[CW] Early Radio Operator Licensing

Benny K5KV k5kvm5 at gmail.com
Tue Aug 25 23:02:52 EDT 2020 

DR

THE SECOND TELEGRAPH.

73
BENNY K5KV

On Tue, Aug 25, 2020 at 9:45 PM D.J.J. Ring, Jr. <n1ea at arrl.net> wrote:
>
> Benny,
>
> Are you talking about the radiotelephone (P2, and P1) exam or the radiotelegraph (T2) exam?
>
>
> In Boston the only exams that had diagrams to draw were Amateur Extra and 2nd Telegraph.
>
> The phone licenses were all multiple choice.
>
> 73
>
> DR
>
> On Tue, Aug 25, 2020, 22:36 Benny K5KV <k5kvm5 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> 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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>> > >>>> =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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