GROL Basic Radio Law and Operating 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the required format for a ship station identification under FCC rules?
- Ship name only
- Call sign only
- Ship name and call sign (Correct answer)
- MMSI number only
Correct answer: Ship name and call sign
FCC rules require a ship station to identify itself by both its station name (ship name) and its call sign during transmissions.
Question 2: Under FCC rules, how often must a ship station identify itself during a long communication?
- Every 5 minutes
- Every 10 minutes (Correct answer)
- Every 15 minutes
- Every 30 minutes
Correct answer: Every 10 minutes
A ship station must transmit its station identification at least every 10 minutes during a prolonged communication.
Question 3: Which VHF channel is designated as the international distress, safety, and calling frequency?
- Channel 6
- Channel 9
- Channel 16 (Correct answer)
- Channel 22A
Correct answer: Channel 16
VHF Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) is the international distress, safety, and calling frequency that all vessels must monitor.
Question 4: A MAYDAY call indicates that a vessel is in a situation of:
- Urgency requiring assistance
- Grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance (Correct answer)
- Safety warning to other vessels
- Navigational hazard
Correct answer: Grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance
MAYDAY is the international distress signal used only when a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.
Question 5: What penalty can be imposed for willfully or maliciously interfering with distress communications?
- Warning letter only
- Up to $10,000 fine
- Fine and/or imprisonment (Correct answer)
- License suspension only
Correct answer: Fine and/or imprisonment
Willful or malicious interference with distress communications can result in both substantial fines and imprisonment under the Communications Act.
Question 6: After establishing contact on Channel 16, vessels engaged in routine communications should:
- Continue on Channel 16 for all traffic
- Switch to an appropriate working channel (Correct answer)
- Move to Channel 22A for all traffic
- Switch to MF/HF frequencies
Correct answer: Switch to an appropriate working channel
Channel 16 is used for initial contact and distress only; routine communications must be conducted on designated working channels.
Question 7: Which signal prefix is used for an urgency message concerning the safety of a vessel or person?
- MAYDAY
- SECURITE
- PAN-PAN (Correct answer)
- DISTRESS
Correct answer: PAN-PAN
PAN-PAN (pronounced 'pahn-pahn') is the international urgency signal used when a vessel or person is in urgent need but not in grave and imminent danger.
GROL Basic Radio Law and Operating 2
What is the required format for a ship station identification under FCC rules?