• Local License Exam Update

    From Daryl Stout@954:895/7 to All on Thu Feb 24 17:31:06 2022
    The University Of Arkansas At Little Rock (UALR) Amateur Radio Club
    will be conducting an amateur radio license exam session on Saturday,
    March 19, 2022, at 10am Central Time.

    The exam will be held in Fribrough Hall Room 517 (in the former
    Natural Sciences Building) just west of the Ottenheimer Library, on
    the UALR campus.

    For more information on the upcoming license exam session, go to http://www.wx4qz.net/elk.htm -- and scroll down the page to the
    last item (UALR Ham Radio Club License Exam Information). It's a 4
    page PDF file with info on what to bring to the session, plus driving directions to the campus on exam day.

    Due to continuing Covid-19 restrictions, MASKS ARE REQUIRED in the
    building and exam area...but, they can be removed, once you exit the
    building. Plus, due to exam room size, only a maximum of fifteen (15)
    examinees will be accepted (no walk-ins).

    Note that failing to follow the Covid-19 precautions, or failing
    to bring the required items (see the PDF file for details), means
    that you will NOT be allowed to take the exam(s).

    My contact information, via phone, text, email, or Postal Mail,
    is at the bottom of the file.

    On The Thunderbolt BBS, the file is named ualrexam.pdf -- and you
    can connect to leave Feedback To Sysop without logging in, if you
    plan to be in the area, and need further information. This file can
    be downloaded via anonymous FTP...but you may need to use an FTP
    client to get it...as most web browsers no longer support FTP file
    transfers.

    Next, as of Feb. 24, 2022...there is nothing on the ARRL website
    about the upcoming $35 fee that examinees will also have to pay to
    the FCC for a new, renewed, or upgraded ham radio license, or for a
    sequential or vanity callsign change. This fee will NOT take effect
    until 30 days after it appears in the Federal Register.

    So, with the exam session on March 19, that'd be BEFORE the 30 day
    point (even if they were to issue something in the coming days)...so,
    examinees will only have to pay the $15 fee for the exam. Note that
    if you pass one exam, you can take the next one (upgrade) in line
    for free...but if you fail that exam, to re-take the failed element
    with a new set of questions, will require another $15 exam fee.

    Plus, be sure you're studying the 2018 Technician, 2019 General,
    or 2020 Amateur Extra Question Pools...any other materials will do
    you no good in preparation for the exam. The current 2018 Technician
    Question Pool will EXPIRE on June 30, with a new set of questions and
    exams taking effect on July 1.

    Again, please contact me (see the info in the file) if you have any questions.

    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)
  • From Daryl Stout@954:895/7 to All on Sat Mar 19 19:59:20 2022
    A father and son passed their Technician Class exam at the University
    Of Arkansas At Little Rock (UALR) Ham Radio Club License Exam session
    this morning. The data was uploaded to ARRL/VEC by VE Team Liaison,
    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ -- they should have their callsigns by late March
    21, or early March 22.

    The UALR Ham Radio Club has scheduled 3 other license exams for 2022,
    on the following Saturdays, at 10am, in Fribrough Hall, Room 517:

    May 21, July 23, and October 15.

    I have to update the exam info file, and will do that in the coming
    days. For those who want more information, they can email me at wx4qz
    at arrl dot net -- I will get back with them as soon as possible.

    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)
  • From Daryl Stout@954:895/7 to All on Fri Apr 21 08:34:46 2023
    From the April 20, 2023 edition of The ARRL Letter:

    The National Council of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) has
    released a 2nd Errata for the 2023 - 2027 General Class Element 3
    Question Pool.

    The NCVEC Question Pool Committee (QPC) has released the second revision
    of the 2023 - 2027 General Class element 3 Question Pool. This revision supplants the question pools released on December 1, 2022, and February
    1, 2023.

    The changes are reflected in the new General pool downloadable files,
    dated April 15, 2023. Three questions have been withdrawn from use, and
    removed from the pool: G6B09, G9C06, and G9D13.

    Most of the other questions had minor changes.

    ARRL VEC teams (and I would assume all VEC Teams) are advised to check
    the NCVEC website or the ARRL website regularly for updates to the
    question pools, which may include errata and withdrawn questions.

    The new General Class Element 3 Question Pool goes into effect on July 1,
    2023.

    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ
    University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)
  • From Daryl Stout@954:895/7 to All on Wed Jul 5 23:17:10 2023
    Due to UALR Ham Radio Club Faculty Advisor, Dr. Keith Hudson, N5EEZ,
    coming down with Covid-19...along with other issues, the ham radio
    license exam session that was scheduled on the UALR Campus for this
    coming Saturday, July 8, 2023, is CANCELED.

    We're still hoping to do a session on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023...and, apologize for any inconvenience for the cancellation. I left a message
    with ARRL/VEC, and will call them in the morning to confirm the session cancellation.

    To find additional exams, go to https://www.arrl.org -- click on
    Exams, then "Find A License Exam Session". Enter the search criteria
    (such as state), and click SEARCH. When you find an exam session that
    meets your needs (either in person or remote/online), contact the VE
    Team Leader or contact person to "get your name in the hat".

    We wish Dr. Hudson a speedy recovery.

    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Leader
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)