MVARC FCC Volunteer Examinations

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•   FLASH NEWS
•   New Starting Time

  •  Beginning June 10th, 2000, the Mount Vernon ARC VE sessions will begin at 0930 Hours instead of 0900 hours.

•   Restructed License Information

  •  Effective April 15, 2000, the FCC has instituted a restructuring of the Amateur Radio Service. The basic restructuring reduces the number of new issued license classes to Technician, General and Extra. The examinations will be as follows:

    Element 1 - 5 word per minute code examination

    Element 2 - Technician Class written examination which is essentially comprised of questions by consolidating the old elements 2 and 3A question pools

    Element 3 - General Class written examination which is essentially comprised of questions from the old element 3B

    Element 4 - Extra Class written examination which is essentially comprised of questions by consolidating the old elements 4A and 4B question pools

    Additional information may be obtained from the ARRL web page

    The new VE question pools are available at ARRL Amateur Exam Question Pools

•  What Are the Volunteer Examinations?

  •  The Mount Vernon Amateur Radio Club Inc. examiners are accredited by the Laurel Amateur Radio Club, Inc., a Federal Communications Commission Volunteer Examiner Coordinator, to administer FCC tests leading to an Amateur Radio Operator License.

    To be an Examiner, you must be a General Class or better Amateur Licensee. Volunteer Examiner's are just that - they receive NO compensation for the time and expense they spend administering tests and associated work involved.

    The MVARC Volunteer Examiners administer tests the second Saturday of each month usually at the Fairfax County Lee District Park Recreation Center, 6601 Telegraph Road, in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County, Virginia. All tests are at 9:30 A.M. sharp. Pre-registration is not required to take the tests. See the list below for the exact exam location.

    The FCC authorizes a charge of up to almost $10.00 for testing to cover expenses by the VE team and the VEC. The Laurel ARC VEC Inc. does not charge for its examinations. The VEC and MVARC underwrite any costs associated with the examinations, so they are FREE to all.

•  When and Where Are the Testing Sessions?

  •  MVARC VE Testing Locations & Dates

•  What You Need to Bring With You

  •  Two forms of positive ID., one with photo

  •  Original and photocopy of each license or CSCE you currently hold and claim credit for. Failure to bring either/both will result in your license and/or upgrade being delayed!

  •  Writing implements

  •  Optional - calculator that the examiners can clear its memory

  •  We supply a specially imprinted FCC Form 605

•  Frequently Asked Questions
  •   General Information
    •  How long do I have to wait to find out if I passed an exam element?

      •  All examination papers are graded immediately so we can tell you the results.

    •  If I do not pass an element, can I take another test with the same element?

      •  Yes, there is no waiting period to take another exam. The Examiners usually have enough different exams to allow you to take each element twice.

  •   Written Exams
    •  Do I have to take the tests in any special order?

      •  We prefer to give the written elements 2, 3, and 4 in the order listed because the elements become progressively more difficult as you increase the license class. Technician requires passing element 2. General requires passing elements 1, 2, and 3.

        You must have every required license element passed in order to obtain specific operating privileges. In other words, to operate in the Extra portion of the bands authorized for Amateur Extra Licensee use, you must have an Extra License, not just credit for element 4. You will have had to pass element 1 CW; 2, 3, and 4 written theory.

    •  Where can I get information to study for the exams?

      • There are many books available which are designed to help you study for the examinations.

        You may also get the examination question pools for each element from the ARRL web site by clicking here.

    •  Is there a place where I can take practice examinations on line?

      •  Yes - There are several web sites which allow you to take practice written examinations.

        You can try one site sponsored by W1AGG by clicking here.

    •  Are there any fill in the blank answers for written questions?

      • No, all written exams have multiple choice answers.

    •  I've been told there are "trick" questions not in the books on the tests. Is that true?

      • NO-WAY! First, its against the FCC Rules. Second, we are HAMS giving tests to current and prospective HAMS. Our examiners want you to pass and don't like to see anyone fail an exam. While we can't help you with your test, each Examiner on the team is pulling for you to pass with flying colors!

  •   Code Exams
    •  What method is used to send the CW exam?

      •  MVARC examiners provide each individual with headphones so distractions are limited.

    •  Is the Fahrnsworth method used during the CW exams?

      •  A recent ruling by the National VEC Committee has set all code exams at the same speed. See chart below.

        ELEMENT	Speed 1
        1	5 @ 13

    •  How are the CW tests given?

      •  CW tests are administered by a written test consisting of ten fill in the blank questions. You must pass 7 of the ten. Additionally, you must copy a sufficient number of prosigns, numbers and characters to demonstrate to the examiner's that you can copy CW. One-minute of solid and perfect copy (at any speed)is an automatic passing grade. If you have 1 minute of solid and perfect copy - you need not pass the questions.

    •  Can I take a sending test instead of a receiving test?

      •  NO. The FCC Rules require the examiners administering the test to certify that you can copy CW, not send it. Our team does not give sending tests for exam credit

    •  I took my element 1 CW (5 wpm) in Gulch Gap, Montana 13 months ago and have a CSCE for that element. Can I use it for credit at a test session next month? ?

      •  NO. CSCE's are good for only 365 days, and then expire. You'll have to take element 1 again.

•  Now That I have Taken the Exam What Happens?

  •  Once all exam papers have been graded by the examiners and you have been advised of the results the following steps are taken:
    • If you have passed any elements, a Certificate of Successful Completion (CSC) for these elements is issued to you before you leave the exam location.

    • If you qualify for a license and you DO NOT currently have a license, you must wait until the FCC issues you a call sign BEFORE you can get on the air. (See below for obtaining information about your callsign)

    • f you currently have a license and you qualify for an upgrade, you are granted immediate privileges to operate at the new license level.

    • The test results and all exam papers are sent via the Postal Service priority mail to the Laurel VEC who electronically files the results with the FCC.

    • Successful examinees usually have their new licenses or upgrades posted by the FCC in the public database, normally within 3 business days, or less.

    • Once your license is in the public database, you are authorized to use your new call sign and get on the air. The results are available on the ARRL web page at http://www.arrl.org/fcc/fcclook.php3

    • If you have questions, contact the MVARC VE Coordinator John Forrest, WZ4A

•  What If I Can Not Make a Mount Vernon VE Session

  •  You may go to the ARRL web page Exam Schedule link to search for some other exams in your area.

  •  You may also send an email to W5YI VEC to find out about test locations.

•  If You Have Additional Questions

  •  Send an email to John Forrest or telephone at 703-971-3905

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