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2) The valid time on a CSCE REMAINS at 365 calender days. Note that the
FCC DECLINED a proposal for "lifetime CSCE credit". If one receives a CSCE
on July 1 in a non-leap year, that CSCE expires at 12 midnight local time
on June 30 of the following year. If the CSCE is issued on July 1 of a
leap year, the CSCE expires at 12 midnight on June 29 of the following
year.
3) The number of VE's required to proctor a session REMAINS at 3. The FCC
noted that the ARRL, the W5YI-VEC, and a large number of commenters were AGAINST reducing the number from 3 to 2...because with 3 examiners, it "increases the rate of accuracy and integrity, and reduces the chances
of fraud".
4) Created the capability for "remote exam sessions", with at least
one certified VE present, with the capability of monitoring, grading,
and certifying the exams through the internet. This is especially true
in remote locations, such as Alaska, Anarctica, etc. In these areas,
examinees are lucky to have an exam session either twice a year, or
even quarterly. The actual mechanics of the session "will vary from
session to session, and from location to location"...noting that setting
such could limit the flexibility of VE's and VEC's. However, the rule that "administering exams responsibility" is in force, whether for remote tests
or not.
Preparing For An Exam:
======================
Normally, you can't just "walk in off the street" to take a license exam without some preparation. You will be tested on the FCC Part 97 rules,
as they relate to amateur radio, privileges per the appropriate license
class, RF safety, propagation, "good amateur practice", various operating modes, electronic theory, formulas, and calculations; and this is the case
for EACH license exam...Technician, General, and Amateur Extra.
Each of these is in more detail, as you progress up the amateur radio
license ladder...going from Technician, to General, to Amateur Extra.
Passing the more difficult exams gets you more amateur radio privileges. Whether or not you stay with one license class, or upgrade, is totally
up to you. After all, amateur radio is a HOBBY...although some would
consider it an OBSESSION (grin!).
Like it or not, studying is NOT fun. But, you can study with a local
ham radio club study group, or do it on your own. The American Radio
Relay League (ARRL) website (www.arrl.org) has links to classes. Choose
your state (if it's not listed, then no classes are currently scheduled),
and look for a group in your area. It's wise to check with the contact
person to verify details, and check for any last minute changes.
Here are 10 options for study material:
1) The Question Pools alone. These are available at either the ARRL website (
http://www.arrl.org/question-pools), or at the NCVEC website (
http://www.ncvec.org). You will need the appropriate utilities to read the
PDF or Microsoft Word files.
2) The NC4FB website (
http://www.nc4fb.org). It offers an extensive array
of ham radio learning and study materials. You can find study plans, flash cards, PowerPoint presentations, specialized explanations of concepts,
such as "Ohm's Law for Technician License Exams", and even commercial
exam preparation materials. Everything is free, and available to anyone.
A great feature is the practice exam section. This site also offers
Canadian amateur radio license preparation, and commercial study for the
GROL (General Radio Operators License) + ship radar endorsement.
3) The AA9PW website (
http://www.aa9pw.com). A special item of note is the proven accessibility to blind users. There is an option for "no figures"
in the exam, and many blind users do indeed report that this site works
well for them. Additional features include on line Morse code training,
and a Morse code app available from the iTunes store (even though Morse
Code is no longer required for an amateur radio license). The site also includes practice exams for commercial licenses.
4) The QRZ website (
http://www.qrz.com/exams). Besides practice exams, it
also includes a "Practice Tests 2.0 Large Print Edition", that features scalable fonts for those users who can see the screen, but who require
large print. The font size can be scaled to the user's needs.
5) The Ham Exam website (
http://www.hamexam.org). It offers up to date
exams on line, and includes a "flash card" learning option. What is unique
here is that you create an account (it's free), and as you use the site,
it learns which questions are giving you trouble and will emphasize those
in subsequent practice exams.
6) The Radio Exam website (
http://www.radioexam.org). It offers exams for
all three levels, but interestingly enough, it allows for testing on each section of the pool separately, as well as selecting questions from the complete pool.
7) The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) website (
http://www.arrl.org).
It has license preparation materials for the Technician, General, and the Amateur Extra exams. Cost varies per item.
8) The W5YI website (
http://www.w5yi.org). It has the study guides done
by Gordon West, WB6NOA...with similar materials to what the ARRL has
available. Again, cost varies per item.
9) If you are disabled, and need assistance with learning the materials,
you can contact Handi-Hams (
http://www.handiham.org). They help people
with disabilities obtain, then study the material to obtain or upgrade
their ham radio license. Once again, cost varies per item. More resources
for the disabled are located at:
http://www.arrl.org/resources-for-the-disabled
If you have a disability, the Volunteer Examiner (VE) Team may be able to
make certain accomodations for you to take the license exam, such as
giving a test without schematics, graphics, or diagrams...for an
individual who is blind, or severely visually impaired...or reading the questions and available answers to the examinee...who, in turn, tells the
VE what answer to mark on the test.
Note that MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION OF YOUR DISABILITY MAY BE REQUIRED IF
YOUR DISABILITY IS NOT OBVIOUS...and it's best to notify the VE Team as
far in advance of the test session as possible, so that proper
arrangements can be made. If you wait until the test session itself to
notify the VE Team of your disability, they may NOT be able to make the accomodations for you to take the exam...and you will either have to
take the exam without special assistance, or wait until another scheduled license exam session. If the VE Team is limited on exam materials without
any schematics, graphics, or diagrams (these are usually reserved for
those who are blind/extremely visually impaired), you may only be able
to have one try at that particular license class exam at a test session;
and will have to attend another session to "try it again", should you
fail the exam.
