[CW] Early Radio Operator Licensing

Tue Aug 25 17:01:44 EDT 2020

   How did you happen to know the answers? I know a little about 
arc and spark but that's because I am interested in wireless 
history. I suspect many younger people have never heard of them.
    Many years ago a friend and mentor built a working rotary arc 
for a museum exhibit. I got to key it. No wonder they were called 
rock crushers.
    Its interesting that the FCC had such old tests.

On 8/25/2020 12:31 PM, Thomas Chirhart wrote:
> 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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>>>> =30=
>> -- 
>> Richard Knoppow
>> 1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
>> WB6KBL
>>
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-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL