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I am interested in maintaining and repairing marine radio equipment. I reckon that, from time to time, I will need to do "test transmissions" of the equipment I am repairing and that it may not be feasible to transmit into a dummy load. I hold a General Class amateur radio license and doubt that my amateur license will cover me for such marine radio test transmissions. Is this true? For reference, please see the "Maitenance and Repair" section of this FCC web page http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/index.htm?job=wncol |
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KJ6SJO, in 1985 the FCC made Regulation changes to the commercial industry certification requirements. In February of that year, the FCC eliminated two of the ‘five year renewable term’ license classes, which were the First Class (P1) and Second Class (P2) Radiotelephone Operator Licenses. The changes replaced these two with one ‘Lifetime term’ license class called the ‘General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)’. Specifically the FCC rule changes eliminated the certification requirement that all transmitters by any manufacture or a repair facility meet FCC specifications. Also the FCC rule changes eliminated the requirement that anyone who repaired or install transmitters be commercially licensed. Also the new FCC Rules & Regulations eliminated the requirement that at least one holder of a First Class Radiotelephone License (P1) be employed on the staff at every Two-Way Radio Manufacturing facility, Two-Way Radio Repair Facility, AM Broadcast Radio Station, FM Broadcast Radio Station and Maritime Radio Service Ships at sea. However to legally transmit 'Over-The-Air' on a Marine Radio Frequencies you have to have an appropriate Station & Operators License for the station. That being said I would suggest that if you are going to repair or test any Marine Radio, that you only transmit into a 'Dummy Load'. You need a commercial radio operator license to operate the following: Ship radio stations if: the vessel carries more than six passengers for hire; or the radio operates on medium frequencies (MF) or high frequencies (HF); or the ship sails to foreign ports; or the ship station transmits radiotelegraphy; or the ship is larger than 300 gross tons and is required by law to carry a radio station for safety purposes. You do NOT need a commercial operator license to operate the following: Ship stations operating only on VHF frequencies that do not travel to foreign ports or make international communications (unless the vessel carries more than six passengers for hire, or the ship is larger than 300 gross tons and is required by law to carry a radio station for safety purposes). The above statements from the FCC page means that if you repair Marine Radios from private boats, such as those owned by citizens and kept in a Marina, you do not need a FCC General Radiotelephone Operators License (GROL). Best Regards Larry K4RFE (Retired RF Engineer) |
