\r\n Volunteer Examiners - W5OBM Amateur Radio Club 
Olive Branch ARC

CLUB STORY

Inside Olive Branch Amateur Radio Club

Two decades of public service, STEM outreach, and radio mentorship.

Testing • 6:00 PM • Fairhaven VFD
Walk-ins welcome with FCC FRN
Join the Club Upcoming Events

We welcome every operator, from brand-new Technicians to seasoned Extras.

Club Heritage
7
Active Volunteer Examiners
ARRL
VEC Partner
Monthly
Exam Sessions
  • ARRL affiliation & 501(c)(3) status
  • Volunteer Examiner team on-site
  • Community partnerships across DeSoto County
Monthly exams • 6:00 PM • Fairhaven VFD

Volunteer Examiner Excellence

Meet the ARRL-accredited team that welcomes every candidate, handles the paperwork, and keeps the Mid-South licensed. We treat each exam night like a mission-critical deployment.

Schedule an Exam Become a VE
7 active VEs
ARRL VEC partner
Walk-ins welcome with FRN

About the VEC System

The FCC created the Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) system to provide initial licensing examinations for prospective new hams and upgrade examination opportunities for those already licensed. FCC-authorized VEC organizations oversee the work of their certified Volunteer Examiners (VEs) and serve as a liaison between exam applicants and the FCC.

VECs coordinate the efforts of Volunteer Examiners in preparing and administering amateur service operator license examinations. The coordinating VEC screens collected information, resolves all discrepancies, and forwards all required data to the FCC electronically.

Our Commitment: W5OBM is affiliated with the ARRL VEC program, the largest VEC organization in the US. Our VE team consists of General and Extra class license holders who volunteer their time to help grow the amateur radio community.

Learn More from FCC

Become a VE

Volunteer Examiners are US licensed Radio Amateurs holding a General Class license or higher who offer their time to administer FCC licensing exams through an FCC-authorized VEC organization.

Requirements:

  • General Class license or higher
  • Complete VE application process
  • Pass VE examination
  • Volunteer commitment to testing
Become a VE
VE Patch ARRL Logo

Our Volunteer Examiner Team

Experienced amateur radio operators dedicated to licensing new hams

First Name Last Name Call Sign License Class Email VEC Affiliations
ThomasButasKM4AEMGeneralPrivateARRL
DouglasKaveWA4CBExtraPrivateARRL
JamesStoryKH0DWExtraPrivateARRL
RobertStroudKD5BSExtraPrivateARRLLAUREL
JackThompsonN5UOVExtraPrivateARRL
EdThornsburgKF8PDExtraPrivateARRLLAUREL
WadeWingfieldKB5SSGExtraPrivateARRL

Our VE team is qualified to administer tests for all amateur radio license classes. Contact information is provided where members have opted to share it publicly.

License Testing Schedule

Ready to get your amateur radio license or upgrade? We're here to help!

Regular Testing

When: 6:00 PM, one hour before the business meeting begins

Day: Third Tuesday (check the events calendar for holiday adjustments)

Location: Fairhaven Fire Department, 13701 Center Hill Rd, Olive Branch, MS 38654

Talk-In: 147.255 MHz (-0.600, PL 79.7) for curbside help

Testing Fees

Cost: $15 per test session

Payment: Cash or check accepted

Retests: Same session if time permits

Multiple Tests: Take multiple elements same day

What to Bring

Required: Photo ID

Required: Social Security Number

Upgrades: Copy of current license

Optional: Calculator (non-programmable)

Ready to Schedule Your Test?

Contact our VE team to schedule your amateur radio license test. We recommend advance notice to ensure adequate preparation.

Tests typically take 1 hour • Response from FCC is usually available within 24-48 hours • Retests available same session if time permits