Subj : ARRL/VEC VE Newsletter To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Wed Oct 06 2021 16:46:50 ARRL/VEC VE Newsletter, Oct. 6, 2021 ======================================================================== Inside this VE E-Newsletter: Grading Templates and New Booklet Designs Available Field Stocked Team Leaders to Expand Field Stock Grading Templates - REMINDER Session Documents Upload Webpage Additional Reminders ======================================================================== Grading Templates and New Booklet Designs Available For nearly a decade, ARRL VEC has been unable to reproduce our blue plastic overlay grading templates, causing most designs to be low in stock, and some to be completely out of stock. Fortunately, we have found a new manufacturer, and our template supply is back to 100%! ARRL VEC adds more booklet designs. Now that we have a full set of templates again, we have expanded our exam booklet collection with new designs, and have utilized template numbers that have been unavailable for years. Our additional exam booklet versions (designs 6-12 at each level) are immediately available for use. These new designs are meant to expand the number of exam versions offered at each level. They do NOT replace any booklets. Moving forward, we are looking to start gathering statistics on these new exam designs through the end of year 2021. Therefore, we will be primarily using the new exam designs 6-12 until then. We will reintroduce exam designs 1-5 after January 2022. To view the complete list of exam booklets (designs 1-12), and important information pertaining to the exams, visit www.arrl.org/vec-exam-booklets. ======================================================================== Field Stocked Team Leaders - Shipment to Expand Field Stock For ARRL VE teams that are officially Field Stocked by the ARRL VEC, the new booklet designs were shipped out via first class mail (between Oct 1-5) to nearly 1,000 teams. When you receive the package, please check the contents to make sure all quantities have been received. Exams: The new examination booklets are to expand the number of exam versions offered for each license class level, and they can be used immediately. Do not throw away any existing exams. KEEP the previously supplied booklet versions of all exams at all levels, as they are all still valid. A letter is included in the shipment explaining the quantities and versions. Templates: Field stocked teams that are missing any of the template design numbers, such as #4, #5, or #7 that have not been sent with the initial field stocked package for years, should contact the VEC department immediately to complete your set of templates (vesupplies@arrl.org). A complete set of templates consists of 36 total overlays: 3 of each design, numbers 1 through 9. The KEY For Templates (paper instructions) for the grading templates has been updated and is included in the package. An updated package will not be provided to field stocked teams that no longer meet the field stock requirements, and to non-field stocked teams that have been keeping supplies without qualifying through the VEC. Non-stocked VE teams should be returning their exam packages and supplies to ARRL VEC after each session is completed. To see if your team qualifies to be field stocked with a bulk quantity of our test materials visit http://www.arrl.org/field-stocked-ve-teams. Field stocked teams should be especially vigilant about keeping us informed of who has possession of the exam supplies. Notify us immediately when your address changes, or the team's field stock changes hands to ensure that any exam updates will be mailed to and received by the proper person. Periodically check your supplies to make sure they are current, and that the quantities are sufficient. Current exam booklets are listed on our web site at www.arrl.org/vec-exam-booklets. Field stocked VEs should check this page periodically to make sure they have the proper exam designs. ======================================================================== Grading Templates - REMINDER Officially Field Stocked teams must keep their supply of the BLUE plastic overlay grading templates used to grade the exams. The plastic templates should never be thrown away or destroyed when new exam versions are introduced and shipped. The KEY For Templates (paper instructions) for the grading templates has been updated to show teams how to match up the templates with the new exam designs. ======================================================================== Session Documents Upload Webpage The US Postal Service has been slow and unreliable with moving mail and packages through their system. Some exam session packages have been unexpectedly delayed. Teams can upload in-person or remote session documents via the ARRL VEC's secure session upload webpage for quicker service. New and upgraded licenses are issued within 1 to 2 business days (for weekend sessions) and are usually issued on the same day for weekday sessions. Please contact the VEC department (VEC@arrl.org) for information on e-filing exam session documents through our secure upload page. Authorized VEs will be sent the upload page URLm which is hidden from the public. ======================================================================== Additional Reminders The ARRL VEC VE Resources page (www.arrl.org/resources-for-ves) offers the information you will need to help conduct exam session business. Our support page offers easy access to session forms and information, online exams and remote video sessions information, VE Manual supplemental information, FCC Rules, basic qualification question information, and much more! VE team leaders can register exam sessions and order supplies via our easy-to-use online form: http://www.arrl.org/arrl-exam-session-form Field stocked team leaders can request a restock of session materials on the ARRL website, using our online re-stock form: www.arrl.org/field-stocked-ve-teams Emails and FRNs are mandatory on 605 Forms, and for any FCC license transaction. This is an FCC requirement. In May, the FCC discontinued accepting Social Security numbers, and in June, began requiring an email address on all applications. ======================================================================== The ARRL VEC Staff is Ready to Serve You As always, the dedicated VEC staff are here to answer any questions you may have. ARRL VEC (860) 594-0300 Address: ARRL VEC, 225 Main St, Newington CT 06111 Email: VEC@arrl.org Web: www.arrl.org/volunteer-examiners ARRL VEC Fax: 860-594-0339 Maria Somma, AB1FM, Manager Amanda O'Brien, N1NHL, Assistant Manager Stephanie Borden W2MAU, Service Representative Lisa Riendeau, Service Representative Joshua Nance, Service Representative Ann Brinius, Service Representative We thank you for your support of the ARRL VEC program. ======================================================================== Please do NOT respond to these automated emails. A "reply" to this bulk email address will not reach us as only the list administrator may post to the list. To unsubscribe from these messages, forward this message to VEC@arrl.org. ======================================================================== ARRL VEC VE Newsletter is published by the American Radio Relay League, Inc. - The National Association for Amateur Radio (R). Material from the ARRL VE E-Newsletter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL VEC. ARRL VEC 225 Main Street Newington CT 06111 USA Sincerely, Maria Somma, AB1FM - VEC Manager / Editor ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 USA msomma@arrl.org ======================================================================== --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (454:1/33) .