MAHONING VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO 2015 LICENSE EXAMS
MVARA’S Volunteer Examiner Team announces its 2015 schedule of amateur license testing sessions:
January 16, March 19, May 21, July 16, September 26*, November 19. The September date with the “*” is National Exam Days. See item #3 below for times.
BELOW YOU WILL FIND ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW PRIOR TO TAKING YOUR EXAM. PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL (330) 534-1394 BEFORE THE TESTING SESSION.
1) All exam dates shown above are held at the YSU Facilities Building on Wood Street in Youngstown. Enter via the door under the metal awning on the left side of the building. The testing facility is at the top of the stairs on the second floor.
2) Pre-registration is suggested to assure you a seat at the exam. We will accept walk-ins but due to limited seating in the testing center those who have pre-registered will receive seating preference. Registration will be accepted until the capacity of the room is reached. If the room is filled, walk-ins cannot be guaranteed a prompt exam and may have to wait for a seat to open after a previous examinee is finished. To pre-register call (330) 534-1394 or e-mail at: [email protected].
3) Check in time for the September exam date opens Saturday morning at 10:30 AM with exams promptly at 11:00 AM. All other dates are on Thursdays and have check in opening at 6:30 PM with exams at 7:00 PM.
4) Written exams for ALL AMATEUR LICENSE CLASSES and UPGRADES are offered at all testing sessions. THERE IS NO LONGER A REQUIREMENT TO PASS A CODE EXAM FOR ANY AMATEUR LICENSE CLASS.
5) All candidates must show TWO forms of identification including one photo ID at check in. If you do not have a photo ID you can show a student ID, employee ID, social security card, library card, credit card, birth certificate, mail addressed to you or an existing radio license. TWO forms of ID are required. This is mandated by the FCC. NO IDs, NO EXAM.
6) We will provide all the necessary FCC forms and will assist you in filling them out prior to the exams. Please do not bring your own forms. The FCC periodically revises their forms and often will not accept older versions.
7) Please bring your own calculator if you plan to use one. See item 8 below for regulations on calculators, some types are not permitted. We will provide the pencils and scratch paper. If the examiners are not able to determine that the calculator you bring meets the specifications outlined in #8 below the examiners may opt to substitute a calculator from their supplies which has empty memories but will be capable of all calculator functions needed for any amateur exam.
8) Use of small basic hand held calculators for math problems on the exams is permitted but ALL MEMORIES MUST BE EMPTY! Examiners are required to check all calculator memories prior to testing. Please save us time by clearing all calculator memories before you come to the exam and be prepared to demonstrate that they are empty. Calculators that have formulae “hardwired” into memories in such a way that they cannot be cleared are not permitted. If examiners are unable to determine that the memories are empty they reserve the right to offer the use of a calculator which will be loaned to you by the examiners. Calculators built into cell phones, computers, laptops, tablets, droids, “smartphones” or other electronic appliances are NOT permitted. No device that permits possible access to the internet can be used by examinees during the examinations. NO LAPTOPS! Slide rules and printed math tables such as logarithmic tables are permitted as long as they are free of notes and formulas.
9) IF YOU ARE ALREADY LICENSED YOU MUST BRING YOUR ORIGINAL LICENSE PLUS A COPY OF THAT LICENSE WE CAN KEEP! There is a two year grace period on all expired licenses. If the expiration date on your most recent license is more than two years old you are no longer a licensed amateur radio operator. IF YOU ARE ALREADY LICENSED BE SURE YOU KNOW YOUR F.R.N. number which is required on the FCC 605 form. This is NOT the same as the “File Number” which may also appear on some licenses. If your FRN (FCC Registration Number) does not appear on your license go to: http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls and under “Search” click on “Licenses”. Select “By Call Sign” and enter your current call, then click on “Search”. Your information page will come up and on it will be your FRN number. If this appears too confusing or if you don’t have access to a computer that is on line call 330-534-1394 PRIOR TO COMING FOR YOUR EXAM and we can search for your FRN. If you do not have a FRN (if you are unlicensed you will not have one) you will be required to fill in your social security number on the FCC form. When your license is issued you will be assigned a FRN that will appear on your license. This FRN MUST be used in all further dealings with the FCC such as upgrades, call changes, license renewals, etc. If you continue to use your Social Security number or File Number once a FRN has been assigned to you the FCC will not act on your application. THEY WILL ACCEPT ONLY THE FRN once one has been assigned. Under certain circumstances expired General, Advanced and Extra class licenses can be renewed. This requires taking and passing the Element 2 written exam, paying the appropriate exam fee and providing proof you are the holder of the expired license. Call 330-534-1394 for more information.
