View Full Version : W5YI VEC News - 2007 NCVEC Conference
AA7BQ
08-01-2007, 05:13 PM
The 2007 meeting of the National Conference of VECs was held in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on Friday, July 27. There were 11 VEC organizations represented; Anchorage, ARRL, GEARS, GLAARG, LAUREL, MRAC, SANDARC, SUNNYVALE, WCARS, W4VEC, and W5YI VEC delegates in attendance. These VEC organizations represent more than 98% of all examinations administered in the Amateur Service. Not in attendance were delegations from the CAVEC, JEFFERSON and MOKAN VECs. The VEC acts as the link between the volunteer examiner (VE) community and the FCC. Their function is to approve Volunteer Examiners and to provide testing guidance, license examination materials and electronic filing of license applications for their accredited VE teams. The VEC System consists of 14 (FCC approved) VEC organizations who oversee the activities of an estimated 3000 VE teams and some 35,000 accredited VEs. They meet annually with Federal Communication Commission officials from Washington, DC and Gettysburg, PA to discuss and agree on Amateur Service examination and licensing issues.
The VEC Conference has been held annually since 1985 with the exception of 1999. The 1999 meeting was canceled since the amateur community was waiting for the FCC to release the restructuring Report and Order which occurred in December 30, 1999. Also in attendance from the FCC’s Gettysburg licensing facility were FCC staffers Donna Scott, Sandra Eckenrode, Terry Fishel and Riley Hollingsworth. Bill Cross, W3TN, from the Wireless Telecom Bureau’s (Washington, DC) Mobility Division acted as moderator for the FCC discussions.
Bill Cross reviewed recent Commission decisions that have affected the VECs including WTB 04-140 and 05-235. Riley Hollingsworth discussed enforcement issues and complaints which he said were greatly reduced over the past two years. Enforcement of amateur service rules will continue to be a permanent part of the FCC's enforcement effort. Riley said that although the licensing structure is simpler he asked the VECs to be vigilant. Riley said he was pleased overall and that he has only had two new “small scale” complaints in two years about exam sessions. The floor was opened for questions for the FCC. These questions primarily involved administrative and procedural matters.
Question Pool Committee Chairman Jim Wiley, KL7CC of the Anchorage VEC gave a preliminary report. A new Element 3 (General Class) question pool became effective July 1, 2006. The QPC is now looking ahead to revising the Element 4 question pool which must be used for all Extra Class written examinations effective July 1, 2008. Besides Jim Wiley, the QPC membership includes Roland Anders - K3RA of Laurel VEC, Larry Pollock of the W5YI-VEC and ARRL’s Perry Green, WY1O. The VECs held an extended discussion of the upcoming Extra Class syllabus and pool. The QPC plan is to release the entire pool which will include the syllabus on or around December 1, 2007.
Fred Maia, W5YI, gave a recap of rulemaking activity and also spoke about licensing trends since July, 2006. Fred also discussed a petition filed with the FCC that involves ULS (the Universal Licensing System) and CORES (the Commission Registration System) and the way information contained in these databases is handled. Amateur radio operators have the understanding that submitting their updated name/address information to ULS, either by submitting it through a VEC or filing it interactively with the FCC, was all that needed to comply with the rules, when in fact an amateur also needs to separately update CORES. ULS is maintained by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB.) CORES is handled by the Office of Managing Director (OMD). The Part 1 (Section 1.8002(b)(2) rules state that applicants must keep their CORES record current and most amateurs do not know about the Part 1 rule. The CORES database update is accomplished in one of two ways: by updating the information online in CORES or by filing FCC Form 161 (update/change form). The petition proposes that Administrative (address change) Updates submitted to ULS should automatically update the CORES database.
Another of the agenda items was a discussion on whether or not the NCVEC should develop a position on and issue a statement about foreign language exams. The ARRL made a motion that NCVEC-approved Spanish language question pools should be made available in addition to the English language version. NCVEC instructions now provide for the administration of written examinations in a foreign language provided that all three Administering VEs are fluent in the language and the translation of the questions, answers, and distracters is accurate. The ARRL asked “...that the NCVEC seek to establish and maintain one standard Spanish language question pool, that conforms to be an exact translation of the current English language question pool, for the purposes of being made available to the Spanish speaking public prior to its use for public study and for VEC facility to make a question set.” The motion did not carry.
