[ARC5] Commercial radiotelegraph code requirement, AE, etc etc

[Mike Morrow]

>> Same as the first class radiotelegraph if I remember right (plus the 1st required 
>> documented time in service).
>
> Yes. 6 months. Which was very difficult to get when I was trying for it.

It was quite a lot more complicated and exacting than that.

In order to serve as the the *sole* operator on most *cargo* (or non-passenger) ships,
a holder of a Second Class operator license had to have the six-month satisfactory
service endorsement as a qualified radiotelegraph operator on US registered ships.
This *never* qualified one for a First Class license.

In order to qualify for the First Class operator license, **one year** of satisfactory
service at the manually-operated key of a **PUBLIC** ship or coast station that
***handled public correspondence by radiotelegraphy*** was required.  Service on
a passenger ship which handled messages for the passengers (the public) qualified.
Service on a cargo vessel generally did not qualify.

That last paragraph is very important...about the "public correspondence" requirement.
One could serve for decades on ship or other Morse utility stations and NEVER meet the
requirement for a First Class license.  I have known many (most are now SK) who were
in that position and never could go above the Second Class license.

The written exams for the Second and First Class licenses were identical.  It is my
understanding that a Second Class operator license would upon application be upgraded
to First Class without further Morse testing after the one-year service at a public
correspondence station requirement described above was met.

73,
Mike / KK5F