Category Archives: VE

ARRL Foundation Club Grant Fuels NCRC VE Sessions

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On March 11, 2023 NCRC held its first Volunteer Examiner licensing session using iPads purchased using an ARRL Foundation Club Grant.  Side-by-each testing during 2022 VE Sessions showed that Apple iPads performed better than Android devices for WiFi network stability and user (test taker) eye strain.

Seven test takers joined the session with two successful upgrades from Advanced to Amateur Extra; three successful upgrades from Technician to General class and one freshly minted Technician.

A Volunteer Examiner Tutorial: “How to Navigate the ExamTools [Sandbox] Test Environment”

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This updated presentation from AA1XQ provides a quick look at how the ExamTools Test environment functions by looking at the application using the ExamTools SandBox. Once conversant with the machinations of the process, conducting a faux ExamTools session in the SandBox should take only 10 – 15 minutes.  Having completed this tutorial, a VE will be trained to lead an electronic format license exam session.

All NCRC VEs should complete this training ASAP.

Jack Garforth N1JK Silent Key

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We are saddened to announce the passing of Jack Garforth N1JK.

Jack was a long-time member of NCRC (our records go back 33 years and he was a member before then).  His 32 years of volunteering to hold and run VE exams was just celebrated in 2021.  Jack was a constant presence at our weekly breakfast gatherings in Middletown, and was a warm and welcoming voice to even the most shy newcomer.  He was almost always present during our weekly 75 meter nets as well as RI ARES nets.  Jack’s voice and strong signal still echoes in our minds.  Jack was a life member of the Newport County Radio Club.  He will be sorely missed.

Services were private and there is a request for no flowers.  However, for anyone wishing to make a donation in his honor, the information is provided below:

In memory of: Jack Garforth
Aquidneck School PGT
70 Reservoir Road
Middletown, RI 02842

Jack Garforth N1JK receiving a VE Special Recognition Award for 32 years of service in March of 2021

NCRC Holds First Electronic VE Session

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Newport County Radio Club held its first electronic VE exam session today at the All Saints STEAM Academy parking lot in Middletown.  Two folks took the exam.  Congrats to new hams:

  • Bruce Bragga (Passed Technician)
  • James Garman (Passed Technician & General)

Because the exam was electronic, there was no paperwork to deal with.  The examinees used a tablet computer to select their answers.  Once they indicated they were finished, the exam was graded instantly and all the paperwork was filled in via a completely automated process .  When all candidates were finished, they received their signed CSCE copies via email, and the required paperwork was uploaded to the ARRL. Had the exam been held on a business day, the entry into the FCC ULS would have happened within an hour or so.

The slowest part of the process was getting the assigned VEs to electronically sign the paperwork (which required them to click a “Sign” button and enter their password).  In reality, one or one hundred students would have taken the same amount of time, and things were wrapped up in 30 minutes.

John K1JSM (left) helps student with tablet computer during the exam

The exam was not without its tribulations, however.  Originally the plan was to hold the exam indoors.  However no one came to let us into the building.  We quickly regrouped.  Rob KB1ZZU had a 115 Vac outlet in his car which was used to power the GoLocalMe WiFi HotSpot, allowing the exam to be held in the parking lot.  So hams, once again, prove adaptable and resilient.  The highlight of the morning was when two Middletown Police cruisers showed up to respond to a silent alarm in the building right before the exam began.  Imagine their surprise to find the parking lot full of radio nerds.

Police stop by to see what fun things were going on!

Our club is very grateful for John K1JSM, who undertook this project, got two tablet computers setup for the students along with the HotSpot.  He held a training session for our initial set of VEs.  Our thanks to the following VEs who assisted with the exam session:

  • John K1JSM
  • Mike AA1XQ
  • Rob KB1ZZU
  • Jim KA1ZOU
  • Nancy KC1NEK
  • Paul K1YBE
  • Bob WB4SON