VE TESTING:

TESTING INFORMATION:

Morse code:

• Learning Morse code is NO LONGER REQUIRED for any of the Amateur Radio class licenses.

  In the 5 years since CW was eliminated, it is clear that the future of CW is bright. Like ham radio itself, CW is alive and well. This is in spite of ... or perhaps because of ... the elimination of the code test requirement. As KC0CCR, Randy, points out ... Radio amateurs have not learned and/or used Morse code because of the CW test reqirement. CW has been, and continues to be used, because it has been a very useful mode of wireless communication for many ham radio operators.

  And, as WZ8C, Nancy, concludes ... The timeless simplicity of Morse code assures its place in ham radio, requirement or not.

• Many Amateur Radio operators are now learning the code because they WANT to ... not because they HAVE to.

• If you are interested in learning CW, PVR Morse code classes will be conducted when there is a request for such a class.

Written Test:

• You may use a calculator, but the examiners will need to see it before testing begins to make sure you have nothing programmed into it.

• Write only on the answer sheets and not in the test booklet, use the back of the answer sheet for scratch paper. If you need additional scratch paper, it can be provided. All scratch paper will be kept with your exam and turned into the VEC.

• The Technician, General and Extra exams are all multiple choice quesions chosen from a question pool.

• The Technicial and General exams are 35 questions each of which you must get 26 correct to pass. The Amateur Extra exam is 50 questions of which you must get 37 correct to pass the test.

• Here are some hints for taking a multiple choice exam:
  1. Read ALL of the answers before you pick one. Many times the answers can sound similar.
  2. If you don't know the answer, skip to the next question and come back to it later.
  3. Use the process of elimination -- some answers are obviously wrong so concentrate on the ones that are left.
  4. Make sure that the answer you mark on the answer sheet is for the question you just read.
  5. You will have plenty of time, so go over the questions again, but change answers ONLY if you are ABSOLUTELY SURE you made a mistake.
  6. Make sure you clearly mark your answers by completely blaken the letter on the answer sheet. Do not circle the answer.

• Anyone that accompanies you to the test site that is not taking a test themselves, must wait outside of the examination room.

• You may not watch the examiners as they grade your exam, however upon your request we will tell you how many questions you missed but not which questions.

• Test Papers and forms will be mailed out quickly after the exam, often license information is available via the internet by the end of the next week.

Retesting:

• If you fail the exam element and would like to try again, you may do so if the examiners are willing to stay the extra time to give the test and you pay the $15.00 VE fee again.

• Note! Please, if you were not close to passing, don't request a retest, you would be wasting our time and your money.

• There are many sites on the internet that allow you to take sample exams on the web. Here is a list of the sites we like:

  • AA9PW Sample Tests
  • A good site for Sample Exams

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Here are a few other sites:

• Some Exam links
• ADI Radios Ham Tests
• Still more

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IF YOU PASS THE EXAM AND GET A LICENSE:

• Be proud of your license! Hams enjoy priviliges that others can only dream of. You can talk to other prople anywhere in the world from your armchair, free of charge. With your ham radio, you can talk to other ham operators on polar expeditions, ships at sea, airplanes flying overhead, exotic islands, and many more interesting places.
• Imagine answering a CQ and talking to someone on a mountain over 14,000 feet in elevation using a solar- powered QRP rig they carry in their backpacks. Imagine the privilege of talking to an astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS), a privilege that hams enjoy that other civilians do not.
• Would you like to use a satellite in orbit around the earth to relay your signals to other parts of the globe? No problem! All ham license classes can do that.
• The next time you go on vacation or an outing, take a rig along. Throw up a portable antenna and throw out a CQ or two. Many hams enjoy picking up an unusual Grid Square or county for their logs. I made a contact with a ham using a QRP rig on a fishing dock one afternoon, and I could hear seagulls in the background. He said he was sitting in a lawn chair with his cooler next to him while enjoying a cool lake breeze. My radio put me right next to him that day.
• Yes --- Be proud of your license.




