a Virtual Volunteer Examiner: Frequently Asked Questions

virtualVE: Frequently Asked Questions.

What is Virtual VE ?

Virtual VE is a program to coach you through the written portion of the Amateur Radio exam.

What are the system requirements ?

VVE will run on "any" IBM - compatible computer which uses Windows.
No. We haven't tested every single possible platform; but so far we've been able to run on every system and version of Windows that we've tried.

How do I install VVE ?

Create a directory in which to install the program.
Copy all the files from the disk to the directory.
At the DOS prompt, go to the program's directory (CHDIR directory).
Type "PKUNZIP VVE(first letter of pool).ZIP"
Exiting DOS, move VB40032.DLL to your Windows\System directory.
Use the mouse to "drag" VVE.EXE and the two ".COM" files and drop them into a program group of your choice (Windows 3.1) (you may want to create a "Ham" group for this.)

How do I start VVE ?

Basically, "VVE.EXE" is just like any other program, and you can start it in several different ways. One method is to select it from File Manager or Windows Explorer, and double click on its icon or entry in the file list. Another method is to use the "RUN" command from either Program Manager or File Manager, or from the "Start" button in Windows 95 ... in any event, you have to tell your system where VVE is located and which file to execute. Another method is to just double click on the VVE icon in your selected program group.

How do I use VVE ?

VVE is simple and can be used with either the keyboard or the mouse. To answer questions, either click the option button or the answer box for your answer or type your answer's letter. Once you have selected your answer, it can still be changed. If you are not sure of an answer, the "Hint" button eliminates one (incorrect) answer. To confirm your answer, click "OK" or press Return. To move around the question pool, you can use the "Previous" or "Next" buttons, or select the appropriate option from the "File" menu (Next Question, Next Group, etc.).

In "Quiz" mode (from the "Mode" menu), the program generates an exam, which can be stepped through using the "Next" button and the "Next Group" and the "Next Question" menu items. The "Random" mode asks random questions. In "Drill" mode, the program steps through the questions one by one.

The "Goto Question" menu items and others like it bring up a dialog box to find a question based on its number (N1A01, etc.). "Find Text" searches for text in a question, answer, question group, etc.

To quit VVE, choose "Quit" from the "File" menu.

The questions which have been determined inaccurate or obsolete are stored in the pool's INI file (not Vve.ini). It may occasionally need to be updated. (Updates will be available from "www.virtualVE.com")

For which Amateur License Classes is VVE available ?

VVE is available for every Amateur Licence class, and provides an easy to use interface for coaching you through the learning process.

How do I know where to turn to study a concept or question that I don't understand or am having a problem with ?

For every question, VVE provides a reference back to the actual page in the ARRL Licensing Manual to which you should turn for review if you are having trouble.
If you are uncertain of an answer, you can ask for a "Hint" ... if you still are uncertain, you can "Give Up" and VVE will tell you the answer.

What are those "Modes" all about ?

VVE can be run in three modes:

"Drill Mode" which steps you through the questions and keeps your score.
"Random Mode" which asks you the questions in random sequence (so you can't fall into the trap of only remembering in order) and still keeps your score.
"Quiz Mode" which generates a representative exam, just like the ones you can expect to be given at an examination session. ("Hint" and the ability to navigate the questions is turned off in Quiz Mode.) Of course, Quiz Mode keeps up with your score, so you'll know right away if you "passed" the exam.

What are those other programs on the disk ?

QRS and QRQ are programs which help you learn and develop the speed and accuracy of your Morse code.
See the file "CW.DOC."

Is there a version of VVE available for Apple Macintosh ?

Not today. Sorry.
But don't the ads say that you can run most or many Windows applications on your Macintosh ?
We'd be very interested in hearing from anyone who has made it so.

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