Subj : The Triple Play (G)
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Thu Jul 13 2023 00:05:02

(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MESSAGE)

For what you'll need to bring to an exam session to take the exam, go to
https://www.arrl.org/what-to-bring-to-an-exam-session -- failure to bring
the needed items may result in you being DENIED taking the exam.

As a note, cheating in any form, is NOT tolerated...and you could forever
lose your chance to get an amateur radio license...never mind the examiners
could lose their licenses and accreditation FOR LIFE, if they certify an
exam fraudulently. Plus, every examinee at that session will have to take
the exam again, either under another VE Team, or in front of the FCC. In
short, if you have studied well, you should have no problem in passing the
exam(s).

Note that prior to the exam session, you must go to the FCC CORES website,
to obtain a Federal Registration Number or FRN. You can NOT use your Social
Security Number on the NCVEC Form 605 at the exam session...and that form
MUST be dated July, 2022 or later. You can obtain such by going to
www.ncvec.org -- then look for the link on the lower left side of the
page, that notes 2022 NCVEC 605 Form. Any version prior to that will
result in a DELAY in processing your license application or upgrade.

Plus, at an exam session, one must answer whether or not they have been
convicted of a felony in state or federal court. A "YES" answer is NOT
an "automatic disqualification", but it depends on the circumstances
surrounding the conviction. For further details on this, go to
https://www.arrl.org/fcc-qualification-question

As of April 19, 2022, there is now a $35 fee that must be paid to the FCC,
within 10 days of the exam, for a new or renewed ham radio license, or for
a Vanity Callsign Request. There is NO FEE for a LICENSE UPGRADE or for a
Sequential Callsign Request. For more information on the $35 fee, go to
https://www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee -- that $35 fee is payable direct
to the FCC, and NOT to the VE Team. Once the fee is paid, the FCC will send
you a link to download your license, within 30 days.

Note that depending on the VEC, an exam fee may be charged. For ARRL/VEC,
as of 2023, it's $15, per exam element. If you pass an exam, you can take
the next exam in line for free. However, if you fail, you can re-take the
same exam element, with a DIFFERENT set of questions, for another $15, or
whatever the exam fee is.

Once you receive your callsign from the amateur radio agency for your
country, you're the ONLY one in the world with that specific callsign.

As of Feb. 17, 2015, the FCC is NO LONGER ISSUING PAPER LICENSES to
amateur radio operators. However, one will be able to logon to the FCC ULS 
website on the internet at https://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=home
using their Federal Registration Number and password, and either print an
"official copy" for ones shack (and ones wallet), or an "unofficial
reference copy", to show at a future license exam session, if you decide
to upgrade your license, so you can get proper credit, and not have to
take that exam again.

For information on how to obtain a copy of your license, go to
https://www.arrl.org/obtain-license-copy

You won't have a choice in the first callsign that you get...but you
can apply for a new sequential callsign at no charge...or choose your a
vanity callsign. The format of the callsign is limited by both the current
license class that you hold, and if such a callsign is available.

As of April 19, 2022, there is a $35 fee for each vanity callsign request
made...and, there is an 18 to 21 day waiting period (sometimes longer)
once you apply for the vanity callsign, and to when it is issued. Once
the new vanity callsign is issued, your former callsign is no longer valid
for use on the air.

So, before you apply for a vanity callsign, be sure that you want to
CHANGE your current callsign. Note that once you're issued your first
callsign by the FCC, it will NOT change, UNLESS you request such.

Also, you are NOT REQUIRED to change your callsign, or upgrade your ham
radio license. If you are happy with both, keep them. Even with just a
Technician Class license, and many of the digital modes (especially if
operating "internet radio"), you can still talk around the world.

Unfortunately, not every amateur radio operator has passed a license
exam on the first try...and for some, it takes a large amount of tries
to pass their exam. However, it must be stressed that there is NO
DISGRACE IN FAILING an exam. But, once you do pass the exam (even if
just barely), as far as anyone else is concerned...once you have your
callsign, you made a perfect score on the test(s) the first time (even
if that's untrue). Besides, it's no one else's business on what your
score was, how many times it took you to pass the exam, etc. 

Examinees who are disabled in some way, or who may have learning
disabilities, or other issues...can request special exam accommodations
at the exam session. However, they must contact the Exam Session Leader
as far in advance of the exam session as possible, so that proper
arrangements can be made...such as large print exam books, or reading
of the exams to them, with the examinee telling the examiner which
answers to mark on the answer sheet, or even giving a test at the
examinees home...or even in their hospital room. Medical documentation
may be required, if the disability is not obvious.

As noted, the VE Team can "make a house call" to the residence of the
examinee, if serious medical issues are present...but the examinee will
have to still provide photo ID, the exam fee, and other items, as noted
noted at https://www.arrl.org/what-to-bring-to-an-exam-session

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