Logbook of the World seems to be back. I was able to log on and see my QSOs - which reminds me, I haven't done an upload in a while. I'll make sure to do that over the long holiday weekend. I also checked to see if our July 13th VE Session was removed from the calendar. It wasn't, even though I had sent an e-mail to the ARRL requesting that be done. I received a reply informing me that they still could not access that server. I'll be away that day and rather than put the onus on someone else to act as "Liaison for the Day", I decided to cancel.
Our annual trip to Lake George will be happening soon. This year, in addition to the AlexLoop and the AX1, I'm going to bring along the PAR ENDFEDZ 40-20-10 as well as my drive on mast base and my 20 foot crappie pole. I'd like to bring the Jackite, but it doesn't slip into the mast holder - it's too wide/thick. Usually, each time we go up to the Lake, I take some time to head up to Mt. Prospect (which is not a SOTA peak) and set up in the parking lot that is near the summit. There's a solitary picnic table there (in the parking lot!) and in the past I've parked the car some 20-30 feet away and have used the end fed as a sloper. There are other picnics tables in a wooded grassy area off to the side, but those are usually occupied by picnickers. Who wants to picnic in a parking lot, right? I usually have that table to myself. I can do a POTA activation as it's part of the Adirondack State Park - US-2001.
We had a CERT meeting in town last night and Marv K2VHW and I were asked to do some kind of licensing class for the CERT members in town. The two words I hate to hear the most were bandied about - "Ham Cram". I know Marv feels the same way I do. But what I'm thinking is maybe to have a period of reading the licensing manual beforehand with some Zoom meetings interspersed where we can answer questions and explain more "difficult" topics culminating in a day of review - the "cram" - followed by the exam session.
Looking at the QRP Labs website, I'm calculating that based on the number of built kits that leave the factory every month, I may see my QMX sometime in August. It would be neat to have it for the Skeeter Hunt. I was smitten by that HB-1B that I was given the opportunity to play with. I'm looking forward to adding the QMX to my small herd of radios.
Finally, I signed up and am Bumble Bee # 57 for this year's FOBB. The Heinz Bee - LOL! I will probably head over to Cotton Street Park for the event, although if I decide to head up to Washington Rock State Park it would be a two-fer ...... FOBB and a POTA activation.
Thirteen Colonies started Sunday night, I guess. I've no interest in participating in that at all, for reasons which I will not go into here. The best I can say about it is that it generates a lot of activity on the bands. I'll leave it at that.
My latest One-Day Tech Class took place on Saturday, June 1. There were only 13 in this class, fewer than most classes that I teach. I think the main reason for this is that the university school year had already ended, so there were only a couple of students in this class.
Students in my June 1, 2024 one-day Tech class taking the license exam.
Nine of the thirteen passed the test. This is a little lower than usual, but one of the students was a ten-year-old who seemed more intent on playing with a yo-yo than actually getting a license. Another was a young man who didn’t miss by much. He took the test again on Saturday, at our club’s regularly-scheduled test session, and passed. So, if you don’t count the ten-year-old—and I generally don’t count anyone that young—then the final result is 10/12, which is much closer to my usual pass rate.
I got a kick out of one guy in the class. He was so afraid that he had failed the test. As he was waiting for his exam to be scored, he asked me about one of the questions. Unfortunately, he had chosen the wrong answer, and when I told him this, he got even more anxious. In the end, all of his worrying was for naught, though. He passed with a score of 30/35.
As always, thanks to the VEs who came to administer the test. These included (in alphabetical order by call sign) Dinesh AB3DC, Ed AB8OJ, Don AC8TO, Steve AC8YA, and Mark W8FSA,
I’ll next be teaching at Hackers on Planet Earth (HOPE) in New York City in July. If you know someone who would like to take the class, have them contact me, and I’ll email them when the date is set. After that, I’ll be teaching at DEFCON in Las Vegas in August.
Explore the recent disruptions at ARRL and the impact on the Logbook of the World system. Learn why transparency and modernization are crucial for the future of ham radio.
