Bloomington Amateur Radio Club
Serving Bloomington and Monroe County, Indiana Since 1967
VE License Testing
In order to get an amateur radio operator license you must take a test. There are currently three categories of licenses granted by FCC, namely Technician, General, and Extra. Test complexity and knowledge required to pass the test increases as you go up the rank from Tech to Extra. Tests are largely conducted in a particular area by volunteers examiners (VEs). VEs are certified by the ARRL.
Is there VE Testing in Bloomington?
Yes. BARC conducts VE Testing in the area normally on the first Saturday of each month. Exceptions are when the first Saturday falls near a holiday We test at First United Church, 2420 E. Third Street, Bloomington, IN. Testing commences at Noon EDT; please be a half hour early.
These are the dates for VE Test Sessions for the coming year:
| Date (2024) |
| January 6, 2024 |
| February 3, 2024 |
| March 2, 2024 |
| April 6, 2024 |
| May 4, 2024 |
| June 1, 2024 |
| July 6, 2024 |
| August 3, 2024 |
| September 7, 2024 |
| October 5, 2024 |
| November 2, 2024 |
| December 7, 2024 |
If you already have a license, you can ask for directions on the WB9TLH repeater at 146.640 (Negative offset, 136.5 PL tone) during Monday night nets at 7:30pm. If you’re not licensed yet, you can still listen to the frequency. This is a good idea, since often there is more than one person with questions.
Testing always begins at 12:00 noon. Please arrive 20-30 minutes early to fill out all necessary paperwork.
Here is a list of other, nearby Indiana locations where VE testing is performed.
In summary:
- When: 12:00 noon on the first Saturday of each month (unless otherwise announced via this web site)
- Where: Contact the club for current locations and times.
- a) Money to cover testing fees, $15.00.
- b) If you are testing for the first time, you will need 2 pieces of ID, one of which must be a photo ID.
- c) If you are upgrading, please bring your FCC license, and any CSCE’s you may have, as well as photocopies of these documents along with your photo ID.
- Current Pool of Questions for All Tests (see menu on left)
- AA9PW Sample Tests
- eHam.net Practice Tests
- QRZ.com Practice Amateur Radio Exams
- HamExam.org