DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS
Teamwork makes the dream work
Stephen Hutchings WM7X
Kennewick, Washington
“I’ve served as an officer in a local Repeater Association for several years. In October ’21, I became a Contact Volunteer Examiner, offering the administration of In-Person and Remote testing. Mentoring, testing and finally talking to newly licensed hams on the air is rewarding! I have been licensed 26 years, and enjoy every aspect of amateur radio.”
Gordon West WB6NOA
Costa Mesa, California
“Accomplished author, instructor and ambasador for all things Amateur Radio, Gordon West joins the WM7X test team. He was first licensed in the 1950s. He hosts Ham Nation with Bob Heil.”
Susan Allers K6SLA
Smith River, California
“While volunteering with the La Palma Police Department at an event where ham radio was being used, the Police Captain suggested that Amateur Radio would be a good hobby for me. Never having been exposed to ham radio or CB, my response was, “Yeah, right”! After giving it some thought, I asked how to get involved in radio and was directed to a class the PD was giving.
As a single mom; my daughter had graduated high school and I had free time so took the class. I was licensed as a No-Code Technician in 1995. After getting over 2 months of “mic fright”, I finally pushed the pickle and threw my callsign out on a local repeater. I was greeted and welcomed by another YL. I later discovered that I loved working events (runs, walks, parades, etc), working about one per month for a few years.
In 2000 I joined the communications team of the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross, where I met Gordon West WB6NOA. I took a couple of his classes and upgraded my license to Amateur Extra. I became a VE on Gordo’s team and eventually a Contact VE.
In late 2022, Gordon West introduced me to the WM7X team and online testing. I love working with this team and giving back to the hobby.”
Davena Burton KT7JE
Walla Walla, Washington
“From Walla Walla I am able to assist in remote exams for the SSRA. I am also ARRL accredited and enjoy serving both VEC’s in administering exams. I am blessed to have a husband and 3 sons also licensed! We are a big HAM family! Keep studying and learn all you can!”
Timber Burton N7DJE
Walla Walla, Washington
“Giving back, is what it’s all about! My entire family is now licensed in this incredibly educational and rewarding hobby.”
Mark Hunn
KI7SI
Richland, Washington
Dennis Keyfauver K3DCK
Fort Wayne, Indiana
” Giving back, is what it’s all about! My entire family is now licensed in this incredibly educational and rewarding hobby. Now, Get off my lawn!, lol.”
Lester Sousley K7FTQ
Kennewick, Washington
“First licensed in 2005 as a Technician. Upgraded to General in 2016 and Extra in 2020. Enjoy making contacts around the world beginning with JT-65 and now FT-8. Grateful to share my love of the hobby with others and especially grateful for the opportunity to give back by serving as a VE in the W5YI group.”
Thomas Houck KD7CDC
Kennewick, Washington
“I have been licensed since 1996 and am now able to give back to the hobby as a Volunteer Examiner! I enjoy my privileges on the bands and am particularly interested in the digital modes. I use the APRS System almost daily in my travels for work. Hey, maybe we will get to communicate with each other someday using Slow Scan TV, FT-8, or RTTY? I use APRS daily, so catch up to me to see where I am today! Catch you on the air!”
TJ Williams KT1ME
Mexico, Maine
“What an amazing hobby you are getting ready to enter! I am enjoying the education that ham radio gives. I get on the air as much as I can with my busy life, and Remote Testing is my escape. Being a volunteer examiner is hams highest calling.”
Jon Diner
N5JLD
Fort Worth, texas
“I serve many VE test team all over the country and have administered many hundreds of exams. I can not wait to meet you soon and help you through your test. Never stop learning!”
Steven Morrell KT4RSQ
Bluff City, Tennessee
“I have been a licensed amateur radio operator since 2007, and enjoy the different aspects of the hobby. I especially enjoy serving as an emergency coordinator for my local ARES group as well as giving back to the hobby by serving as an online volunteer examiner with W5YI. For my day job, I work as a Firefighter/EMT for a local city department. Hope to hear you on the air some time soon!”
McKenzie Houck KI7LZO
Kennewick, Washington
“I have been a VE since June of 2022 and have the privilege of participating in several exam session every week! This is a blast, seeing all the new people easily obtaining their licenses and upgrades!”
