Which commercial radio operator license is required to operate a fixed-tuned ship RADAR station with external controls?

• A. No radio operator authorization is required
• B. A standard mariner's radio license
• C. A radar operator license
• D. A restricted radiotelephone license

Answer: (A)

Operating a fixed-tuned ship radar with external controls does not require a radio operator license because radar is a navigational instrument, not a radiocommunication transmitter. FCC radio licenses are required for transmitting voice or data over radio channels (like radiotelephony or radiotelegraphy). A radar system, even though it emits RF, is used for detection and navigation on board and isn’t a radiotelephone or radiotelegraph transmitter, so no operator license is needed. If you were to operate a radio communications device (such as a VHF radiotelephone or MF/HF radio), then the appropriate radio operator license would be required.