[CW] Early Radio Operator Licensing

Tue Aug 25 22:35:31 EDT 2020

WHEN I TOOK THE RT EXAM IN NEW ORLEANS IN 1981 THE TEST WAS DATED BACK
IN THE 50'S.  I RECALL DRAWING A TRANSMITTER SCHEMATIC.   I STUDIED
OUT OF THE KAUFMAN BOOK LAST UPDATED IN 1957.  THAT SURE HELPED.

73

BENNY K5KV

On Tue, Aug 25, 2020 at 4:01 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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> >> --
> >> Richard Knoppow
> >> 1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
> >> WB6KBL
> >>
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> --
> Richard Knoppow
> 1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
> WB6KBL
>
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