A radio operator (formerly known as wireless operator in British and Commonwealth English), also referred to as radio officer, is a person who is responsible for the operation of a ship radio station and the technicalities aboard.

The profession of radio operator has become largely obsolete with the automation of radio-based tasks in recent decades. Nevertheless, radio operators are still employed in maritime and aviation fields. In most cases radio transmission is now only one of several tasks of a radio operator.

The role of 'Wireless Operator' aboard aircraft during WWII was often abbreviated to 'WOp' or 'WOP' in official documents or obituaries.

History

Radio operators were indispensable at sea in the early days of wireless telegraphy, and many young men were called to sea as professional radio operators who were always accorded high-paying officer status at sea. Subsequent to the Titanic disaster and the Radio Act of 1912, the International Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) conventions established the 500kHz maritime distress frequency monitoring and mandated that all passenger-carrying ships carry licensed radio telegraph operators.

Notable radio operators

• Harold Bride, assistant radio operator of

• Harold Cottam, radio operator of during the sinking of RMS Titanic

• Jack Binns, last radio operator of

• Jack Phillips, chief radio operator of Titanic

• Cyril Evans, radio operator of during the sinking of Titanic

• Robert Leith, last chief radio operator of

• Graynella Packer, one of the first female radio operators aboard a ship.

See also

• Wireless telegraphy

• Telegraphist

• Marconi International Marine Communication Company, one of the first wireless communication companies in history

References

External links