Ham Radio Testing - How will it be handled?

[Big Kahuna]

A friend who was studying for his test brought up an interesting question.

How will ham radio testing continue in areas that are completely shut down? Will they postpone all testing until this passes or will they try to figure out a way to do it online?

Seems like the perfect time for people to study and take a test but no option to do it from home.

I know I've done insurance testing and some other type classes online. Seems like they could do ham radio lessons and testing online.

Will be interesting to see if anything comes out of it. I know it's hard for many people to get their license if there aren't any tests nearby or they only happen infrequently. Maybe we could bring more young people to the hobby if they could study and do it online. I know my insurance courses kept track of the number of hours and you had to complete info at the end of each section. The tests were also timed so you probably could try to cheat but it would be hard. Regardless, you ended up learning the stuff just because you had to spend so many hours reading through it.

Might be a good option, at least for entry level.

 

[Road Squawker]

Thats up to each individual VEC (there are 13 of them).
I know (for a fact) that LAUREL VEC will NOT do remote testing, other VECs are kinda debating it, but I don't think it is going to happen except for the ALASKAN VEC that was doing it on a very limited basis.

The problem is that each VE has to actually observe the test process to ensure there was no "cheating".and 3 VEs' are required by LAW for each test session.

https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?posts/5409549/ read post #4 closely. then the entire thread, in typical QRZ fashion, slides down the toilet.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Classes and testing have been suspended indefinitely up here in my area at least.

 

[AudioShockwav]

All testing in this area has been canceled until further notice.

73
Jeff

 

[Mudfoot]

Suspended here as well

 

[Big Kahuna]

Hmmm....I tried Zoom media the other day, the three VE's could be on at the same time as an applicant and they could do the test orally. Just an idea. Would be pretty hard to cheat that way.

I see this thing going on for some time. We may get back to work but the social distancing rules may maintain for a long time. I also feel like if someone wants to take the time to do the tech test and do 60 hours of online courses and tests at the end of each chapter or something like that they should just give them the license. At least at the entry level.

I'm of the mindset that someone who is willing to pay $ for an online course and spend 60 hours online is dedicated enough to get a tech license. Maybe for the upgrades they'd need video testing.

Hoping this thing ends soon but if not they need to be thinking about solutions.

 

[Mudfoot]

I probably should read all the posts.

I read something about some place was offering tests online. Sure would be a good opportunity to study at home and bust out all three exams.

 

[N0NB]

While I promote the availability of exams, it has been a few years since anyone actually wanted to take one locally, so nothing has really changed here.

 

[BJ radionut]

ARRL VEC Video-supervised online exam sessions

A very few ARRL VE Teams have successfully conducted in-person exam
sessions (following social distancing guidelines) and video-supervised
exam sessions using fillable PDF exams and documents. So far, we have
found that both types of sessions take our volunteer teams 2 to 3 times
longer to conduct, and accommodate fewer candidates than sessions
conducted prior to COVID-19. To this point, the video sessions have
included only one examinee per session.

We ask the community to be patient with our volunteer teams as they
navigate uncharted territory. Please remember, with the introduction of
significant new processes such as these, there should be proof of
concept, the establishment of protocols and procedures, and beta testing
before expanding to a larger audience. Video-supervised exam sessions
require a different skill-set than giving exams in person. Not all teams
will be equipped to deliver video exams immediately.

In addition, the ARRL VEC has been investigating options for an online
examination system.
Fill-able PDFs are cumbersome within a video-supervised exam session
process. We recognize that online testing would be a large-scale
solution for our thousands of volunteer examiners and would make session
procedures easier for our teams, but this will not happen overnight.

The ARRL VEC will continue to adapt and respond to the evolving crisis,
as we search for a viable and easy-to-use online examination system and
conduct exam sessions in new and innovative ways.

Maria Somma, AB1FM, Manager