10) IF YOU HAVE ANY CERTIFICATES FOR ELEMENTS PASSED AT A PREVIOUS EXAM SESSION AND Y0U ARE USING THESE FOR ELEMENT CREDIT YOU MUST BRING THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AND A COPY OF THAT CERTIFICATE THAT WE CAN KEEP. Please remember that a CSCE (Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) is good for 365 days beginning on the date of issue. Once a CSCE has expired it has no value, the test elements that it covered must be taken again. Those who are not licensed must first pass the Technician written exam before taking and passing the General written exam to achieve the General license. If they have already passed the General exam and have a current CSCE to indicate that this exam has been passed but have not yet passed the Technician exam, a General license will be issued upon passing the Technician exam and presentation of that CSCE. The Amateur Extra license cannot be issued unless the applicant has passed the Technician and General written exams first and has either a current license or current CSCE to indicate such. LICENSES within the grace period can be accepted to show license class. CSCEs expire one year from the date of issue, have NO grace period and can not be renewed.
11) The testing fee for 2014 is $15.00 payable in cash or by check or money order made out to: ARRL/VEC. This fee covers any element tests you wish to take at this exam session only. It does NOT include taking the same test elements a second time. If you are offered the opportunity to take another version of the same element it is considered an entirely new exam and another $15 fee must be charged. If you are paying cash we would really appreciate it if you would have EXACT CHANGE. We don’t have a cash drawer on hand to make change. Checks are acceptable and should be made payable to: ARRL/VEC. This fee is set by the FCC and is used to defray the expense of processing your license. The VE Team does not receive any profit from this fee, our examiners are all volunteers. Applicants requesting a “paper upgrade” must also pay the $15.00 fee.
12) Your tests will be graded at the exam session and you will be notified of your results before you leave the building. Of course you will need to wait for a short period of time. By FCC regulations each test paper must be checked by three separate examiners. Additional forms must also be signed by all three examiners. This and the associated FCC paperwork requires some time. IF FOR ANY REASON YOU WISH TO HAVE YOUR RESULTS PRESENTED TO YOU IN PRIVACY PLEASE ADVISE THE EXAMINERS WHEN YOU TURN IN YOUR EXAM.
13) You can bring your study material into the testing room and study until the actual testing begins. At that time you will be asked to remove all this material to another part of the room. When testing begins you can not have any material or items on the table or on your person except that which is provided by the examiners and a calculator that meets the specifications shown in #8 above. Chiming watches and cell phones should be silenced.
14) If you require any special testing accommodations due to a handicap we will do all we can to help but we must require ADVANCE NOTICE OF AT LEAST 45 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EXAM DATE. Many handicap accommodations require us to schedule additional examiners or acquire special equipment and this can not be done on short notice. If you request special accommodations for a handicap less than 45 days prior to the exam we will reschedule you for the next closest exam date. No exceptions, please.
YSU EXAM DIRECTIONS:
The YSU Facilities Building is located just a few blocks south of the MADISON AVENUE FREEWAY on WOOD STREET just east of the corner of Wood Street and Fifth Avenue. Here are directions from various points of arrival
1) Approaching on I-80 from the west (Akron, Ravenna etc) follow the signs to YOUNGSTOWN via I-680. From I-680 take Exit 6B and bear to the left and follow the sign marked HUBBARD and follow the directions in #2 below at ****.
