boatmike
Well-Known Member
Does it require a change to your operators licence (not ships licence) or is the old steam radio one still OK?
DSC Radio
- Thread starter boatmike
- Start date
alan
Well-Known Member
If you are going to use the DSC fuction then you need to convert to an SRC.
Alan.
Alan.
boatmike
Well-Known Member
WTF is an SRC?
PeterGibbs
Well-Known Member
You'll need to book on a course - it's about half a day to upgrade to a DSC enabled licence. Well worth the effort, and fun. Do it - it's inevitable.
PWG
PWG
boatmike
Well-Known Member
I don't think that answers my question.
I have held a certificate called "Restricted Certificate of Competence in Radio Telephony VHF only" since God was a baby but want to fit and use a new DSC radio which seems very easy to understand and straightforward to use. I certainly don't need to pay £80 to have someone teach me what I know already but as this licence was issued before DSC under the Wireless Telegraphy act of 1949, is there indeed a new licence I am legally bound to have to operate a DSC set? Neither the RYA site or Offcoms dreadful travesty of a site are clear on this matter. Come on, fess up, do all you DSC operators have a new VHF licence? The cost of most courses is at least 1/2 the price of the set!
I have held a certificate called "Restricted Certificate of Competence in Radio Telephony VHF only" since God was a baby but want to fit and use a new DSC radio which seems very easy to understand and straightforward to use. I certainly don't need to pay £80 to have someone teach me what I know already but as this licence was issued before DSC under the Wireless Telegraphy act of 1949, is there indeed a new licence I am legally bound to have to operate a DSC set? Neither the RYA site or Offcoms dreadful travesty of a site are clear on this matter. Come on, fess up, do all you DSC operators have a new VHF licence? The cost of most courses is at least 1/2 the price of the set!
johnalison
Well-Known Member
Yes to both, - it's a Short Range Certificate.
pgurnett
Well-Known Member
Hi Mike, The answer to your question is NO you do not need it!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
boatmike
Well-Known Member
Yes and no then.... Any more opinions!
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gianenrico
Well-Known Member
To operate lawfully a DSC VHF Radio (or, for that matter a HF SSB DSC radio) you MUST have a specific License (SRC Short Range Certificate for VHF, LRC Long Range Certificate for SSB).
Now You can OWN a DSC radio without having the license, but interesting legal aspects might be brought to Court (with You!) in case You are found in the boat with the DSC set connected.
That said, the part probably new to an old salt like You is just the way Mayday messages are managed with the DSC.
It is a United Nations (via IMO / ITU organisations) world wide regulated affair.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Now You can OWN a DSC radio without having the license, but interesting legal aspects might be brought to Court (with You!) in case You are found in the boat with the DSC set connected.
That said, the part probably new to an old salt like You is just the way Mayday messages are managed with the DSC.
It is a United Nations (via IMO / ITU organisations) world wide regulated affair.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
alan
Well-Known Member
Gianenrico has beaten me to the answer. The only point that could be argued is if the MMSI number is not programmed into the DSC part of the set, then it still has only the "old" VHF only function and in that case you could continue to operate it with your existing operators license but I have never seen a definitive answer to this technicallity.
So, I reckon you need a Short Range Certificate.
Merry Christmas.
Alan.
So, I reckon you need a Short Range Certificate.
Merry Christmas.
Alan.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
I did the course and got the SRC before buying my new DSC radio. Probably a waste of money as I may never use the DSC bit, but it's not terribly expensive to do the conversion course.
EdWingfield
Well-Known Member
I use a dsc radio.
Er, what is this licence thingy you speak of?
Er, what is this licence thingy you speak of?
Burnham_Bob
Well-Known Member
Yes you do need to upgrade your operator's licence - there is a test at the end of the half day course and you'll need to amend the boat's licence to get an MMSI number. Of course you could just buy a new radio and work it lke the old one but there are some advantages of a dsc. Mind you when they sends out securite alerts that set off the alarm you'll get really peeved when you find out its a problem 50 miles away.....dsc alerts seem to carry a long way even when you can't pick up the voice message at that range
wotayottie
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I don't think that answers my question.
I have held a certificate called "Restricted Certificate of Competence in Radio Telephony VHF only" since God was a baby but want to fit and use a new DSC radio which seems very easy to understand and straightforward to use. I certainly don't need to pay £80 to have someone teach me what I know already but as this licence was issued before DSC under the Wireless Telegraphy act of 1949, is there indeed a new licence I am legally bound to have to operate a DSC set? Neither the RYA site or Offcoms dreadful travesty of a site are clear on this matter. Come on, fess up, do all you DSC operators have a new VHF licence? The cost of most courses is at least 1/2 the price of the set!
