The Albuquerque Duke City Hamfest and Convention is pleased to host a session where you can take FCC amateur-radio license exams. The session is sponsored by the High Desert Amateur Radio Club. The tests are administered by ARRL-accredited examiners under the FCC's Volunteer Examiner Coordinator system and  are offered for Technician, General, and Extra Class licenses.

You do not need to pre-register for the tests, but be sure you have the documents and test fee when you come (see box at right). 

When you arrive, please stop at the registration desk first and let the registrars know you have come to take a license exam. You'll receive a VE test badge, which gives you entrance to the exam room only. Test-application forms will be available by 8:00 a.m.; testing starts at 8:30 a.m.; last seating is 9:30 a.m.; and tests collected by 11:00 a.m. Those planning  to take multiple tests should start testing at 8:30 a.m.

Please note: You do not have to register in advance or pay for admission at the door for the convention if you are coming only to take a license exam. But you must check in at the registration desk to pick up a VE test badge. If you pass your exam as a new ham, show us your ARRL Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination at the registration desk for free admission to the hamfest. If you have upgraded, show your certificate at the registration desk to receive reduced admission of $10 to the hamfest.

The examiners highly recommend taking practice tests in advance of the exam session. You can find these tests on the following websites:

http://www.arrl.org/examreview

http://aa9pw.com/radio/

http://www.qrz.com/ht/

"We like it when everyone passes their test," notes Jim Kajder, AF5FH, who heads the examiner team. "Folks that take practice exams ahead of time and study the questions they miss tend to pass the exam on test day."