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. Each written examination must be comprised of a 
question set 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. 24 questions concerning provisions of laws, treaties, 
regulations, and operating procedures and practices generally followed 
or required in communicating by means of radiotelephone stations. The 
minimum passing score is 18 questions answered correctly.
    (2) Element 3: General radiotelephone. 76 questions concerning

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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. The minimum passing score is 57 questions answered correctly.
    (3) Element 5: Radiotelegraph operating practice. 50 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. The minimum passing score is 38 questions answered 
correctly.
    (4) Element 6: Advanced radiotelegraph. 100 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. The minimum passing score is 75 questions 
answered correctly.
    (5) Element 7: GMDSS radio operating practices. 76 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 radio 
telephone 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; and 
knowledge covering the requirements set forth in IMO Assembly Resolution 
on Training for Radio Personnel (GMDSS), Annex 3. The minimum passing 
score is 57 questions answered correctly.
    (6) Element 8: Ship radar techniques. 50 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. The minimum passing score is 38 questions 
answered correctly.
    (7) Element 9: GMDSS radio maintenance practices and procedures. 50 
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. The minimum passing score is 38 
questions answered correctly.
    (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.