POWERLESS
It was a rainy Saturday morning, but that doesn't deter an anxious examinee. The rain continued and lightning as well. During exams in the church basement, all the lights went out - and the CW tests stopped. The only light left was coming through two very small windows high up on a wall. Those that were taking written exams scooted their one-piece desk and chairs {the kind you probably used in grade school) over to where the light was coming in and continued the exam. About an hour later, the power came back on and we continued exams under normal conditions. Battery backup was the lesson learned.

MUSIC TO MY EARS
During another exam session in a church where one of our VEs was a member, we set up for CW testing in the church basement. Testing had just begun, when an organist directly over head, preparing for Sunday's music, cut loose with a loud chord that got everyone�s attention. This halted all CW for a while. The flooring was not as thick as we hoped. We couldn�t move the session easily, so we spoke to the organist who was very helpful in maintaining our reserved schedule.

CLICK CLACK CLICK
The floor at one location was tile on cement floors. This is especially hard, so that when our VE with hard leather shoes walked from one place to another, it sounded something like the old telegraph key clicks. This was not good during the code tests, nor was it good for general concentration. He was a good sport about it and at our next session he wore tennis shoes.

OTHER NOISES
Recently, we were preparing a CW candidate for his test and we noticed a small tape noise coming from the tape player. We asked if the small noise was noticed and would it bother his reception at all. He answered in the negative and said if we knew how he practiced CW reception, we would understand why it was OK. The test was given, and he passed the test. We then asked for the rest of the story - just how did he practice code? He answered that he listened to tapes while he drove in his cab. He drives an eighteen wheeler on the interstate highway for a living.

A ONE LETTER MATTER
There was one CW exam where the marked answers were six of ten answers correct. We then began counting characters. This was a borderline case. One letter in the string was indeterminate. If it was an "o", the exam was passed. The VEs could not decide which it was. So, the letter was isolated, and the examinee was asked what letter he wrote. He told us - and it was the wrong letter. Only one time has that happened, so far.

VISUALLY IMPAIRED
There were three occasions that I remember, when we had a special setup for visually impaired folks. Written tests were read by one VE and the candidates answers were marked by another VE. CW tests were given with breaks at which time the examinee would recite what was heard. This worked very well and the examinees were usually successful. It was obvious that these examinees were well prepared.

DOUBLED CARRIER
One time, our examinee was a lady who could not negotiate the stairs necessary to get to the exam room. So, after careful consideration, two of our stronger guys volunteered to form a four-hand seat, and with her permission, carried her down (and later up) the stairs. Our lady VE supervised. The extra effort was appreciated.

FAMILY GROUPS
Sometimes, a father or mother and son or daughter, or a pair of siblings, or a husband and wife would sign up for the exam. These cases and cases like them, warmed our hearts. Its just wonderful to see members of the same family encouraging each other in the study and practice of amateur radio. There is one caveat however. One guy got his wife interested in studying ham radio with him, and so she took exam elements along with him - and she passed more elements than he did! She passed him up and now he's struggling to upgrade.

RIGHT TIME, WRONG PLACE
Some of our examinees come from a long distance. It was 150 miles from Cleveland to Columbus and in unfamiliar territory. One such fellow from Cleveland was told that there was an exam at our local ham store. When he arrived, he found that it was not true about the exam. However, the employees of the store had our exam information posted and directed him to our location. Good local cooperation wins again.

THANKS
We have had only a few different exam sites, usually in local churches. At every exam, someone stops to give a heartfelt thanks for having the VE team there. This does wonders for the team esprit-de-corps. Some examinees will help set up tables, chairs, and desks. And later they help put things away again. That too, is a way of saying thanks.

The source of our VEs has been the place where we work. Although the name of our company has changed several times over the last fourteen years, this has been the source of active and retired employees have performed this service. Our VE group has been especially blessed in that our guys and gal have been faithful and get along so very well. The ARRL Staff has been an excellent resource for help and last minute supplies and recommendations. Many times we have consulted with the staff to assist in choosing the best option to follow. I'm proud to be associated with ARRL and the W8ZPF VEs. We have begun our fifteenth year of service having started December 15, 1984.

Jim Kerr, K8KJ for W8ZPF

W8ZPF VE TEAM MEMBERS & HELPERS
1984-1998

Bob Ball WB8WGA
Wally Blackburn AA8DX
Carl Bohman N8AFD
Carolyn Davidson WA8MWA
Bill Erwin N9CX
Ron Fenstermaker K8JO
Art Grandle KD8ZG
Tom Hain KV8Q
Jim Hanlon W8KGI
Kaye Hartman K8GZ
Marty Hartwell KD8BJ
Bob Kenyon K8LJ
Jim Kerr K8KJ
Gordon Lashley WD8CZG
Bill Ludwig KE8QN
Dan Merrick K8TX
Clyde Nimal AA8LX
Larry Nusbaumer N8GGG
Warren Ring AB6QE
Denny Roe WA8HPW
Jerry Scott K9RV
Rob Stampfli KD8WK
Dave Washington N8FWT
Bill Woody WK8H
Dave Woolf K8RSP
Carl Yaffee K8NU
Jim Yoder W8ERW


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