The Conference officers and committees were reelected for the coming 2007-2008 year. NCVEC Chairman, Tom Fuszard - KF9PU; NCVEC Vice Chairman, Larry Pollock - NB5X; Treasurer, Ray Adams - W4CPA; Assistant, Norm Harrill - N4HL; Secretary / Instruction Custodian, Michele Cimbala - WK3X; Assistant, Gene Wright - WA6ZRT; Rules Reporter, Fred Maia - W5YI; NCVEC QPC Chairman, Jim Wiley - KL7CC; QPC Members, Perry Green - WY1O; Roland Anders - K3RA; Larry Pollock - NB5X.
w4cki
08-02-2007, 04:21 PM
I am glad that the ARRL's "suck up" to the two language liberals did NOT get approved. USA's language is ENGLISH (or our verison of it at least)... I am pretty sure the Mexican ham test is not available in english... WHY SHOULD I PRESS ONE FOR ENGLISH?? (No, I am not anti-latino, I am just pro-USA/"intergate").
Oh really? Read that again:Quote[/b] ]NCVEC instructions now provide for the administration of written examinations in a foreign language provided that all three Administering VEs are fluent in the language and the translation of the questions, answers, and distracters is accurate.Quote[/b] ]The ARRL asked “...that the NCVEC seek to establish and maintain one standard Spanish language question pool, that conforms to be an exact translation of the current English language question pool, for the purposes of being made available to the Spanish speaking public prior to its use for public study and for VEC facility to make a question set.”
In other words, as I read that, the ARRL asked that since VE's were translating the exam questions anyway, why not provide an "official" one?
That is hardly the same thing as "sucking up" to "two language liberals". That's recognizing the reality that it is already happening -- so adjust accordingly.
Oh, and in case it escaped your attention, Puerto Rico is still part of the United States. Last time I checked, they still spoke a bit of Spanish down there now and again...
ad7hd
08-02-2007, 05:42 PM
Now let's see if the libs call in the A.C.L.U.
k3wrv
08-02-2007, 06:52 PM
I probably shouldn't reply to this but casting my fate to the wind-
If this is America, just why in the heck do I have to press 2 for Engrish? Doesn't the ICAO still use Engrish for air rhindes?
And at the risk of raising a sore point on this list, why not have a CW version?:
QSL QRP QSO so 73 QSL Sure via Burro. QRX QRU? QSP K3WRV, QSK hr K.
Most hams in the olden days could decode that wo probs.
Arrl has a long history of dumbing down HR, and they're still doing it. If we're as LEET as the Airline pilots, oh well. If not, pse QSY, QRV? K
n3jbh
08-02-2007, 06:53 PM
" Oh, and in case it escaped your attention, Puerto Rico is still part of the United States. Last time I checked, they still spoke a bit of Spanish down there now and again"
As an unincorporated territory of the United States, Puerto Rico does not have any first-order administrative divisions as defined by the U.S. Government
So i do not think i be so fast as to label it "part of the United States"
That is roughly the same as saying a Chicken is same as an Eagle. Both part of the bird family sure but not in the same Class.
Quote[/b] (n3jbh @ Aug. 02 2007,14:53)]" Oh, and in case it escaped your attention, Puerto Rico is still part of the United States. #Last time I checked, they still spoke a bit of Spanish down there now and again"
As an unincorporated territory of the United States, Puerto Rico does not have any first-order administrative divisions as defined by the U.S. Government
So i do not think i be so fast as to label it "part of the United States"
That is roughly the same as saying a Chicken is same as an Eagle. Both part of the bird family sure but not in the same Class.
*sigh*
But it is US territory at present, correct? And who said anything about first-order administrative divisions?
To split hairs in this regard and thus claim that Puerto Rico is not part of the United States... oh never mind, if I have to explain that...
Quote[/b] (n3jbh @ Aug. 02 2007,11:53)]So i do not think i be so fast as to label it "part of the United States"
That is roughly the same as saying a Chicken is same as an Eagle. Both part of the bird family sure but not in the same Class.
Ask the government if they want to give it back...you will see just how much of a part of the US it really is.
