[CW] Early Radio Operator Licensing

[Richard Knoppow]

    FWIW, the code requirment was in effect when the "Radio 
Handook" 1928 edition by Sterling was published. 30WPM 
Continental and 20WPM American Morse, the latter read from a 
sounder. I have also see requirements for reading code groups as 
well as plain language. I will try to find the sources. In 1928 
the holder of a Commercial Extra First could operate _any_ 
transmitter, including broadcast transmitters. For many years 
many broadcast stations used code to communicate among control 
rooms. I remember seeing keys at KFI, locally. Not sure how they 
were read, tone or maybe a flashing light.
    The main reason the Society of Broadcast Engineers 
established the Broadcast Technologist certificate was to 
compensate for the degradation in requirements to get an FCC 
license.

On 8/24/2020 9:05 PM, Richard Knoppow wrote:
>    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
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>> =30=
>

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