cellphone for email and internet access, they will need
    to supply the email of a friend or family member.

    E) Cash, check, or money order, payable to ARRL/VEC, for the exam
    fee, which is $15. Sometime this summer (not yet in effect) there
    will ALSO be a $35 fee, payable to the FCC on their website. Do NOT
    bring credit or debit cards for the fee, as the VE Team doesn't have
    the resources to process such.

    Pens, pencils, exam books, and paperwork, will be provided.

    Be sure that your study guide is for the 2018 Technician, the 2019
    General, or the 2020 Amateur Extra. Otherwise, you'll be in for a rude awakening. The Technician exam will change again in 2022, the General
    Exam will change again in 2023, and the Amateur Extra exam will change
    again in 2024.

    If you have questions, you can contact either:

    1) Loma, KU5J, at (501) 247-4751, or ku5j@arrl.net
    2) Daryl, WX4QZ, at (501) 690-8325, or wx4qz@arrl.net

    We should have enough Volunteer Examiners, but current ARRL/VEC
    Volunteer Examiners are welcome to show up and assist. For some of
    us, it'll be our first exams since 2019.

    Daryl Stout, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (618:250/33)
  • From Daryl Stout@618:250/33 to All on Sun May 30 23:21:56 2021
    The UALR Ham Radio Club is resuming ham radio license exams, with these guidelines:

    1) Pre-registration is required, with a maximum of 15 examinees accepted.
    The next test date (final approval pending) is Saturday, June 19, at 10am,
    with a deadline of 10am on Thursday, June 17. If no one signs up, the
    session is canceled. Please contact Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, at wx4qz@arrl.net
    or (501) 690-8325 - please leave a message, and I'll reply as soon as
    possible.

    2) On exam day, if one feels ill (cough, sore throat, fever, etc.); or
    has within the last 14 days, had COVID-19 symptoms, been exposed to
    someone with COVID-19, or had a COVID-19 shot, please stay home, and
    do NOT come to the exam session.

    While testing starts at 10am, examinees should arrive in the exam room
    no later than 10:30am. Free parking's available on the north side of the Ottenheimer Library. Testing will be in Room 517 of Fribrough Hall (the
    former Natural Sciences Building). In the exam room, food or drinks are
    not allowed, plus only the examiners and examinees will be admitted. To
    prevent cheating (which will NOT be tolerated), examinees may NOT bring cellphones into the exam area.

    Examinees MUST bring the following items, or they WON'T be allowed
    to take the test(s):

    A) A mask, which is to be worn in the exam building and room. It may be
    removed once one exits the building. This applies to examiners and
    examinees, whether or not they've had the shot(s).

    B) A Photo ID (Drivers License, State ID, School ID, Military ID,
    Passport). Those under 18 can bring a library card, a minor's work
    permit, or the original of one's Birth Certificate. The ID's will
    be returned to the examinee upon inspection by the VE Team.

    C) If ever licensed as a ham radio operator, the original and a copy
    of it, whether expired or not. The original will be returned after
    inspection, and the copy will be sent off with the exam items.

    Partial credit is available for lapsed General, Advanced, and Amateur
    Extra Class licenses.

    D) A copy of any CSCE's issued within the last 365 days, if their
    license doesn't reflect such.

    E) A Federal Registration Number (FRN), AND an Email Address. Examinees
    without an FRN should go to https://tinyurl.com/njmmjjbv -- and follow
    the prompts to fill out the form. Examinees must also answer whether
    or not they've had a felony conviction in state or federal court; such
    info must be supplied to the FCC - details are located at http://www.arrl.org/fcc-qualification-question

    F) Cash (exact change) or a check/money order, payable to ARRL/VEC for
    $15. On a date to be announced, examinees will also pay a $35 fee at https://apps.fcc.gov/FeeFiler/login.cfm

    If they bring a calculator, it must be inspected to be sure it has no
    formulas in the memory.

    Scratch paper, paperwork, pens, and pencils, will be provided.

    If anyone has questions, they should contact VE Team Liaison, Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, at the contact info that's noted above.

    Daryl Stout, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)
  • From Daryl Stout@618:250/33 to All on Thu Jun 10 22:31:11 2021
    I have the exam supplies from ARRL/VEC...the venue at the University
    Of Arkansas At Little Rock (UALR)(Fribrough Hall Room 517) on Saturday,
    June 19, 2021, at 10am Central Time), and the VE Team (examiners) for
    the session....but as of yet, no candidates.

