For years, the RCARA has offered testing sessions on the second Saturday of odd-numbered months at 9:00AM, alternating with the Tri-State Amateur Radio Association to offer monthly testing opportunities. Our club is a Laurel-affiliated club, meaning that all test examiners are volunteers & we have never charged a fee to test to become an amateur radio operator, or to upgrade your license. At this time, license testing & upgrades, license renewal, and vanity callsign applications are free, however sometime in 2021 the FCC will be implementing a $35 fee for all of the above. There is currently no date for this requirement, but a notification will be made when it is to take effect.

Our club tests on meeting nights (second Tuesday of the month) at 6:00PM. In addition to regular monthly testing, we also offer testing sessions on a case-by-case basis. Since not everyone can meet on the same night every month, we will do our best to offer a date where VE's (or Volunteer Examiners) can meet and offer testing for you, or a group of people that can't make it to our monthly meeting. We also offer information on testing & study material for groups or clubs with members interested in becoming ham radio operators.

 

For any potential amateur radio operators or upgrades, we recommend the HamRadioExam line of apps that can be found on the App Store and Google Play store on your phone or tablet. All apps contain the current question pools, offer sample tests as well as a listing of the correct answers for each question, depending on your preferred method of studying.

FAQ:

• What do I need to bring?
  A: A valid photo ID (children without photo ID may test if they can prove their identity to the VEC team leader) an official copy of your current, signed, amateur radio operator's license (if you are upgrading) the original & a copy of any document(s) to use as element credit, & a positive attitude. Starting 1/1/2021, you are required to have a FCC Registration Number (FRN) which will replace your SSN, and a valid e-mail address when applying to test. More info on obtaining a FRN can be found by clicking here (opens in new window) If you are already licensed, your FRN can be found on your license on the FCC's ULS.
   

• What will happen?
  A: You will fill out some basic forms for ID and processing, then you are given pre-exam instructions and rules for testing. ALL CELLPHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF, YOU CANNOT USE THEM, EVEN AS A CALCULATOR. You may bring your own calculator, providing the built-in memory has been cleared. The test will contain 35 questions for Technician and General, and 50 questions for Extra. You must answer at least 26 (Tech/General class) or 37 (Extra class) questions correctly to pass. Once you are finished, it will be graded by the VE's. If you pass, the VE team will prepare paperwork to be submitted to the FCC. If you fail, and you answered at least 24 (Tech/General) or 35 (Extra) questions correctly, you will be given a second opportunity to test if time allows. Otherwise, you will need to study harder and try again another day.
   

• If I pass, when can I start using my new license?
  A: You can start operating as soon as your license is shown in the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS) database, which could take up to 14 days, but typically takes less than 48 hours following the exam date. If you included an e-mail address and the ULS has processed your information, the FCC will send you an e-mail with a link and instructions to download your new license.
   

• Do I need to know morse code to test?
  A: No, morse code was removed as a requirement as of February 2007.
   

• Can I test/upgrade as a felon?
  A: Yes, but you must indicate your felony status on your application. This does not bar you from obtaining a license, but keeps consistency across the FCC's various application forms
   

Other FAQ's may be listed and can be viewed at https://www.laurelvec.com/?pg=faq.

For more info or questions on testing, please contact Darrell Smith, NU4P, Lead VEC, by phone at (606) 547-6639, or by e-mail at NU4P@arrl.net.