ARRL/VEC VE Newsletter, Oct. 6, 2021
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Inside this VE E-Newsletter:
Grading Templates and New Booklet Designs Available
Field Stocked Team Leaders to Expand Field Stock
Grading Templates - REMINDER
Session Documents Upload Webpage
Additional Reminders
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Grading Templates and New Booklet Designs Available
For nearly a decade, ARRL VEC has been unable to reproduce our blue
plastic overlay grading templates, causing most designs to be low in
stock, and some to be completely out of stock. Fortunately, we have
found a new manufacturer, and our template supply is back to 100%!
ARRL VEC adds more booklet designs.
Now that we have a full set of templates again, we have expanded our
exam booklet collection with new designs, and have utilized template
numbers that have been unavailable for years. Our additional exam
booklet versions (designs 6-12 at each level) are immediately available
for use.
These new designs are meant to expand the number of exam versions
offered at each level. They do NOT replace any booklets. Moving forward,
we are looking to start gathering statistics on these new exam designs
through the end of year 2021. Therefore, we will be primarily using the
new exam designs 6-12 until then. We will reintroduce exam designs 1-5
after January 2022.
To view the complete list of exam booklets (designs 1-12), and important information pertaining to the exams, visit www.arrl.org/vec-exam-booklets.
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Field Stocked Team Leaders - Shipment to Expand Field Stock
For ARRL VE teams that are officially Field Stocked by the ARRL VEC, the
new booklet designs were shipped out via first class mail (between Oct
1-5) to nearly 1,000 teams. When you receive the package, please check
the contents to make sure all quantities have been received.
Exams: The new examination booklets are to expand the number of exam
versions offered for each license class level, and they can be used immediately.
Do not throw away any existing exams.
KEEP the previously supplied booklet versions of all exams at all levels,
as they are all still valid.
A letter is included in the shipment explaining the quantities and
versions.
Templates: Field stocked teams that are missing any of the template design numbers, such as #4, #5, or #7 that have not been sent with the initial
field stocked package for years, should contact the VEC department
immediately to complete your set of templates (
vesupplies@arrl.org).
A complete set of templates consists of 36 total overlays: 3 of each
design, numbers 1 through 9. The KEY For Templates (paper instructions)
for the grading templates has been updated and is included in the package.
An updated package will not be provided to field stocked teams that no
longer meet the field stock requirements, and to non-field stocked teams
that have been keeping supplies without qualifying through the VEC.
Non-stocked VE teams should be returning their exam packages and supplies
to ARRL VEC after each session is completed.
To see if your team qualifies to be field stocked with a bulk quantity
of our test materials visit
http://www.arrl.org/field-stocked-ve-teams.
Field stocked teams should be especially vigilant about keeping us
informed of who has possession of the exam supplies. Notify us
immediately when your address changes, or the team's 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. Current exam booklets
are listed on our web site at www.arrl.org/vec-exam-booklets. Field
stocked VEs should check this page periodically to make sure they have
the proper exam designs.
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Grading Templates - REMINDER
Officially Field Stocked teams must keep their supply of the BLUE plastic overlay grading templates used to grade the exams. The plastic templates
should never be thrown away or destroyed when new exam versions are
introduced and shipped. The KEY For Templates (paper instructions) for
the grading templates has been updated to show teams how to match up the templates with the new exam designs.
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Session Documents Upload Webpage
The US Postal Service has been slow and unreliable with moving mail and packages through their system. Some exam session packages have been unexpectedly delayed.
Teams can upload in-person or remote session documents via the ARRL VEC's secure session upload webpage for quicker service.
New and upgraded licenses are issued within 1 to 2 business days (for
weekend sessions) and are usually issued on the same day for weekday
sessions.
Please contact the VEC department (
VEC@arrl.org) for information on
e-filing exam session documents through our secure upload page.
Authorized VEs will be sent the upload page URLm which is hidden from
the public.
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Additional Reminders
The ARRL VEC VE Resources page (www.arrl.org/resources-for-ves) offers
the information you will need to help conduct exam session business.
Our support page offers easy access to session forms and information,
online exams and remote video sessions information, VE Manual
supplemental information, FCC Rules, basic qualification question
information, and much more!
VE team leaders can register exam sessions and order supplies via our easy-to-use online form:
http://www.arrl.org/arrl-exam-session-form
Field stocked team leaders can request a restock of session materials
on the ARRL website, using our online re-stock form: www.arrl.org/field-stocked-ve-teams
Emails and FRNs are mandatory on 605 Forms, and for any FCC license transaction. This is an FCC requirement.
In May, the FCC discontinued accepting Social Security numbers, and in
June, began requiring an email address on all applications.
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The ARRL VEC Staff is Ready to Serve You
As always, the dedicated VEC staff are here to answer any questions
you may have.
ARRL VEC (860) 594-0300
Address: ARRL VEC, 225 Main St, Newington CT 06111
Email:
VEC@arrl.org
Web: www.arrl.org/volunteer-examiners
ARRL VEC Fax: 860-594-0339
Maria Somma, AB1FM, Manager
Amanda O'Brien, N1NHL, Assistant Manager
Stephanie Borden W2MAU, Service Representative
Lisa Riendeau, Service Representative
Joshua Nance, Service Representative
Ann Brinius, Service Representative
We thank you for your support of the ARRL VEC program.
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ARRL VEC VE Newsletter is published by the
American Radio Relay League, Inc. - The National Association for Amateur
Radio (R).
Material from the ARRL VE E-Newsletter may be republished or reproduced
in whole or in part in any form without additional permission.
Credit must be given to The ARRL VEC.
ARRL VEC
225 Main Street
Newington CT 06111 USA
Sincerely,
Maria Somma, AB1FM - VEC Manager / Editor
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio®
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111 USA
msomma@arrl.org
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