    Pre-registration is required, as only a maximum of 15 candidates will
    be accepted. A related message was posted a few days ago. The deadline
    for registration is 48 hours in advance, in this case, 10am Central
    Time on Thursday, June 17, 2021. If no one has contacted me by that
    time, then the session will be canceled.

    This is because it makes NO SENSE to:

    1) Order supplies from ARRL/VEC (since I'm no longer Field Stocked,
    due to continuing uncertainties with venues because of COVID-19). I
    will have to pay to send the supplies back, whether or not a test is
    done...as I'd rather use the FedEx 3 Day Super Saver, than go through
    the US Postal Service.

    2) Get a VE Team Together.

    3) Get a venue for the testing.

    ...if NO ONE is going to show up. Otherwise, it's a waste of time,
    energy, gasoline, wear and tear on cars, money, and scheduling...if
    the examiners go up there for nothing. Ham radio, like any HOBBY,
    should NEVER take priority over things like church, family, health,
    job, or even honey-do's.

    Before COVID-19, even when we allowed walk-ins, there were several
    cases where no one showed up to take the exam...so we made the trip,
    and the effort, for nothing. Now, some hams don't mind the eyeball
    QSO's...but nowadays, that's not as likely, especially with all the
    stuff with COVID-19. Most of the VE's are in the vulnerable age
    group, and while most have had their shots, there are still quite a
    few folks who have not.

    Since then, folks have been clamoring for me to get a license exam
    session together, and a week out from it, no one has signed up. I'm intentionally doing it the week prior to Field Day Weekend, so those
    hams and examiners that want to operate June 26-27, can do so.

    I realize that no matter when you schedule a ham radio license
    class, an exam session, a net, a club meeting, a hamfest, a special
    event station, etc., -- that someone, somewhere, is not going to be
    able to make it...that's just the way life is.

    But, if folks want license exams to be done...no matter where they
    are held...they need to commit to going. Basically, it boils down to
    "How bad do you want that ham radio license or upgrade??". If no one
    shows up, then apparently not much. If that becomes a regular
    occurrence, the VE Team may decide it's not worth the hassle, and
    that testing opportunity would be gone...forcing those wanting a
    new ham radio license, or an upgrade, to go elsewhere for the exam.
    In some cases, that could be an extended drive...and with the price
    of gas nowadays, if it's too much trouble, they're not going to make
    the trip...and may go with remote testing instead, as some clubs are
    doing.

    I will post an updated message on Thursday, June 17, on the status
    of the session...hopefully, that it will take place, instead of it
    being canceled. You can go to the ARRL website (www.arrl.org), click
    on Exams, search for Arkansas, then look for the UALR Ham Radio Club
    exam on June 19 for details.

    Further information is also available on The Thunderbolt BBS in
    the file ualrhamx.pdf -- a PDF viewer is required.

    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)
  • From Daryl Stout@618:250/33 to All on Thu Jun 17 11:33:30 2021
    Well, since no one responded to me for a license exam, by the 48 hour
    deadline before the session that I had set, the ham radio license
    exam session, that was set for this Saturday, June 19, at UALR, is
    hereby CANCELLED!! So, please do NOT plan to come to UALR...as no one
    will be there!!

    In consulting with my VE Team, they've decided that the date of
    Saturday, July 10, 2021, will work better for all of us. However, if
    we don't get any response to that (the registration deadline will be
    10am CDT July 8th), then we are going to look very closely at whether
    we should be offering license exams at all. I still have no word from
    the Central Arkansas Library System on whether they will allow us to
    use the meeting room for testing again, because of COVID-19 issues.

    In short, there's no point in coming to the exam site for nothing (high
    gas prices, other summer tasks, etc.)...and even before COVID-19 (when
    we could do walk-ins), we had more than one occurrence of no one showing
    up. The STARS Club in Cabot is doing monthly testing in Cabot at their
    monthly Sunday meetings (see their Facebook group for details), and the
    ARVARF Club in Russellville (www.arvarf.com) is offering remote testing
    (see their website for details).

    I have revised the handout on the UALR Ham Radio Club website...but
    except for the date change, everything else in the document still
    applies. I've also notified ARRL/VEC of the change.

