Mickey:
Please stand by. I’ve been trying to formulate a response to all of the questions and proposals I’ve seen on these subjects and will post to ODV later this afternoon/evening.
Barry, N1VXY
From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org>
On Behalf Of Mickey Baker
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2020 2:51 PM
To: Mike Raisbeck <vze18vwgu@verizon.net>
Cc: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org>; Ritz, Mike, W7VO, (Dir, NW) <w7vo@comcast.net>
Subject: [arrl-odv:29973] Re: ARRL VE program
This is not going to wind down for several months. Most schools here have cancelled through April and discussion is ongoing about terminating the school year. Obviously they’ve cancelled Hamvention in May.
All we need to do is adopt a process already defined by AH0I. That doesn’t require any rule changes or changes in the handbook, simply a document detailing a process - maybe two people days.
I see this as a duty, a service meeting a need. I also see it as a competitive advantage to gain ground against other VECs, like Laurel, that are perceived as giving better service.
So is it worth the work to formalize an existing process for this emergency through documentation?
I believe so, but this is absolutely a staff call.
As a solution to the problem of very remote applicants, the scheme makes sense. However, as the former Anchorage coordinator pointed out, it's a time consuming process
on several fronts, and not well adapted to the problem of testing large numbers of applicants who are, because of the Covid-19 issues, unable or unwilling to attend something like an in-person test session. Something new would have to be formulated, and I
doubt that such a thing can reasonable be done and vetted before the Covid-19 pandemic has begun to wind down.
-----Original Message-----
From: rjairam@gmail.com <rjairam@gmail.com>
To: Mickey Baker <fishflorida@gmail.com>
Cc: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org>; Michael Ritz <w7vo@comcast.net>
Sent: Thu, Mar 26, 2020 12:44 pm
Subject: [arrl-odv:29969] Re: ARRL VE program
I was on that meeting last night as well. I spoke to a former coordinator of Anchorage VEC who explained the process that Mickey is describing.
They did emphasize “extreme vetting” of proctors.
I agree that this approach could work I would go one step further and ask about what the VEC department so far has done, and how far away it is from implementation.
This way we can get an idea of whether or not this is worthwhile.
As I also noted, online exams for commercial exams are done through iNARTE. They use a virtual proctor system that records the participants.
As I’ve been in discussion with them, the SMs are willing to help. VE teams are also willing.
Adding to Michaels request from VEC...
There's a grassroots effort to continue testing via "remote proctoring" and electronically signed documents as AH0A is doing out of Hawaii.
He has a candidate complete a Form 605 and a blank CSCE (with pages of each color of the paper one used), has the candidate submit a video of their testing site.
He then generates a unique test using VE Exam Maker, and sends this package with a blank answer sheet to the candidate after they are on camera and situated for testing. Three VEs watch the candidate(s) take the test and the candidate submits a scan or photograph
of the completed answer sheet as soon as is completed.
The test is graded and the CSCE, circulated to the proctoring team for verification and e-signatures and appropriately colored pages sent to the candidate and ARRL
VEC.
Many of us attend a general meeting of SMs occasionally and this was discussed last night. There is some fear from some SMs that this method falls in conflict with
the ARRL VEC, and feel that a general statement or process from HQ should be forthcoming.
I realize that somewhere down the road, the process will change to one more adaptable to remote testing, but we need to continue the business of the ARRL and be a
leader. Laurel has already refused to do remote testing, and we can gain some ground at very little risk by continuing in this manner or perhaps with other suggestions from the HQ VEC team.
In the Southeastern Division alone, we estimate that we will miss over 200 tests per month, and perhaps lose prospective members if we don't continue testings.
Can we get this process approved generally until the threat of contagion has passed, or perhaps until a better process is developed?
Mickey Baker, N4MB
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
“The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead." Robert
K. Greenleaf
Several people have sent me e-mails wondering what the official status of the ARRL VE program is. In other words, are VE packages still be processed, in either
direction? (Exams sent out, and completed exams processed?). Is the FCC still processing results and issuing licenses? If they are still being processed, what is the expected delay time?
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