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VE Testing |
VE TESTING Become an amateur radio operatorAmateur Radio License Levels and RequirementsThe rules for earning an Amateur Radio license vary depending on which country you live in. In the US, there are three license levels, or "license classes" which are Technician class, General class and Extra Class. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grants these licenses. With only 3 License Classes, getting started in ham radio has never been easier! STEP 1: Technician Class License
The most popular license for beginners is the Technician Class license, which requires only a 35 question multiple-choice written examination. The test is written with the beginner in mind. The exam covers basic regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. Morse Code is not required for this license. With a Technician Class license, you will have all ham radio privileges above 30 megahertz (MHz). These privileges include the very popular 2-meter band. Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) hand-held 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, and on the 10 meter band using CW, voice, and digital modes. STEP 2: General Class License (upgrade from Technician)
Technicians may upgrade to General Class by passing a 35-question multiple-choice written examination. The written exam covers intermediate regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on HF applications. Non-licensed individuals must pass Element 2 and Element 3 Written Exams to earn a General License. The FCC grants exam element 3 credit to individuals that previously held certain older types of licenses. Valid Forms of Examination Element Credit can be found on the Web. The General Class is a giant step up in operating privileges. The high-power HF privileges granted to General licensees allow for cross-country and worldwide communication. Some people prefer to earn the General Class license as their first ticket, so they may operate on HF right away. In addition to the Technician privileges, General Class operators are authorized to operate on any frequency in the 160, 30, 17, 12, and 10 meter bands. They may also use significant segments of the 80, 40, 20, and 15 meter bands. STEP 3: Extra Class License (upgrade from General)
General licensees may upgrade to Extra Class by passing a 50-question multiple-choice examination. No Morse code test is required. In addition to some of the more obscure regulations, the test covers specialized operating practices, advanced electronics theory, and radio equipment design. Frankly, the test is very difficult, but others have passed it, and you can too. Non-licensed individuals must pass Element 2, Element 3 and Element 4 Written Exams to earn an Extra License. The FCC grants exam element 3 credit to individuals that previously held certain older types of licenses. Valid Forms of Examination Element Credit can be found on the Web. The HF bands can be awfully crowded, particularly at the top of the solar cycle. Once one earns HF privileges, one may quickly yearn for more room. The Extra Class license is the answer. Extra Class licensees are authorized to operate on all frequencies allocated to the Amateur Service. Amateur Radio is a friendly, high-tech hobby that's got something fun for everyone!
The tests are administered by a volunteer examiner program (VE) and a test fee of about $12 is required for each session. That means you can take tests for all examination elements with one fee but if you fail test and want to retake it, another test fee will be required. Make sure to bring identification and original AND copies of any current certificates of completion or current licenses held for amateur radio.
Area VE sessionsEdinboro University holds VE testing each month at the Baron-Forness Library, Room 201, from 12:30 registration with testing starting at 1:00 pm. The dates of the sessions are as follows: 5/10/08, 6/15/08 & 7/ /08. K3TLP and WW3S will be part of the VE team!
Mercer County holds VE testing on the 3rd Saturday of every even months but pre-registration is required.
Location: the EMA 911 building at 205 South Erie Street, Mercer, Pa. holds VE sessions every month on the 3rd Saturday at 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed but pre-registration is perferred) at the Greene Township Mun. Building Room 107, 9333 Tate Road, Erie PA-USE DISTRICT JUSTICE ENTRANCE Contact: FLOYD O TITUS (814)825-8599> Email: TITUS@VELOCITY.NET
Due to new rules that took effect on February 23, the Morse Code Element 1 Exam is no longer required for any license class. Those who currently hold a technician license are immediately granted privileges on the HF band segments currently allocated to Technicians who hold the Morse Code credit. Additionally, any technician who has passed the Element 3 (General Written) exam is eligible for an upgrade to a General Class License. These amateurs must report to the exam session with a copy of their current license AND the Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) showing that they passed the Element 3 within the last calendar year (after February 24, 2006). A new application will be filed, and a new CSCE will be issued showing the upgrade. We will also be offering all examination elements at this test session (except for the obsolete Element 1 Morse Code test).
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