From: Les Cobb
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003  (Updated December 28, 2003)
To: Mobileer
Subject: [Mobileer] VE Tech/General upgrade

In my message about "December" last week, I mentioned upcoming VE
sessions and the advisability of upgrading old Tech Plus licenses to
General if eligible.  I got questions about this, so I will repeat the
story for everyone.  This message has more info than I sent before, so
re-read it before throwing in the towel.

When they restructured the licenses on April 15, 2000, they recognized
that early Technicians had satisfied ALL of the new requirements for
General Class.  This was more than just 5 WPM code.  Technicians prior
to March 21, 1987 took the same written test as Generals.  After that
date, Technicians were given their own written test and it doesn't
count.  No Code wasn't until February 14, 1991, so 1987 and before shows
that the code was passed too.

There are some technicalities for partial element credit for other
dates, expired licenses, and/or Novice licenses.  This can be found at 
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/00/0225/#tech.

Qualified Techs can go to any VE session, present their proof of holding
that license prior to the magic date, and be upgraded with NO testing.
Proof would be any license that was issued before the required date, an
old callbook showing your license class, or, QRZ has a web page showing
their first list in 1993.  Now, 1993 is well after 1987, but it does
show the date the then-current license was issued, and many people have
a favorable date of issue on that listing.

The W5YI-VEC will perform hand lookups in their old call books for a $5 
fee.  Contact them at 1-800-669-9594, 9-4 CST.  They will send you a 
copy of a page from the 1987 Callbook and a listing from "N4MC's Call 
Look Up" which gives a call sign record. The 1987 Callbook is as of late 
1986.

If you qualify and need more help, let me know.  If you were lucky 
enough to save your old license, that is all you need.  Take the 
original and a copy of your current license and your proof, and photo 
ID.  The 2004 VE fee of $12 is due.

This "Brass Ring" has been available over three years.  Do something
about it before the VEs forget what you are talking about, even if you
don't currently need the privileges.  You never know.

Les, W6TEE