And by the way, they would rather be their own country anyway...except for the fact that they would lose all the benefits of being a "part of the United States". They are a part of the country just like Guam and Baker/Howland...as long as there is a strategic foothold, they will remain a part of the US.
73...Adam, N7YA
N7PLC
08-03-2007, 08:22 AM
Diez quatro gabacho!
W0JBC
08-03-2007, 09:08 AM
The better way of examining new hams is to publish the ANSWERS ...
No questions ... Regardless of language .... Just answers ...
JB
Quote[/b] (W0JBC @ Aug. 03 2007,02:08)]The better way of examining new hams is to publish the ANSWERS ...
No questions ... Regardless of language .... Just answers ...
JB
Why bother with a test at all? Cut out a free license from your favorite cereal box-top!
Oh, you would have to follow simple directions... be able to print your full name and send it to a choice of VEC's for processing.
Quote[/b] (w4cki @ Aug. 02 2007,11:21)]I am glad that the ARRL's "suck up" to the two language liberals did NOT get approved. USA's language is ENGLISH (or our verison of it at least)... I am pretty sure the Mexican ham #test is not available in english... WHY SHOULD I PRESS ONE FOR ENGLISH?? #(No, I am not anti-latino, I am just pro-USA/"intergate").
The USA's language is certainly NOT english.
I challenge you to show me federal law that says we have an official language.
The fact is that we do not have an official national language.
Several states have English as their national language, but the USA as a whole does NOT.
Quote[/b] (n3jbh @ Aug. 02 2007,13:53)]" Oh, and in case it escaped your attention, Puerto Rico is still part of the United States. #Last time I checked, they still spoke a bit of Spanish down there now and again"
As an unincorporated territory of the United States, Puerto Rico does not have any first-order administrative divisions as defined by the U.S. Government
So i do not think i be so fast as to label it "part of the United States"
That is roughly the same as saying a Chicken is same as an Eagle. Both part of the bird family sure but not in the same Class.
Yeah but like it or not they still have to apply to the FCC for amateur radio licenses down there.
They should be given Spanish as an option.
ki4ckr
08-05-2007, 06:30 AM
So, everyone should be forced into the same group. #Diversity is no longer an option in the United States. #Force them to speak the same language, give them the same pay and give them one party to vote for.
Sounds scary to me.
Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ Aug. 04 2007,21:13)]Quote[/b] (w4cki @ Aug. 02 2007,11:21)]I am glad that the ARRL's "suck up" to the two language liberals did NOT get approved. USA's language is ENGLISH (or our verison of it at least)... I am pretty sure the Mexican ham test is not available in english... WHY SHOULD I PRESS ONE FOR ENGLISH?? (No, I am not anti-latino, I am just pro-USA/"intergate").
The USA's language is certainly NOT english.
I challenge you to show me federal law that says we have an official language.
The fact is that we do not have an official national language.
Several states have English as their national language, but the USA as a whole does NOT.
You're foolish... like it or not, the "de facto" language of the United States is English.
Prove it otherwise!
BTW, quit this divide and conquer BS...
W0JBC
08-05-2007, 12:56 PM
Do not know...
I thought many Trinidad green carders were deported .
It is an an amazing thing..
There is no reason to have the tests in several differant languages.
If the test is given in #any other language, there must be 3 VE's that are fluent in bothe speaking, reading and writing the language.
There is one FCC license that is only given in English by international law. That is the GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems license).
All countries that give the test for GMDSS give it in English.
I helped in teaching the course at one of the Maritime schools and we had students from Puerto Rico and other countries in the classes. They had to take the test in English or they failed the course.
Les WR3X
You do it in Spanish, why not French, Russian and chinease ?
w4trs
08-10-2007, 01:46 PM
Give a redneck an Amateur Radio License and what do you have? A redneck with worldwide coverage. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
KB1SF
08-11-2007, 12:35 AM
Quote[/b] (NL7W @ Aug. 04 2007,16:33)]Why bother with a test at all? Cut out a free license from your favorite cereal box-top!
Oh, you would have to follow simple directions... be able to print your full name and send it to a choice of VEC's for processing.
This is simply more of the same "sour grapes" blather from the same (shrinking) minority who are STILL royally peeved that the FCC has now (finally!) seen fit to start dismantling their highly discriminatory, 1950's-era "exclusive club" approach to licensing for our Service.
