Subj : ARRL/VEC VE Newsletter To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Thu Jun 22 2023 09:34:15 ARRL VE Newsletter June 2023 - FCC Batch Filing System Still Unavailable ======================================================================== Inside this VE E-Newsletter: FCC ULS Systems Reopen, Except EBF System New General Class Exams Mailed Out ======================================================================== FCC ULS Reopened, Except Electronic Batch Filing System On Wednesday morning, June 21, 2023, the FCC had reopened the Universal Licensing System (ULS) and supporting systems, according to an email distributed to VEC organizations. However, as of as of 9:00 am Thursday June 22, the Electronic Batch Filing (EBF) system, used by all VEC organizations for filing exam sessions, individual applications, and club license applications, was still not available as promised. Unfortunately, this means applications for new and upgraded licenses, and individual and club license filings still cannot be uploaded in the system for issuance. When the EBF system becomes available, the Commission is requesting VECs to limit submissions into the filing system. In an email sent by the FCC, all EBF filers were asked to adhere to a restricted upload schedule in order to keep the EBF system stable and to avoid any potential technical problems. The FCC will be monitoring to ensure the EBF system is stable during this reopening period. If they assess that the upload volume is too high, they will send out another notice with directions to reduce the amount of uploads per hour. ARRL VEC will comply with the FCC directive, limiting our transmissions but sending as many backlogged sessions as possible without overloading their system. The files will be submitted to the FCC in the order in which they were received, starting with the files from Monday, June 12, and moving forward from there. ARRL VEC will begin submitting the backlogged applications as soon as the EBF system becomes available, and assuming all FCC systems remain stable. We will continue to email updates as information becomes available. Read the full ARRL News Story here: www.arrl.org/news/fcc-uls-reopened-except-electronic-batch-filing-system Please continue to check the ARRL website for updates. ** New General Examinations Were Mailed Out This Week The ARRL VEC mailed the new General exam booklet designs (2023 series) to its officially appointed, field-stocked VE team leaders this week (June 19 to 23). The booklets are being sent via USPS priority mail and should reach teams before July 1. The newly revised General pool must be used starting July 1, 2023. VECs and VEs will have new test designs available starting on that date. Previously supplied versions of ARRL VEC General class exam booklets (2019 series) and computer-generated General class exams from the 2019 question pool are valid until midnight on June 30, 2023. ======================================================================== 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 (regular business hours, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday -- leave a message afterwards) 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 We thank you for your support of the ARRL VEC program. ======================================================================== 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 3.20-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33) .