Frequently Asked Questions

DARC provides VE examinations for all classes of Amateur Radio licenses

• third Saturday of each even-numbered months at 8:30 am
• PLEASE NOTE:   the JUNE 20,2026 VE session CANCELLED
• arrive between 8:00-8:30
• in the EOC room at the Downey Fire Station #1, located at 12222 Paramount Blvd
• Contact Bob Reeder, KK6WHE if you wish to attend, confirm the testing location or obtain information regarding requirements, etc
• The ARRL/VEC test fee is $15.00 (cash or check only) for all tests, which goes to the ARRL to cover the VE expenses in providing the tests and handling the applications.
• Note: a FRN (Federal Registration Number) and email address is now required for all transactions with the FCC. See FCC Web pages for details.
• After the test session the FCC will now contact applicants via email. The window to reply and pay the new FCC license fee is short, so make sure to check your email often.
• walk-ins will be accommodated IF POSSIBLE however ON TIME ARRIVAL is important

When: We meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm.

Where:  

JUNE & JULY 2026 at the Church of Christ (6500 E Del Almo Blvd) in Lakewood

August 2026 at the Downey EOC behind Fire Station #1 in Downey located at 12222 Paramount Blvd. Downey, CA. 90241 Entrance to the EOC is off of Orange St. which is where we recommend parking. 

Yes

Tuesday is our Repeater net at 7PM on the nights when we don’t have club meetings. Frequency is  445.640  - offset, PL is 88.5 for our Downey repeater and 156.7 for our Altadena machine.

Thursdays is our Simplex Net on 145.595 at 7:30 pm  

Guests and visitors are always welcome.

Yes

We have two repeaters operating on the same frequency of 445.640.  Use a negative offset of PL of 88.5 for the repeater located in Downey and a PL of 156.7 for our Altadena Repeater.