Testing with the MPARC W5YI Volunteer Examiner Team

The MPARC W5YI VE team holds regular testing sessions throughout the year. Tests are offered for all amateur license levels (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra). Test sessions are held on the last Saturday of odd-numbered months.

AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE EXAM INSTRUCTIONS

Please read this if you are considering taking the Technician exam for an amateur radio license or any upgrade to a current license.

As always, we will accept walk ins with no pre-registration, but we are HIGHLY RECOMMENDING that you do pre-register.

Preregister at: https://hamstudy.org/sessions/MPARC/all

You will need to create an account and provide the information needed. If you have any questions, please contact our team leader, Joy Safranek (W2JMS) at w2jms@arrl.net.

You need to bring a picture ID. If you have recently tested at another location, you need to bring the original and a copy of the Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE) if your previous info has not posted to the FCC site yet.

The cost to take the exam is $14 and we prefer cash payment.  We usually have change if necessary.  If you pass your exam and wish to take the next level, there is no extra charge. As of April 19, 2022, the FCC implemented a $35 fee (mandated by Congress) for new licenses, renewals, rule waivers, or a new vanity call sign. The fee WILL NOT apply to upgrades or administrative updates such as a change of mailing address or email address. This fee WILL NOT be collected by this team. The procedure is that when you test, we collect the $14 fee and administer the test. Then we transmit the results to W5YI (our VEC), and they transmit to the FCC. At this point, the FCC will email a link with payment instructions to each successful candidate who then will have 10 calendar days from the date of the email to pay. After the fee is paid the FCC will process the application and you will receive a second email from the FCC with a link to your official license or an explanation of any other action taken. This link will be good for 30 days so you can print an official copy of your license. If for any reason you are not issued a license, the fee will not be refunded.

We ask that you arrive between 9:00 and 9:30am to finish the paperwork and testing will start at 9:30 or shortly thereafter.

TESTING LOCATION:  Abingdon Volunteer Rescue Squad 2676 Hayes Rd, Hayes, VA 23072 (old Rt 17) Hayes VA 23072-3442

DIRECTIONS:   Coming from the South (York County/Newport News/Hampton/Williamsburg):   From the Coleman Bridge on Rt 17, go north to the 5th traffic light. Turn left at the light on to Hook Rd (there will be a Walgreens on your left and a Rite Aid on the right).  Go to the end of that road and turn right on to Hayes Rd.   Stay on that road.  Just before Hayes Rd curves back to intersect with Rt 17 again, the Rescue Squad Building will be on the left.   Park in the back lot. Come in the double doors and turn down the hall to the right. The room is at the corner on the right.

Coming from the North (Middlesex, Mathews, King and Queen, Richmond, etc.):  Travel southbound on Rt 17.  You will pass a Wendy’s on the right side of the road.  You will see “Big Daddy’s” Cycle Sales also on the right a little further down.  Just past that is Hayes Rd.  Turn right onto Hayes Rd and follow it up the slight hill and to the left.   The Rescue Squad Building will be on the right.   Come in the double doors and turn down the hall to the right. The room is at the corner on the right.

Something for you to be thinking about – as a courtesy, our local club (Middle Peninsula Amateur Radio Club) offers a membership for the remainder of the year to any new Technician who wishes to join (those testing in November will receive the next calendar year).  If you live close enough (or just wish to travel back to see us) then we welcome you as a member.  The club President, Alan (KM4VTT) or Joy (W2JMS) will have information packets with a membership application available. You can fill one out before you leave.  After the free membership is up, our dues are $25 per year for an individual or $30 a year for all licensed operators in a family if you wish to continue your membership.

More local area testing locations: near Gloucester

Search for additional testing sessions at this ARRL link: www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session