[Note: this describes the old (paper-based) exam process, and is retained here for historical purposes.]
Welcome to the Boston Amateur Radio Club’s Volunteer Examiner team and thank you for your willingness to serve as a VE. We operate under the auspices of the ARRL VEC, so you will need to be accredited by that organization. As part of the accreditation process you should have become familiar with the ninth edition of the Volunteer Examiner Manual and any supplements published by the League. The manual covers many topics, such as applying for partial credits, that are rarely seen in the field; the things you will need to know for almost every exam session are relatively simple and straightforward.
While it is possible to be accredited as a VE with a General—or even a Technician—license, the functions a VE who does not hold an Amateur Extra license can perform are limited.
The FCC expects us to maintain the integrity of the testing process, which entails keeping the test materials secure and making sure that the candidates complete the test without outside help or anything else that would give them an unfair advantage. In addition, we have to see that the materials we send into the League after a test session are complete. Remember that each VE individually accepts responsibility for validating each candidate’s credentials, supervising the test session, and grading the exams.
Beyond that, our goal will be to provide a friendly and helpful environment for the candidates. We may be the first members of the amateur radio community whom a candidate may meet, and we represent that community as well as BARC. Some people find tests stressful, and even the most well-prepared candidates will still be waiting for us to tell them they’ve passed.
Who’s who
The team’s Liaison VE (exam team lead) is Joe Chapman, NV1W. You will be provided an email address and phone numbers when you join the BARC VE team.
The other members of BARC’s core team are Linda Blair, NA1I, and Jim Clogher, N1ICN, who have been VEs for many years. Linda is also a former Liaison. Other very experienced VEs whom you may work with include Scott, K1SU, and Phil, K9HI.
A note on why things appear to be so complicated
In the old days when there was a Morse Code requirement, it was common for someone to pass the code portion of the test and fail the written one, or vice versa. The candidate would then be issued a CSCE for the parts of the test he or she did pass, and in subsequent tests the exam team would have to know what to do with it.
These days it’s much simpler: you take Element 2, and if you pass that you take Element 3, and if you pass that you take Element 4. You’re issued a license based on the highest element you passed: 2 = Technician, 3 = General, and 4 = Amateur Extra.
These days we rarely see people claiming credit via a CSCE or a previously held license. We also do ask anyone who is planning to do so to let us know in advance so we’re prepared.
Before a test
It’s best to let NV1W know if you’re planning on coming for planning purposes, but also so you’ll be notified if the test session is cancelled for some reason or another.
If you’ve made a commitment to attend the test session and won’t be able to make it or will be late, please let NV1W know as soon as possible. We need to have at least 3 Extra class VEs at every session, and we don’t always have more than that.
On the day of the test
Unless otherwise announced, exams will be at the 96 Holton St. building of the Artisans Asylum in Allston. Directions can be found here.
Plan on arriving at least 15 minutes before the advertised start time.
What happens in a test session — check-in
Each candidate will have a BARC check-in form (these are distributed as a fillable PDF form, and we try to have them filled out in advance) and will be given a copy of NCVEC Form 605 to fill out. Three VEs have to check each candidate’s forms and ID. Normally Jim, N1ICN, handles the money and checks off the “Fee paid” box on the BARC form.
There are boxes for each VE to check ID, license (if any), and CSCE (if any). Usually, with the exception of the “Fee paid” checkbox, the first VE will mark the other checkboxes when he or she examines the NCVEC Form 506, but all others should confirm that it is filled out correctly.
Warning: the FRN must be correct, or the license application will fall into a bureaucratic black hole from which it may take weeks to emerge.
The NCVEC 605 should be filled out in ink, but the answer sheet should be done in pencil so it can be erased.
If the candidate has a calculator, one of the VEs should check it to make sure the memories are erased. A physical calculator must be used; phone apps are not permitted.
What happens in a test session — the test itself
One of the VEs will give the “standard spiel”:
- Do not write in the test booklets.
- If you find writing in the test booklets, bring it to our attention.
- You have all the time you need but cannot leave (for example, to go to the bathroom).
- We use a template to check the test sheet, so fill in a large circle over the answer you choose and make it clear that’s the one you want.
- There are no points off for wrong answers, so if you have to guess, you should do so.
- There are no trick questions.
- You may have one sheet of scratch paper, which we will collect after the test. During the test, all you can have on the table is the test booklet, answer sheet, pencil, and calculator (optional).
Each candidate will get a test booklet, an answer sheet, and if they need one, a piece of scratch paper. They should put the test design number on the answer sheet, and will also need their FRN.
Then comes the hard part for the examiners: sitting around waiting. You also must not leave for the bathroom or another purpose. Please silence your phone and radio, and try to keep talking quiet and to a minimum.
For grading:
- Confirm that the test design number on the booklet matches the one on the answer sheet.
- Use the test design number to confirm the template is correct.
- Either mark the wrong answers in the margin of the answer sheet or confirm that you agree with the ones that are marked.
- Total up the number of correct answers and initial the answer sheet.
If the candidate passes the test, he or she may take the next element without paying an additional fee. Otherwise, the element may be repeated, but the candidate will have to pay another test fee.
Under ARRL VEC rules, you may tell the candidate how many answers were right (or wrong) but not which ones.
What happens in a test session — after the test
For each candidate, you will have to sign the NCVEC form 506 and the CSCE if the candidate was successful. NV1W will take care of the rest of the session paperwork.
The following handouts will be provided as applicable:
- Application fee. The candidate will have to pay this ($35) directly to the FCC; the test team does not get involved in the process. An instruction sheet will be provided.
- Basic qualification question (a/k/a “felony question”). If the candidate answered “yes” to this question, the test team does not get involved in the process. An instruction sheet will be provided as needed. Although this information will be publicly available on the FCC ULS, as a courtesy to the candidate, this is not to be openly or publicly discussed.
- Boston Amateur Radio Club flyer.
We have found that licenses are issued much more quickly than they have been in the past, as early as the next day. The candidate may check the FCC ULS or qrz.com for the status. In case of upgrades, a new General or Extra may operate in those portions of the HF bands before the upgrade becomes official by using the special identifier AG or AE as appropriate.
If the candidate did not pass the test, please be positive and helpful.
Credentials
Please wear your ARRL VEC badge during the session. Your name on the VEC badge is fairly small, so another name tag would be nice. If you want to get an official tan ARRL VE badge, I (NV1W) use the Sign Man of Baton Rouge, https://www.thesignman.com/. For “appointment” choose “Volunteer Examiner – Division – TAN” and for “area” use “New England Division”. Rick will take care of getting the necessary approval from the League.