    Daryl, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)
  • From Daryl Stout@618:250/33 to All on Mon Jul 12 07:49:40 2021
    We had only one examinee at the July 10, 2021 license exam session at
    the University Of Arkansas At Little Rock (UALR)...he aced his General
    test, but (as expected, for not looking at the material), failed the
    Extra. But, that was to be expected (unless you're an electrical engineer
    who is familiar with a lot of the terms, etc.). He does want to upgrade
    for Extra, but I have to get with the Faculty Advisor, and the rest of
    the VE Team on scheduling, as noted below. I will encourage him to
    become a VE, because whether General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra, VE's
    are needed at exam sessions.

    Schedule wise, we likely won't do it on the following weekends:

    1) Labor Day Weekend and the weekend after it: First, for the holiday,
    and then for the Mena, Arkansas Hamfest, the oldest hamfest west of
    the Mississippi River.

    2) The first weekend in October: This is when the Simulated Emergency
    Test (SET) is done, and one club usually provides communications for
    the Arkansas Traveler 100 Mile Run. However, it was canceled last
    year, and with a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases (especially the Delta variant), it may be canceled this year.

    3) From Thanksgiving Weekend through New Years Weekend: This is due
    to the hectic pace of the holidays...then winter weather is possible
    in January and February.

    We nearly didn't have a session, though...because we needed 3 Amateur
    Extra Class VE' to administer a General or an Amateur Extra exam, and
    besides myself and the faculty advisor for the UALR Ham Radio Club,
    the other VE there was only a General Class VE. One of the Extra Class examinees had forgotten to check the calendar, and as a result, didn't
    show up (he apologized profusely afterwards). Thankfully, another Extra
    Class VE was on campus, trying to find the room...so, we "saved the
    session".

    With all the problems that many VE Teams have had with the US Postal
    Service in getting the items to ARRL/VEC within 10 days of the exam
    session, the ARRL/VEC has a PRIVATE HIDDEN URL for VE Team Leaders
    to upload their data in a PDF file to the VEC. The Liaison takes all
    the forms, and scans them into their computer...then takes the images,
    and creates a PDF file. That is uploaded to the hidden URL noted above,
    which gets the data to ARRL/VEC quicker. They still have to send in the
    data (and return ALL the forms, etc. if they are NOT "Field Stocked"),
    but this getting the data to ARRL/VEC faster, allows processing of the
    exam session data faster.

    If the exam is on a Saturday, and the data is uploaded Saturday night
    (as was the case for my VE Team), ARRL/VEC can process this on Monday
    (today, at this typing), and the examinee can have their new license
    or upgrade by late Monday or on Tuesday. The processing is delayed 1
    day, if Monday is a Federal holiday...and further delayed in case of "
    a government shutdown" (a redundancy in terms, if there ever was one
    (hi hi)).

    If the examinee(s) paid in cash, and the VE Team Liaison has a credit
    or debit card on file, there is no need for the liaison to write a
    check...the amount noted is charged to the card.

    With the trouble with the Postal Service, I sent it via FedEx 3 Day
    Super Saver, and it cost around $18. That's cheaper than the Postal
    Service Overnight Mail...and unlike the Postal Service, everything
    that I've sent via FedEx has arrived at its destination when it was
    promised. ARRL/VEC should get the items on Thursday, even though I
    already uploaded images of all the forms.

    As for future sessions the rest of 2021, no dates have been set as
    of yet. As noted above, I have to get with the Faculty Advisor, and
    the VE Team to check schedules. But we have the room available for
    when the next session is done...even though we have to limit the
    number of examinees to 15.

    We did practice social distancing at the session, and everyone wore
    masks inside the building (one was not required to do outside any
    of the buildings). With the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases (the
    Delta variant), Arkansas might end up doing another mask mandate.

    While everyone at the session (examiners and examinees) had taken
    both shots, Arkansas is one of the states where the vaccination rate
    is LOW. Some are hesitant because of religious reasons, or they are
    worried about side effects. While there have been cases of such,
    that's possible with ANY vaccination...especially if you already have
    an underlying condition. To me, a vaccination may not keep you from
    getting the disease...but it should keep you from a far more serious
    case of the disease. Last year, I had to take shots for the flu,
    tentanus, and shingles (the latter disease is extremely painful).

    I will post an update when the next session date is finalized.

