A little over a month ago I decided to bite the bullet and get my VE certification. It wasn’t difficult to become ARRL-certified. You simply get the VE Manual (free download), read through it, then take an open-book test (the ARRL calls it an “open-book review”). It took me about an hour and a half to complete the “review.”
You then e-mail, fax, or snail mail the forms to the ARRL. Jim, K8ELR, who also recently applied for his certification, got his in three weeks. It took them almost five weeks to process my application. They send you the nice certificate (shown above) and a badge identifying you as a VE.
One reason I wanted to be certified is to help out with the testing of my One-Day Tech Class students. I’m also thinking of setting up a Laurel VEC team. The Laurel teams don’t charge a dime for the test. Finally, being an “official” VE allows me to participate more directly in the question-pool development process.
James P. Merrill says
Dan
Congratulations. Your dedication and continued hard work for the hobby is
always appreciated. Your definitely an asset…… and a very informative blog
which I follow most of the links you give for added information. Tnx
73 OM
Jim / W8JPM
Elwood Downey says
I 2nd the congrats.
One question: what situations prompt one to consider starting a VEC?
Ronny Risinger says
Congratulations on becoming a VE. I’ve thought about doing that myself to make testing at my school a bit easier. Who knows, maybe your post will motivate me.
Thanks for continuing the blog. Always enjoy reading your posts.
73,
Ronny, KC5EES
Tony O (KB1SUN) says
I recently became a VE and participated in my first VE session. What a thrill! “Minting new hams” is a rewarding way to give back to the hobby. I’d encourage anybody who is even remotely interested to do it.