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  • CQ Amateur Radio

    MAGIC IN THE SKY

    Oct 01, 2020 6 minutes
    BY JEFF REINHARDT,* AA6JR

    The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of CQ. – ed.

    Given that we know this year is like no other, “the new normal” is a considerable distance from “the old normal” in ways too numerous to list in this space.

    Methods of licensing new operators and upgrades for existing hams are among the challenges to which we should devote some thought. I know of what I speak, having been a volunteer examiner (VE) or coordinating VE at more than 100 exam sessions over 20+ years. In short, since the outbreak of COVID-19, the old model of VE sessions just doesn’t work anymore.

    Some will take issue with that stance. Yes, there have been VE sessions that use work-around methods, such as holding exam sessions remotely, having candidates take tests in their cars, having sessions outdoors, and the like. The opinion here is that these methods are “band-aid” solutions to a larger issue, with one exception

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