[CW] Early Radio Operator Licensing

[Richard Knoppow]

    I wonder if any copies of the exams survive.

On 8/24/2020 8:55 PM, D.J.J. Ring, Jr. wrote:
> I remember Slidell Radio advertising for operators, they always had
> the highest standards, I also remember seeing advertisements for "The
> Great White Fleet" in "QST" when I was young.  These high standards
> didn't start late in the century, far from it, this is from Department
> of Commerce Radio Service Bulletin May 1916.
>
> COMMERCIAL EXTRA FIRST-GRADE LICENSES FOR OPERATORS ON UNITED FRUIT CO. SHIPS.
>
> Under date of January 26, 1916, the Tropical Radio Telegraph Co.
> issued the following circular pointing out to operators on United
> Fruit Co. ships the desirability of securing commercial extra first
> grade licenses:
>
> TO ALL OPERATORS:
>
> Ship operators are again reminded that it is highly desirable to hold
> the extra first-grade commercial operators' licenses issued by the
> Department of Commerce.
>
> The possession of such a license is a distinct mark of ability, and in
> considering men for promotion to positions as chief operators on board
> ship, as well as trick operators at shore stations, those holding an
> extra grade license will be given preference regardless of their
> length of service.
>
> In general, it should be the aim of every radio operator on board a
> United Fruit Co.
> ship to hold an extra grade license.
>
> Operators who obtain an extra grade license should notify the general
> office promptly, giving the license number and date issued.
>
> Yours very truly,
>
> GEO. S. Davis,
> General Superintendent.
>
> The commercial extra first-grade license is the highest class of
> license, and is issued by the Department of Commerce to radio
> operators who pass a special examination demonstrating unusual
> experience and skill. These licenses are given consideration by the
> Civil Service Commission in examinations for positions requiring
> knowledge of radiotelegraphy when experience is rated as a part of
> such examinations. To be eligible for the examination for the
> commercial extra first-grade license applicants must hold commercial
> first-grade licenses, and their certificates of skill in radio
> communication, issued under the act of June 24, 1910, or licenses
> under the act of August 13, 1912, must record 18 months' satisfactory
> commercial service at sea or at land stations, either or both, during
> the two years previous to the filing of the application for
> examination, as shown by endorsement on the license service records,
> or other satisfactory evidence, and provided that the applicants have
> not been penalized for a violation of the radio laws and regulations.
>
> A speed of at least 30 words per minute, Continental Morse, and 25
> words per minute, American Morse (five letters to the word), must be
> attained. The technical questions and the questions of the radio laws
> and regulations will be considerably wider in scope than those for
> commercial first grade, and a higher percentage will be required.
>
> All examination papers, including the code test sheets, are marked and
> forwarded to the Commissioner of Navigation with a recommendation by
> the radio inspector or examining officer. Examination papers are
> marked upon the basis of 100, and licenses are recommended only if 80
> or better is attained.
>
> 30 WPM Continental Morse, and 25 WPM American Morse!
>
> 73
> DR
> ______________________________________________________________
> CW mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:CW at mailman.qth.net
> CW List ARCHIVES: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/cw/
> Unsubcribe send email to
> cw-unsubscribe at mailman.qth.net
> Subscribe send email to cw-subscribe at mailman.qth.net
> Support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> =30=

-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL