Results of December 12, 2021 VE Session

CVARC held its first in-person VE session since February 2020 on December 12th. Due to COVID restrictions, session attendance was limited and four candidates were served. Among those who earned new licenses or upgrades at the session were:

Robert M. Fesinmeyer, KN6SEE General

Matthew C. Griffin, KN6SEC Technician

John M. Jubera, KN6SED Technician

David A. Westlund, KK6WES Extra

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CVARC In-Person VE Sessions Return in December

CVARC is pleased to be offering in-person amateur radio license exams once again beginning December 12th.  Until further notice, the number of attendees will be limited, and all applicants must preregister.  No walk-ins will be admitted.

Prevailing COVID protocols will be observed.  Masks must be worn in the examination room and applicants will be asked to provide proof of vaccination.  Please review this information about how to prepare for a license exam before attending a session.

To register, or if you have questions, please contact Andy Ludlum at 818-370-3402.  (k6agl@cvarc.org)

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Studying for License Exams

How do you learn what you need to to know to pass the license exams?

Until the restrictions on gatherings due to COVID 19 are lifted, CVARC will hold license exam classes on Zoom during 2021. Check this website frequently. As the classes are announced, details will be posted here.

You can also study for an amateur radio license on your own. With careful study and practice you can prepare for and pass license exams at all levels. Here are some useful steps to success:

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Getting Started in Ham Radio

There are many reasons why people take up the hobby of amateur radio, aka ham radio.  For some, it’s about preparedness and being able to use amateur radio for emergency communications when other modes of communication are unavailable.  It is not uncommon for internet and cell phone service to be interrupted for extended periods of time, following natural disasters or other events, when infrastructure becomes compromised or overwhelmed.  Amateur radio does not rely on phone lines or other infrastructure, so it’s a perfect choice for such situations.  Others come to the hobby because of an interest in electronics or science, and a desire to experiment with radio-based modes of communication.

Whatever your reasons, whether you want to be able to talk across town or around the world, it’s important that you learn a little about electrical principles, radio waves, station set-up, operating practices and radio safety.  In short, you’ll first need to do a little studying and obtain your amateur radio license.

In the U.S., Amateur Radio is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the Communications Act of 1934.  It is also subject to numerous international agreements.  All Amateur Radio operators must be licensed.  In the U.S. there are three license classes—Technician, General and Extra.  Most countries have similar licensing structures with increasing privileges as your skill increases.  Each successive level of license comes with an expansion of privileges.  With only 3 License Classes, getting started in Amateur radio has never been easier!  Morse code is no longer required for any U.S. Amateur Radio license, but it is still a very popular operating mode and is still in widespread use.

The FCC has authorized Volunteer Examiners (VE) to administer the tests.  These are Amateur Radio operators who have taken additional training and testing to be certified to perform this function.  There is always a minimum of 3 VEs required to administer any test.  Each test is graded by each of the VEs to ensure accuracy in scoring.

For more information, contact someone from our club (see our Contact page) or Call the ARRL’s toll-free number at 1-888-277-5289 and request an informational Amateur Radio prospect package and/or visit the ARRL getting started page at ARRL Hello Radio.

LEVEL 1: Technician Class License

Your introduction to Amateur Radio.

Exam Requirement: 35-question Technician Written Exam (Element 2).  This is derived from a pool of 450 questions.

  • Privileges: All VHF/UHF Amateur bands (frequencies above 30 MHz).
  • Limited operations in certain HF bands.

The FCC Technician License exam covers basic regulations, operating practices and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications.  With a Technician Class license, you will have all ham radio privileges above 30 MHz.  These privileges include the very popular 2-meter band.  Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) handheld radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area.  Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (computers), television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes.  You can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple station equipment.  Technician licensees now also have additional privileges on certain HF frequencies.  Technicians may also operate on the 80, 40 and 15 meter bands using CW (Morse Code), and on the 10 meter band using CW, voice and digital modes.

LEVEL 2: General Class License

Moving onto the HF (High Frequency) bands for world wide contacts.

  • Exam Requirement: 35-question General Written Exam (Element 3).  This is derived from a pool of 450 questions.
  • Privileges: All Technician Class privileges plus privileges on parts of all the HF Amateur bands (frequencies from 1.8 MHz to 30 MHz).

The FCC General License exam covers more regulations, operating practices and electronics theory, with a focus on the HF bands and working longer distances and other countries.  There is a fair amount of electronics theory needed to pass this test, but the study materials cover it very well.  With a General Class license, you will have access to all the ham radio bands, although there are certain portions of the HF bands that are restricted to Extra Class licenses (usually at the lower end of each band).  General Class privileges include the ability to work contacts all over the world, even with modest indoor antennas (such as in the attic or on a balcony).  Generally you would use a desktop radio which is a little larger and may require additional accessories.  The most popular modes on the HF bands are SSB Voice (Single Sideband), CW, and Digital Modes like FT8.  But many hams operate AM voice (Amplitude Modulated) like AM radio stations use, ATV (Amateur Television), and many more.

