I started receiving emails today complaining about ARRL’s “push” to establish Spanish language Amateur Radio exams. The emails are apparently being generated from a W5YI story as well as a spot in the ARRL Letter about a motion ARRL made at the recent NCVEC meeting.

Here’s a bit of history and info for use in responding to any members that may inquire.

FCC amateur radio exams have been available in Spanish since before the creation of the VEC program, back when the FCC administered all the exams. Remember that the FCC regulates amateur radio (and other radio services as well) in Puerto Rico where Spanish is an official language and only a minority of the citizens are fluent in English.

The only current issue, and the purpose of ARRL’s NCVEC motion, is whether there should be a single, standard version of the Spanish question pool (there currently isn’t), or whether the longstanding practice of allowing any translation done by any VE team or VECs should be continued. We believe there should be one standard and only one translation.

It’s beyond me how our attempt at tightening the program by having one standard and one single translation based on the current English version is being misinterpreted as a “push” by ARRL to permit Spanish language exams when in fact they have been in existence for decades predating the VEC system. Of course, the current feelings over immigration certainly fuel a fire regarding anything Spanish these days.

73 Joel W5ZN