[/ QUOTE ]
I'm an instructor for the SRC licence.
Yes you need the new licence for a dsc set. The one you have at the moment isnt valid for a DSC radio. But quite a lot of people dont bother with the correct licence or even with a licence at all, and I've not yet heard of anyone being caught. Bit like the speed limits - if you break them you take your chances.
You can just take the exam / practical test and its cheaper. But you wont pass it unless you buy a textbook and bone up on it - there's all sorts of things in the tests that you may well think unnecessary, but which you have to know. How to register an epirb for example, because the licence requires a more general knowledge of GMDSS.
And ironically, the Germans dont think we make enough of a meal of the licence tests!
I don't think that answers my question.
I have held a certificate called "Restricted Certificate of Competence in Radio Telephony VHF only" since God was a baby but want to fit and use a new DSC radio which seems very easy to understand and straightforward to use. I certainly don't need to pay £80 to have someone teach me what I know already but as this licence was issued before DSC under the Wireless Telegraphy act of 1949, is there indeed a new licence I am legally bound to have to operate a DSC set? Neither the RYA site or Offcoms dreadful travesty of a site are clear on this matter. Come on, fess up, do all you DSC operators have a new VHF licence? The cost of most courses is at least 1/2 the price of the set!
[/ QUOTE ]
I'm an instructor for the SRC licence.
Yes you need the new licence for a dsc set. The one you have at the moment isnt valid for a DSC radio. But quite a lot of people dont bother with the correct licence or even with a licence at all, and I've not yet heard of anyone being caught. Bit like the speed limits - if you break them you take your chances.
You can just take the exam / practical test and its cheaper. But you wont pass it unless you buy a textbook and bone up on it - there's all sorts of things in the tests that you may well think unnecessary, but which you have to know. How to register an epirb for example, because the licence requires a more general knowledge of GMDSS.
And ironically, the Germans dont think we make enough of a meal of the licence tests!
boatmike
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that and Merry Christmas! Can you recommend a textbook then?
wotayottie
Well-Known Member
The one I normally recommend is "VHF Afloat" by Sara Hopkinson ISBN 1 898660 83 2
I've seen it in lots of chandlers.
Do check out the local cost of an exam only. Given the need for premises, equipment (the simulators to do the practical test on) and examiner time, it wont necessarily be a lot cheaper than doing the course which is usually £50 round here.
I've seen it in lots of chandlers.
Do check out the local cost of an exam only. Given the need for premises, equipment (the simulators to do the practical test on) and examiner time, it wont necessarily be a lot cheaper than doing the course which is usually £50 round here.
boatmike
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that will have a look. Might as well do it properly.
cyberpunx
Well-Known Member
can i just ask you fine fellows i am in the process of applying to the ofcom for a boat license , (hellish) but i would appreciate help in regards as to when they ask all these mmsi number etc ive never had a license before and only just passed my rya vhf dsc course wwhich license should i be asking for and if i want a handheld one will the navman 7200 license cover this. any help on how to fill in these applications really appreciated. (incidently i was told by the rya instructor it was a complete no no to use dsc without a license) just a footnote.
but any pointers appreciated. or else im really going to lose it >> !!!
but any pointers appreciated. or else im really going to lose it >> !!!
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
mmm There IS only one DSC course/exam I take it? The reason is, I just did an upgrade, the whole damd thing, full day, and there was no exam, continual assessment I think they call it. Passed of course. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
franky
Well-Known Member
The current course also includes info on SART in addition to EPIRB
MMSI number is allocated by OFCOM.If you are buying a new DSC radio get your MMSI first and ask the dealer to program it into your set before delivery.On most sets you only have one attempt at inputting the number and it must be corrected by a dealer if you make mistake.When I was upgrading I went to OFCOM stand at Excel Boat Show and was given a MMSI ident immediatly.Went to dealer at show bought a radio for later delivery and had the dealer input MMSI for me.
MMSI number is allocated by OFCOM.If you are buying a new DSC radio get your MMSI first and ask the dealer to program it into your set before delivery.On most sets you only have one attempt at inputting the number and it must be corrected by a dealer if you make mistake.When I was upgrading I went to OFCOM stand at Excel Boat Show and was given a MMSI ident immediatly.Went to dealer at show bought a radio for later delivery and had the dealer input MMSI for me.