Subj : ARRL/VEC VE Newsletter To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Fri Jan 24 2020 03:15 pm ARRL VE Newsletter - January 2020 ======================================================================== Inside this E-Newsletter: New Amateur Extra class (Element 4) pool will take effect on July 1, 2020 Exam Session Registrations and Supplies ======================================================================== New Amateur Extra class (Element 4) pool will take effect on July 1, 2020 will be valid until June 30, 2024 The new Amateur Extra class question pool was released to the public by the NCVEC question pool committee and is available on the NCVEC website at 2020 - 2024 Extra class pool. This pool will take effect for all Element 4 Extra class license written examinations on July 1, 2020. Current ARRL VEC supplied Extra class exam booklet versions (4-1-2016, 4-2-2016, 4-3-2016 4-4-2016, and 4-5-2016) are valid until midnight June 30, 2020. Current ARRL VEC printed 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 valid exam designs. As a reminder, if you are not officially field stocked (box of supplies) by the VEC, the team must return all unused exams and supplies after each session to ensure the most up to date materials are being used. Candidates that are given obsolete exams unfortunately cannot be granted a license until they retest with current exam designs and any exam session irregularities must be reported to FCC. With the Extra class exams changing July 1st, new test designs must be created and used effective that day. ARRL VEC will be supplying all its (near 1,000) field stocked VE teams with new exam booklets about the 3rd week in June. VE Exam Maker software will also be updated with the new pool around that time. Do not destroy the 2016 versions of the Extra exams until June 30! ======================================================================== Additional Information about the Amateur Extra Question Pool Release The new Amateur Extra class license examination question pool, effective from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2024, has been released and is available at the National Conference of Volunteer Coordinators (NCVEC) website. The 2020 - 2024 Extra class pool incorporates significant changes compared to the current 2016 - 2020 question pool, which expires on June 30. The number of questions in the pool was reduced from 712 to 622. The result was 239 modified questions, 49 new questions, and 139 questions removed due to changes in what was felt to be an abundance of outdated questions, while areas of new technology and subjects were added. In addition, an effort was made to balance the difficulty level, removing or replacing some questions deemed too easy or too difficult compared to the rest of the pool. The 2020 pool has 10 diagrams, which have been renumbered because the new Question Pool has two fewer than the 2016 Question Pool. ======================================================================== Exam Session Registrations and Supplies Please continue to send in your session dates for 2020 using the interactive ARRL Exam Session Registration Form or via email to vetests@arrl.org. Remember to schedule your yearly listings [specific date(s) and location(s)] with us near the beginning of every year. This ensures we have the most up to date information posted in our database and on the ARRL VEC Exam Session Search web page. Under normal situations, the team should try to register 3 to 4 weeks in advance of the session. This way, we can make certain the materials requested reach the team in a timely and cost-effective manner. Field Stocked teams should be especially vigilant about keeping us informed of who has possession of the exam supplies. Notify us immediately when the teams 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. We thank you for your ongoing exam session support! ======================================================================== 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 Voice Number (8am to 5pm Eastern Time, M-F) (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. ARRL VEC 225 Main Street Newington CT 06111 USA Sincerely, Maria Somma, AB1FM - VEC Manager / Editor ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio (R) 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 USA msomma@arrl.org --- SBBSecho 3.10-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (801:1/2) þ Synchronet þ Temple of Doom BBS - tod.eothnet.com .