Need a Ham Radio License?
Not licensed yet? Get your ticket! West Valley Amateur Radio Club supports local Volunteer Examiner (VE) testing for new Technician candidates and for hams upgrading to General or Amateur Extra.
WVARC offers monthly license testing in Sun City, and additional testing is available nearby at the West Valley Ham Shack in Youngtown. Because dates, times, seating, and registration requirements can change, always confirm the current session before heading out.
New Technician benefit: Candidates who take their Technician exam at either the WVARC church session or the West Valley Ham Shack can receive their first year of WVARC membership at no charge.
Local License Testing
Two regular West Valley options make it easy to test locally. Both use Volunteer Examiners, and both require you to check the current session listing before arriving.
WVARC Monthly VE Testing
Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church — Walton Hall
11025 N. 111th Avenue
Sun City, AZ 85351
WVARC exam sessions are scheduled monthly at 6:00 PM, generally on the first Monday of the month. Current ARRL listings specify advance registration rather than walk-ins.
This is also the location of the club’s regular monthly meeting, so new and upgrading operators are already among local hams who can help them get started.
West Valley Ham Shack
The Shack
11115 W. Nevada Avenue
Youngtown, AZ 85363
The West Valley Electronic Club also conducts ARRL/VEC license exams at the Ham Shack. Seating is limited and advance registration is required. Session times can vary, so verify the current listing.
VE contact: David, N7TWT
623-680-5011
n7twt@cox.net
Find the Current Session
Use the live directories below for the latest date, time, registration instructions, exam fee, and anything you need to bring. The ARRL directory also lists other in-person and remote exam sessions if the West Valley dates do not work for you.
Choose Your Next License
Technician
The Technician license is the entry point into Amateur Radio. Pass the Element 2 examination and you are on your way to getting on the air.
General & Amateur Extra
Already licensed? Upgrade for additional operating privileges. General is Element 3, and Amateur Extra is Element 4.
Before you test: Review the individual session listing carefully. Registration rules, arrival instructions, fees, and accepted payment methods are set by the VE team conducting that session.
Volunteer Examiner (VE) Manual
For current and prospective Volunteer Examiners, the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Manual covers accreditation, preparing and conducting an exam session, reporting results, applicable FCC rules, and the forms used by an examining team.
ARRL Volunteer Examiner Manual — Ninth Edition
ARRL Volunteer Examiner Manual, Ninth Edition, Third Printing (2022).