Steven, let me now feed back to you a quote you recently directed at me on the same subject in another thread: "The Fat Lady sung (I believe the correct word usage here, however, should be "sang") awhile ago, Keith. You are old and your droning, looped-back, message is old. Break the cycle; cut the looped tape."
Perhaps you, too, should now take some of your own advice.
Keith
KB1SF / VA3KSF
Quote[/b] (kb1sf @ Aug. 10 2007,17:35)]Quote[/b] (NL7W @ Aug. 04 2007,16:33)]Why bother with a test at all? Cut out a free license from your favorite cereal box-top!
Oh, you would have to follow simple directions... be able to print your full name and send it to a choice of VEC's for processing.
This is simply more of the same "sour grapes" blather from the same (shrinking) minority who are STILL royally peeved that the FCC has now (finally!) seen fit to start dismantling their highly discriminatory, 1950's-era "exclusive club" approach to licensing for our Service.
Steven, let me now feed back to you a quote you recently directed at me on the same subject in another thread: "The Fat Lady sung (I believe the correct word usage here, however, should be "sang") awhile ago, Keith. You are old and your droning, looped-back, message is old. Break the cycle; cut the looped tape."
Perhaps you, too, should now take some of your own advice.
Keith
KB1SF / VA3KSF
I stopped reading your diatribe after the first few words... I and many others already know the broken record, Keith.
Enjoy the reduction in requirements changes, Keith. I don't have to do so; it's my right.
I will continue enjoy the operational aspects of the hobby that interest me -- that will not change.
Good day.
KB1SF
08-14-2007, 05:14 AM
Quote[/b] (NL7W @ Aug. 12 2007,16:47)]
I stopped reading your diatribe after the first few words... I and many others already know the broken record, Keith.
Enjoy the reduction in requirements changes, Keith. #I don't have to do so; it's my right. #
I will continue enjoy the operational aspects of the hobby that interest me -- #that will not change.
Good day.[/QUOTE]
It's always fun to watch when a strong dose of reality and the light of truth is shined on one's little tinhorn "parade".
Steven, it is certainly is your "right" to continue obsessively pushing for needlessly complex "achievement tests" along with assorted other discriminatory "hazing rituals" that long ago outlived their usefulness in our Service.
But that DOESN'T also mean that anyone in authority has to listen to you. And it would now appear that they aren't.
In fact, I think the FCC's own Mr. Hollingsworth clearly described the FCC's current position on this issue best at this year's Dayton Hamvention when he suggested that all of us need to now stop and take a good, long hard look at ourselves, because we are all getting OLD.
He went on to note that, unless and until we (and the FCC) do something to stop the continued hemorrhage of licensees in our Service and find new ways to stimulate growth in our ranks among the younger set, those of us still licensed will soon be bumping into each other with our WALKERS at such gatherings!
The bottom line here is that the only "broken record" we're now hearing here is the same one you and your ever-shrinking minority have been obsessively playing since the 1950s. Clearly, and by any measure, continually beating the drum for a perpetuation of the FCC’s old, worn out, 1950’s era “achievement test” and “hazing ritual” approach to licensing into the 21st Century is now doing far more harm to our Service than good.
And, fortunately, based on their recent words and actions, it would now appear that our regulators have arrived at that same conclusion as well.
Keith
KB1SF / VA3KSF
Quote[/b] (kb1sf @ Aug. 13 2007,22:14)]Quote[/b] (NL7W @ Aug. 12 2007,16:47)]
I stopped reading your diatribe after the first few words... I and many others already know the broken record, Keith.
Enjoy the reduction in requirements changes, Keith. I don't have to do so; it's my right.
I will continue enjoy the operational aspects of the hobby that interest me -- that will not change.
Good day.
It's always fun to watch when a strong dose of reality and the light of truth is shined on one's little tinhorn "parade".
Steven, it is certainly is your "right" to continue obsessively pushing for needlessly complex "achievement tests" along with assorted other discriminatory "hazing rituals" that long ago outlived their usefulness in our Service.
But that DOESN'T also mean that anyone in authority has to listen to you. And it would now appear that they aren't.
