Sorry, but the VEC (Anchorage) , of which I am chairman, no longer offers code testing for any reason. All of the exam tapes and texts were destroyed a few years ago. We don't even have the 5 WPM stuff any more. If someone is looking for a code test, I would suggest listening to W1AW, or going to one of the on-line practice exam sites. Google search for "code practice" - there will be lots of "hits" to select from.
Many of the other VEC's I have spoken to have a similar policy - that is to say no code exams. at least not officially. This was discussed at the NCVEC annual meeting a few years ago. If I remember correctly, the decision of the assembly was that code testing would no longer be supported as an "official" policy, but that individual VECs and VEs were free to offer "unofficial" tests if they so desired. Note the unintended side benefit of this action - VECs cannot charge for giving a code test, as it is no longer a FCC requirement for any class of amateur radio license. It may be possible to find a VE that still has the capability, but I kind of doubt it. Enthusiasm for code testing (as opposed to actually operating on the air) seems to be on the decline. I am speaking only from my own memory here, and do not pretend to speak for the NCVEC as a whole. This does not mean that learning and using Morse code is being discouraged - just the opposite is true. Both the ARRL and the W5YI / Gordon West groups reported a while back that sales of code practice tapes and other code learning materials are more popular than ever. Some observers have reported that on the air code traffic is booming, and that it is becoming hard to find a "hole" in which to start a QSO on some days. From my point of view, working DX has always been easier on CW then on phone. For confirmation, try listening during one of the more popular CW DX contests. It is still true that the modestly equipped stations of some of the rarer DX hams are basically CW only. I am not sure if there is a code requirement for the commercial exams (2nd class radiotelegraph, for example) or not. There is some software available from various vendors that still does code practice, and one of them could probably do a timed exam. The W1AW code runs are at several speeds, starting at 5 WPM and increasing by steps until maxing out at about 35 WPM, I think The runs go from slow to fast some days and fast to slow other days. The accuracy of copy can be verified by checking articles and contest results in QST. - Jim, KL7CC Anchorage ARC VEC, Inc. Kevin Rock wrote: > If you ask your local VE very nicely they will give you the code exams. > All of them :) It is fun to see how you do on each for a little practice. > 73, > Kevin. KD5ONS > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
