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NOW is the time to get that "Extra" before the door closes. Check for an examination site near you on the ARRL Section Web site http://www.qsl.net/arrlsb

A more difficult and expanded number of questions will make up the Extra Class examinations to begin in July.

The new question pool becomes effective July 1st, and must be used to generate all Extra class written examinations administered on or after that date. It replaces the Extra class question pool released April 15, 2000--the day Amateur Radio ''restructuring'' became effective.

The new Element 4 pool expands the number of questions by more than 20 percent--806 questions--as opposed to 665 in the current Extra class pool, and it contains more technical material. More than half of the questions cover electrical principles, circuits, signals and emissions.

The 50 questions in an Extra class examination are drawn from the question pool consistent with FCC rules and according to a formula that specifies the number of questions to be asked from each of nine topic areas. Applicants must correctly answer at least 37 questions to pass.

The new Element 4 question pool is available on the ARRL Web site, http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/pools.html. The just-released Extra class question pool will remain valid through June 30, 2005.