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GROL General Radiotelephone License

By Ross Goodall, WD4NJV   

The FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) does not convey authority to operate an amateur radio station, nor is it required for engineering jobs in radio and television broadcasting any more.  But GROL licenses look good on resumes.

Some services such as aviation, marine and fixed public stations still require repair and maintenance to be performed by a GROL licensee. A GROL is required to repair, maintain or adjust transmitters used in aviation, maritime, and international fixed public radio services. 

There are three elements for the GROL:

Element 1:  Marine Radio Operator Permit, consists of basic radio law and operating practice.  The question pool has 144 questions and passing is 18 of 24 or 75%.

Element 3: General Radiotelephone Operator License, consists of electronic fundamentals and techniques required to adjust, repair and maintain radio transmitters and receivers. 600 questions and passing is 75 out of 100 questions or 75%.

Element 8: Ship Radar Endorsement  To qualify for this endorsement one must hold a GROL.  Element 8 consists of ship radar techniques, theory and practice, installation servicing and maintenance of ship radar equipment used in marine navigation.  300 question pool. 38 out of 50  correct answers is 76%.

FCC examination question pools with answers along with detailed information for GROL licensing is available at FCC. gov

Exams are given by Commercial Operator License Examination Managers (COLEMs) and fees range from $25 to $35 per element. GROL licenses do not expire.   1

For those of us who already hold an Extra Class amateur radio license and want to learn even more, you may want to study the GROL question pools.

Reference: 1       Wikipedia, General Radiotelephone Operator License

Before broadcast station transmitter operation was deregulated, commercial licenses provided tickets for hams and others to full-time jobs or extra income from part-time work. 

Most stations required a licensee on duty whenever they were on the air. Stations with directional antennas or higher power outputs required a First Class licenseholder.  The base requirement was a Third Class Radiotelephone License plus a Broadcast Endorsement (Element 9). 

To upgrade to Second Class required passing Element 3, a wide ranging collection that included questions on rules, electronics, communications procedures, math and terminology.

A First Class Radiotelephone License test focused on more advanced electronic theory and AM, FM, TV broadcast transmitter operation.

There was a separate structure for First, Second and Third Class FCC Radiotelegraph Licenses.  Code speed requirements started around 16 wpm.  These licenseholders found well-paying jobs as shipboard radio operators, maritime technicians and coastal station operators.

Exams were administered by FCC engineers.  They came to the Jacksonville Armory downtown for two days of testing in April and October in the 1960s. The first day was devoted to commercial license tests followed by ham tests the second day.

Another option was to go to FCC offices in Miami or Atlanta where testing was offered several days each week. Tampa and Savannah were added during the 1970s.

With advancement of phase-locked-loops, solid-state devices and other improvements--transmitter technology took a great leap forward during the 1970s in terms of stability and reliability.  Pushed by a trend toward less regulation, FCC relaxed licensing requirements for station staffing.

 In the 1980s, FCC combined First and Second Class Licenses into a lifetime General Radio Operator License.  The Radiotelegraph sequence was streamlined. With satellite location systems, little need existed any more for shipboard CW operators.

Remaining operator licensing requirements for avionic and marine services are due to outdated international communications protocols. 

FCC outsources testing through a setup similar to Amateur Radio's volunteer system.  Educational institutions, trade organizations and even private groups can be certified as commercial license examiners (COLEMs).                                                        DE N4UF

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