Sec.  13.203   Examination elements.

   (a) A written examination (written Element) must prove that the examinee
   possesses the operational and technical qualifications to perform the duties
   required  by  a person holding that class of commercial radio operator
   license. For each Element, the Commission shall establish through public
   notices or other appropriate means the number of questions to be included in
   the  question  pool,  the  number  of  questions to be included in the
   examination, and the number of questions that must be answered correctly to
   pass the examination. Each written examination must consist of questions
   relating to the pertinent subject matter, as follows:

   (1) Element 1 (formerly Elements 1 and 2): Basic radio law and operating
   practice  with which every maritime radio operator should be familiar.
   Questions  concerning  provisions  of laws, treaties, regulations, and
   operating  procedures  and practices generally followed or required in
   communicating by means of radiotelephone stations.

   (2) Element 3: General radiotelephone. Questions concerning electronic
   fundamentals and techniques required to adjust, repair, and maintain radio
   transmitters and receivers at stations licensed by the FCC in the aviation,
   maritime, and international fixed public radio services.

   (3) Element 5: Radiotelegraph operating practice. Questions concerning radio
   operating  procedures  and practices generally followed or required in
   communicating by means of radiotelegraph stations primarily other than in
   the maritime mobile services of public correspondence.

   (4) Element 6: Advanced radiotelegraph. Questions concerning technical,
   legal  and other matters applicable to the operation of all classes of
   radiotelegraph stations, including operating procedures and practices in the
   maritime mobile services of public correspondence, and associated matters
   such as radio navigational aids, message traffic routing and accounting,
   etc.

   (5) Element 7: GMDSS radio operating practices. Questions concerning GMDSS
   radio  operating  procedures and practices sufficient to show detailed
   practical knowledge of the operation of all GMDSS sub-systems and equipment;
   ability to send and receive correctly by radiotelephone and narrow-band
   direct-printing telegraphy; detailed knowledge of the regulations applying
   to radio communications, knowledge of the documents relating to charges for
   radio communications and knowledge of those provisions of the International
   Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea which relate to radio; sufficient
   knowledge of English to be able to express oneself satisfactorily both
   orally and in writing; knowledge of and ability to perform each function
   listed in  Sec. 80.1081 of this chapter; and knowledge covering the requirements
   set  forth  in IMO Assembly Resolution on Training for Radio Personnel
   (GMDSS), Annex 3.

   (6)  Element 7R: Restricted GMDSS radio operating practices. Questions
   concerning those GMDSS radio operating procedures and practices that are
   applicable to ship stations on vessels that sail exclusively in sea area A1,
   as  defined  in   Sec. 80.1069 of this chapter, sufficient to show detailed
   practical knowledge of the operation of pertinent GMDSS sub-systems and
   equipment; ability to send and receive correctly by radio telephone and
   narrow-band  direct-printing  telegraphy;  detailed  knowledge  of the
   regulations governing radio communications within sea area A1, knowledge of
   the pertinent documents relating to charges for radio communications and
   knowledge of the pertinent provisions of the International Convention for
   the Safety of Life at Sea; sufficient knowledge of English to be able to
   express oneself satisfactorily both orally and in writing; knowledge of and
   ability  to perform each pertinent function listed in  Sec. 80.1081 of this
   chapter; and knowledge covering the pertinent requirements set forth in IMO
   Assembly Resolution on Training for Radio Personnel (GMDSS), Annex 3.

   (7) Element 8: Ship radar techniques. Questions concerning specialized
   theory and practice applicable to the proper installation, servicing and
   maintenance of ship radar equipment in general use for marine navigational
   purposes.

   (8) Element 9: GMDSS radio maintenance practices and procedures. Questions
   concerning the requirements set forth in IMO Assembly on Training for Radio
   Personnel (GMDSS), Annex 5 and IMO Assembly on Radio Maintenance Guidelines
   for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System related to Sea Areas A3
   and A4.

   (b) A telegraphy examination (telegraphy Elements) must prove that the
   examinee has the ability to send correctly by hand and to receive correctly
   by ear texts in the international Morse code at not less than the prescribed
   speed, using all the letters of the alphabet, numerals 0–9, period, comma,
   question mark, slant mark, and prosigns AR, BT, and SK. 

   (1) Telegraphy Element 1: 16 code groups per minute.

   (2) Telegraphy Element 2: 20 words per minute.

   (3) Telegraphy Element 3: 20 code groups per minute.

   (4) Telegraphy Element 4: 25 words per minute.

   [ 58 FR 9124 , Feb. 19, 1993, as amended at  69 FR 64671 , Nov. 8, 2004;  73 FR 4479 , Jan. 25, 2008]