ARRL/VEC Amateur Radio Testing Exam Sessions
Milam Amateur Radio Club, Rockdale, TX
Printable PDF of these instructions can be downloaded HERE
We test for all elements at our ARRL/VEC examinations in Rockdale, Texas. You do not need to inform
us in advance of the testing, just be at the testing location at the time listed, 10:00 a.m. The processing
and exams will start promptly at 10:00 a.m. so please come at least 15 minutes early. Bring one form of
identification with your picture embedded, e.g., Driver's License, Passport, School ID, etc., and one
other form of ID with your name embossed or embedded in it such as any credit card. The test fee is
currently $15.00 in cash or we will take a check made out to ARRL/VEC.
If you are upgrading an existing license you will need to bring one of the two original licenses issued to
you (either the wallet-sized one or the one "suitable for framing" if it was issued to you before the FCC
went paperless). If you do not have a paper license mailed to you by the FCC, read the PDF entitled
FCC Goes Paperless, then obtain or print out an "Official Copy" of your license and bring it to the test
session, https://www.fcc.gov/how-obtain-official-authorizations-uls.
Note: If you have a pop-up blocker activated on your computer, you must turn it off to print out an "Official Copy" of your license from the FCC Web Site.
You may also bring the original CSCE from your previous exam as proof of passing your previous
license exam. It is OK for you to bring a calculator if you clear all memories (if it has memory
capability) prior to bringing it to the test session. You will need to demonstrate that all memories have
been cleared if one of the Volunteer Examiners asks you to do so. You may not use a calculator
application on your cell phone or activate your cell phone for any reason during the test session. You
may do any calculations necessary by hand on the back of the answer sheet.
You may fill out the application form in advance of the test date on NCVEC Form 605. This is the latest revision of the form and it supersedes all previous versions. We highly recommend that you carefully read the form and the instructions on page 2 (the back side of the form) then electronically type in your information, print out the completed form and bring it to the test session. Otherwise, we will have blank forms that you can complete on-site. Bring a ballpoint pen with black ink to sign your form. The ARRL/VEC office will use your completed form to process your license and they prefer that you fill it in and print it out on your computer to avoid the problem of them misreading forms filled in by hand.
The FCC now mandates that you obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN) and no longer permits the use of your Social Security Number on the application form. You can find information on how to register for the FRN by visiting the ARRL webpage for the Universal Licensing System at http://www.arrl.org/universal-licensing-system.
For current FCC license holders, the FRN may be printed on your existing amateur, GMRS, commercial, or another FCC license.
Read the attached PDF entitled FCC Goes Paperless regardless of whether or not you already have a
paper license mailed to you at a time before the FCC went "paperless.”
We will be testing a maximum of 13 candidates at a time due to COVID-19 restrictions, but as soon as one test applicant is finished, we will be bringing in the next applicant. Candidates will be put on a list and called in their order of arrival.
Masks will be mandatory, and gloves will be provided as well as hand sanitizer.
The Session VEC will be the only person handing out the exams and retrieving them for grading by the
Volunteer Examiners. Once each Test Applicant is in the building, they will be assigned a seat and will
remain there until they leave.
All exams will be held at:
MARC Center, 1705 Pecos Ave, Rockdale, TX 76567
Exam Dates Remaining in 2021
• April 3rd
• June 5th
• August 7th
• October 2nd
• December 4th
Session Contact
Stuart Wolfe – KF5NIX
Phone (512) 660-9954
E-Mail: amadeus8558@gmail.com