Good news! Remote VE Testing is happening and people are getting licensed and upgraded! Woohoo!
I spoke with Brandin Hess, AL6I, Anchorage ARC VEC chairman on the phone shortly after this test session was complete. He told me that remote testing is well underway. At the current rate, they can handle between 5 and 10 candidates a day, possibly up to 20 if everyone was operating at full tilt. Only 40 applications are in process right now (and many more are sure to come). Several applications have been rejected, in part due to the an in-person proctor not being available because of shelter-in-place requirements.
I want to publicly thank Brandin and the Anchorage VEC for their efforts. He says it’s using up 110% of his time, and taking an impact on his health, but if he wasn’t working on it, ham radio licensing would come to a screeching halt.
The process at Anchorage still requires an in-person proctor, who is essentially a trusted individual, to verify that the test taker is following all the rules and not cheating, and to – without a shadow of a doubt – validate the integrity of the test session per Part 97 regulations.
But what if it’s okay to perform testing entirely online? A working group is currently underway solving that problem.
In the last few hours a group of about 30 people has coalesced from across the country, all working towards defining specific goals and requirements for 100% online amateur radio examinations, performing proofs of concept, and creating a standard operating procedure that any VEC can adopt and modify for their needs. No software is being written, yet, as it may very well be possible this can be done with off-the-shelf components like video conferencing, Docusign, ExamTools, and even mirrors!
The effort got quite a massive signal boost with the help of Sam Hulick, renowned composer and software developer, and verified “blue checkmark” Twitter user, sent a tweet to Ajit Pai, FCC Chairman. Yes. The Ajit Pai. And he responded:
I eagerly await to see the results of this tweet, but at the end of the day, there’s no need for any FCC action, besides maybe a 👍 and a vote of confidence that VECs can reliably perform 100% remote testing.
This clearly isn’t an effort that will result in immediate adoption (although theoretically the capability is already available), but it will – within the next few months or less – result in a framework and/or set of tools that VECs and their VE teams can use to perform remote testing reliably and be confident that it is FCC compliant.
But is it really FCC compliant? By that I mean, does a 100% online synchronous exam with several angles of surveillance of the test taker by 3 or more VEs meet all subparts of Part 97.509? I think so. What do you think?
I will keep the updates flowing and those interested informed as progress is made. If you want to be added to the conversation, reach out to me.
What is the remote software like? Is it Zoom ? I heard a lot are having issues from all the people working from home.
Yes, Zoom. It’s been working flawlessly for me, and I’ve been on a LOT of Zoom meetings lately. Another option we’re looking into is Jitsi.
So the Anchorage ARC VEC is using zoom to administer the exam ? What do you mark the questions onto? I hope it’s not a word document they give you control too.
Zoom is used to view the candidate and his or her screen, and a custom platform is used to generate, take, and grade the exam. I’m not sure what Anchorage uses, but ExamTools (https://youtu.be/BSH4baDNs48) works in the same way. The developer is working on updating it so both video conferencing, screen sharing, and the actual test taking happens in the same browser window.
I would like to do this.. I live in small town pa and my exam was suppose to be yesterday but because of everything going on I couldnt take it.. what or how do I go about this?
https://kl7aa.org/vec/remote-testing/ to signup with Anchorage. There isn’t a process to sign up for W5YI remote yet. Still being worked on.
I would love to get my license
I took my Massachusetts realtor exam via computer 23 years ago. Most universities have online exams. In fact, there are thousands of MOOCs that offer certificates based online coursework and exams. The technology has been in place for decades. Why is Amateur radio so far behind? (By the way I was never a realtor, took the exam for fun.)& I am a retired educational technologist.
I am also interested in the online exam as well. My license expired some time ago and thought now since I have time, I could get licensed again.