FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License
(GROL) Elements 1 and 3 Examination, FCC
Commercial Operator License Program,
2026/2027 – 120 Questions with Verified
Answers
Element 1: Marine Radio Operator Permit (MROP)
Topic 1-1A: Marine Transmitter Equipment Requirements
Question 1-1A1
What is a requirement of all marine transmitting apparatus used aboard
United States vessels?
A) Only equipment that has been certified by the FCC for Part 80 operations
is authorized.
B) Equipment must be type-accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard for maritime
mobile use.
C) Certification is required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
D) Programming of all maritime channels must be performed by a licensed
Marine Radio Operator.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The FCC requires that all marine transmitting equipment on U.S.
vessels be certified for Part 80 operations. The FCC, not the Coast Guard or
IMO, has jurisdiction over equipment certification for maritime radio. While
the Coast Guard has authority over safety regulations, equipment type-
acceptance falls under FCC jurisdiction .
Question 1-1A2
What transmitting equipment is authorized for use by a station in the
maritime services?
,A) Transmitters that have been certified by the manufacturer for maritime
use.
B) Unless specifically excepted, only transmitters certified by the Federal
Communications Commission for Part 80 operations.
C) Equipment that has been inspected and approved by the U.S. Coast
Guard.
D) Transceivers and transmitters that meet all ITU specifications for use in
maritime mobile service.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: FCC regulations explicitly state that maritime stations must use
transmitters certified under Part 80 unless specific exceptions apply.
Manufacturer certification alone is insufficient, and while ITU specifications
provide international standards, FCC certification is the controlling
requirement for U.S. vessels .
Question 1-1A3
Small passenger vessels that sail 20 to 150 nautical miles from the nearest
land must have what additional equipment?
A) Inmarsat-B terminal
B) Inmarsat-C terminal
C) Aircraft Transceiver with 121.5 MHz
D) MF-HF SSB Transceiver
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Vessels operating beyond 20 nautical miles from shore require
MF-HF SSB transceivers for long-range communication capability. Inmarsat
terminals, while useful, are not specifically required for this distance range,
and aircraft transceivers are not mandated for maritime operations in this
scenario .
Question 1-1A4
What equipment is programmed to initiate transmission of distress alerts and
calls to individual stations?
A) NAVTEX
B) GPS
,C) DSC controller
D) Scanning Watch Receiver
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The DSC (Digital Selective Calling) controller is programmed to
initiate transmission of distress alerts and individual calls. DSC is a key
component of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) that
allows automated distress alerting and selective calling to specific vessels or
coast stations .
Question 1-1A5
What is the minimum transmitter power level required by the FCC for a
medium-frequency transmitter aboard a compulsorily fitted vessel?
A) At least 100 watts, single-sideband, suppressed-carrier power.
B) At least 60 watts PEP.
C) The power predictably needed to communicate with the nearest public
coast station operating on 2182 kHz.
D) At least 25 watts delivered into 50 ohms effective resistance.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The FCC requires a minimum of 60 watts PEP for medium-
frequency transmitters aboard compulsorily fitted vessels. This ensures
adequate communication capability for distress and safety communications
on the 2182 kHz frequency .
Question 1-1A6
Shipboard transmitters using F3E emission (FM voice) may not exceed what
carrier power?
A) 500 watts
B) 250 watts
C) 100 watts
D) 25 watts
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Shipboard transmitters using F3E emission (FM voice) are limited
to a maximum carrier power of 25 watts. This limitation helps prevent
, interference on VHF maritime channels and is consistent with international
regulations for maritime VHF communications .
Topic 1-2A: Operator Licensing Requirements
Question 1-2A1
Which commercial radio operator license is required to operate a fixed-tuned
ship RADAR station with external controls?
A) A radio operator certificate containing a Ship RADAR Endorsement.
B) A Marine Radio Operator Permit or higher.
C) Either a First or Second Class Radiotelegraph certificate or a General
Radiotelephone Operator License.
D) No radio operator authorization is required.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: No radio operator authorization is required to operate a fixed-
tuned ship RADAR station with external controls. This is an important
exception to general licensing requirements, recognizing that RADAR
operation on vessels does not require the same level of operator qualification
as radiotelephone transmitters .
Question 1-2A2
When is a Marine Radio Operator Permit or higher license required for aircraft
communications?
A) When operating on frequencies below 30 MHz allocated exclusively to
aeronautical mobile services.
B) When operating on frequencies above 30 MHz allocated exclusively to
aeronautical mobile services.
C) When operating on frequencies below 30 MHz not allocated exclusively to
aeronautical mobile services.