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Congratulations!  You've got your new Amateur Radio license and can't wait to start operating on HF phone.    However, you're not certain how you want to conduct yourself.    After all, there are few if any mandated rules.   Most  hams have developed good operating practices and etiquette simply by listening to more experienced hams and you will as well.      Here are some of my ideas for your consideration.  
                                                                               K4QKY "Don"

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Do Always be polite regardless of the circumstances.  If not, avoid transmitting. Set a good example especially for short wave listeners who may be thinking about becoming a ham. Be a good listener.  It will help you better organize your thoughts before transmitting. Reply to a CQ, or call CQ yourself.  It helps keep alive the magic of ham radio.  Speak clearly and slowly, especially when giving your call sign to someone you have never worked before. Promote friendship and goodwill to DX contacts.  Look for ways to get to know each other rather than simply exchanging signal reports and 73s! Try to keep track of everyone in the QSO.  Hopefully someone has assumed the role of "traffic director" to make sure everyone has a chance to contribute to the discussion.  If not, don't hesitate to do it yourself. Make it clear at the end of each transmission which station is expected to transmit next.  Try to do this even when operating VOX. Operate on frequencies that are in whole KHz (e.g. 18.130 Khz). This alleviates ambiguity and makes it easier for everyone to be on the same frequency. Openly praise other hams when you observe them doing something that you feel is especially deserving. e.g., helping demonstrate ham radio to a group of scouts. Always be ready to quickly and calmly respond to emergency situations.  Rehearse what you would do if presented with various scenarios. Pause between transmissions.  "Quick keying" gives the appearance that other hams are unwelcome in your QSO. Consider using the Internet to enrich your QSO.    Many hams have developed their own comprehensive websites which you can usually find through QRZ.COM.   Respect the privileges of hams operating in other modes on the HF bands including those who enjoy AM. Make a point to try 17 and 60 meters.  Good operating practices are especially prevalent on these bands. Look for opportunities to "Elmer" newly licensed hams when you hear them on the HF bands.   Welcome them, solicit their questions  and give them pointers on  good operating practices. Remember that no one country can proclaim to be the leader of the Amateur Radio world.   Likewise, no one country's foreign policy is any more right or wrong than that of another country.  Develop good operating practices.  You will be doing your part in helping insure the  continuance of our long and proud tradition of self-regulation.

Don't Act like some sort of Broadcast Radio station.  Your fellow Amateurs  will most likely not appreciate such a blatant display of personal ego. Acknowledge the presence of deliberate interference.  After all, that's most likely the overall objective of the person doing the interfering. Be excessively long winded especially when in a round-table discussion and during times when band conditions are changing. Just talk about ham radio.  Most hams have many more interests. Operate when you are in a bad mood.   You will be that much more vulnerable to losing your temper. Overuse Q-codes and other ham jargon on the phone bands.  Claim or homestead any particular frequency for nets, schedules, etc.  If your designated frequency is already in use, simply move up or down as necessary. Transmit before first determining that the frequency is clear.  This includes transmitting within 3Khz of other known QSOs. Break into an ongoing QSO unless you can hear the majority of the participants. Ignore someone new to a round table QSO.  We should all do our part to make everyone feel welcome.   Avoid making the discussion appear exclusive to your particular circle of friends. Test your transmitter over the air.  It is far better to use a dummy load. Cough, sneeze or clear your throat into your microphone.   Operate VOX except when in a QSO with three or less participants.  It tends to foster "quick keying" which may give the appearance that you don't welcome  breakers. Become a "Band Policeman" quick to tell others what you feel they are doing wrong.  In instances where it may be called for, always be polite and constructive. Turn up your microphone gain or resort to excessive speech processing in order to be heard.  Such practices will most likely result in diminished audio quality and increased likelihood of interference to nearby QSOs. Use the word "break" when wanting to join an on-going QSO.   Simply give your call sign between transmissions and reserve the use of the word "break" for more urgent situations. Join an ongoing QSO unless you have something to contribute to the discussion.  It is especially rude to interrupt  other hams with a  request  for audio checks,  signal reports, etc.  Operate in any fashion that is not in keeping with good amateur practice.  Be certain to always comply with the provisions of Part 97 of the rules. Knowingly interfere with an ongoing QSO just because you are working DX, especially split frequency.  Say that the frequency "is not" in use when you hear someone inquire.  Refrain from responding at all unless you know for certain that the frequency or one nearby "is" in use. Ridicule other hams or express any negative views of the overall state of Amateur Radio.  If you don't have something positive and constructive to say, avoid saying anything at all.

• Please keep in mind that the information in the above lists is just the opinion of one ham radio operator. But, they do represent what should and should not be done when operating your radio ... they are guidelines for you, the new license holder. As you gain more experience, you may have different views ... and that is o.k.

• Keep in mind that common sense is the lowest common denominator. Let's keep in mind that it is a privilege to operate on the ham radio bands. Following the suggestions in the lists will help avoid doing anything that is detrimental to other operators.
• Perhaps you don't agree with everything on the lists ... and, that is just fine. If you would like to see something added, deleted, or changed, please contact Dick, W9JR at redstamper ()mwt.net.
• Here is something you should remember: GOOD AMATEUR OPERATING PROCEDURES MEANS NEVER HAVING TO SAY YOU'RE SORRY.

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