Hand held VHF question

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Mirelle

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I have an elderly ICOM fixed set, and of course the bits of paper to go with it.

I would like to give my 11 year old son a hand held for use when he is off exploring in the dinghy. Does he need an operator's licence, and is he old enough to take the exam?

Oh, and supplementary question - which ("waterproof") hand held set to buy?
 
Why not buy a PMR radio (walkie/talkie), they are a lot cheaper than a dalf decent VHF and no license is required. Take a look in Argos. Your conversations are likly to be slightly more private that talking on the VHF (that can get very busy on a weekend)
 
...On the other hand you could cock a snook at the law. (Most people do in one way or another e.g. using the phone while driving, slightly speeding, hogging the middle lane on the M-way, riding bikes on pavements, blah, blah...) In thirty years of boating I have NEVER encountered a VHF policeman. I'd give one to your son to use (His safety is paramount) strictly for emergency use only, not to yabber away on, which will give you both peace of mind.
 
Because (and I should have said this) he would be able to make Pan or Mayday call on it case need and I would use it as a handheld on the parent yacht as well. Like many people I find trying to call a marina or lock or bridge on the fixed set with the engine running is awkward.
 
He needs an operators licence to use it except in an emergency, unless he is using it under the supervision of someone who has a licence.

So if the purpose is solely for PAN and MAYDAY then there is no problem
 
Thanks: he will need to do the exam, as I could not claim to be supervising him.

This arises from an interesting episode with a bust rudder, an offshore wind and a spring ebb tide, last month!
 
Well, it concentrated the parental mind wonderfully!

But in fairness to Alex and Josh, they rowed ashore unaided (just!) whilst we, having spotted the problem from the rigging of our boat and rushed off in the Avon with the Seagull, loitered nearby. They needed a tow to get back in, though.
 
Unless rules have changed in the last few years, he can take the exam but will not get a ticket until his 16th birthday, I had same with my son.
 
[ QUOTE ]
...supplementary question - which ("waterproof") hand held set to buy?

[/ QUOTE ]

The Icom M31 and Raymarine 101e both come out well in reviews and reports, they are a similar price to each other at around the 130-150 quid mark.

There should be lots of bargains at SIBS for this sort of thing.
 
Is it the M31 that has a soft button switch which means it drains the battery slowly even when switched off.I bought the M1 Euro 5 which does not do this & has an Li-ion battery which lasts for yonks.It is now end of range so you should get one cheaply.
 
No you don't need an operators licence to use M or M2, but the VHF should (in theory) be locked down to these channels only....
 
I understood the licence was obseleat from 1st october?In anycase its so easy for anyone thats been sailing and useing the VHF even i got a licence years ago!!!!!

In anycase i wouldent worry about it give hin a portable phone to chat with and the handheld VHF in case he needs it and make sure he knows what to say! Mayday or pan and do it properly very simple
 
Radio License is not obsolete from Oct. Free if obtained online, subject to 10 yearly confirmation of details. Operator's license still required, for set not limited to Marina channels only. Youngster off in dinghy can't be considered under the control of a License holder, so needs license to operate, for set not limited to Marina channels only..

I believe, Icom M31 has soft off switch, doesn't hold charge for long. Icom M21 better if you can get one.
 
I think you could usefullly stretch 'under supervision'

For example, if you prepared a laminated card with specific procedures for establishing contact with the mother vessel and switching to a working channel with further procedures for safe arrival, 'situation' and obviously emergency then who could possibly argue that he wasn't using the radio under your supervision? You need to assign him a contact identity, 'Mirelle Tender' will do. He needs to take the card if he wants the radio

I'm assuming he's a level headed chappy who would take to the procedures and wouldn't take it upon himself to make a nuisance to all and sundry

FWIW, we regularly send out our ships boats without licenced operators (or at least we used to) and use marine VHF to maintain contact
 
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