D) When operating on frequencies above 30 MHz not assigned for
international use.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Marine Radio Operator Permit or higher is required when
operating on frequencies below 30 MHz that are not allocated exclusively to
(GROL) Elements 1 and 3 Examination, FCC
Commercial Operator License Program,
2026/2027 – 120 Questions with Verified
Answers
Element 1: Marine Radio Operator Permit (MROP)
Topic 1-1A: Marine Transmitter Equipment Requirements
Question 1-1A1
What is a requirement of all marine transmitting apparatus used aboard
United States vessels?
A) Only equipment that has been certified by the FCC for Part 80 operations
is authorized.
B) Equipment must be type-accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard for maritime
mobile use.
C) Certification is required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
D) Programming of all maritime channels must be performed by a licensed
Marine Radio Operator.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The FCC requires that all marine transmitting equipment on U.S.
vessels be certified for Part 80 operations. The FCC, not the Coast Guard or
IMO, has jurisdiction over equipment certification for maritime radio. While
the Coast Guard has authority over safety regulations, equipment type-
acceptance falls under FCC jurisdiction .
Question 1-1A2
What transmitting equipment is authorized for use by a station in the
maritime services?
,A) Transmitters that have been certified by the manufacturer for maritime
use.
B) Unless specifically excepted, only transmitters certified by the Federal
Communications Commission for Part 80 operations.
C) Equipment that has been inspected and approved by the U.S. Coast
Guard.
D) Transceivers and transmitters that meet all ITU specifications for use in
maritime mobile service.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: FCC regulations explicitly state that maritime stations must use
transmitters certified under Part 80 unless specific exceptions apply.
Manufacturer certification alone is insufficient, and while ITU specifications
provide international standards, FCC certification is the controlling
requirement for U.S. vessels .
Question 1-1A3
Small passenger vessels that sail 20 to 150 nautical miles from the nearest
land must have what additional equipment?
A) Inmarsat-B terminal
B) Inmarsat-C terminal
C) Aircraft Transceiver with 121.5 MHz
D) MF-HF SSB Transceiver
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Vessels operating beyond 20 nautical miles from shore require
MF-HF SSB transceivers for long-range communication capability. Inmarsat
terminals, while useful, are not specifically required for this distance range,
and aircraft transceivers are not mandated for maritime operations in this
scenario .
Question 1-1A4
What equipment is programmed to initiate transmission of distress alerts and
calls to individual stations?
A) NAVTEX
B) GPS
,C) DSC controller
D) Scanning Watch Receiver
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The DSC (Digital Selective Calling) controller is programmed to
initiate transmission of distress alerts and individual calls. DSC is a key
component of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) that
allows automated distress alerting and selective calling to specific vessels or
coast stations .
Question 1-1A5
What is the minimum transmitter power level required by the FCC for a
medium-frequency transmitter aboard a compulsorily fitted vessel?
A) At least 100 watts, single-sideband, suppressed-carrier power.
B) At least 60 watts PEP.
C) The power predictably needed to communicate with the nearest public
coast station operating on 2182 kHz.
D) At least 25 watts delivered into 50 ohms effective resistance.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The FCC requires a minimum of 60 watts PEP for medium-
frequency transmitters aboard compulsorily fitted vessels. This ensures
adequate communication capability for distress and safety communications
on the 2182 kHz frequency .
Question 1-1A6
Shipboard transmitters using F3E emission (FM voice) may not exceed what
carrier power?
A) 500 watts
B) 250 watts
C) 100 watts
D) 25 watts
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Shipboard transmitters using F3E emission (FM voice) are limited
to a maximum carrier power of 25 watts. This limitation helps prevent
, interference on VHF maritime channels and is consistent with international
regulations for maritime VHF communications .
Topic 1-2A: Operator Licensing Requirements
Question 1-2A1
Which commercial radio operator license is required to operate a fixed-tuned
ship RADAR station with external controls?
A) A radio operator certificate containing a Ship RADAR Endorsement.
B) A Marine Radio Operator Permit or higher.
C) Either a First or Second Class Radiotelegraph certificate or a General
Radiotelephone Operator License.
D) No radio operator authorization is required.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: No radio operator authorization is required to operate a fixed-
tuned ship RADAR station with external controls. This is an important
exception to general licensing requirements, recognizing that RADAR
operation on vessels does not require the same level of operator qualification
as radiotelephone transmitters .
Question 1-2A2
When is a Marine Radio Operator Permit or higher license required for aircraft
communications?
A) When operating on frequencies below 30 MHz allocated exclusively to
aeronautical mobile services.
B) When operating on frequencies above 30 MHz allocated exclusively to
aeronautical mobile services.
C) When operating on frequencies below 30 MHz not allocated exclusively to
aeronautical mobile services.
D) When operating on frequencies above 30 MHz not assigned for
international use.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Marine Radio Operator Permit or higher is required when
operating on frequencies below 30 MHz that are not allocated exclusively to
