On February 28 2026, OVH had its first in-person, all-electronic VE exam using the ExamTools system.
We provided tests to four applicants, and everyone went home a winner. We now have one new Technician Class operator and three new General Class operators in our region.
Grading exams is a cinch since we no longer must use the blue templates and pencil-checking approach. The computer system does everything for us! This makes the process effortless (for the VE team) when an applicant wants to attempt the next exam element for the same $15 exam fee.
Three applicants paid in cash and one paid using a PayPal Pool account. When the ARRL opens on Monday, I will upload the Zip file containing all the exam information and make payment for the candidate testing fees.
The OVH VEs included Mark WA4KFZ, Byron AK4XR, Bruce KN4GDX, Sam KQ4SL, John KG4NXT, Lynn KX4HR. Also helping was Ron KK4DCZ and Theresa KG4TVM.
If anyone is interested in becoming a VE, and getting registered in the ExamTools system, please let me know. I will look ahead at future dates and see when we can hold our next exam session.
73,
Mark Braunstein WA4KFZ
