VHF Radio ?

[TimO]

Hi All,
Just ordered a hand held VHF Radio, which should arrive tomorrow.
I know you need a license but can I use it without a certificate of competency even if I have a license?
Cheers
Tim

[TimO]

Just started looking through 'The-Safety CD' from the RLNI, (Thanks Martinw) and have just found the answer to my question. Phone call to the RYA for nearest course tomorrow.
Cheers
Tim

[martinw]

ill be honest with you, ive not got a licence for my vhf, i dont think half the guy's have. i only use it for the kayaking now and again. no harm in doing a course though if you want to become more competent in using it, the main thing is knowing how to use your handset properly. You will pick up tips off the lads on the meets or off the forum.

[cliffnorry]

you are surposed to have a VHF licence to use your set, having said that, the RNLI or the coast guard turn a blind eye, so long as you use common sense' there are basic rules, only use 16 if you are in denager and need help, do not stay on it you will be told what chanel to move to, you do not need to know the slideing coad, or even know about able, baker, or charlie, but that will help if you have to spell something, if you have been in the forces you may need to refresh that, or if not talk to someone that has, read what I have said further up the page. that is about all you need to start,

[zebra]

the phonetic alphabet is not what you have quoted cliff .when i took my test (day cource). the universal phonetic alphabet is used in marine communication and only that no add-libs
no able / no baker .
a + alpha
b + bravo
c + charlie

[The Image ™]

Alpha, bravo, charlie, delta, echo, foxtrot, golf, hotel, india, juliet, kilo, lima, mike, november, oscar, papa, quebec, romeo, sierra, tango, victor, whisky, x-ray, yankee, zulu.
Straight off the cuff although I've had a blank on 'u'.

[The Image ™]

Timo. You're ok to carry your VHF afloat until you get your license but you can only use it for short and important comms such as a radio check before setting out, informing the coastguard of your eta back and of course a genuine emergency. If in doubt, give them a call and they'll put you at ease. They're nice people and not like many people describe them. I phoned them before I got my license and they immediatly eradicated a few rumours I'd heard. They were quite emphatic that I SHOULD keep my VHF on my boat (as that's what I had then) and under no circumstances go afloat without it but only make short important transmissions. They were very helpful. Not monsters at all

[martinw]

u- uniform out

[cliffnorry]

by the way, rodger means I understand, when you close you just say out, I used to teach it,
that was in the household bregade were things had to be right.

[zebra]

this is a nice official breakdown of the vhf radio channels
www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/publication/ra_info/ra264/ra264.htm
its worth having a look .

[zebra]

here is the official phonetic alphabet
www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/publication/ra_info/ra292.htm
worth learning

[martinw]

Household brigade, thats going back a few years!! yeah you close down with 'out' you can put anything before it i.e roger out, you could even put your callsign or boat name before it.

yes roger means 'i understand' but its good practice to let the other callsign know you received and understood their instructions before ending the transmition.

[The Image ™]

In the RN we were always taught that 'over' meant I've finished what I'm saying and require an answer. 'Out' meant I've finished what I'm saying and do NOT require an answer and that there's no such thing as 'Over and out' and it's a figment of Hollywood imagination! They used to bounce us off the bulkheads (walls) if we said it. Now I'm in civvy street, I cringe everytime I hear 'Over and out, whether it's on tv or the VHF.

[chrisp]

There are 2 licenses you need, the Ship Radio License, issued by OFCOM. This is the license for your vessel to carry either a fixed (£20) radio or Handheld (£15). This fee will be abolished in October for applications made on line. You also need his license if you have a DSC enabled set in order to get your MMSI number (235036247 for me, works like a phone number), For either type of license you will be issued a vessel call sign (Mike Mike Romeo Victor 9 is mine)

The application form contains details about you and the vessel, these are recorded on an international database which the emergency services worldwide can access in the event of an emergency to obviously assist with any rescue.

The second is the Operators License, issued by the RYA following short course. This licenses the individual to operate VHF radio. This is a common sense course to explain the various types of call, Mayday, Pan Pan, Securite etc. To introduce a formal structure into the transmissions and which channels are used for what purpose, ie. ship to ship, port comms, marina ops etc.

There is no need to have the operators certificate if you do not transmit, ie. you just monitor the radio. If you have a fixed set or carry a handheld on your boat you are required to have the ship radio license as well as it making sense in an emergency as your personal and vessel details will be immediately to hand for the Coastguard and RNLI.

[cliffnorry]

I am surprised to hear that the brigade of guards have gone' we were taught to keep transmitions short, yes it states in the manual rodger means message recived and understood, but if you understood it you must have recived it.
thanks for that Chris, I do not know my call sign, it is on the cabin wall by the set, I must make a note of it when I come down. because God knows were the paper work is!