Ahoy!

And surprise... It turns out we are not finished posting yet and wanted to share something cool that occurred on TSGB as we make our way back home to Vallejo! We are on track to arrive July 6th and while Sea Term was an awesome experience over all, I think many of us are ready to be home with family and friends.

Without further ado, shared on behalf of Engineering Professor Dave Satterwhite:

Ham Radio

CSU Maritime Academy Makes History with First-Ever At-Sea FCC Amateur Radio Testing
This summer, the Training Ship Golden Bear charted new territory, not just across the sea but in the world of amateur radio. On June 25 and July 3, 2025, CSU Maritime Academy hosted two historic FCC Amateur Radio exam sessions while underway. As far as we know, this is the first time in history that these exams have ever been administered at sea aboard a U.S. vessel.
During these sessions, cadets passed an impressive 39 Element 2 Technician exams and 9 Element 3 General Class exams. These results are a testament to their technical skill, dedication, and eagerness to learn real-world communication tools that reach far beyond the maritime industry.
Thanks to Zoom and the support of two outstanding Amateur radio organizations - CPARC (Cal Poly Amateur Radio Club) and GLAARG (Greater Los Angeles Amateur Radio Group) — the exams were successfully proctored while the ship was underway. Their collaboration made this achievement possible, and we are sincerely grateful for their assistance.
This accomplishment highlights the Academy's commitment to innovation and hands-on learning. Amateur radio is not just a hobby. It is a powerful tool for emergency preparedness, electronics training, and global communication. Our cadets are now licensed operators with the skills and confidence to connect across oceans.
We are incredibly proud of those who studied hard, took the leap, and earned their call signs under such unique and challenging conditions. They now join a global community of radio operators, proudly representing the voice of the Golden Bear on the airwaves.
Fair winds, clear frequencies, and Bravo Zulu (well done) to all who made this historic moment possible.
 
Ham radio
 

Fair winds and following seas...

~Madalyn Reynolds, Assistant Purser & Jessica Fowler, Purser

Check back often and follow the voyage with our blog series that gives the latest news from Summer Sea Term! TSGB will travel to San Diego, CA, Kauai, HI, Guam, Saipan, NMI, and Seattle, WA prior to returning to Vallejo on July 6th.

Stay tuned for updates to the Follow the Voyage blog.

ABOUT CAL MARITIME
Established in 1929, California State University Maritime Academy is the only degree-granting maritime academy on the West Coast. Located in Vallejo, California, the campus offers undergraduate degrees that prepare students for careers in engineering, transportation, international relations, business, and global logistics. Cal Maritime also offers a master’s degree in Transportation and Engineering Management, as well as a number of extended learning programs and courses.