2) Approaching from the east or south via I-680 (from Boardman, Poland, etc) get off I-680 at the HUBBARD EXIT. **** Continue to the exit marked “422 WEST, WARREN” which will put you on the MADISON FREEWAY. Take the exit marked FIFTH AVENUE. Turn LEFT at the light at the top of the ramp onto FIFTH AVENUE and proceed on Fifth through FIVE traffic lights. Do not count the light at the top of the ramp. When you’ve passed through the traffic light at RAYEN AVENUE the next cross street will be WOOD. Get into the left hand turning lane. Turn LEFT when you reach the intersection with WOOD STREET. There is no traffic light at this intersection. The Facilities Building is the first red brick building on the LEFT side of the street, Parking on the right side of Wood Street is OK. No need to feed the parking meters after 5 PM. Enter via the door on the LEFT side (not the front) of the Facilities Building and go up one flight of stairs.
3) Approaching from the east on I-80 (Sharon, Hubbard, etc) exit I-80 at route 711 south. This exit, just west of the Belmont Avenue, route 193 exit, is a left hand exit off I-80. Once you have passed the Belmont exit make sure you are in the left lane. Follow 711 several miles to the junction with I-680. Follow the signs to I-680 SOUTH then take Exit 6B and bear to the left to follow the HUBBARD sign then follow the directions in #2 above at ****.
4) Approaching from the south via Route 11 (Canfield, Salem, etc) exit Route 11 onto I-680 by following the YOUNGSTOWN signs. From I-680 take Exit 6B, bear to the left and follow the HUBBARD sign then follow directions in #2 above at ****.
5) Approaching from the north via Route 11 (Warren, Niles, etc) stay on the road as it becomes route 711 until you come to the junction with I-680. Follow the signs to I-680 SOUTH then take Exit 6B. Bear to the left and follow the Hubbard sign then follow directions in # 2 above at ****
IF YOU HAVE A 2 METER RADIO YOU MAY GET FURTHER TALK-IN DIRECTIONS ON OUR CLUB REPEATER AT 146.745-.
MVARA’S Volunteer Examiner Team announces its 2015 schedule of amateur license testing sessions:
January 16, March 19, May 21, July 16, September 26*, November 19. The September date with the “*” is National Exam Days. See item #3 below for times.
BELOW YOU WILL FIND ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW PRIOR TO TAKING YOUR EXAM. PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL (330) 534-1394 BEFORE THE TESTING SESSION.
1) All exam dates shown above are held at the YSU Facilities Building on Wood Street in Youngstown. Enter via the door under the metal awning on the left side of the building. The testing facility is at the top of the stairs on the second floor.
2) Pre-registration is suggested to assure you a seat at the exam. We will accept walk-ins but due to limited seating in the testing center those who have pre-registered will receive seating preference. Registration will be accepted until the capacity of the room is reached. If the room is filled, walk-ins cannot be guaranteed a prompt exam and may have to wait for a seat to open after a previous examinee is finished. To pre-register call (330) 534-1394 or e-mail at: [email protected].
3) Check in time for the September exam date opens Saturday morning at 10:30 AM with exams promptly at 11:00 AM. All other dates are on Thursdays and have check in opening at 6:30 PM with exams at 7:00 PM.
4) Written exams for ALL AMATEUR LICENSE CLASSES and UPGRADES are offered at all testing sessions. THERE IS NO LONGER A REQUIREMENT TO PASS A CODE EXAM FOR ANY AMATEUR LICENSE CLASS.
5) All candidates must show TWO forms of identification including one photo ID at check in. If you do not have a photo ID you can show a student ID, employee ID, social security card, library card, credit card, birth certificate, mail addressed to you or an existing radio license. TWO forms of ID are required. This is mandated by the FCC. NO IDs, NO EXAM.
6) We will provide all the necessary FCC forms and will assist you in filling them out prior to the exams. Please do not bring your own forms. The FCC periodically revises their forms and often will not accept older versions.
