Subj : ARRL/VEC VE Newsletter To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Wed Oct 21 2020 19:38:03 ARRL VE Newsletter October 2020 - EXAM MAKER ======================================================================== Inside this VE E-Newsletter: FRNs at Exam Sessions ARRL VEC Exam Maker Software Being Phased Out Remote Video-supervised Online Examinations Session Documents Upload Webpage Current ARRL VEC Exam Booklets Basic Qualification Question ======================================================================== There is a considerable amount of information covered in this newsletter. As always, if you have any questions please contact us. ======================================================================== FRNs at Exam Sessions The FCC has indicated VECs/VE teams should DISCONTINUE the practice of accepting Social Security Numbers at exam sessions. Examinees should register in the FCC CORES registration system, and receive an FRN *BEFORE* exam day. The FCC also advised VE teams to make it clear to candidates that some information about them will be made publicly available on the FCC's website, including their name, mailing address, and felony conviction status. Dorothy Stifflemire, the Associate Division Chief of the WTB Technologies Systems and Innovation Division, told VECs that new license applicants should create an FCC user account, and register their Social Security Number in the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions. Registrants will be assigned a Federal Registration Number (FRN) which will be used in all license transactions with the FCC. She explained that auto-registration in CORES for examinees using a Social Security Number will be going away. In addition, since no mail is being sent because of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants will not receive their auto-created password and FCC FRN, and will NOT be able to access their personal license record in the FCC License Manager database, or their FRN record in CORES. Going forward, she said, VECs should make sure all applicants are registered, and have an FRN before exam day. Additionally, FCC Mobility Division (MD) Deputy Chief Tom Derenge recommended that VECs make it clear to applicants that their address will be public information when the new license is issued. He suggested advising that an alternative address, such as a PO Box or work address, would be acceptable. Derenge pointed out that once an address is in the FCC database, it's nearly impossible to be permanently removed. See the news item about FRN use at exam sessions and other VEC/FCC information. NCVEC Conference News item link: http://www.arrl.org/news/ncvec-holds-its-annual-meeting-via-teleconference Examinees can be directed to this information on our website, or directly to the FCC website. FRN registration information (see item #4): http://www.arrl.org/what-to-bring-to-an-exam-session FCC Privacy information: http://www.arrl.org/fcc-licensee-privacy FCC CORES User Account and Registration: https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do We urge our VE teams to change procedures BEFORE the FCC turns off the Social Security Number auto-registration feature. Otherwise, this could cause a delay in processing applications to the FCC later on. ** Instructions for Examinees Registering for an FCC FRN before Exam Day Applying for a new Amateur Radio license? Register in CORES (COmission REgistration System), and receive your FRN (Federal Registration Number) before sitting for your exam, to ensure your new license is processed quickly and easily through the FCC's ULS (Universal Licensing System). To conduct business with the FCC, you must register through FCC CORES, and be assigned an FRN. This number will be used to uniquely identify you in all transactions with the FCC. View the FCC web page New Users guide to ULS for step by step instructions on the registration process, or the Commission Registration System Video Tutorials page for videos that help guide CORES users through a variety of situations. For assistance, submit a help request on the FCC's Support Services page, or call FCC at 877-480-3201 (Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET). ** What if a candidate shows up on exam day without an FRN? Please have the candidate register in CORES at the session on their smart phone or on a computer. Candidates should not need to be turned away from the session, because the registration process only takes a few minutes to complete. Additionally, candidates that pre-register in CORES will have all their login and password information, and can access their FCC license record as soon as it's issued. ======================================================================== ARRL VE Exam Maker Software Being Phased Out ARRL VEC's Exam Maker test generating software will no longer be supported after December 2020. Adobe Flash player is being discontinued at the end of this year, which is our software's installation platform. An already downloaded and installed copy of Exam Maker should continue to work on computers. The program runs in its own environment on the computer, whereas the Flash Player problem is in web browsers during download. Even though the program will continue to function, we will not be able to push out any important updates to the software, question pools, or questions after December. We recommend that anyone using Exam Maker re-initialize their databases at some point before the end of the year. We've made a few changes to the pool files, and this will help ensure that everyone has updated their local databases, and has the most current versions of the pools. In the Exam Maker program from the menu bar, select "Update" and then "Initialize database". This will reload the complete set of exam question pools. Going Forward Rather than trying to find a solution for our outmoded software, we are urging our VEs to start using Exam.Tools, which is a more sophisticated computer system. The Exam.Tools website can be used for printed or online exams (see information below for creating an account). VE teams have been using the online exams for remote video testing, and at in-person sessions to minimize contact between VEs and candidates. ExamTools printed exams have the option to use the GradeCam program for grading tests. GradeCam will automatically grade exams in seconds using the camera on a phone or computer, which eliminates the need to manually score the tests. **Online or Printed Exams: Exam.Tools Instructions** The Exam.Tools system works well for online or printed examinations, and includes registering and and tracking candidates throughout the session, on screen exams and grading, online signing of CSCE and 605 forms by the candidate and examiners, logging and compiling session stats, and VE participation list (test report summary), and output files for upload to the coordinating VEC. The program manages/handles almost everything needed to conduct a test session. 