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SANDARC's Carlsbad Ham Radio Exam Session
Sponsored by Palomar ARC

Please check the blog for special annoucements.

If you are planning to attend a Ham Radio exam session at SANDARC's Carlsbad site, please download the instructions and application form (pdf)

To register for an FRN please go to the FCC Wireless home page.

Notes:


If you would like the application form indepedently of the instructions above, please download NCVEC Form 605 (pdf).


We can always use additional Extra Class Volunteer Examiners in support of regular and special sessions.  If you would like to join SANDARC as a Volunteer Examiner, please download and complete the SANDARD VE Application Form (pdf).  If you just recently upgraded tp Extra Class, please wait for your upgrade to take effect before applying to become a VE.


SANDARC holds ham radio exam sessions every weekend at different locations around San Diego County.  For information about sessions other than Carlsbad, please visit SANDARC and select "VE" from the left-hand menu.


Frequently asked questions:

Q:  I am not sure I will be ready for the exam, should I just wait for the last minute to register?
A:  If we don't have a critical mass of registrations by Thursday on the week of the exam, we will in all likeliness cancel the session.  Please register early to avoid being disappointed.

Q:  I already have a valid FRN, do I need to reapply for a new FRN when I upgrade?
A:  No, if you already have a valid FRN, that is your personal identifier with the FCC and all licenses/upgrades are done using that same FRN.

Q:  When I upgrade, will I be assigned a new callsign automatically?
A:  Form 605 allows you to choose what happens when you upgrade using the checkbox ""CHANGE my station call sign systematically". If you do not check it - you will keep your current callsign.  If you do check it and initial the box below it, the FCC will assign you a new callsign per your new license class automatically. In other words, the FCC assigns you the next available callsign for that class. Please note that your VE team and VEC have no control what so ever as to what callsign  you will be assigned.  You always have the option to apply for a vanity callsign after your upgrade has been processed. 

Q:  I downloaded the 605 form from another site, can I use it?
Q:  I downloaded the 605 form from the FCC, can I use it?
Q:  I downloaded the 605 form from the ARRL, can I use it?
Q:  I was given the 605 form by my instructor/mother/wife/kids/dog/etc, can I use it?
A:  Absolutely not. Only form 605 obtained from this page will be accepted.

Q:  The form says I can put in my SSN or FRN, should I ignore your instructions to obtain an FRN and just use my SSN?
A:  Absolutely not, we will not admit you without an FRN.  Further more, we do not want to know your SSN, too many bad things can happen when your SSN is circulated.  We respect your privacy, please follow the rules to help yourself.  Even further - further more, the FCC will not accept your application with an SSN.

Q:  The instructions ask to bring $5 in exact change, can I just bring whatever I have and ask for change?
A:  We don't carry change.  If we can't make change, we won't admit you.

Q:  Can I pay with a check, credit card, debit card, traveler's checks, foreign currency, IOU, stock, bonds, T-bills, precious metals, livestock, my first born?
A:  Absolutely not. 

Q:  I do not have the required identification as explained in the instructions, can I still take the exam?
A:  Absolutely not.

Q:  My minor child (under 18) wants to take the exam, can I just ignore the identification requirements as explained in the instruction and show you my ID instead (after all he/she look just like me)?
A:  Absolutely not.

Q:  If I fail the exam, can I try again the same day?
Q:  If I pass the exam, can I try for the next element the same day?
A:  There are no legal limitations or restrictions for taking several exams (elements) per session.  However, the team leader will inform you if the VE team can administer another exam based on class size, time limitations, VE availability, material availability and other factors.

Q:  When you say "absolutely not", do you really-really mean it, or are you just busting my chops?
A:  Yes, when I say "absolutely not", I absolutely, whole heartedly mean it.

Q:  Why are the requirements so strict?
A:  Because we are empowered by SANDARC VEC, which in turn is commissioned by the all-mighty FCC (Federal Communications Commission) to conduct exams per Part 97 (i.e. the law).  If we violate the law, it would reflect poorly on our hobby, it would reflect poorly on our integrity, we may lose our licenses,  and we may have to sit in jail and pay large fines.

Q:  Is Morse code still required for Technician / General / Extra class license?
A:  Morse code is no longer needed for any license class.  As a result, VEs no longer offer Morse code exams.

Q:  I still have questions, I don't understand something, how can I get in touch with you?
A:  The exam instructions contain an email and daytime phone number, feel free to use those.


If you recently passed an exam and obtained a license or an upgrade and would like check its status online please use one of the following resources:
Please allow at least 14 calendar days from the date of your exam for your license or upgrade to be issued.

We would like to encourage you to use online resources and take practice exams provided free of charge by any of the following excellent sites:

The exam takes place at the Carlsbad Safety Center located at 2560 Orion Way, Carlsbad CA 92010.  Here is a map to the exam location:


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Last updated: 06/06/2009