The Franklin County Amateur Radio Club Volunteer Examiner team conducts Amateur Radio License examination sessions on the fourth Monday of February, May, August and November.

For 2013 the dates are February 25, May 27, August 26, and November 25, 2013.

All exams are at 7:00 p.m. downstairs at the Unitarian Church on Main Street in Northfield (Routes 10 & 63, corner of Warwick Road, flashing light in center of town). Click here for a map.
Exception, May 27, 2013: Because of renovations in progress downstairs, the 5/27/2013 exam session will be conducted upstairs in the church. Enter through the right-hand front door.

The fee is $15 cash or check. Bring 2 forms of ID (one photographic), Social Security number, any current CSCEs & photocopies, any amateur radio license & copy, pens & pencils.

A calculator is OK if it is cleared.

Note that the $15 fee entitles you to take successive exam elements as long as you get a passing score. So if you have studied for an entry level Technician license and obtain a passing score on that exam, you can then go on to take the General Class license exam at the same session for no additional charge. We have had several candidates who have gone from no license to Extra Class in one evening. It's often worth trying for a higher level even if you haven't studied for it; sometimes you know more than you think you know. Note, however, that if you fail a particular test but want to try that test over again you have to pay the fee again.

The contact person is Al Woodhull, N1AW, phone 413-773-3522 (home) 413-348-1932 (cell), e-mail n1aw@arrl.net.

Amateur Radio License Classes: The FCARC presented Technician Class License courses in Winter 2012 and Spring 2013 (click here to see course website). Future classes will be announced on this website.

FCARC VE sessions: Volunteer Examiners will give Amateur Radio license tests to anyone who is upgrading their license class or going for their first license. We will give all exam elements, Technician, General, and Extra Class. Make sure you have 2 forms of ID. If you are currently licensed bring in your original license and a photostat. Also, if you hold any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCEs) bring each one plus a photostat of each.

We have been doing volunteer examinations since May 1995. Our team has licensed many of the people you hear out there today. Our team will cater to special need situations, such as, special sessions if enough people are ready for testing, any handicapped situation and any other situation to make sure people who want to get their license get a shot at it. The team has traveled to homes, colleges, and even the ARRL to give exams.

To read more about the Volunteer Examiner Program click here.

If you are reading this far from Franklin County, MA, you can find exam dates and locations anywhere in the US on the ARRL Exam Session Search web page.

The ARRL also provides a web page where you can search for Amateur Radio Licensing Classes.