FCC Initiates Inquiry into Tennessee ARRL-VEC Exam Session
NEWINGTON, CT, Jun 20, 2002--The FCC has asked two ARRL VEC volunteer examiners to explain why they took part in administering amateur exams to their family members. The inquiry involves a December 14, 1999, test session in Cookeville, Tennessee, at which the wife of VE Bobby A. Raymer, N2BR, and the brother of VE Steven G. Hunter, KF4FAV, were among the candidates. Kathy J. Raymer, KG4FWO, and Gary E. Hunter, KG4FRN, successfully passed exam elements at the session.
An FCC rule--§97.509(d)--prohibits a VE from administering an examination to a close relative. The list includes spouses, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, siblings and stepsiblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and in-laws. The FCC also wants to know how Steven Hunter could have been both a VE and an exam candidate at the same session.
The ARRL VEC has suspended its accreditation of both volunteer examiners, which is standard operating procedure in such cases. According to FCC Special Counsel for Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth, Kathy Raymer already has agreed to forfeit her Technician license as a result of the FCC inquiry.
In separate letters May 30, Hollingsworth asked Bobby Raymer and Steven Hunter to "explain in detail the justification, if any" for administering Amateur Radio examinations to close relatives. In addition, the FCC wants to know how Steven Hunter was able to serve as a VE at a session during which he also upgraded to Extra class.
"The information you submit will be used to determine what enforcement action to take in this matter," Hollingsworth said.
Hollingsworth pointed out that the rules prohibiting VEs from testing their own kin are in place "to help insure the integrity of the volunteer testing process."
Page last modified: 01:02 PM, 21 Jun 2002 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2002, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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