[BC] Re: How we got our first break in radio

[RokprtMike at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/16/2009 6:57:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time,  
broadcast-request at radiolists.net writes:

>Sort  of.  Chief radio officers on passenger vessels must still hold a T-1,  
although it’s questionable >whether ROs on a freighter, if any still exist,  
must still have a T-2.  When ships got outfitted with >GMDSS  equipment, the 
value of the Radiotelegraph licenses diminished somewhat as the  >GMDSS 
operator and/or maintainer licenses were required in addition to the  T-1 or T-2.  It 
depends >on how the ship is equipped. The GMDSS  Maintainer license also 
carries the authority of a GROL >and can contain a  radar endorsement.
The FCC still issues new licenses for Radiotelegraph stations and  
radiotelegraph operator's licenses but I have no idea why. If there is still a  ship out 
there somewher with telegraph equipment then you are correct  they would be 
required to have a T-2 operator. 
 
The requirement for any Radiotelegraph stations on board a vessel were  
eliminated around 1999. As far as I know there are no commercial land  
radiotelegraph stations in the US still in operation. The Maritime  Radio Historical 
Society operates three or four of them to retain the  maritime frequencies . They 
opened a new one last month in Stoneham,  MA.
 
They transmit traffic to each other and it allows  volunteer operators to get 
the necessary experience to qualify for their  T-1 license.  
 
All of the operator licenses now are for life except for the T-1, T-2,  and 
T-3 licenses they have to renewed every five years. I have taken all of  the 
exams and have a T-2 and GMDSS Maintainer/Operator's License with a Radar  
endorsement. It is highly unlikely that I will ever see a T-1 I don't see myself  
"shipping out" anytime soon. 
 
Mike Hemeon