7) Please bring your own calculator if you plan to use one. See item 8 below for regulations on calculators, some types are not permitted. We will provide the pencils and scratch paper. If the examiners are not able to determine that the calculator you bring meets the specifications outlined in #8 below the examiners may opt to substitute a calculator from their supplies which has empty memories but will be capable of all calculator functions needed for any amateur exam.
8) Use of small basic hand held calculators for math problems on the exams is permitted but ALL MEMORIES MUST BE EMPTY! Examiners are required to check all calculator memories prior to testing. Please save us time by clearing all calculator memories before you come to the exam and be prepared to demonstrate that they are empty. Calculators that have formulae “hardwired” into memories in such a way that they cannot be cleared are not permitted. If examiners are unable to determine that the memories are empty they reserve the right to offer the use of a calculator which will be loaned to you by the examiners. Calculators built into cell phones, computers, laptops, tablets, droids, “smartphones” or other electronic appliances are NOT permitted. No device that permits possible access to the internet can be used by examinees during the examinations. NO LAPTOPS! Slide rules and printed math tables such as logarithmic tables are permitted as long as they are free of notes and formulas.
9) IF YOU ARE ALREADY LICENSED YOU MUST BRING YOUR ORIGINAL LICENSE PLUS A COPY OF THAT LICENSE WE CAN KEEP! There is a two year grace period on all expired licenses. If the expiration date on your most recent license is more than two years old you are no longer a licensed amateur radio operator. IF YOU ARE ALREADY LICENSED BE SURE YOU KNOW YOUR F.R.N. number which is required on the FCC 605 form. This is NOT the same as the “File Number” which may also appear on some licenses. If your FRN (FCC Registration Number) does not appear on your license go to: http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls and under “Search” click on “Licenses”. Select “By Call Sign” and enter your current call, then click on “Search”. Your information page will come up and on it will be your FRN number. If this appears too confusing or if you don’t have access to a computer that is on line call 330-534-1394 PRIOR TO COMING FOR YOUR EXAM and we can search for your FRN. If you do not have a FRN (if you are unlicensed you will not have one) you will be required to fill in your social security number on the FCC form. When your license is issued you will be assigned a FRN that will appear on your license. This FRN MUST be used in all further dealings with the FCC such as upgrades, call changes, license renewals, etc. If you continue to use your Social Security number or File Number once a FRN has been assigned to you the FCC will not act on your application. THEY WILL ACCEPT ONLY THE FRN once one has been assigned. Under certain circumstances expired General, Advanced and Extra class licenses can be renewed. This requires taking and passing the Element 2 written exam, paying the appropriate exam fee and providing proof you are the holder of the expired license. Call 330-534-1394 for more information.
10) IF YOU HAVE ANY CERTIFICATES FOR ELEMENTS PASSED AT A PREVIOUS EXAM SESSION AND Y0U ARE USING THESE FOR ELEMENT CREDIT YOU MUST BRING THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AND A COPY OF THAT CERTIFICATE THAT WE CAN KEEP. Please remember that a CSCE (Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) is good for 365 days beginning on the date of issue. Once a CSCE has expired it has no value, the test elements that it covered must be taken again. Those who are not licensed must first pass the Technician written exam before taking and passing the General written exam to achieve the General license. If they have already passed the General exam and have a current CSCE to indicate that this exam has been passed but have not yet passed the Technician exam, a General license will be issued upon passing the Technician exam and presentation of that CSCE. The Amateur Extra license cannot be issued unless the applicant has passed the Technician and General written exams first and has either a current license or current CSCE to indicate such. LICENSES within the grace period can be accepted to show license class. CSCEs expire one year from the date of issue, have NO grace period and can not be renewed.
11) The testing fee for 2014 is $15.00 payable in cash or by check or money order made out to: ARRL/VEC. This fee covers any element tests you wish to take at this exam session only. It does NOT include taking the same test elements a second time. If you are offered the opportunity to take another version of the same element it is considered an entirely new exam and another $15 fee must be charged. If you are paying cash we would really appreciate it if you would have EXACT CHANGE. We don’t have a cash drawer on hand to make change. Checks are acceptable and should be made payable to: ARRL/VEC. This fee is set by the FCC and is used to defray the expense of processing your license. The VE Team does not receive any profit from this fee, our examiners are all volunteers. Applicants requesting a “paper upgrade” must also pay the $15.00 fee.
