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   MSGID: 1.fidonet-ham@1:19/33 23908cba   
   PID: Synchronet 3.18a-Win32  Aug  3 2020 MSC 1925   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.11-Win32 r3.176 Aug  3 2020 MSC 1925   
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   Due to the following factors, there is a HIGH likelihood    
   that the UALR Ham Radio Club License Exam Sessions, that    
   were set for Sept. 19 and Nov. 21, 2020, at the Amy    
   Sanders Library in Sherwood, will be CANCELED...and exams    
   for 2021 may NOT be able to be scheduled, due to lack of    
   a test site, and payment of required fees.   
      
   ! COVID-19 restrictions. Until further notice, the Central    
   Arkansas Library System is NOT allowing meetings, exam    
   sessions, etc. to be held. It doesn't matter at this point,    
   if the dates are kept on the calendar, or removed. Even at    
   the UALR Campus, MASKS ARE REQUIRED, like it or not. The   
   campus considers us as "visitors", so that makes testing on   
   the UALR Campus less likely.   
      
   ! My continuing recovery from hernia surgery 2 months ago,    
   and being told to "not lift anything heavy" (the 3 test    
   cases, with the handouts and printed exam books, are well    
   over 10 pounds each).   
      
   ! The conduct of some examinees...either refusing to comply    
   with the COVID-19 regulations (not wanting to wear a mask,    
   etc.), or trying to bribe the VE Team to certify the exams    
   fraudulently -- which means all examinees there to re-test    
   in front of another VE Team, or the FCC...and all of the    
   VE's involved would be stripped of their accreditation and    
   ham radio licenses for life. Part 97.511 of the FCC Rules    
   (which one has to agree to follow, in order to obtain a    
   ham radio license), notes "Examinees must comply with the    
   instructions given by the administering VE's". If you    
   don't have the intent on following these, you need not    
   even worry or consider becoming a ham radio licensee.   
      
   ! Most of the VE's are in "the vulnerable age group" for    
   getting COVID-19.   
      
   So for all intents and purposes, until further notice,    
   the UALR Ham Radio Club will NOT be doing ham radio license    
   exam sessions. I had even seriously considered disbanding    
   the VE Team, and sending back all the supplies, except for    
   my VE badge, in case another area team needed me. Neither    
   myself, my fellow VE's, or fellow examinees, need to put    
   up with insubordination.    
      
   In short, all those who were hoping to give the exams as    
   VE's, and to take the exams as examinees...should prepare    
   for the possibility (if not likelihood), that the Sept. 19,    
   and Nov. 21, 2020 sessions are going to end up being    
   canceled. If nothing changes by Labor Day, I likely will    
   cancel one, if not both, sessions.   
      
   As of now, I'm NOT optimistic of scheduling testing for    
   2021. Those wanting to take amateur radio license exams    
   should seriously consider contacting another VE Team.   
      
   Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, UALR Ham Radio Club VE Team Liaison   
      
   ... Winter is a Sysops friend...Thunderstorms are the enemy.   
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