    Daryl, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)
  • From Daryl Stout@618:250/33 to All on Mon Aug 23 19:01:09 2021
    I've had one individual cancel out on the session at UALR this Saturday
    due to scheduling issues (he's going to try again in early 2022), but
    still have one person going for their Amateur Extra, and two going for
    their Technician license...making a total of 3 examinees. I've had at
    least 4 Extra Class and 1 General Class VE's commit to serve, so we
    should have enough to do all 3 exams (Technician, General, and Amateur
    Extra). One of my regular VE's will not be there, due to health issues unrelated to COVID-19...but I am copying them to keep them in the loop.
    I did get the materials from ARRL/VEC, so we should be good to go for
    Saturday.

    I still have room if you want to take the license exam, but with the
    COVID-19 restrictions back in place at UALR (masks and social distancing required), we are LIMITED to 5 VE's and 10 examinees. Please reply OFF
    LIST to either wx4qz at arrl dot net or wx1der at gmail dot com -- if
    you would like to take the exam. You can also call or text me at
    501-690-8325. I will return your call or text as soon as possible...and
    would prefer to talk with you, to answer any questions that you might
    have before the exam (I have unlimited long distance to the contiguous
    48 states). Even if we didn't have the COVID-19 social distancing, etc.
    -- the room is limited in size to how many we could have test.

    There is an information file at http://callsign.ualr.edu/ve-exams.php -- along with directions to the campus. You basically will park in Lot 9,
    on the north side of the library...Fribrough Hall is the former Natural Sciences building, with the "concrete exterior". Walk to the north side
    of the building, and take the elevator to the 5th floor. Turn right, go
    to the end of the hall, and turn right again. Room 517 will be on your immediate left. I plan to be there around 9:30am to set things up, but
    we want to try to be out of there by 11am or shortly thereafter, if at
    all possible.

    Obviously, if you're not feeling well on Saturday, have a fever, have COVID-19 symptoms, or in the last 2 weeks, been in contact with someone
    with COVID-19, or had a COVID-19 test, and it hasn't come back negative,
    please stay home. We are planning to do at least a couple more exam
    sessions before the holidays...but those dates have not yet been set...
    I will advise when we have those dates set. Masks are required on campus,
    but can removed once you exit the building, and head back to your vehicle.

    Be advised that this weekend from Friday evening, August 27 at 9pm to
    6am Monday morning, August 28, Rodney Parham Road will be CLOSED from Misssissippi Avenue to Markham Street, due to a water main replacement.
    If you follow the directions at the URL above, and are traveling via
    Interstate 630, that should not affect your travels...since you'd be
    getting off at Exit 5 (University Avenue) from Interstate 630...but be
    aware of the possibility of heavy traffic around Exit 6 (Mississippi
    Avenue And Rodney Parham Road). Traffic from Interstate 30 in southwest
    Little Rock to University Avenue (Exit 132) is well southeast of that area...but there might still be traffic...as University Avenue is
    adjacent to the busy Union Pacific Railroad from 65th Street to Chicot
    Road. So, if a lot of trains are moving through, or if one is stopped,
    traffic will be congested.

    As a side note, for those not aware, sometime in early 2022, the FCC
    will be charging a $35 fee, that examinees will pay directly to the FCC...
    for a new, renewed, or upgraded ham radio license, or a callsign change.
    They will have 10 days after the exam to pay said fee, or their license
    grant will be dismissed. For more information on that, go to:

    https://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-application-fees-unlikely-to-go-into-effect- until-2022

    (above URL all on one line)

    The test fee at the session is $15, cash/check/money order, payable to ARRL/VEC. Please bring exact change, if possible. I do not yet know what ARRL/VEC will charge in 2022...but right now, the only fee is the $15
    to get a seat at the session...and an additional $15 if you fail an exam,
    and want to re-test with a different set of questions. That option is
    open to you, if you miss passing by 4 or less. Otherwise, we recommended
    you study some more before trying again. Also, if you miss passing the
    same exam twice, we recommend that you study some more before trying
    again.

    There is NO DISGRACE IN FAILING. If it takes you a dozen tries or more
    to pass the exam, even if just barely...you have as much right to be on
    the air as someone who made a perfect score the first time. Besides, the
    guy or girl who graduates DEAD LAST in medical school, is still...A DOCTOR (prostate and pelvic exams not withstanding (hi hi)).

