Subj : ARRL/VEC VE Newsletter To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Fri Jun 19 2020 02:47 pm ARRL VE Newsletter June 2020 - EXTRA EXAMS ======================================================================== Inside this VE E-Newsletter: New Extra Exams take effect July 1 Field Stocked Teams VEC Exam Maker Software Plastic Grading Templates - REMINDER Our Sincere Thank You ======================================================================== New Extra Class Element 4 Exams will take effect for exam sessions beginning Wednesday July 1, 2020 The newly revised pool, released in January 2020 (updated and re-released in February and March 2020) by the Question Pool Committee (QPC) of the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC), must be in use starting July 1. There are ten graphics required for this pool. With the Extra class exam questions changing July 1, new test designs must be used effective that day. Previous ARRL VEC supplied Extra class exam booklet versions (2016 series) and computer-generated Extra class exams created from the 2016 question pool are only valid until midnight June 30, 2020. At that time, VE Team leaders should destroy or throw away the old versions of the Extra exams (do not return them to VEC). To avoid a mix-up at the session, do not save old exam versions. ======================================================================== Field Stocked Team Leaders For ARRL VE teams who are officially Field Stocked by the ARRL VEC, new Extra class exam design booklets were shipped out via first class mail this week (June 15 - 18) to nearly 1,000 teams. Field Stocked VE Team leaders should have the package in their hands well in advance of July 1. When you receive the package, please check the content to make sure all quantities have been received. Again, please do not use the new exam until July 1st. The existing Extra class exam booklets (2016 series) can be discarded on or after Midnight, June 30, 2020, as they will no longer be valid. An updated package will not be provided to field stocked teams that no longer meet the field stock requirements, to teams that have not conducted a session in the past year, 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. Officially stocked VE Teams receive their exam supplies in a padded FedEx Pak with a green colored field stocked instruction document. The packet is usually a year's supply, depending on the team's activity levels. 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. ======================================================================== VEC Exam Maker Software Update The new Element 4 Extra class question pool is available in the VE Exam Maker exam generating software. Exam Maker Instructions Exam Maker should automatically prompt users to check for Software updates. If not, select "Update" and then "Check for Software Updates" from the menu. Check YES to update to Exam Maker version V 1.51. In Exam Maker from the menu bar, select "Update", and then "Update Exam Data". A log-in area will appear on screen. Next, type your call sign in the "ARRL/VEC Username" box AND in the "Password" box. Then click the "Execute" button. It will only take several seconds for all the question pool files to download. The screen must read "Exam Database Initialized" when the task is complete for the question pools to be revised to the most up-to-date pools for exam generation. The New Extra class question pool (2020-2024) will be available for use for exams starting July 1. The current Extra question pool (2016-2020) will be available only until June 30. ======================================================================== Plastic Grading Templates - REMINDER Officially Field Stocked teams must keep your 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. A New KEY For Templates (paper instructions) for the plastic grading templates has been updated, and shipped with your new Extra exams, to let you know how to match up the plastic templates with the new exam designs. ======================================================================== Our Sincere Thanks In the last few months, we've all had to navigate unprecedented challenges that we never imagined we'd be facing. Your understanding, flexibility, and loyalty, have filled the ARRL VEC, with immense gratitude. We thank you for your flexibility in embracing a new way to remotely deliver examinations to the public, and are grateful for your understanding, and your adjustment to these changes quickly. As we are grappling with an issue of enormous scale and human impact, we want to assure you that we are here offering support every step of the way. ======================================================================== 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 (leave message after regular business hours) 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 ® 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 USA msomma@arrl.org ======================================================================== --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (801:1/2) þ Synchronet þ Temple of Doom BBS - tod.eothnet.com .