FYI:
73,
Don Milbury, W6YN
-------------------------------- Hi All:
Perhaps a few words here will clarify the reasons for the delays of applications going through the ARRL VEC. The ARRL VEC processes between 65 and 70% of all amateur applications. The W5YI group, though smaller, does account for 20% or more all applications. The remainder of the applications are processed by very small VECs, at least a couple of which do not test as many applicants in a year as large ARRL or W5YI team would test in a month.
The ARRL has not purposely delayed the submission of new license and upgrade data to the FCC. The delay is a product of sheer volume! Over 10,000 applications are waiting to be processed for the date of April 15th alone. Since January 1st there has been a large increase in the number of test sessions. Year to date we have seen an increase in the number of individual applicants by a factor of over 3. This will give you an idea of the task before us. Yes, there are significant delays; the ARRL VEC has hired additional staff to help cope. Staff are bringing work home nights and weekends, others are staying at work until 9:00 PM or later on a regular basis.
All field stocked and software using teams had to be supplied with new materials prior to the implementation of the new rules. Currently, we expect to start processing the 10,000 or so April 15th applications later this week. When the backlog is finally broken, we should be back to business as usual.
There is a bright side. Even now that the "magic date" has come and gone, testing is at a higher level than it was last year - a healthy outlook for Amateur Radio.
The W5YI VEC may have started processing April 15th sessions, but he too has had to hire additional help. The very small VECs did not have very many applicants in the whole scheme of things, so from those VECs , upgrade grants may well have occurred in the FCC database.
We ask that VEs, and applicants bear with us as we attack the literally "file cabinets" full of pending applications.
One final note in closing, for those of you who generally use e-mail addressed to vec@arrl.org, to register sessions, request supplies, request clarifications, or for a multitude of other reasons requiring contact with the VEC office, please be aware that the mail box is full. Mail for this mailbox has been increasing since January 1, 2000 . Currently there are over 1500 messages awaiting response. Some responses have been automated. If your request is urgent, consider addressing it to my mail box as an alternative, ( w1ki@arrl.org ). Or if practical, fax your requests to 1 (860) 594-0339. The telephone works also, but please bear in mind that telephone time does take away from test session / application processing time.
The ARRL VEC is willing to answer any and all requests for VEC services. So, if you do have a need to contact us, please do not hesitate to do so.
Many thanks to all of you who have supported, and continue to support the ARRL VEC program.
Wayne K. Irwin, W1KI Assistant to the ARRL VEC Manager E-Mail to: w1ki@arrl.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Amateur Radio: If you're not having fun, you are not doing it right!
ARRL, Santa Barbara Section
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Donald L Milbury