Every Ham in the US should be registered on CORES, the FCC's COmission REgistration System. This is doorway to access your account with the FCC in the Universal Licensing System. According to the ARRL, starting next Friday, March 29th, the FCC will begin utilizing Two Factor Authorization.
Here are the details from the ARRL:
SB QST @ ARL $ARLB007
ARLB007 FCC to Require Two Factor Authentication for CORES Users
ZCZC AG07
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 7 ARLB007
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT March 22, 2024
To all radio amateurs
SB QST ARL ARLB007
ARLB007 FCC to Require Two Factor Authentication for CORES Users
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced an upcoming change to the Commission Registration System (CORES) that licensees use to pay any application or regulatory fees, manage or reset a password on an existing FRN, or request a new FRN. Beginning March 29, 2024, multifactor authentication will be implemented. Users will be prompted to request a six-digit secondary verification code, which will be sent to the email address(es) associated with each username. The user will then need to enter the code into CORES before they can continue.
In a public notice, the FCC said this change will make the system more secure. "This additional layer of security will further safeguard against unauthorized access, thereby enhancing the overall integrity of information contained within the CORES system and improving the security of user data," it read.
The FCC recommends that users confirm they have access to their username account email and to add a secondary email address, if need be.
Resources are available for those who need assistance with the system. For inquiries or assistance regarding the implementation of multifactor authentication on CORES, submit a help request at
https://www.fcc.gov/wtbhelp, or call the FCC at 877-480-3201 (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM ET).
NNNN
/EX
If you haven't re-registered with CORES within the last year or so, you might have to - again. You should also make sure (via CORES) that your FRN is associated with your CORES account.
which will get me mixed, or maybe mostly negative reviews. But that's OK, it's just me cogitating.
Yesterday we had our monthly VE session. We had five candidates and all were successful. Five new Technicians, one of which was a young man of about 10 -12 years of age. We also had one Tech come in and upgrade to General - but this post is not about that.
With the question pool for the Amateur Extra class license changing in July, I've gotten a lot of questions about it and a lot of people convinced they should upgrade to Extra by the end of June. Not only that, but I am seeing so many people upgrade so quickly. Some will come in successive three months in a row in order to go from Tech to Extra.
By now you might be thinking "Where is this going?" or "How can this be a bad thing?" or maybe even "OK, pudding brain, what's got you going now?"
This rush to upgrade is a product of the VE System, IMHO. It's never been easier to get a license or upgrade your license class than ever before. No more going to the FCC, and in many cases, having to set time aside and travel long distances to do so. A good thing, right? YES! But maybe too good of a thing?
Here's what I mean. Back when I took my Novice test in November of 1978, I had to wait until January 1979 to get my call sign from the FCC. Even though the Novice license became a renewable thing, I was of the old mindset of the need to upgrade to General within a year. I did that six months later in June of 1979. But here's the catch ....... I remained a General for the next four years! I did not upgrade to Advanced until some time in 1983. I spent those years operating, learning, making friends and in general, just enjoying the hobby. After I upgraded to Advanced, I remained in that license class for another eleven years until I eventually became an Extra in 1994 - some fifteen years after I was originally licensed. And my Extra Class exam was the only one taken under the VE System, which I am not knocking, obviously. My point it was the first time that I did not have to travel to Manhattan or Langhorne, PA to enter an FCC office.
Let's face it, going to the FCC was a royal pain in the butt. But in its own way it kind of forced many Hams to slow down, smell the roses and enjoy your license class privileges for what they were. I'm sure for not all of us, but for most of us, there was no self imposed deadline to upgrade as fast or quickly as was possible.
And in that time, if you were active, you learned a lot. Either through an Elmer, if you were lucky enough to have one, or through trial and error as I did. Looking back on it, when I was a Novice and even a new General, I didn't know jack. I knew the theory and I knew the basics, but I still had a lot to learn. And I did, by joining a club and watching other Hams and talking with other Hams and always listening, listening and more listening. And by building Heathkits - learning how to solder, identify and measure components, how to read a schematic and all that other fun stuff.
