GROL Radio Law and Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the required silence period observed on the international distress frequency of 2182 kHz?
- Five minutes beginning at h+15 and h+45
- Three minutes beginning at h+00 and h+30 (Correct answer)
- Five minutes beginning at h+00 and h+30
- Three minutes beginning at h+15 and h+45
Correct answer: Three minutes beginning at h+00 and h+30
ITU Radio Regulations require 3-minute silence periods on 2182 kHz beginning at the top of each hour (h+00) and the half-hour (h+30).
Question 2: Under FCC rules, which vessels must maintain a watch on VHF Channel 16 while underway?
- Only cargo vessels over 300 gross tons
- All vessels fitted with VHF radiotelephone equipment (Correct answer)
- Only vessels required to carry a licensed radio operator
- Only passenger vessels in international service
Correct answer: All vessels fitted with VHF radiotelephone equipment
FCC rules require all vessels fitted with VHF radio equipment to maintain a watch on Channel 16 whenever the station is not being used for another communication.
Question 3: Which license authorizes operation of a radiotelephone installation on a compulsory U.S. vessel operating in international service?
- Technician class amateur radio license
- Marine Radio Operator Permit (MROP)
- General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) (Correct answer)
- Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RP)
Correct answer: General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)
A GROL is required to operate and maintain the radiotelephone installation on compulsory vessels engaged in international service.
Question 4: What is the maximum transmitter power output permitted for a VHF marine radio station?
- 5 watts
- 25 watts (Correct answer)
- 50 watts
- 100 watts
Correct answer: 25 watts
FCC rules (47 CFR Part 80) limit maritime VHF stations to a maximum of 25 watts transmitter power output.
Question 5: How may a ship station identify itself during routine radiotelephone communications?
- Only by its FCC-assigned call sign
- Only by the vessel's name
- By the vessel's name or its assigned call sign (Correct answer)
- By the captain's name and vessel registration number
Correct answer: By the vessel's name or its assigned call sign
FCC Part 80 rules allow a ship station to identify using either the vessel's name or its FCC-assigned call sign.
Question 6: What is an operator's obligation upon receiving a distress signal from another vessel?
- Monitor the frequency and report to the nearest port authority
- Acknowledge the signal and render assistance if possible (Correct answer)
- Contact the Coast Guard and await instructions before responding
- Log the signal and continue normal operations
Correct answer: Acknowledge the signal and render assistance if possible
SOLAS and FCC rules require that upon receiving a distress signal, an operator must acknowledge receipt and render assistance as circumstances permit.
Question 7: When is a ship station permitted to transmit routine messages on 2182 kHz?
- At any time if the transmission is brief
- Only during the 3-minute silence periods
- Never — 2182 kHz is reserved for distress, urgency, safety, and calling only (Correct answer)
- Only during daylight hours when traffic is light
Correct answer: Never — 2182 kHz is reserved for distress, urgency, safety, and calling only
2182 kHz is designated exclusively for distress, urgency, safety, and calling purposes; routine communications must be conducted on designated working frequencies.
GROL Radio Law and Regulations 2
What is the required silence period observed on the international distress frequency of 2182 kHz?