FCC Restricted GMDSS (RG) study guide
FCC Restricted GMDSS (RG) · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The FCC Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator (RG) license is the entry-level Global Maritime Distress and Safety System credential for mariners who will operate GMDSS radio equipment on vessels sailing only within Sea Area A1 - roughly the coastal region within very high frequency (VHF) coverage of at least one shore station with continuous Digital Selective Calling (DSC) alerting. It is not a general-purpose radio ticket: it authorizes the operator to use the GMDSS installations fitted to A1 vessels, including VHF radiotelephony and DSC, NAVTEX and maritime safety information receivers, EPIRBs, SARTs, and survival craft portable VHF equipment. The FCC Restricted GMDSS (RG) study guide has 8 sections and about 3,388 words.
01GMDSS system overview, sea areas A1–A4, and carriage requirements for vessels operating in Sea Area A1
This domain tests whether you can place a vessel in the correct GMDSS sea area, state the minimum radio equipment for Sea Area A1, and recognize the limits of the Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator (RG) license. The exam expects definitions and equipment logic, not mileage rules of thumb.
467 words, about 2 min02VHF radiotelephony: channel usage, distress/urgency/safety procedures, and DSC operations on VHF
This domain tests practical VHF operation: which channel does what, how a DSC distress alert is sent and followed up, and how urgency and safety traffic is announced. The exam favors correct channel and priority discipline over long scripts.
413 words, about 2 min03Distress, urgency, and safety communications: alerting, SAR coordination, and on-scene communications
This domain tests the hierarchy of distress, urgency and safety communications, the difference between alerting and on-scene traffic, and how a ship supports SAR coordination. The exam expects you to know who acknowledges, who controls the scene, and which channel carries the working traffic.
402 words, about 2 min04NAVTEX and maritime safety information (MSI) reception, including MSI broadcast schedules and message categories
This domain tests NAVTEX reception and maritime safety information (MSI): what NAVTEX receives, how the message header is read, which categories trigger attention, and how NAVTEX fits with other MSI services. The exam is practical: identify the service, the frequency and the category.
443 words, about 2 min05Emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) and search and rescue radar transponders (SARTs)
This domain tests the different jobs of the 406 MHz EPIRB and the SART: one alerts the rescue services, the other helps a rescuing radar find the survival craft. The exam often asks which device does what, how each is activated, and what to do after a false activation.
411 words, about 2 min06Survival craft portable VHF radiotelephone equipment and two-way on-scene communications
This domain tests the portable two-way VHF radiotelephone carried for survival craft and the on-scene communication it supports. The exam distinguishes it from the ship's fixed VHF/DSC installation and expects realistic use: distress calling, working a scene, and conserving battery.
392 words, about 2 min07Radio regulations, licensing, operator obligations, and watchkeeping/station log requirements applicable to restricted operators
This domain tests the legal wrapper around GMDSS operation: the ship station license, the Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator license, MMSI and EPIRB registration, watchkeeping, and the station log. The exam expects you to know what the RG may operate and what records must exist.
421 words, about 2 min08Radio equipment maintenance, battery care, and basic fault-finding for GMDSS installations within the restricted operator's scope
This domain tests operational maintenance within the restricted operator's scope: routine checks, battery care, and first-line fault-finding without opening sealed equipment or attempting maintainer-level repair. The exam favors safe, documented checks and fallback equipment.
439 words, about 2 min