General Radio Operators License (PG)

Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.
-----John Wooden, Legendary
UCLA Basketball Coach

Only subscribers have access to these tests.

The General Radio Operators License test comprises of element 1 and element 3.  If you desire the Radar Endorsement for this license, you must complete the element 8 exam.

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Element 1
 
Each test consists of 24 questions from a pool of 144 questions.  To pass you must successfully answer 18 of those questions from this testing element.

 

Element 1 - Random Tests by Sub-element  
  Rules and Regulation - includes
    Equipment Requirements
    License Requirements
    Watchkeeping
    Logkeeping
    Log Entries
    Miscellaneous Rules and Regulations
 
 
  Communications Procedures - includes
    Bridge-to-Bridge Operations
    Operating Procedures
    Distress Communications
    Urgency and Safety Communications
    GMDSS
 
  Equipment Operations - includes
    VHF Equipment Controls
    VHF Channel Selection
    MF-HF Equipment Controls
    MF-HF Frequency & Emission Selection
    Equipment Tests
    Equipment Faults
 
  Other equipment - includes
    Antennas
    Power Sources
    EPIRBS
    SARTS
    Survival Craft VHF
   NAVTEX
 

 

Element 3
 
Each test consists of 100 questions from a pool of 600 questions.  To pass you must successfully answer 76 of those questions from this testing element.

 

Element 3 - Random Tests by Sub-element  
  Principles - includes
    Electrical Elements
    Magnetism
    Materials
    Resistance, Capacitance & Inductance
    Semi-conductors
    Electrical Measurements
    Waveforms
    Conduction
 
 
  Electrical Math - includes
    Ohm’s Law
    Frequency
    Waveforms
    Power Relationships
    RC Time Constants
    Impedance Networks
    Calculations
 
  Components - includes
    Photoconductive Devices
    Capacitors
    Transformers
    Voltage Regulators, Zener Diodes
    SCRs, Triacs
    Diodes
    Transistors
    Light Emitting Diodes
    Devices
 
  Circuits - includes
    R-L-C Circuits
    Op Amps
    Phase Locked Loops (PLLs); Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs); Mixers
    Schematics
 
  Digital Logic - includes
    Types of Logic
    Logic Gates
    Logic Levels
    Flip-Flops
    Multivibrators
    Memory
    Microprocessors
    Counters, Dividers, Converters
 
  Receivers - includes
    Receiver Theory
    RF Amplifiers
    Oscillators
    Mixers
    IF Amplifiers
    Filters and IF Amplifiers
    Filters
    Detectors
    Audio & Squelch Circuits
    Receiver Performance
 
  Transmitters - includes
    Amplifiers
    Oscillators & Modulators
    Resonance - Tuning Networks
    SSB Transmitters
    Technology
 
  Modulation - includes
    Frequency Modulation
    SSB Modulation
    Pulse Modulation
 
  Power Sources - includes
    Batteries
    Motors & Generators
 
  Antennas - includes
    Antenna Theory
    Voltage, Current and Power Relationships
    Frequency and Bandwidth
    Transmission Lines
    Effective Radiated Power
 
  Aircraft - includes
    Distance Measuring Equipment
    VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR)
    Instrument Landing System (ILS)
    Automatic Direction Finding Equipment (ADF) & Transponders
    Aircraft Antenna Systems and Frequencies
    Equipment Functions
 
  Installation, Maintenance & Repair - includes
    Indicating Meters
    Test Equipment
    Oscilloscopes
    Specialized Instruments
    Measurement Procedures
    Repair Procedures
    Installation Codes & Procedures
    Troubleshooting
 
  Communications Technology - includes
    Types of Transmissions
    Coding and Multiplexing
    Signal Processing, Software and Codes
 
  Marine - includes
    VHF
    MF-HF, SSB-SITOR
    Survival Craft Equipment: VHF, SARTs & EPIRBs
    FAX, NAVTEX
    NMEA Data
 
  Radar - includes
    RADAR Theory
    Components
    Range, Pulse Width & Repetition Rate
    Antennas & Waveguides
    RADAR Equipment
 
  Satellite - includes
    Low Earth Orbit Systems
    INMARSAT Communications Systems-1
    GPS
 
  Safety - includes
    Radiation Exposure
    Safety Steps
 

 

 

Element 8
 
Each test consists of 50 questions from a pool of 300 questions.  To pass you must successfully answer 38 of those questions from this testing element.

 

Element 8 - Random Tests by Sub-element  
  Radar Principles - includes
    Marine RADAR Systems
    Distance and Time
    Frequency and Wavelength
    Power, Pulse Width, PRR
    Range, Pulse Width, PRF
    Pulse Width - Pulse Repetition Rates
    Components
    Circuits
 
 
  Transmitting Systems - includes
    Transmitting Systems
    Magnetrons
    Modulation
    Pulse Forming Networks Modulation
    TR - ATR - Circulators - Directional Couplers
    Timer - Trigger - Synchronizer Circuits
    Power Supplies
 
  Receiving Systems - includes
    Receiving Systems
    Mixers
    Local Oscillators
    Amplifiers
    Detectors - Video Amplifiers
    Automatic Frequency Control - AFC/ATC
    Sea Clutter - STC - FTC
    Power Supplies
    Interference Issues
    Miscellaneous
 
  Display & Control Systems - includes
    Displays
    Video Amplifiers and Sweep Circuits
    Timing Circuits
    Fixed Range Markers
    Variable Range Markers
    EBL, Azimuth and True Bearing
    Memory Systems
    ARPA - CAS
    Display System Power Supplies
    Miscellaneous
 
  Antenna Systems - includes
    Antenna Systems
    Transmission Lines
    Antenna to Display Interface
    Waveguides
 
  Installation, Maintenance & Repair - includes
    Equipment Faults
    Maintenance
    Installation
    Safety
 

 

Description

A PG is required to adjust, maintain, or internally repair FCC licensed radiotelephone transmitters in the aviation, maritime, and international fixed public radio services. It conveys all of the operating authority of the MP. It is also required to operate the following:

  • any maritime land radio station or compulsorily equipped ship radiotelephone station operating with more than 1500 watts of peak envelope power.
  • voluntarily equipped ship and aeronautical (including aircraft) stations with more than 1000 watts of peak envelope power.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must:

  • be a legal resident of (or otherwise eligible for employment in) the United States; and
  • be able to receive and transmit spoken messages in English; and
  • pass a written and/or telegraphy examination(s) as described below under Examinations.

Term of License

The General Radiotelephone Operator Permits are issued for the holder's lifetime.

Written Examination Elements

Element 1 - Basic radio law and operating practice with which every maritime radio operator should be familiar. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 18 out of 24 questions.

Element 3 - General Radiotelephone. Electronic fundamentals and techniques required to adjust, repair, and maintain radio transmitters and receivers. The exam consists of questions from the following categories:

  • operating procedures
  • radio wave propagation
  • radio practice
  • electrical principles
  • circuit components
  • practical circuits
  • signals and emissions
  • antennas and feed lines
To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 57 out of 76 questions.

Ship Radar Endorsement

Description

Only persons whose commercial radio operator license bears this endorsement may repair, maintain, or internally adjust ship radar equipment.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must:

  • hold (or qualify for) a PG, DM, T1, or T2; and
  • pass a written examination as described below.

Examinations

Element 8- 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. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 38 out of 50 questions.