Radio Poll

[digitalman]

Great story digitalman - don't go increasing our paranoia. I still always check my radio when we're doing man overboard practice and reciting the Mayday call!

[9-R]

Glad these threads about VHF came up. It's been years so I had to dig into our local regulations. I only got my hand held for the coast for emergency situations so thankfully, I've never had to use it. It's in our safety/emergency gear box that I take everywhere so it's always with us regardless.

Our visits to the coast have dwindled so I needed to refresh my understanding and even make sure my radio still worked! I'm happy that we don't need a license here in the States for 'voluntary'/recreational craft.

[chris moody]

More often than not, I find the squelch has been turned up really high, or the volume turned down to min, or both, on the various boats I use. I guess either the previous user doesn't want to listen to any incoming transmissions, or they just randomly fiddle with the radio knobs

I have an op cert but yes I do a check - usually with the marina were in or other boats we're out with. Had an issue last year with safety boat cover at a club whereby was unable to communicate with other boat - apparently someone had incorrectly adjusted the squelch.

[The Hobbit]

Are there any other questions we can answer? I'd love to know what is holding people back, thanks.

I am aware of my personal circumstances which is the same as many others..... ie... I have a licenced, top of the range, handheld VHF and within the law if I was to only use it in an emergency.......

My question is........ would it be illegal for me to initiate a radio check with another station, whether it be Coast Guard / Marina / Other Vessel, etc, if I didn't hold the SRC? To date, I merely listen and assume my special red button will work when needed and the cavalry will come, obviously followed by the required voice confirmation, the procedure that I have full knowledge of after watching the "SRC taster" online. I am also ex military and and have full knowledge of radio procedures.

Could you also explain the channels M and M2, which at the moment I believe to be legal without a SRC? I havn't used them yet (honest) but would like some clarification.

Thanks in advance - Roger out

[chris moody]

My understanding and reading of it is that you shouldn't be initiating a radio check - the requirement is to hold an Authority to Operate - I will ask other opinions though (and if I'm wrong someone will no doubt correct me quickly!). The problem is with all these things there is always a legal opinion that until tested leaves these things up for debate.
The red button is impossible to check as such - the way to check the DSC function is to make a routine DSC call to another boat using the menus on the radio. If you or others reading this aren't sure about the DSC function then well worth a course as its a useful and under-utilised feature in my view.

What were you thinking of using M and M2 channels for or just a general query? M and M2 have been categorised for use by yacht clubs etc for race control, berthing etc in the UK - you still need an Authority to Operate to use these unless your VHF is limited to only work on those channels (I have heard these bandied around yacht clubs as a reason people can use without a 'license' but its pretty rare to meet the requirements) see this link https://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDo ... ATIONS.pdf

Please note in answering any questions I have to be careful with my answers as I cannot be seen to condoning people using the radio without an Authority to Operate. Out of interest why haven't you yet taken the course or converted any previous license? Is it the fact you're happy using it and don't feel you should pay to get a piece of paper, is it a time issue or is it you're not sure you have anything to learn that you don't already know? Not a loaded question-just genuinely interested. (Its difficult to word the question without the possibility of it being taken out of context!)

Hope this helps

[Sarah]

Ps. I'm also not certain as to whether you can 'legally' use the VHF etc to listen in without a license - you have to sign a secrecy declaration as part of your application on the Short Range Certificate. Have placed a call to get an answer and will update you. (I've had conflicting answers on this in the past so your question has promoted me to get around to asking the licensing authority!)

[sparerib]

"Out of interest why haven't you yet taken the course or converted any previous license? Is it the fact you're happy using it and don't feel you should pay to get a piece of paper, is it a time issue or is it you're not sure you have anything to learn that you don't already know? Not a loaded question-just genuinely interested. (Its difficult to word the question without the possibility of it being taken out of context!)"

I have both a fixed registered VHF (non DSC) and a hand held clipped to my LJ. For me the answers are, I tried to get a course, but was told by the local training centre, that they didn't have the numbers to run a course (I said I'd do it online), or seemed to me the interest or inclination to do the exam. Why should I pay someone, if they can't be bothered to call me back, to enable me to use a bit of kit that would save someones life? I use mine for comms with others when we are out, and for safety and like The Hobbit have experience and training with radios both in the military and in civi street. I don't abuse or misuse what could be a lifesaving method of communication.

