[CW] Early Radio Operator Licensing

Tue Aug 25 17:20:53 EDT 2020

Find a copy of “History of Radio Communications and Electronics in the US Navy” My copy is loaned out to a 80plus year old retired Navy Captain down the street. He was a Navy communicator at several NAVCOMMSTA’s back in the 60’s... great read ...
Tom
Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 25, 2020, at 5:01 PM, Richard Knoppow <1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> 
>   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
> 
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