William Smith KQ1S
Box Elder, South Dakota
“I was first licensed in 1983 and have been an active member of the Ham Radio community since. The hobby has provided me with many rewarding opportunities to assist multiple communities and agencies with public service events and disaster communications support. Being part of a team of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer examiners allows me to help usher others into the hobby and encourage them to enjoy amateur radio by developing and pursuing their own interests. You will find me communicating with fellow Hams around the world on HF and D-STAR. Hope to hear you on the air!”
Jon Coomber
KB7TU
Pasco, Washington
“I enjoy this hobby and I am confident that you will too! I am able to serve as a VE locally, and remotely with the SSRA test team. See you soon at your exam!”
Rob Skiba
W2RY
Pasco, Washington
“I began the W5YI Online testing program for our local area in November of 2020, and have been pleased to associate with the WM7X test team. I have seen the massive increase of test candidates from all over the USA. I have been licensed for 23 years, and enjoy the hobby. I find offering online testing to be rewarding and fulfilling. I hope to meet you on the airwaves someday soon, after your online test with this great VE Team.”
Alex Archer
N7SM
Pasco, Washington
“Hello! I’m Alex, N7SM. I’ve been licensed since 2003, and enjoy portable operation as well as SOTA and POTA. I’m working on getting back into CW. I enjoy building and tinkering with kits and learning everything I can about amateur radio. For my day job I’m a pilot with a major US airline. Who knows, I might even join your exam session from my flight deck flying over your home! Hope to hear you on the air some time soon!”
Lynn Wilson
K7LW
Athena, Oregon
“Since receiving my Novice in High School, Ham Radio has been a guiding light in my life’s career choices, civilian and military. With 45 years working in technical and engineering support roles for the Government, the Military, and Aerospace while in the private sector. I’ve traveled the world and this great country in the various positions I’ve held. Along the way, I met amazing people in my travels. I pursued advanced education aiming for the next rung on the ladder of life. I tackled many challenges in my life in complex systems I have worked with, passing my own lessons learned onto those just beginning their climb on life’s ladder. I enjoy the simple things of my personal life like a relaxing ride on my Harley down a back road, or a cold glass of ice tea, relaxing on my deck on a summer’s day. Being retired I have time to explore and learn about Ham Radio by building repeaters, exploring new technologies in communications, teaching others, and meeting amazing folks on the air. It’s an absolutely incredible ride which I cherish. I wish you well on your own journey friend, for I’m still enjoying mine.”
Paul Harrington W5PFH
Colleyville, Texas
“What a team I serve on here! I am also a Contact Volunteer Examiner (CVE) and manage my pwn team as well in Texas. I provide education locally for ham radio exam preperation and the follow-up testing as well. I volunteer with many experienced hams, all anxious to pay it forward by getting more hams on the air.”
Tom Thomas W7TCT
Richland, Washington
“I finally got my license in 2017 after wanting one for 40 years and I enjoy 2m on the SSRA repeater, FT-8 on HF, and DMR as well. I’m also an ARRL VE working in-person testing. The pairing of W5YI with ExamTools and being a VE with the SSRA team has been fantastic. It is amazing how we can use online testing and, just a few days later, brand new callsigns are assigned! 73”
Robert Morrow K8TX
West Richland, Washington
“Giving back, is what it’s all about! My entire family is now licensed in this incredibly educational and rewarding hobby.”
Susan Hill
WZ5D
Tonasket, Washington
“Living very rural, I find Amateur Radio more than just a hobby. It has become a lifeline and in the medical field, I see its’ usfulness for travelers and those in Search and Rescue.
I am pleased to serve as a VE on the team, welcoming new ones into the hobby.”
Danny Beaman KO3M
Pasco, Washington
“I received my Technician class license in 1993, and since then HAM radio has been one of my favorite hobbies. I became a member of the SSRA in January 2021 and recently upgraded to Extra with the help and encouragement of members in the SSRA. I am looking forward to serving in the VE Testing program and hope to hear you on the air.
Rob Tooley
WO1Z
West Richland, Washington
“I currently serve the SSRA as President and recently joined the ranks as a VE. I hope to be in your test session and get to witness your first license, or be there when you upgrade to a higher class of license with more privileges. You’re going to appreciate the examination and how smooth it is. Welcome to Ham Radio!”
Robert Latlippe NC1RL
Auburn, Maine
“I operate HF nearly daily and enjoy making contacts all over the world using voice and digital modes. Having the privilege to be a VE, helping others in this hobby is very rewarding.”
Roger Mcentarfer N9QCL
Columbia City, Indiana
“I served as a president of the Whitley County Amateur Radio club in Indiana for multiple years. I enjoy amateur radio and try to do something Ham radio related everyday! I especially enjoy the remote testing provision that we have. I serve our county’s EOC and am active in the local Active weather Skywarn nets, along with hurricane nets.”
Will Crowden W4ETA
Riceville, Tennessee
“As a first responder, communications is paramount. I have intergrated ham radio into my life and enjoy operating HF, when not testing fine folks like you!”
Robbie McCray
AD3L
Newport, Deleware
“First licensed as WN3QLS in 1969 at age 15, CW was all I could afford so I got pretty good at it. Four months later, my practice buddy, WN3QPX took me to Philly to take our General tests. We both passed and after the 2 month waiting period for FCC to act and the mail to get here, we traded the Ns in for As. Long after the vanity program came out, I traded WA3QLS in on W3RSM. Nothing big happened until on of my former students goaded me to upgrade so I screwed up a perfectly good 38 year stint as a General Class ham and got my Extra.
Right after that I got my ARRL-VEC and then W5YI-VEC and Laurel credentials. When N3UZ retired and set up shop in North Carolina, I took over his VE Team at Christiana hospital. COVID hit and we (along with everyone else) got kicked out. One of our examiners, Dave KC3AM got us into the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and it seems to be a match made in Heaven.
Fast forward to October 2022, in an effort to shorten things up a bit, I traded in W3RSM on AD3L.”
Bob Creigh
WV7W
West Richland, Washington
“I have been licensed since 1996 and an Extra since 2002. I enjoy most aspects of this wonderful hobby we call Ham Radio and particularly CW and portable POTA/SOTA operations. I enjoy giving back to the community by serving as a VE on the WM7X team as well as providing information on my YouTube channel of House Of Ham.”
Debi Lampe-Homyk KJ7QZJ
Nampa, Idaho
“I am here to promote the hobby and have fun. What a blast it is to see applicants like yourself pass their exams! I also serve as a team lead and contribute with my own sessions. Hope to meet you soon.”
Gloria Luther K3JG
Wilhoit, Arizona
“Finally obtained my Amateur Extra license about 5 years ago. I had not given much thought to the VE program, until I was approached by the WM7X test team with an offer to sponsor me into the arrangement. What a joy it is to see the many different folks test with us, sharing their success with us. You are in for a treat with remote testing!”
April Nickols W7ANC
GoldenDale, Washington
“I have always been interested in being a ham. The thought of communicating all over the world, seemed exciting. Then came the idea of being able to communicate in disasters, or no pwer situations. Being able to help in some way. Keeping people informed, staying informed. Being able to talk to the astronauts on the space station, and the beautiful sound, of CW. I hope to see you in a test session very soon!”
Ed McLaughlin W6OLA
Kennewick, Washington
“I have been licensed since 1960. Amateur Extra Class ARRL Certified VE. I served 6 years in the US Navy as E5 Radioman. I took an active part in the Cuban Blockade 1962 – 1963 serving as a radioman for the US Marine Recon Force during a combat rescue operation in the Dominican Republic. Home QTH and “GO STATION” always ready. I hope to be involved with your licensing and get to be one of your first contacts!”
Mick Hannigan KO7DX
Pasco, Washington
“I am a Volunteer Examiner associated with the W5YI VEC. The local club I belong to is the Spout Springs Repeater Association (SSRA). A large number of the SSRA members are also Volunteer Examiners, ready to help you succeed with your exam for the next stage in your in amateur experience. Many of the options we offer include using the Wires-X, Echo Link, contacting the International Space Station, participating in the Annual Field Day, and emergency communication. We offer opportunities with launching weather balloons and many more enjoyable activities.”
Kameron Markhan KG7VSN
Richland, Washington
“I’ve been in this hobby since 2015. I took my test and got licensed when I was in middle school at a church with the old fashioned bubble sheets. A lot has changed, and for the better! Since starting as a Technician, I have advanced to Extra and done many things in ham radio. I have created a flying APRS ‘digi’-peater to assist in locating landed high altitude balloons, have done satellite communications, got my feet wet with HF, and also participated in a number of contests such as field day, winter field day, and salmon run (washington state QSO party). My main focus in ham radio is on self-sufficient, low power voice and data communications. I enjoy continually learning new things in the hobby and new ways to use existing amateur radio technologies. I hope to hear you on the air!”
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