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The GFAARC Volunteer Examiner (VE)
program consists of licensed Amateur Radio Operators that have
been nationally certified to provide Amateur Radio License
testing. All GFAARC VE's maintain the integrity of the
Volunteer Examiner Program consistent with the rules and guidelines
established by the ARRL and the FCC. CLICK HERE FOR TESTING DATES
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Testing for ALL levels of Amateur Radio licenses is given on the
TUESDAY
FOLLOWING THE FIRST MONDAY of each month.
The Exceptions to
the above are when the first Monday is a Holiday
(such as Labor Day,
New Year's Day, etc.)
In those cases, V.E. Testing is moved to the
Tuesday following
the SECOND Monday.
The testing location is the "conference room" at Westgate
Mall.
1800 3rd Avenue Northwest.
Go completely around behind the East end of
the mall (the end closest to the refinery)
The
meeting room is the first big vacant room on your left. (room
3)
Click Here for GFAARC V.E.
Testing Dates
NOTE !
Should you miss
an exam date here in Great Falls, or wish test again without
waiting a full month,
Helena, Bozeman
, Butte, Havre, and many other towns
offer V.E. Testing.
Contact them directly to get information on their
V.E. Testing schedules.
You can also search the ARRL's website for
ARRL V.E. Testing
locations.
Dawn Peterson-Smith, AD7MT, is the Volunteer Examiner Coordinator for the Great Falls Area.
If you are a VE and would like to have your name added to her list of available VEs, please contact her
by telephone: 406.899.3214 Leave a message if there is no answer, and she will return your call.
PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU COME TO A TEST SESSION
The testing session BEGINS at 7:00pm. Please Arrive EARLY.
Once the test has started, no one who is testing may leave the room and return.
Please ensure any bathroom breaks, smoke breaks, etc. are accomplished BEFORE you enter the testing room.
PLEASE ensure any cell phones, pagers, etc. are turned off.
Persons testing who receive phone calls, may jepordize their test session.
DO NOT bring your SPOUSE, CHILDREN, PETS, Etc. into the testing room, anyone NOT testing will be required to wait outside or at the rear of the classroom. Service dogs are, of course, welcome if their owner is testing.
Those wishing to test MUST bring the following:
- A PENCIL or two for the TEST answer sheet
- A PEN for the application and other paperwork
- A PHOTO ID (driver's license or similar) You must prove YOU are indeed YOU.
- Your SOCIAL SECURITY CARD or your Social Security Number (you don't need the actual card)
If you already have an Amateur Radio License please see note below.
- The Testing FEE of $15.00. Exact amount is best as there may not be change available.
Personal Checks are OK. Charge / Debit cards are NOT accepted.
- If you already have an Amateur Radio license please bring a PHOTO COPY of your present license
It should have your FRN (number) on it, in which case you do not need your SSN.
- A Photo Copy of your CSCE from previous test session (if you are seeking credit for elements already passed)
Failure to come prepared with the items requested above, may seriously delay or prevent you from testing at that session, and may also delay the processing of your paperwork at ARRL Headquarters or at the FCC offices.
You may bring a calculator to the test session, but you must prove to the examiners that you have cleared the memories, and have no formulas or other information stored in any other way. PDAs, I-PODs, CELL PHONES, or any other electronic devices are NOT permitted. No other books, papers, folders, notes, etc. are permitted on your desk while you are testing.
The reverse side of your answer sheet may be used for scratch paper, and you are welcome to write down any formulas, or other notes (from your memory) as soon as you get it.Notice to Handicapped Applicants: Contact the V.E. in charge (see above E-Mail link) if you will require any special considerations to take the test - I.E.: materials for the sight or hearing impaired, some one to assist in marking your answer sheet, etc.) Please contact the V.E. in charge if you will be bringing any device other than a calculator to assist you in taking your test. (I.E. a typewriter or laptop computer to copy code, etc.) Any such devices MUST be pre-authorized.
To qualify to be a Volunteer Examiner you must:
- be 18 years or older; and
- never have had your amateur station or operator licenses suspended or revoked; and
- hold a valid General, Advanced or Extra Class license (see 97.509)
Start by downloading VE Manual at http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/vemanual/index.html,
Then, read more information on the V.E program at: http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/
The ARRL is there to help you with any questions about the V.E. program you may have.
They respond fairly quickly to E-Mail inquiries. Click Here to visit the ARRL VE / VEC Pages