In fact, I think the FCC's own Mr. Hollingsworth clearly described the FCC's current position on this issue best at this year's Dayton Hamvention when he suggested that all of us need to now stop and take a good, long hard look at ourselves, because we are all getting OLD.
He went on to note that, unless and until we (and the FCC) do something to stop the continued hemorrhage of licensees in our Service and find new ways to stimulate growth in our ranks among the younger set, those of us still licensed will soon be bumping into each other with our WALKERS at such gatherings!
The bottom line here is that the only "broken record" we're now hearing here is the same one you and your ever-shrinking minority have been obsessively playing since the 1950s. Clearly, and by any measure, continually beating the drum for a perpetuation of the FCC’s old, worn out, 1950’s era “achievement test” and “hazing ritual” approach to licensing into the 21st Century is now doing far more harm to our Service than good.
And, fortunately, based on their recent words and actions, it would now appear that our regulators have arrived at that same conclusion as well.
Keith
KB1SF / VA3KSF[/QUOTE]
Blaa, blaa, blaa...
KB1SF
08-16-2007, 12:42 PM
Quote[/b] (NL7W @ Aug. 14 2007,11:04)]Blaa, blaa, blaa...
ditto......
Keith
KB1SF / VA3KSF
Quote[/b] (kb1sf @ Aug. 16 2007,05:42)]Quote[/b] (NL7W @ Aug. 14 2007,11:04)]Blaa, blaa, blaa...
ditto......
Keith
KB1SF / VA3KSF
We finally agree on something!
KB1SF
08-19-2007, 01:30 PM
Quote[/b] (NL7W @ Aug. 16 2007,20:31)]Quote[/b] (kb1sf @ Aug. 16 2007,05:42)]Quote[/b] (NL7W @ Aug. 14 2007,11:04)]Blaa, blaa, blaa...
ditto......
Keith
KB1SF / VA3KSF
We finally agree on something!
...it would appear....
Keith
KB1SF / VA3KSF
K1MVP
08-20-2007, 03:19 AM
Quote[/b] (kb1sf @ Aug. 13 2007,22:14)]it is certainly is your "right" to continue obsessively pushing for needlessly complex "achievement tests" along with assorted other discriminatory "hazing rituals" that long ago outlived their usefulness in our Service.
But that DOESN'T also mean that anyone in authority has to listen to you. And it would now appear that they aren't.
In fact, I think the FCC's own Mr. Hollingsworth clearly described the FCC's current position on this issue best at this year's Dayton Hamvention when he suggested that all of us need to now stop and take a good, long hard look at ourselves, because we are all getting OLD. #
He went on to note that, unless and until we (and the FCC) do something to stop the continued hemorrhage of licensees in our Service and find new ways to stimulate growth in our ranks among the younger set, those of us still licensed will soon be bumping into each other with our WALKERS at such gatherings! #
The bottom line here is that the only "broken record" we're now hearing here is the same one you and your ever-shrinking minority have been obsessively playing since the 1950s. Clearly, and by any measure, continually beating the drum for a perpetuation of the FCC’s old, worn out, 1950’s era “achievement test” and “hazing ritual” approach to licensing into the 21st Century is now doing far more harm to our Service than good.
And, fortunately, based on their recent words and actions, it would now appear that our regulators have arrived at that same conclusion as well. #
Keith
KB1SF / VA3KSF
To quote Riley,--"to do something to stop the hemorrage of licensees and stimulate growth".
The FCC, the ARRL and Dick Bash, the NCVEC HAVE done all they can,--in terms of "dumbing down" amateur radio
over the past 20 years, and NOTHING has worked to #stop the bleeding.
The next step will be to eliminate the "multiple guess"
exam, and just give the tickets away, and as a guy told
me a while back,--you probably could not give a license
away for free with many people.
Fact is,-- ham radio IS "on its last leg", and many including the "powers that be" just don`t get it.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # 73, K1MVP
W9WHE
08-20-2007, 05:14 PM
If you want to "stimulate growth", then give every CBer an Extra. That will stimulate growth. And why not? #One or two more "dumbing downs" and there will be little meaningful difference between ham and CB.
REMEMBER: The ONLY thing seperating us from CB is the standards. Take away the standards and we WILL become CB.