The General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) commercial license. It allows the holder to operate, maintain or install certain classes of United States licensed radio and television transmitters in areas under the authority of the FCC. The GROL does not convey the authority to operate an amateur radio station, for which the FCC has a separate licensing system. [1]
An FCC GROL is required to operate, repair or maintain a maritime land radio station, a radio station on a compulsorily equipped ship operating with more than 1500 watts of peak envelope power, a voluntarily equipped ship or an aeronautical (including aircraft) station with more than 1000 watts of peak envelope power or an international broadcast stations, such as the Voice of America.
The GROL conveys all of the operating authority of the Marine Radio Operator Permit (MROP). A MROP is required to operate or repair radiotelephone stations aboard vessels of more than 300 gross tons, vessels that carry more than six passengers for hire in the open sea or any coastal/tidewater area of the United States, certain vessels that sail the Great Lakes, and to operate and repair certain aviation radiotelephone stations and certain coast radiotelephone stations.
GROL does not confer licensing authority to operate or maintain GMDSS or radiotelegraph (Morse Code) commercial stations.
Because of its wide nature, the GROL is the most popular FCC commercial license, accounting for about 80% of those issued by the Commission.
Like all FCC commercial licenses (except the radiotelegraph licenses, which have photographs of the holder) the GROL is issued for the lifetime of the licensee.
A license that can be added to the GROL (as well as the GMDSS maintainer and the radiotelegraph licenses) is "Ship Radar Endorsement." This allows the holder to install, service, and maintain Radar systems on board vessels.
In the past, the FCC issued the GROL in yellow 8.5 x 11 inch "diploma-like" form. It is now issued in a wallet-sized form.
Contents |
Historically, the first commercial operator licenses were issued by the Department of Commerce and then later by the Federal Radio Commission under the authority of the Radio Act of 1927. When the FCC was created in 1934 it took over this function. The Commission issued First and Second Class Radiotelephone Operator Licenses. In 1953 a Third Class permit was added.
As they developed after World War II, the "First Phone" was required to be chief engineer at a broadcast station, and to work on television transmitters. The "Second Phone" was often held by radio transmitter repair persons, such as in the aviation and maritime industries. The Third Class permit was required for announcers who had to record meter readings or who operated low power radio broadcast stations. Obtaining any of these required passing written examinations. The examination to earn the Second (because it included the entire field of electronics transmission) was generally thought more difficult than the First, which concentrated on television. The Third required a knowledge of broadcast rules.
From 1963 to 1978 an additional technical written test added a "Broadcast Endorsement" to the "Third Phone". This allowed announcers to be the sole operators at some limited power radio stations.
As technology rapidly changed transmitters required less skill to manage. In the spirit of deregulation and to reduce its own personnel and other associated costs, the FCC yield progressively more of its control over broadcasters, and eased licensing requirements. In 1980 the name of the Third Phone was changed to the Marine Radio Operator Permit and was subsequently renewed under that name. In 1982 testing stopped for the First. Shortly afterwards all renewing First and Second Class licenses, were issued as GROLs. Like all previous commercial licenses, they were issued with renewable five year terms, but in 1985 certificates began to be granted or renewed as lifetime documents.[2] Today, the GROL examinations cover FCC broadcast regulations and communications electronics. Except for the special cases noted above, a license is not longer legally required for work in a broadcast station.
To qualify for the GROL, one must:
How to obtain a License:
To obtain a GROL License one must submit to the FCC, Form 605 and Form 159 with Proof of Passing Certificates for Elements 1 and 3. (Some Commercial Operator License Examination Managers will submit these forms for you.)
All exam questions are multiple-choice.
Basic radio law and operating practice.
Marine Radio Operator Permit question pool: 144 questions.
To pass one must answer 18 of 24 questions.(75%)
Electronic fundamentals and techniques required to adjust, repair, and maintain radio transmitters and receivers.
Element 3 exam will consists of questions in the following categories:
General Radiotelephone Operator License question pool: 600 questions
To pass one must answer 75 out of 100 questions.(75%)
The Ship Radar Endorsement is required to repair, maintain, or internally adjust ship radar equipment. It may, as an option, be added to the GROL.
To qualify, one must:
Element 8 - Ship Radar Endorsement
Ship Radar Techniques. Specialized theory and practice applicable to the proper installation, servicing, and maintenance of ship radar equipment in general use for marine navigation purposes.
Element 8 exam will consists of questions in the following categories:
Ship Radar Endorsement question pool: 300 questions
To pass one must answer 38 out of 50 questions.(76%)
Popular tools used to prepare for the GROL License are:
A book to study for the GROL License, and or FCC Examination Question Pools Downloads
A non-programmable scientific calculator. Programmable calculators are not allowed to be used during the exams.
Many applicants use a software program to help prepare for the GROL exams.
Some preparation software will create practice tests. Some will find the questions on which the student is weak, and drill more extensivly on them.
Dauntless Five by Five Amateur and Commercial FCC Test Prep:
RadioTelephone Tutor:
GROL Plus:
The actual examinations are given by Commercial Operator License Examination Managers, (COLEMs) and fees typically range around $25–35 per element.
The FCC site has a page; that has links to COLEMs. FCC Cole Examination Managers Links