10) Ham Test Online (
http://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/index.html).
This option only requires a computer and internet connection (either
dial-up, DSL, broadband/cable, etc.). It is all web browser based, with
nothing to download. Unlike the options where you have to buy books, etc.
for each license class, you get a two (2) year subscription at different prices, depending on which class of license(s) you want to study for
(see the price list for details). It can be cheaper than all the other
license class books combined from all the sources noted above!! You can
take as long as you need to study...in the privacy of your home, to take
as many practice tests desired. Once your study time, plus your practice
test scores are both above 80% on a consistent basis, you're ready for
the real thing at a VE Test Session. However, if after adequate study
time and practice tests, you still fail on exam day, just send them
PROOF of the failure...and they will CANCEL your subscription, and REFUND
your money. Around 1% of all who have signed up with them have requested
a refund.
Personally, it was the best money I ever spent in amateur radio. I went
from Technician to General in only 14 days...and to Amateur Extra just
13 days later!! This is because I studied 2 hours a day for 2 weeks;
but your ability to study along that line may vary. I do NOT recommend
studying for more than 2 hours a day, or you will get burned out!!
It does NOT matter how many you miss on the exam...just as long as you
PASS the test!! Plus, there is no disgrace if you don't pass a license
exam the first time; you can retake the license exam, with a DIFFERENT set
of questions, if the VE team has the capability for you to do so...and
provided you pay an additional test fee. Many hams have had to do just
that when applying for a new license, or an upgrade...and they are on
the air today. Also, the number of "re-tests" per failed element at a
test session may be LIMITED. Chances are if you fail an exam more than
twice in the same session...especially by a large number...that you
need more study time on the material.
License Exam Locations And Requirements:
========================================
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) website (www.arrl.org) has a
place to search for license exams in your area. Click on Exams, enter
the search criteria, and click on search. Once you find a test session
and location that meets your liking, click on Learn More, and then
either write, call, or email the contact person for more details.
Concerning the license exam sessions, some will require pre-registration
(no walk-ins), others will allow walk-ins (there may be a time limit for walk-ins to arrive), while others will permit both. Check with the VE
Team contact person for details. These can be at libraries, meeting
rooms, restaurants, etc. If an examinee has serious health issues in
traveling to an exam, the VE Team may do an "on demand session" at
their location...whether at their residence, or even in a hospital room.
NOTE: The number of examinees at a test session, or a time limit to enter
the exam session, may be LIMITED. Once that number is reached, or the time limit for walk-ins is reached, no further examinees will be allowed to enter the test session. If pre-registration is required, and there is a limit
on examinees at a particular session, you need to "get your name in the
hat", by contacting the VE Team in charge of the session as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you may be "locked out" from the test session.
Also, with pre-arrangement, pre-payment may be required. However, if
on exam day, if you have a valid reason where you can not make the test
session as originally planned...due to a last minute emergency, conflict,
etc., you may be able to arrange a refund by contacting the VE Team in
charge, and providing an explanation. However, any refunds are at the discretion of the VE Team. But, if you do not contact the VE Team Contact person, and are basically "a no show", your pre-payment is non-refundable.
If you miss the test session, it'll be up to you to arrange a future test session, if you're wanting to obtain a ham radio license, or an upgrade... basically, starting the process over again.
It's wise to contact the person overseeing the exam session for any
special information. You can also go to:
http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session
Enter the desired criteria (in one category), and click on search.
Those at hamfests may have a large amount of people wanting to test...
so, allow yourself plenty of time at one of these sessions. If you go to
a hamfest for the license exam ONLY, you won't be required to pay a fee
to enter the hamfest. But, you will be required to pay the license exam
fee, applicable parking fees, highway tolls, etc.
However, if you plan to explore the hamfest as well, you will also have
to pay the hamfest admission fee. If you pass the exam, you're likely to
want to look for a new ham radio transceiver...so, taking an exam at a
hamfest can be VERY beneficial to you.
In the United States, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) conducts
a National Exam Day Weekend the last weekend of April and September every
year. Check with local area ham radio clubs to see if they plan to do
license exam sessions in conjunction with these special weekends.
As noted above, a MINIMUM of three (3) VE's are REQUIRED for ANY license
exam session. If less than that show up, the exam session can NOT take
place. If only a Technician Class exam will be given, the VEs must be at
least General Class licensees. If only Technician and General exams will
be given, the VEs must be at least Advanced Class licensees. But, if all license exams (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra) are to be given,
the VEs MUST be Amateur Extra Class licensees.
When going to a test site, bring:
1) The ORIGINAL and a PHOTOCOPY of your license, if you are already
licensed, or if the licensed is expired (even if more than 2 years).
The photocopy of your license will be sent off with your exam
materials.
2) A Photo ID, such as a Drivers License, Passport, State ID, etc.
Lacking a photo ID will REQUIRE two (2) forms of identification,
such as a Birth Certificate, with the appropriate seal affixed, a
utility bill, bank statement, or other piece of mail addressed to
you, are alternate forms of ID.
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