[CW] Early Radio Operator Licensing

[Thomas Chirhart]

When I took the Radio Telegraph exam in San Juan PR FCC offices in 1983 the exam was dated 1947. It had a bunch of spark gap questions. Thankfully I knew those questions and passed..
73 Tom K4NCG 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 25, 2020, at 2:35 PM, Richard Knoppow <1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> 
>    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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>> 
> 
> -- 
> Richard Knoppow
> 1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
> WB6KBL
> 
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