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Author Topic: Commercial radio operators license  (Read 303 times)

K4EMF

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Commercial radio operators license
« on: August 01, 2020, 03:53:32 PM »

A distant "acquaintance" of sorts asked if their commercial radio operators license gives them any privileges on Ham bands.

I thought rather than sorting through pages and pages of FCC regs I'd just ask here.
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K6SDW

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Re: Commercial radio operators license
« Reply #1 on: August 01, 2020, 04:03:53 PM »

A commercial license, which I've had for 30 years, does not give anyone rights to operate on the ham bands....that requires an FCC test for a ham license.

gud luk ~ ed
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K4EMF

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Re: Commercial radio operators license
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2020, 04:09:36 PM »

A commercial license, which I've had for 30 years, does not give anyone rights to operate on the ham bands....that requires an FCC test for a ham license.

gud luk ~ ed

That's what I was thinking but never having anything to do with a commercial license I preferred to ask someone who had before I stuck my foot in my mouth.

Thanks Ed
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W3HF

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Re: Commercial radio operators license
« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2020, 04:10:09 PM »

It doesn't give them any privileges, but they may be starting with more understanding of radio and technology than someone who has no background at all. So they may have an advantage when preparing for the test.
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W8LV

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Re: Commercial radio operators license
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2020, 10:30:59 PM »

I'm CERTAIN that Riley Hollingsworth could answer this question best, so I can only speak from my experience of holding both Amateur Licences (all of them) and Commercial Licences (all of them):

Here's where the confusion comes in (I think.) For example, If you have a Ham Ticket, and can show that you had it before a certain date, again just for example: Extra Class that required 20 wpm code, they will use that code "element" towards your commercial telegraphy license, and you won't have to take that "element" for a second time, because after all, you already completed it.

So, all of the licenses consist of "elements." And some of those "elements" can be used to complete both Commercial and Amateur licenses.

However, AMATEUR RADIO is regulated under Title 47 CFR Part 97. But COMMERCIAL Radio is regulated under Title 47 CFR Part 90. So that's the difference and where you find the requirements for the respective "elements" required to complete a licence.
So,  Setting aside some "elements" in common, the twain shall never actually meet.

With all of THAT being said: All of the question pools are published, and they "feel" pretty similar in nature. If you can pass the Amateur "Extra", then with a little study, you shouldn't have much of a problem with the "Commercial" GROL with the additional Ship Radar Endorsement, the GMDSS Operator/Maintainer, and finally the Commercial Telegraph.

73 DE W8LV BILL
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K1VSK

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Re: Commercial radio operators license
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2020, 05:34:03 PM »

I'm CERTAIN that Riley Hollingsworth could answer this question best, so I can only speak from my experience of holding both Amateur Licences (all of them) and Commercial Licences (all of them):

Here's where the confusion comes in (I think.) For example, If you have a Ham Ticket, and can show that you had it before a certain date, again just for example: Extra Class that required 20 wpm code, they will use that code "element" towards your commercial telegraphy license, and you won't have to take that "element" for a second time, because after all, you already completed it.

So, all of the licenses consist of "elements." And some of those "elements" can be used to complete both Commercial and Amateur licenses.

However, AMATEUR RADIO is regulated under Title 47 CFR Part 97. But COMMERCIAL Radio is regulated under Title 47 CFR Part 90. So that's the difference and where you find the requirements for the respective "elements" required to complete a licence.
So,  Setting aside some "elements" in common, the twain shall never actually meet.

With all of THAT being said: All of the question pools are published, and they "feel" pretty similar in nature. If you can pass the Amateur "Extra", then with a little study, you shouldn't have much of a problem with the "Commercial" GROL with the additional Ship Radar Endorsement, the GMDSS Operator/Maintainer, and finally the Commercial Telegraph.

73 DE W8LV BILL


Why use 200 words which don’t answer the question when a simple “no” would suffice?
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