I finished the Volunteer Examiner course and sent it off during the holiday season. It seemed the next logical step after receiving my Amateur Extra license.

I am now certified to assist in conducting license examinations. Like many things in Ham radio, though, you actually have to do before you actually understand all of those questions you answered.

When a Ham operator receives a General license, they can become certified to administer license examinations. Remember, however, they can only administer the examination for the Technician license. As an amateur extra, I am certified to administer examinations for all class of licenses. That is, I and two other amateur extra licensees with the same certification.

When you receive your General or Amateur Extra license, you too can become certified as a Volunteer Examiner. But why?

Administering examinations consists of collecting the $15, filling out paper, grading examinations and telling the hopefuls whether they pass or fail. Seems like a lot of work for no pay.

If your objective in amateur radio is to get to talk on your Baofeng, this program probably is not for you. It will take up your free time on weekends. It is just one way that you can give back to your community and ham radio. There are certainly any number of other ways you can help. Getting involved in SKYWARN, Races or other emergency communications efforts, for example. They all require training, as well.

I actually got started by trying to find out what all of those questions about the Volunteer Examination Coordinator was about. During the course of that investigation, I found the course and simply completed the open-book review. It was pretty easy compared with months of studying for my license.