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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

With the lifting of the mask mandate in central Arkansas (although
some areas and facilities are still requiring such, plus "social
distancing"), I'm going to check with the Central Arkansas Library
System (CALS)...specifically, the Amy Sanders Library, on when we
can possibly resume license exams out there...and if so, what COVID-19 precautions we need to take.

I am also working with Dr. Keith Hudson, N5EEZ, Faculty Advisor for
the UALR Ham Radio Club, on resuming testing on campus.

Further details on both of these will be posted as soon as possible.

Daryl Stout, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)