1. Watch the Exam.Tools training video playlist. 2. Read all the Process Tips especially process tip #2, and create an account. Other helpful information is located in the exam.tools documentation site. 3. Register in the sandbox/development site at http://hamstudy.dev/ and then login at https://beta.examtools.dev/ with your team members. DO NOT use a Facebook or Google login: Make a "real" user. The sandbox/development site is used for any training purposes, and runs on its own database to avoid any issues with the Exam.Tools production environment. 4. Review the ARRL/VEC ExamTools Tier 2 Frequently Asked Questions. 5. Join the VE Discord discussion group at https://discord.gg/CsKrBmA where you'll find lots of useful information, including how to register for ExamTools.org as a VE, and how to upgrade your VE Discord membership access. Specifically, this information is in the #process-tips channel. Make sure to read all the process tips in this channel. This is the place where all the relevant information you need can be found, unlike other channels, which may overwhelm you with the amount of information they contain. 6. Join an existing ARRL VE team as a VE for a live training session. Volunteer in the #arrl Discord channel so you can see the real system in action. VE team leaders require VEC authorization to use the Exam.Tools exam sessions system. ARRL team leaders should email ARRL VEC (VEC@arrl.org) for the emailed authorization approval after the VE team members have created accounts, and trained with an experienced team. ======================================================================== Remote Video-supervised Online Examinations The remote video exam session is conducted using an online video conferencing platform, and a web-based examination system with on-screen tests. ARRL VE teams must meet the following criteria, and adhere to the following rules/policies, to participate in the Remote Video sessions program. Long-standing, well established teams with a history of adhering to the highest degree of examination integrity, and that consistently submit accurate exam documents consistent with ARRL VEC standards will be selected to participate. Time and experience with in-person exam sessions is invaluable when transitioning to video sessions. Team leader experience at in-person sessions and/or training with an established team as a team leader for video sessions is required. VE teams have been using the Exam.Tools online exams for the remote video sessions. See the preliminary Exam.Tools instructions in the section above to get started. Interested ARRL VE team leaders must contact the VEC department (VEC@arrl.org) to be approved, and receive the complete video-supervised online testing procedures and instructions. ======================================================================== 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. Uploading completed sessions as a PDF file (scanned documents) via the web allows for quicker processing to FCC. Please contact the VEC department (VEC@arrl.org) for the information on e-filing exam session documents through our secure upload page. Authorized VEs will be sent the upload page URL which is hidden from the public. The VE team must only accept FRNs (Federal Registration Numbers) at the session. Social Security Numbers are NOT permitted on any exam documents or session files that are uploaded. Candidates will have to be registered in the FCC system, and have FRNs already issued. Refer to the FRNs at Exam Sessions item above for the examinee registration instructions. ======================================================================== Current ARRL VEC Exam Booklets Field Stocked VE team leaders should ensure they are using the current ARRL VEC Exam Booklets created from the current public question pools. Visit the Exam Booklets web page periodically to confirm your booklets are up to date. ======================================================================== Basic Qualification Question Applicants are required to answer the FCC basic qualification question if they are filing for any of the following purposes indicated: New, Amendment, Modification (Upgrade or Call sign change), Renewal or Renewal/Modification. Applicants filing for any other purpose are not required to answer this question (e.g.: address change). If an applicant answers "YES" to the basic qualification question (felony question), they must submit the required documentation directly to FCC. Please instruct your candidate to follow the outlined FCC procedures, and reference the application file number. The candidate must take action within 14 days of the application filing date, or the application will be dismissed by FCC. The candidate should not communicate any information or documents to the Volunteer Examiner team, or the VEC. ======================================================================== 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 Number: (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 Grimaldi, N1NHL, Assistant Manager Stephanie Borden W2MAU, Service Representative Ann Brinius, Service Representative Lisa Riendeau, Service Representative Joshua Nance, Service Representative We thank you for your efforts and interest in 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 American Radio Relay League VEC. 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 3.11-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (618:250/33) .