Fully remote examinations are a well defined thing — and still following all of the same rules and regulations as in-person testing have followed for years. In the last few months there have been over 1200 fully remote exams administered through GLAARG, W5YI, and ARRL (in order of how many each has done) and in the last few weeks the number of teams able to administer them have really picked up.

So here is what you need to know, and please read this list carefully — you wouldn’t believe how many people don’t read and how much trouble it causes those working to make this happen!

What you need to have to test

• First, you need to have a good internet connection capable of doing video conferencing.
• Next you need to have a good webcam on your computer — you may be asked to use a cell phone or similar as a second camera. You’ll need to be able to prove your test area is “clean”
• The specific video conferencing software used will depend on the VE team, but you’ll need to be able to install it.
• You will need a “clean” environment to take the exam in — one with nothing around that could be hiding cheat methods and one where nobody will be entering the room unexpectedly 

Find a remote FCC testing option here

The post Remote FCC Ham Radio Exam Options appeared first on TCARES.

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Field Day is an annual amateur radio exercise, widely sponsored by IARU regions and member organizations, encouraging emergency communicationspreparedness^[1] among amateur radio operators. In the United States, it is typically the largest single emergency preparedness exercise in the country, with over 30,000 operators participating each year. Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June, beginning at 18:00 UTC Saturday and running through 20:59 UTC Sunday.

Since the first ARRL Field Day in 1933, radio amateurs throughout North America have practiced the rapid deployment of radio communications equipment in environments ranging from operations under tents in remote areas to operations inside Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs). Operations using emergency and alternative power sources are highly encouraged, since electricity and other public infrastructures are often among the first to fail during a natural disaster or severe weather. 

To determine the effectiveness of the exercise and of each participant’s operations, there is an integrated competitive component, and many clubs also engage in concurrent leisure activities (e.g., camping, cookouts). Operations typically last a continuous twenty-four hours, requiring scheduled relief operators to keep stations on the air. Additional contest points are awarded for experimenting with unusual modes, making contacts via satellite, and involving youth in the activity.

The post 2019 TCARES FIELD DAY PHOTOS In Mi-Wuk California Fire Station appeared first on TCARES.

The Tuolumne County Amateur Radio & Electronics Society (TCARES) is planning a class that will teach interested folks the basics of amateur radio necessary to pass the FCC required Technician Level Amateur Radio Examination. This class is in the planning stages, tentatively commencing in the spring of 2019. It will be about 10 weeks long with one class meeting each week, most likely on Saturdays. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) training material will be used for the curriculum. Students will be asked to purchase their own License Manual for about $34 (or at a small discount through TCARES). The ARRL provides instructional material including PowerPoint Presentations that accompany the student License Manual.

Teaching will be shared amoung 4 or 5 assistant instructors. Each instructor will be provided with ARRL instructional material and PowerPoint Presentations for his or her instructional area. Instructors will not need to attend every class, but will be asked to attend the classe(es) immediately following their specific presentations to answer any questions from students. General topics include:

• Welcome to Amateur Radio
• Radio and Signals Fundamentals
• Electricity, Components, and Circuits
• Propagation, Antennas, and Feed Lines
• Amateur Radio Equipment
• Communicating With Other Hams
• Licensing Regulations
• Operating Regulations
• Safety

We are currently soliciting interested licensed operators to be assistant instructors. Assistant Instructors do not need to have any particular instructor certificate or training, just interest, desire, and time. If you are interested in assisting, please email KJ6QVI Larry at kj6qvi@hotmail.com with your name, call sign, contact information, and what areas you are most comfortable teaching.

We are very excited about this opportunity to teach citizens about the hobby and reach out to our communities with this opportunity. We plan to recruit students from KK6QPP Ron’s Basic Radio Class, Columbia College, and Tuolumne County OES, etc. If you have ideas where we might find either Assistant Instructors or potential students, let KJ6QVI Larry know at the email address above.

The post Introduction to Ham Radio Class Planned appeared first on TCARES.

Ham Radio Exam Session April 2018

What to Bring to an Exam Session:

MAP OF TEST LOCATION

1.  A legal photo ID (driver’s license, passport)

2.  If no photo ID is available, two forms of identification:

a. non-photo ID/driver’s license (some states still have them)
b. birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)
c. social security card
d. library card
e. utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that
specifically names the person; or a postmarked envelope addressed
to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on
the Form 605.

3.  Students/minors may bring any of the above items and/or a school ID,
minor’s work permit, report card, or a legal guardian may present a
photo ID.

4.  Social Security Number (SSN) or your FCC issued Federal
Registration Number (FRN); VEC’s are required by the FCC to submit
either your SSN or your FRN number with your license application
form. If you prefer not to give your SSN at the exam session, then
you may register your SSN with the FCC before exam day. Once you
have a FCC issued FRN, you may no longer use your SSN on the
application. For instructions on how to register your SSN with the
FCC and receive a FRN, visit the FCC’s FAQ page and the
FCC’s registration instructions page.  Please note that some
exam teams will only accept a valid FRN on your application.
Check with your local exam team before exam day.

5.  If applicable, bring either a photocopy of your current Amateur Radio
license or a reference copy printed out from the FCC website, the
license information printed from ARRL website or QRZ website,
or the original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates of Successful
Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from previous
exam sessions. If your license has already been issued by FCC,
the CSCE showing license credit is not needed. The photocopy(s)
will not be returned.
           Instructions on how to obtain an official FCC license copy are on
our Obtain License Copy  web page. 

6.  Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen.

7.  A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed.
You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session.
Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they’re free
of notes and formulas. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during
the exam session and the phones’ calculator function may not be used.
In addition, iPhones, iPads, Androids, smartphones, Blackberry devices
and all similar electronic devices with a calculator capability, may NOT
be used.

8.  Bring a check or cash to cover the exam session fee of $15.

The post Take your Ham Radio test April 28 in Sonora appeared first on TCARES.