[CW] Early Radio Operator Licensing

Tue Aug 25 17:37:50 EDT 2020

Interesting. I took my Radiotelegraph 2nd Class license test in NYC in 1968 and do not remember any questions concerning spark. The written portion of the exam did query knowledge in troubleshooting tube related problems, questions about lead-acid battery maintenance and hydrometer measurements for charging. The answers to these questions were written out by the applicant and diagrams were required as well. I took my RADAR test at the same time, but questions were multiple choice.

73, Doc - K2PHD

Master Certified Telecommunications Engineer

Sent from my iPad

> On Aug 25, 2020, at 3:31 PM, Thomas Chirhart <k4ncgva at gmail.com> 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
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> 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
>> 
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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=
> 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/cw/attachments/20200825/6d085265/attachment-0001.html>