    Lastly, be sure that you've studied the 2018 Technician, the 2019
    General, or 2020 Amateur Extra Question Pools or study guides. Anything
    with a different year than those noted above is worthless, and should be discarded. The Technician Class Pool will change again come July 1, 2022;
    but material likely won't be finalized until late May or early June, 2022.
    --
    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)
  • From Daryl Stout@618:250/33 to All on Tue Oct 19 15:05:11 2021
    I still have space for a few more examinees at a ham radio license
    exam session, sponsored by the UALR Ham Radio Club, on this coming
    Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at 10am in Fribrough Hall (the former Natural
    Sciences Building on the UALR Campus.

    Directions to the campus, a campus map, parking information, and a
    PDF file with more information (and important links), are located at:

    http://callsign.ualr.edu/ve-exams.php

    Note that the Arkansas Razorbacks will be playing the University
    Of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions at War Memorial Stadium this
    Saturday, so traffic is likely to be heavy on Interstate 630, West
    Markham Street, Fair Park Boulevard, and adjacent areas.

    Due to COVID-19 issues, masks are required in the building and
    exam room...they don't need to be worn outside. This applies no
    matter if you're "fully vaccinated" or not.

    Examinees will be REQUIRED to bring the following items:

    1) A Photo ID (driver license, military ID, state ID, passport, school
    ID, etc.). If no photo ID is available, you'll need to bring 2 forms
    of non-photo ID (non-photo State ID card, birth certificate with the appropriate seal, employer's wage statement, minor's work permit,
    school library/ID card).

    2) If ever licensed, the original and a copy of your ham radio license,
    whether it's current or expired. Partial credit is available for General, Advanced, or Extra Class licenses that are more than 2 years expired.

    3) If you've taken a ham radio exam within the last 365 days that
    is not reflected on your license, the original and a copy of the
    Certificate Of Succesful Completion Of Examination (CSCE).

    4) Any calculators must be checked to be sure they're cleared of any
    memory resident formulas.

    5) A Federal Registration Number AND an email address. You can NOT
    submit a Social Security Number at the exam session. For more info,
    go to http://www.arrl.org/what-to-bring-to-an-exam-session -- and
    take note of item 1, with its related links. There are also links on
    the bottom of the page covering "Licensee Privacy", and "The FCC
    Qualification Question" (whether or not you've been convicted of a
    felony in state or federal court).

    6) The test fee at the session is $15, cash/check/money order, payable
    to ARRL/VEC. Please bring exact change, if possible. I do not yet know
    what ARRL/VEC will charge in 2022...but right now, the only fee is the
    $15 to get a seat at the session...and an additional $15 if you fail an
    exam, and want to re-test with a different set of questions. That option
    is open to you, if you miss passing by 4 or less. Otherwise, we
    recommended you study some more before trying again. Also, if you miss
    passing the same exam twice, we recommend that you study some more
    before trying again.

    As a side note, for those not aware, sometime in early 2022, the FCC
    will be charging a $35 fee, that examinees will pay directly to the FCC...
    for a new, renewed, or upgraded ham radio license, or a callsign change.
    They will have 10 days after the exam to pay said fee, or their license
    grant will be dismissed. For more information on that, go to:

    https://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-application-fees-unlikely-to-go-into-effect- until-2022

    (above URL all on one line)

    There is NO DISGRACE IN FAILING. If it takes you a dozen tries or more
    to pass the exam, even if just barely...you have as much right to be on
    the air as someone who made a perfect score the first time. Besides, the
    guy or girl who graduates DEAD LAST in medical school, is still...A DOCTOR (prostate and pelvic exams not withstanding (hi hi)).

    Next, be sure that you've studied the 2018 Technician, the 2019 General,
    or 2020 Amateur Extra Question Pools or study guides. Anything with a
    different year than those noted above is worthless, and should be thrown away/discarded. The Technician Class Pool will change again come July 1,
    2022; but material likely won't be finalized until late May or early June, 2022.

    If you'd like to test, please send an email to either wx4qz at arrl
    dot net or to wx1der at gmail dot com -- or you can call or text me at
    (501) 690-8325. Please leave your callback information, and I'll get
    back with you as soon as possible.
    --
    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)
  • From Daryl Stout@618:250/33 to All on Wed Jan 5 16:23:45 2022
    From the ARRL Website, Jan. 5, 2022:

    New Technician Question Pool Released, Effective July 1, 2022.
    01/05/2022

    The National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC)
    Question Pool Committee (QPC) has released the 2022 - 2026 Technician
    Class FCC Element 2 NCVEC Question Pool Syllabus & Question Pool into
    the public domain. It's available as a Word document or PDF. The three
    graphics required for the new Technician question pool are available
    within the documents, or separately as PDF or JPG files.

    The new pool incorporates some significant changes compared to the
    2018 - 2022 pool. Its 257 questions were modified slightly to improve
    wording or to replace distractors; 51 new questions were generated, and
    62 questions were eliminated. This resulted in a reduction of 11
    questions, bringing the total number of questions in the pool from 423
    to 412. The difficulty level of the questions is now more balanced, and
    the techniques and practices addressed have been updated.

    The new 2022 - 2026 question pool is effective July 1, 2022 - June 30,
    2026, and must be used for Technician-class license exams administered
    on or after July 1, 2022.

    -- Thanks to NCVEC Question Pool Committee

    As a side note, in the 14 years I've been a VE Team Liaison, I've yet
    to see a set of Question Pools that gets released WITHOUT ending up
    having corrections, changes, modifications, etc. made, due to errors.
    So, while these are available now, I don't expect a "final version"
    until April or May, 2022...the latter around the time of Hamvention.
    Once the "final version" is released, I will place these items in the appropriate file area on The Thunderbolt BBS.

    Regardless, as noted, the 2018 - 2022 Technician Class Question Pool
    and Exams will be WORTHLESS as of 12am local time, July 1, 2022. At
    that time, VE Teams MUST use the 2022 - 2026 Technician Class Quesion
    Pool and resulting exams...and those wishing to study, will need to
    use the 2022 - 2026 Technician Study Guides. On that day, the 2018 -
    2022 Technician Exam files and graphics will be removed from The
    Thunderbolt BBS.

    If someone has not yet started studying the 2018 - 2022 Technician
    Class Question Pool by June 1, I would instead recommend study of the
    2022 - 2026 Technician Class Question Pool. If you study the wrong
    pool, you're practically guaranteeing that you'll fail the exam, and
    you're basically wasting your time and money.

    With the spreading of Covid-19 again, testing opportunites may be
    limited. Call, write, or email the contact person for the VE Team
    before going to the exam site. While some will take walk-ins, others
    will require pre-registration. And, with Covid-19, masks likely will
    be required.

    In the Little Rock, Arkansas, area...the UALR VE Team has not yet set
    dates for 2022. Right now, we're looking at mid-March, late May,
    July/August, and October. I will post dates out when they are finalized.
    Also, the occurrence of Covid-19, and directions by the University Of
    Arkansas System, will determine the needed precautions on campus.

    Further information (along with directions, and a campus map) is
    available at:

    http://callsign.ualr.edu/ve-exams.php

    Lastly, as of Jan. 5, 2022...still no posting on the ARRL Website of
    when the $35 fee for a new, renewed, or upgraded ham radio license,
    or callsign change (sequential or vanity), will take effect. It will
    be 30 days after it appears in the Federal Register before it takes
    effect...so right now, it'd be early February, 2022, at the earliest.
    The fee will be payable directly to the FCC on their website within
    10 days of notification. Otherwise, the license grant will be dismissed.
    The examinee will still need to pay the applicable fee, if any, to the
    VE Team on exam day.

    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)
  • From Daryl Stout@618:250/33 to All on Thu Feb 24 17:31:07 2022
    The University Of Arkansas At Little Rock (UALR) Amateur Radio Club
    will be conducting an amateur radio license exam session on Saturday,
    March 19, 2022, at 10am Central Time.

    The exam will be held in Fribrough Hall Room 517 (in the former
    Natural Sciences Building) just west of the Ottenheimer Library, on
    the UALR campus.

    For more information on the upcoming license exam session, go to http://www.wx4qz.net/elk.htm -- and scroll down the page to the
    last item (UALR Ham Radio Club License Exam Information). It's a 4
    page PDF file with info on what to bring to the session, plus driving directions to the campus on exam day.

    Due to continuing Covid-19 restrictions, MASKS ARE REQUIRED in the
    building and exam area...but, they can be removed, once you exit the
    building. Plus, due to exam room size, only a maximum of fifteen (15)
    examinees will be accepted (no walk-ins).