These days, it seems like so many candidates are more consumed with upgrading, and only learning answers to questions without even bothering to learn the reasoning and why and wherefore behind the question. As a result, I see this with a lot, certainly not all, but a lot of new Extras who, if asked, could not build a dipole if you gave them a supply of wire, feed line and insulators. And even worse, some who wouldn't even know where to go and look up the procedure for doing so.
The purpose of this post is not to condemn upgrading your license class. Far from it, upgrading is a fantastic and noble thing, However, don't make it your end all and be all in Amateur Radio, just so you can flaunt your credentials that you're an Amateur Extra. To put it another way, you can purchase and own the latest "smart" refrigerator that does everything for you, including walking the dog. But if there's nothing inside of it, what good is it? Take the time to stuff that fridge with food, so that you can enjoy fantastic and delicious meals for years to come.
This was posted by Craig Buck on Facebook. Sounds great for the newbie or neophyte Ham:
FREE ON-LINE AMATEUR RADIO OPERATING CLASS
A free, weekly, 3-hour Amateur Radio Operating Class on Zoom will begin on Thursday April 4 and run through June 20 at 6:30 PM Eastern time. The presenters will be various experienced folks in the various subjects.
A detailed syllabus will be published before the classes begin. Attend them all, or any that you like, but you must register for the classes. To receive registration information, contact Rol Anders, K3RA, at roland.anders@comcast.net.
Subjects will include:
All About Operating--A general Introduction
Amateur Radio Organizations—Local to International
Ham Radio Awards
DXing-History and Tips from the Experts
QSLing-How to get that needed card for DXCC or WAS
VHF/UHF Weak Signal Work and “Roving”
Image Operating—Slow Scan and Fast Scan TV
Remote Station control over internet
Learning CW in the no-code era
Digital Modes—From RTTY to FT8 and beyond
Contesting—How to get started, tips for the beginner and intermediate contester
Logging Software—What’s available, how to use
Propagation—A general intro to HF Propagation
Amateur Satellites—How to get started
Portable (backpacking) operation—Tips from an expert
TL;DR: There’s little to no hope that amateur radio license testing will go fully remote and online to meet demand from candidates displaced by cancelled VE sessions due to COVID-19. That may or may not be a big deal for ham radio, but if you’re a VEC looking to rapidly and responsibly bring your teams up to a modern remote, online-only testing capability to meet this new demand for prospective hams, let me know immediately.
In a nutshell, besides Anchorage, there is zero interest, or even anti-interest in remote VE testing.
First of all, I sent an email to the NCVEC, and all VECs a few days ago. I’ve had one reply so far.
To all VECs.
It is my intention over the course of my enjoyment of amateur radio to generate, develop, proliferate, and execute ideas which will modernize amateur radio, including VE testing, but with the COVID-19 epidemic it has rapidly become a necessity to continue the testing issuance of amateur radio licenses.
I am more than certain that at least a few of you have fielded questions regarding the continuity of VEC testing throughout the COVID-19 epidemic. I’m also sure I’m not the first one to ask this question: are any VECs (besides the Anchorage VEC) addressing the closure of numerous, if not ALL in-person VE test sessions during COVID-19 by performing remote testing?
I am aware and working with Anchorage VEC to explore the possibility of rapidly expanding their remote testing capabilities. As far as I can tell, they are the only VEC who regularly performs remote testing. Based on comments from them and other VECs, some VECs are in fact quite adamant against remote testing despite it’s approval per Part 97.509(c) and explanation in FCC R&O 14-74. This is certainly a time of extraordinary circumstances where social isolation presents a verifiable hardship for all prospective test candidates, and remote, online-only testing is the only solution that meets the need.
I’m not sure of the impact to amateur radio without the proliferation of remote testing during the pandemic; after all it’s a relatively insignificant concern compared to the pandemic itself. I’m also not certain of FCC processing during levels of low staffing. However, I do think this is a good opportunity to discover new norms, improve the image of amateur radio, continue testing and issuance of amateur radio licenses, and bring a new hobby to people in a time where solitary hobbies are in high demand.
I have addressed this email to the NCVEC but no response has been received, so I am reaching out to all VECs for answers. Thank you for your consideration,
Sterling Mann, N0SSC
My email to the NCVEC and VECs
Thanks Tom. But you didn’t answer my question.