The Authority to Operate shouldn't be a requirement for the domestic sib/ribber....how many times has someone in a 3-4m sib/rib needed to make a Securitay broadcast, basic operating procedures can be taught or even read about, (and lets face it if you have any bit of kit on a boat you should know how to use it) without the threat of punitive measures, which are virtually impossible to enforce.

At the end of the day, when the sticky brown stuff is flyin around and you are up to your neck in it if you shout "Help me!" on 16 someone will, regardless of wether you have used the exact radio protocol

[sparerib]

Hi, shocking response from your local centre - understand why that would leave you not wanting to bother! Interesting feedback thank you and in particular with regard to the average SIB/RIB user, I have the same discussions with kayakers who are planning to use a handheld, particularly if its not DSC. Understand your viewpoint.
I would suggest to those who don't have experience of using a radio that the ability to practice on training radios in the classroom is valuable and hopefully would give more confidence to use it. You have obviously taken the time to do some research, many people don't understand that you need to source your radio sensibly, the channels that are used, why sometimes you can only hear one side of the conversation, why in Poole Harbour for example you might not be able to hear your buddy who is round the corner of the Island, how to use the DSC function to raise a buddy without having to ensure you're on the same channel etc. Its also quite reassuring to have practised using the red button - how many people on courses press it and release it too soon thinking the message has gone.
I cannot say its ok not having the Authority to Operate but I do understand your reasoning. One of the reasons I like this forum it the friendly nature where we can all ask questions and have a sensible discussion.
(PS If you're ever in this neck of the woods - Fife is a long old way away! - and have already taken the online course (with us or anyone else) let us know and we'll happily organise the assessment. Really isn't a hassle to set it up. Can't do anything to reduce your 'license' fee though I'm afraid -that's set in stone by Authorities!! :-( )

[The Hobbit]

Thanks for an excellent reply Sarah. It clarifies most things for me and I think many, including myself are looking forward to your answer on the "listening" on a vhf unit. I for one have assumed that is what the radio licence is for from Ofcom which I and many others have. Personally I've always understood it as illegal to transmit hence I've never carried out a radio check with anyone which prompted my initial question. I have previously thought that if I am listening and was in a position to help in an emergency, then that emergency has given me the authority to transmit ie to reply to the Coast Guard and offer my assistance as we are all obliged to do where possible. I couldn't do that if I couldn't listen and this would reduce significantly the amount of vessels in the vicinity able to respond to an emergency. Excellent subject and thanks for probing the subject with your curiosity on why peeps don't do the course.
It's on my to do list as is the PB2 course and when it's the right time I shall probably be approaching you for that too. Might even do it on line and sit the assessment whilst I'm down for the PB2 course. Is there any time constraints on doing the online course and taking the assessment?

[rogerblack]

Hi Ross - which centre in Fife let you down?
I know it's not right on your doorstep but I did mine in Anstruther (although I think the guys doing it are based in St Andrews) and found them really helpful and friendly. There were only four of us so we got loads of individual attention and the test (done the following morning) was no problem, even for one of the 'students' who hadn't quite grasped one of the concepts. Although I'd spent a lot of time researching, reading the books and practising online beforehand, I learned loads of useful stuff on the course, especially as one of the 'tutors' was ex-Coastguard so was able to answer a lot of practical questions about real-life use. I really enjoyed doing the course.

Sarah, I'll be interested in what you find out about the legalities of listening in as I also have a scanner which I use to listen across the bands, not just marine, and there is a lot of conflicting information over this somewhat grey area. My understanding is that it's not illegal to listen but it would be to act on or pass on any information heard. As you mentioned, the secrecy declaration in the Operator's Certificate is there for good reason - one example given of consequences of ignoring this was if you overheard a Mayday which involved loss of life, passed this information on before next-of-kin had been informed and they heard of it third hand as a result, causing additional distress.