    Note that failing to follow the Covid-19 precautions, or failing
    to bring the required items (see the PDF file for details), means
    that you will NOT be allowed to take the exam(s).

    My contact information, via phone, text, email, or Postal Mail,
    is at the bottom of the file.

    On The Thunderbolt BBS, the file is named ualrexam.pdf -- and you
    can connect to leave Feedback To Sysop without logging in, if you
    plan to be in the area, and need further information. This file can
    be downloaded via anonymous FTP...but you may need to use an FTP
    client to get it...as most web browsers no longer support FTP file
    transfers.

    Next, as of Feb. 24, 2022...there is nothing on the ARRL website
    about the upcoming $35 fee that examinees will also have to pay to
    the FCC for a new, renewed, or upgraded ham radio license, or for a
    sequential or vanity callsign change. This fee will NOT take effect
    until 30 days after it appears in the Federal Register.

    So, with the exam session on March 19, that'd be BEFORE the 30 day
    point (even if they were to issue something in the coming days)...so,
    examinees will only have to pay the $15 fee for the exam. Note that
    if you pass one exam, you can take the next one (upgrade) in line
    for free...but if you fail that exam, to re-take the failed element
    with a new set of questions, will require another $15 exam fee.

    Plus, be sure you're studying the 2018 Technician, 2019 General,
    or 2020 Amateur Extra Question Pools...any other materials will do
    you no good in preparation for the exam. The current 2018 Technician
    Question Pool will EXPIRE on June 30, with a new set of questions and
    exams taking effect on July 1.

    Again, please contact me (see the info in the file) if you have any questions.

    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)
  • From Daryl Stout@618:250/33 to All on Sat Mar 19 19:59:21 2022
    A father and son passed their Technician Class exam at the University
    Of Arkansas At Little Rock (UALR) Ham Radio Club License Exam session
    this morning. The data was uploaded to ARRL/VEC by VE Team Liaison,
    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ -- they should have their callsigns by late March
    21, or early March 22.

    The UALR Ham Radio Club has scheduled 3 other license exams for 2022,
    on the following Saturdays, at 10am, in Fribrough Hall, Room 517:

    May 21, July 23, and October 15.

    I have to update the exam info file, and will do that in the coming
    days. For those who want more information, they can email me at wx4qz
    at arrl dot net -- I will get back with them as soon as possible.

    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)
  • From Daryl Stout@618:250/33 to All on Fri Apr 21 08:34:46 2023
    From the April 20, 2023 edition of The ARRL Letter:

    The National Council of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) has
    released a 2nd Errata for the 2023 - 2027 General Class Element 3
    Question Pool.

    The NCVEC Question Pool Committee (QPC) has released the second revision
    of the 2023 - 2027 General Class element 3 Question Pool. This revision supplants the question pools released on December 1, 2022, and February
    1, 2023.

    The changes are reflected in the new General pool downloadable files,
    dated April 15, 2023. Three questions have been withdrawn from use, and
    removed from the pool: G6B09, G9C06, and G9D13.

    Most of the other questions had minor changes.

    ARRL VEC teams (and I would assume all VEC Teams) are advised to check
    the NCVEC website or the ARRL website regularly for updates to the
    question pools, which may include errata and withdrawn questions.

    The new General Class Element 3 Question Pool goes into effect on July 1,
    2023.

    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
    University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)
  • From Daryl Stout@618:250/33 to All on Wed Jul 5 23:17:10 2023
    Due to UALR Ham Radio Club Faculty Advisor, Dr. Keith Hudson, N5EEZ,
    coming down with Covid-19...along with other issues, the ham radio
    license exam session that was scheduled on the UALR Campus for this
    coming Saturday, July 8, 2023, is CANCELED.

    We're still hoping to do a session on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023...and, apologize for any inconvenience for the cancellation. I left a message
    with ARRL/VEC, and will call them in the morning to confirm the session cancellation.

    To find additional exams, go to https://www.arrl.org -- click on
    Exams, then "Find A License Exam Session". Enter the search criteria
    (such as state), and click SEARCH. When you find an exam session that
    meets your needs (either in person or remote/online), contact the VE
    Team Leader or contact person to "get your name in the hat".

    We wish Dr. Hudson a speedy recovery.

    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Leader
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33)