Restricted Radiotelephone Operator
Any aircraft pilot that travels outside the United States
and its Protectorates is required to have a Restricted
Radiotelephone Operator license. Also, anyone that
operates certain coastal station is required to have this
license. Requirements to obtain one of these licenses
are that the licensee be a US citizen, be able to speak and
hear, be able to maintain some semblance of a written
logbook, and be somewhat familiar with radio rules
applicable to the areas that the operator is in. This
license is good for the lifetime of the licensee. We
can provide you with one of these licenses, or help you
obtain a new copy of your license. Please
contact us for more information.
Non-Restricted Operator Licenses
All of the following licenses require proficiency
certificates. We can provide licensing if we are
provided with a copy of your proficiency certificate.
These certificates will require passing proficiency tests at
specified testing centers.
Marine Radio Operator
This license is required for all persons that operate
radiotelephone systems aboard ships on the Great Lakes, or
on ships over 300 tons or with more than six passengers
operating in US waters. This is also required for
certain aviation and marine coastal radiotelephone
operation. This requires the operator to pass a test
in radio law and practices. This license is good for
five years and is renewable.
General Radiotelephone Operator
This license is required for all persons that may be
required to adjust, repair, or maintain FCC-licensed radio
equipment in the Aviation, Marine, or International Fixed
Public Radio services. It conveys all of the same
authority as a Marine Radiotelephone Operator license, but
also is required to operate land maritime radio or
compulsorily-equipped ship radiotelephone stations with more
than 1500 watts of power, or voluntarily-equipped ship and
aeronautical stations that exceed 1000 watts. This
requires the operator to pass tests in radio law and
practices, and in radio electronic fundamentals &
techniques. This license is good for the lifetime of
the licensee.
Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator
This license is required for operate and adjust Global
Marine Distress & Safety Systems (GMDSS). This license
confers all of the same authority as a Marine Radiotelephone
Operator license, but also allows operation of GMDSS radio
equipment on vessels that remain within 20 miles of shore.
This requires the operator to pass a test in radio law and
practices, as well as a proficiency test in practical
knowledge of the operation of all GMDSS sub-systems and
equipment including VHF digital selective calling, and
carriage requirement. This license is good for five
years and is renewable.
GMDSS Radio Operator
This license is required for operate and adjust Global
Marine Distress & Safety Systems (GMDSS). This license
confers all of the same authority as a Marine Radiotelephone
Operator license, but also allows operation of GMDSS radio
equipment. This requires the operator to pass a test
in radio law and practices, as well as a proficiency test in
practical knowledge of the operation of all GMDSS
sub-systems and equipment including narrowband direct
printing, INMARSAT, NAVTEX, digital selective calling, and
survival craft. This license is good for five years
and is renewable.
GMDSS Radio Maintainer
This license is required for persons that perform at-sea
GMDSS repairs. This license confers all of the same
authority as a General Radio Telephone Operator license,
with the addition of repair authority. This requires
the operator to pass tests in radio law and practices, radio
electronic fundmentals and techniques, and GMDSS radio
practices and procedures. This license is good for
five years and is renewable.
GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer
This license is a combination of the GMDSS Operator
license and the GMDSS Maintainer license, with the
requirements of both. This license is good for five
years and is renewable.
3rd Class Radio Telegraph Radio Operator
Also known as a T3 license, it conveys all of the same
authority as a Marine Radiotelephone Operator license, but
also authorizes operation of certain coastal radiotelegraph
stations. This requires the operator to pass tests in
radio law and practices, and in radiotelegraph operating
procedures and practices. This license is good for
five years and is renewable.
2nd Class Radio Telegraph Radio Operator
Also known as a T2 license, it conveys all of the same
authority as a T3 license, but also authorizes operation of
certain coastal radiotelegraph stations. This requires
the operator to pass tests in radio law and practices,
radiotelegraph operating procedures and practices, and in
advanced radiotelegraph technical and legal matters.
This license is good for five years and is renewable.
1st Class Radio Telegraph Radio Operator
Also known as a T1 license, it conveys all of the same
authority as a T2 license, but also authorizes the licensee
to serve as the chief radio officer on board US passenger
ships. This requires the operator to pass tests in
radio law and practices, radiotelegraph operating procedures
and practices, and in advanced radiotelegraph technical and
legal matters. This license is good for five years and
is renewable.
Ship Radar Endorsement
This license confers all of the same authority as T1
license, but also allows the licensee to operate, maintain,
and repair the ship radar systems. This requires the
operator to pass a test in navigational radar theory and
practices. This license is good for five years and is
renewable.
Six Month Service Endorsement
Anyone that serves as the sole radio officer on board US
cargo ships sailing on the high seas is required to have
this on their operator license. Requirements are a
six-month qualifying period on a US flag ships while
licensed with a T1 or T2 license, a radio officer license
issued by the US Coast Guard for the same period, and a
letter from the Master identifying the vessel and the chief
radio operator of that vessel.
