| Membership has its rewards - |
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| when it comes to your money,
too! |
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EXAM INFORMATION |
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UPCOMING SESSIONS
2008
May 30
October 24 |
OCARC offers test sessions three times yearly at Munger Cottage, our regular
meeting site. Walk-in registrants are accepted from 6:00 until 7:15 PM; sessions usually end by 7:45.
Contact our VE Team rep - Ron Torpey, N2ATQ - for directions to Munger, questions, or just to tell us you're planning to come. Send Email to:
n2atq @ arrl.net |
The FCC has eliminated Morse Code testing effective February
23, 2007!
Please understand that OCARC has no official public opinion on this matter,
but it looks to be a positive change whose time has come. Your VE Team is greatly encouraged by the great response to our February 23 "first day" session. "Administrative upgraders" patience was rewarded, while successful examinees found satisfaction in a job well-done.
The "Tech" and "Tech+" confusion is also over. All Technician licensees now share unlimited privileges above 50 MHz as well as limited HF operation (including a narrow voice sub-band on 28 MHz.) Older Techs (i.e., pre-1991) - who passed what was then the General written exam - are still eligible for an "administrative upgrade" to General upon presentation of an official (original) copy of their license and payment of the (currently $14)
exam fee.
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IMPORTANT POINTS |
Bring with you to the exam:
* two or more forms of positive identification
* black pens and #2 pencils
* originals of all valid licenses and CSCEs
* $14 test fee (cash or check payable to the ARRL VEC)
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- The 2007 Exam Fee is $14.
- ARRL/VEC is holding the line on its exam fee, which covers most of the "necessary and prudent" expenses they incur to administer their part of the VE Program. (Last increase was January 1, 2005.)
- One $14 exam fee covers up to three different elements in one sitting so we encourage successful Tech and General candidates to at least give
the next one up a try if they have the time.
- Missed it by one question? Want a second chance? Ask your VE Team if an alternate version is available, but you'll have to fork over another $14 for the privilege (ARRL/VEC's policy, not
OCARC's!)
- CSCEs (Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam), however, are still valid for only 365 days from issuance after which unredeemed Element credit is expired and the candidate will need to re-take those examinations.
- ARRL/VEC's website has complete official information concerning current FCC regulations and the Amateur examination process.
- The latest Question Pools are available in both print and electronic versions from a variety of sources, including The
W5YI Group and ARRL. There's also a
free
ARRL/VEC download. The Element 3 (General) question pool is
new and effective for exams beginning on July 1, 2007. Element 4 (Extra) is
good through July 1, 2008.
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INFORMATION YOU NEED
FOR THE FCC PAPERWORK |
To process your 605, you need either:
- your "TIN" (Taxpayer ID Number, usually your Social Security number) or
- an "FRN" (FCC Registration Number) assigned by the Universal Licensing System or its newer mutation, "CORES" (COmmission Registration System)
OCARC's VE Team has supplies of the NCVEC 605, a modified version of the FCC Form 605 used
only in the Volunteer Examination System. VECs (predominantly ARRLand W5YI) transcribe certain information from the NCVEC 605 into FCC's electronic filing database.
You must, however, use the full FCC Form 605 (March 2001 or later) for any direct correspondence with the Commission. As several other services share the
605, follow instructions carefully when completing this form!
CAUTION: To ensure a successful filing, always use the CORRECT form!
ARRL's Website has further details on these matters, plus helpful links to FCC's resources.
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