The General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) is a license granted by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which allows the holder to operate, maintain or install certain classes of licensed radio and television transmitters in the U.S. The GROL does not convey the authority to operate an amateur radio station, for which the FCC has a separate licensing system.
An FCC GROL is required to operate, repair or maintain a maritime land radio station, a radio station on a compulsorily equipped ship operating with more than 1500 watts of peak envelope power, a voluntarily equipped ship or an aeronautical (including aircraft) station with more than 1000 watts of peak envelope power or an international broadcast station, such as the Voice of America.
The GROL conveys all of the operating authority of the Marine Radio Operator Permit (MROP). A MROP is required to operate or repair radiotelephone stations aboard vessels of more than 300 gross tons, vessels that carry more than six passengers for hire in the open sea or any coastal/tidewater area of the United States, certain vessels that sail the Great Lakes, and to operate and repair certain aviation radiotelephone stations and certain coast radiotelephone stations.
GROL does not confer licensing authority to operate or maintain GMDSS or radiotelegraph (Morse Code) commercial stations.
Because of the wide range of positions it covers, the GROL is the most popular FCC commercial license, accounting for about 80% of those issued by the Commission.
Like all FCC commercial licenses (except the radiotelegraph licenses, which have photographs of the holder) the GROL is issued for the lifetime of the licensee.
A license that can be added to the GROL (as well as the GMDSS maintainer and the radiotelegraph licenses) is "Ship Radar Endorsement." This allows the holder to install, service and maintain Radar systems on board vessels.
In the past, the FCC issued the GROL in yellow 8.5 x 11 inch "diploma-like" form. It is now issued in a 5 x 7 certificate and wallet-sized form.
Read more about General Radiotelephone Operator License: History, Commercial Operator License Examination Managers
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