LEVEL 3: Extra Class License

Access to all the the HF (High Frequency) bands for world wide contacts.

  • Exam Requirement: 50-question General Written Exam (Element 4).  This is derived from a pool of 900 questions.
  • Privileges: All Technician Class privileges plus all General Class privileges plus privileges on the parts of all the HF Amateur bands (frequencies from 1.8 MHz to 30 MHz) that are restricted to Extra Class Licensees.

The FCC Extra License exam covers more regulations, operating practices and a lot of electronics theory, with a focus on the HF bands and working longer distances and other countries.  There is a large amount of electronics theory (including antenna design and some math) needed to pass this test, but the study materials cover it very well.  With an Extra Class license, you have access to all parts of the ham radio bands.  There are certain portions of the HF bands that are restricted to Extra Class licenses (usually at the lower end of each band) and these are popular with some DX (long distance) stations, especially from countries that are difficult to work.  They know the number of hams in those portions will be smaller and that makes it easier to work them.  You can still use modest indoor antennas (such as in the attic or on a balcony) but you are more likely to want outdoor antennas, a tower and beam, an amplifier (for more power), etc.  Generally you would use a desktop radio which is a little larger and may require additional accessories.  The most popular modes on the HF bands are SSB Voice (Single Side Band), CW, and Digital Modes like FT8.  But many hams operate AM voice (Amplitude Modulated) like AM radio stations use, ATV (Amateur Television), and many more.

Study Materials

How to learn what you need to pass the license tests.

  • Take a Class –CVARC also offers free classes for all levels of amateur radio licenses.   See the Licensing Classes category for more information.  For more information, please contact CVARC Education Coordinator Keith Elliott-W6KME at w6kme@cvarc.org.
  • Get a License Manual – There are manuals for each class of license.  Each manual covers the information on the exam and includes the complete question pool with the answers.  The ARRL License Manuals tend to be a little more formally written, compared to the Gordon West License Manuals.  Also popular are the No-Nonsense Guides.
  • Study Online – There are several websites that offer online education and practice tests.  But be careful that the site, or app, you’ve chosen is using the current question pool.  The question pools are revised every 2 years or so.  Popular options include:

Ham Test Online

Ham Study

QRZ Online Tests

Ham Exam

  • Join CVARC – Find an “Elmer” who can assist you with study materials and preparing for your exam.

Exams

Exams are conducted by accredited Volunteer Examiners and sessions are sponsored by CVARC.  Exams are conducted for all FCC Amateur Radio license classes under the supervision of the ARRL VEC.  No pre-registration is necessary, walk-ins are welcome.  The Exams start at 8:30 AM at:

East County Sheriff’s Station (ECSS)
2101 East Olsen Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

(Located between Highway 23 and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library)

Click for dates of upcoming exam sessions (all sessions are conducted on Sunday mornings.)

ON EXAM DAY BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

  1. A legal photo ID (e.g.: driver’s license, passport).
  2. When no photo ID is available, two forms of identification must be presented:
    • Non-photo ID/driver’s license (some states still have them)
    • Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)
    • Social Security card
    • Library card
    • Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that specifically names the person; or a postmarked envelope addressed to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on the Form 605.
  3. Students may bring any of the above items and/or a school ID, minor’s work permit, report card, or a legal guardian may present a photo ID.
  4. Bring your Social Security Number (SSN) or your FCC issued Federal Registration Number (FRN).  VEC’s are required by the FCC to submit either your SSN or your FRN number with your license application form.  If you prefer not to give your SSN at the exam session, then you may register your SSN with the FCC before exam day.  Once you have a FCC issued FRN, you may no longer use your SSN on the application.  For instructions on how to register your SSN with the FCC and receive a FRN, visit the FCC’s registration instructions page.
  5. If applicable, bring either a photocopy of your current Amateur Radio license or a reference copy printed out from the FCC website, the license information printed from ARRL website or QRZ website, or the original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from previous exam sessions. If your license has already been issued by FCC, the CSCE showing license credit is not needed. The photocopy(s) will not be returned. Instructions on how to obtain an official FCC license copy are found at  http://www.arrl.org/obtain-license-copy.
  6. At least two number two pencils with erasers and a pen.
  7. A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed.  You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session.  Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they’re free of notes and formulas. Cell phones must be silenced or turned off during the exam session and the phones’ calculator function may not be used. In addition, iPhones, iPads, Androids, smartphones, Blackberry devices and all similar electronic devices with a calculator capability, may NOT be used.
  8. Bring a check, a money order or cash to cover the $15 exam session fee.

The FCC now offers partial credit for expired General, Advanced or Extra Amateur Radio licenses.  Please refer to the  exam element credit rules and instructions. The normal test fee applies for processing these applications.

CVARC administers license examinations (VE Sessions) six times a year.  For more information on VE Sessions please contact Andy Ludlum-K6AGL at k6agl@cvarc.org or by phone at 818-370-3402.