General radiotelephone operator license

[1] It is also required to operate any compulsorily equipped ship radiotelephone station with more than 1,500 watts of peak envelope power, a voluntarily equipped ship, or an aeronautical (including aircraft) station with more than 1,000 watts of peak envelope power.

It is obtained by taking a test demonstrating an adequate knowledge of the legal, technical, and safety aspects of radio transmitter operation.

The GROL is the most common FCC commercial license, accounting for about 80% of those issued by the commission, because of the wide range of positions that require it.

As they developed after World War II, the "First Phone" (Class) license was required to be a chief engineer at a broadcast station and to work on television transmitters.

The Third Class permit was required for announcers who had to record meter readings or who operated low-power radio broadcast stations.

From 1963 to 1978 an additional simple technical written test added a "Broadcast Endorsement" to the "Third Phone" which allowed announcers to be the sole operators at some limited power radio stations.

Because it included the entire field of electronics transmission, the examination to earn the Second was generally thought of as more difficult than that of the First, which concentrated on broadcast radio and television.

In the spirit of deregulation and to reduce its personnel and other associated costs, the FCC progressively yielded more of its control to broadcasters and eased licensing requirements.

Electronic fundamentals and techniques are required to adjust, repair, and maintain radio transmitters and receivers.

Specialized theory and practice applicable to the proper installation, servicing, and maintenance of ship radar equipment in general use for marine navigation purposes.