[CW] New RadioTelegraph Operator License

[sbjohnston at aol.com]

AA9ZZ asked:

>Where can u find information about the test?

http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/index.htm?job=tn


In the course of researching something on the internet I stumbled upon information that the FCC was planning to restructure their Radiotelegraph licenses, much as they did the Radiotelephone tickets years ago. They were combining the first and second class into one class, and eliminating the experience requirement (since there are almost no places you can work and use CW on the air).

This got me thinking (always dangerous) and I realized I could take advantage of this to get a new license. After a few months of correspondence with the exam providers, and a little studying, I was proud to announce in May 2013 that the FCC had granted my new RadioTelegraph Operator License. It is number T000000001, so I was the first to receive the new type of radiotelegraph ticket. 

When the FCC announced the new radiotelegraph license structure, I asked the FCC's helpdesk what elements would be needed for me to get the new ticket. They confirmed that applicants for the new Radiotelegraph Operator License would be required to pass written elements 1 and 6, and telegraphy elements 1 and 2. I hold an Amateur Extra class ham license issued before April 15, 2000, so my passing of that 20 wpm code test years ago would substitute for Telegraphy Elements 1 and 2. I also hold a General Radiotelephone Operator License (was originally a First-Phone), so that would cover written element 1. That left me only needing to take the exam for written element 6.

The Electronics Technicians Association http://www.eta-i.org/fcc_licensing.html was the only COLEM (the commercial equivalent of volunteer examiners) that responded to my email inquiries - none of the others even bothered to reply. It took me three months to work out with ETA how to take the exam. Their examiners based at a nearby college had apparently vanished without notice, and thus there was a lot of dead-end emailing and back-n-forth discussion. ETA finally offered the option to have a local library proctor the exam. I made the library arrangements and took the exam in mid-May. In just a few days ETA let me know I'd passed and they submitted my application on the first day the Commission was able to accept them, May 20.  The ticket was granted in a week or two as I recall.

Why bother with a new version of an antique license? I appreciated the challenge of studying for a serious exam covering technology from a very wide time range - 1920s to 2000s. Except for museum-ships and historical club shore stations, there is little commercial Morse to be heard on the "ship-to-shore" bands. But I can still get a job as a radio operator on board a Military Sealift Command or merchant marine ship – the radiotelegraph ticket is still important to them – so I could always take to the high seas if I need to make a clean getaway sometime.

"Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?" George Mallory is famously quoted as having replied, "Because it's there". It is unlikely I will climb Mount Everest, but I can always learn more about radio and electronics.


Steve Johnston
Amateur Extra WD8DAS
RadioTelegraph T000000001
RadioTelephone PG1912457

Fitchburg, Wisconsin

sbjohnston at aol.com


 

http://www.wd8das.net/
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