Meanwhile, the current ARRL CEO Barry Shelley, along with Maria Somma (ARRL’s VEC Chair) had nothing to say regarding remote testing.
The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) has been dealing with a higher-than-normal volume of emails and phone calls and is asking for members’ patience as they attempt to answer everyone’s questions as promptly as possible. “There has been some significant disruption to VE exam session schedules, given the restrictions imposed on gatherings in many locales,” Shelley pointed out. “As with our employees, the health and safety of our Volunteer Examiners is a top priority, and we have informed our VEs that they need to follow their local community’s guidelines and then use their best judgement when deciding whether to conduct, postpone, or cancel an exam session.”
Meanwhile, the answers are either me, either a resounding “no,” or a wholly negative response, often rationalizing that a ham radio license exam rivals that of lawyers, doctors, and other professionals.
It was a BIG surprise to me to see Laurel VEC’s response. Laurel is commonly touted as the “best VEC” due to their free testing and extremely fast turnaround compared to most VEC’s $15 fees and 2-week or greater processing delays.
These screenshots represent a tiny fraction of the online debate going on regarding remote testing. The opposition seems to be blissfully ignorant of the advances in remote testing software, and very anxious over various ways of circumventing, exploiting, and generally cheating on remote amateur radio exams. Numerous opponents are quick to take a “back in my day” approach, referring to their own personal experiences of driving several hundreds of miles to get to a FCC field office, meeting ominous G-men, and nervously taking a far more difficult exam with those scary men breathing down their neck.
Proponents are quick to address claims of cheating and weakening of the technical base of radio amateurs, but it’s futile. It’s not going to help. It might be fun to debate, but it won’t fix the problem.
The problem is that no VECs are giving license exams, or they are doing it at an extremely reduced pace. There’s a big demand for exams, and the legal framework allows online testing. We still need 3 VEs to monitor the test takers, and to ensure the integrity of the test session. So here’s what needs to happen:
Adopt an existing VEC or create a new VEC to lead a remote testing effort. Ideally leverage their current work and processes, and current VE teams to perform remote testing. The latter has been attempted, but I have it on good faith that it’s not easy to start a new VEC, along with the fact that the FCC is probably very reluctant to do this. However, any VEC can perform remote testing and remain compliant per Part 97.509(c).
Create a list of requirements for a candidate: webcam requirements, preferably two video sources (or the use of a smartphone to be used as a second vantage point), PC software requirements, bandwidth requirements
Create rules during the exam process: what happens if connection drops, what happens if your view looks away from the test screen, calculator, or scratch pad, what happens if there’s a fault in the monitoring software, proper VE/proctor to test taker ratio, etc.
Recruit and train new VEs to bolster current VE ranks to monitor and perform test administration using conferencing/screenshare software such as Zoom. More VEs means a higher likelyhood of finding 3 VEs at any given moment, and offers flexibility to both VEs and applicants with busy schedules and interruptions.
Perform a few mock exams, thinking of ways to, and ways of mitigating cheating.
Keep detailed logs and records of actions that prove all sections of Part 97.509 are being met.
Publish application process, screen applicants, run exams, submit electronic paperwork, and follow up with new licensees as usual.
That’s it! If this was my VEC, we’d have been already giving out tests. In fact, I attempted to send Anchorage VEC a list of extra-class licensees, and he even got many of them accredited with Anchorage in a matter of hours! Because – SURPRISE – the VE Accrediation exam is online, and open-book. Imagine that.
Despite this, it turns out the process of training and approving remote VEs is not in Anchorage’s capabilities at this time. The only problem I have with that, is that the team I put together are extraordinarily savvy with modern software technologies. It would not take very much effort for them at all.
If you’re a VEC looking to rapidly bring yourself up to online testing capability, let me know immediately.
Overall, I think we’re going to be dealing with a lull in new and upgraded Amateur Radio licenses. The impact will probably be small. Still, it just disappoints me that this is the course we hams must sail.
It doesn’t have to be that way, so I’m blowing as much air into these sails as I can!
Login