12) Your tests will be graded at the exam session and you will be notified of your results before you leave the building. Of course you will need to wait for a short period of time. By FCC regulations each test paper must be checked by three separate examiners. Additional forms must also be signed by all three examiners. This and the associated FCC paperwork requires some time. IF FOR ANY REASON YOU WISH TO HAVE YOUR RESULTS PRESENTED TO YOU IN PRIVACY PLEASE ADVISE THE EXAMINERS WHEN YOU TURN IN YOUR EXAM.
13) You can bring your study material into the testing room and study until the actual testing begins. At that time you will be asked to remove all this material to another part of the room. When testing begins you can not have any material or items on the table or on your person except that which is provided by the examiners and a calculator that meets the specifications shown in #8 above. Chiming watches and cell phones should be silenced.
14) If you require any special testing accommodations due to a handicap we will do all we can to help but we must require ADVANCE NOTICE OF AT LEAST 45 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EXAM DATE. Many handicap accommodations require us to schedule additional examiners or acquire special equipment and this can not be done on short notice. If you request special accommodations for a handicap less than 45 days prior to the exam we will reschedule you for the next closest exam date. No exceptions, please.
YSU EXAM DIRECTIONS:
The YSU Facilities Building is located just a few blocks south of the MADISON AVENUE FREEWAY on WOOD STREET just east of the corner of Wood Street and Fifth Avenue. Here are directions from various points of arrival
1) Approaching on I-80 from the west (Akron, Ravenna etc) follow the signs to YOUNGSTOWN via I-680. From I-680 take Exit 6B and bear to the left and follow the sign marked HUBBARD and follow the directions in #2 below at ****.
2) Approaching from the east or south via I-680 (from Boardman, Poland, etc) get off I-680 at the HUBBARD EXIT. **** Continue to the exit marked “422 WEST, WARREN” which will put you on the MADISON FREEWAY. Take the exit marked FIFTH AVENUE. Turn LEFT at the light at the top of the ramp onto FIFTH AVENUE and proceed on Fifth through FIVE traffic lights. Do not count the light at the top of the ramp. When you’ve passed through the traffic light at RAYEN AVENUE the next cross street will be WOOD. Get into the left hand turning lane. Turn LEFT when you reach the intersection with WOOD STREET. There is no traffic light at this intersection. The Facilities Building is the first red brick building on the LEFT side of the street, Parking on the right side of Wood Street is OK. No need to feed the parking meters after 5 PM. Enter via the door on the LEFT side (not the front) of the Facilities Building and go up one flight of stairs.
3) Approaching from the east on I-80 (Sharon, Hubbard, etc) exit I-80 at route 711 south. This exit, just west of the Belmont Avenue, route 193 exit, is a left hand exit off I-80. Once you have passed the Belmont exit make sure you are in the left lane. Follow 711 several miles to the junction with I-680. Follow the signs to I-680 SOUTH then take Exit 6B and bear to the left to follow the HUBBARD sign then follow the directions in #2 above at ****.
4) Approaching from the south via Route 11 (Canfield, Salem, etc) exit Route 11 onto I-680 by following the YOUNGSTOWN signs. From I-680 take Exit 6B, bear to the left and follow the HUBBARD sign then follow directions in #2 above at ****.
5) Approaching from the north via Route 11 (Warren, Niles, etc) stay on the road as it becomes route 711 until you come to the junction with I-680. Follow the signs to I-680 SOUTH then take Exit 6B. Bear to the left and follow the Hubbard sign then follow directions in # 2 above at ****
IF YOU HAVE A 2 METER RADIO YOU MAY GET FURTHER TALK-IN DIRECTIONS ON OUR CLUB REPEATER AT 146.745-.