Handheld VHF call sign

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random808

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Hi

I have read a few older forums and haven't got a definite answer to my query. I have got a handheld VHF for dinghy sailing and will use it on different boats and craft. While on a yacht I believe I would use the call sign of the yacht. If I went out in a tender or perhaps in a dinghy with no name would I then use the T number on the VHF licence as the call sign (i.e. T123456)? I hope someone can clarify this for me (it was probably mentioned on my RYA VHF course but I have forgotten and misplaced the course notes).
 
If the portable VHF is registered under the yacht's license then it can be used in the tender.

If you take the portable aboard a dingy etc then the T number covers the use on any other vessel. The T number is registered to you, not a vessel.
 
I was always under the impression that the license covered a ship and all her boats and that a tender (ie one of the ship's boats) would use a call sign like NONSUCH TENDER or NONSUCH ALPHA (then BETA if you were lucky enough to have two)
 
Use the T licence number everywhere and anywhere - that's legal and always acceptable e.g with the Coastguard when it matters.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I was always under the impression that the license covered a ship and all her boats and that a tender (ie one of the ship's boats) would use a call sign like NONSUCH TENDER or NONSUCH ALPHA (then BETA if you were lucky enough to have two)

[/ QUOTE ]

Not an issued call sign as such - your choice what you call the tender. Call sign will be something like - MBEQ6.
 
I have been hunting for my old copy of Radio Operator's Handbook but can't find it. If you really want to use the international call sign from a ship's boat to call the the ship then, as I recall, you use something like "MBEQ6 this is MBEQA". You simply append A (or ALPHA), then b (or BETA) etc.
 
On a yacht with a valid ship licence you can use the yacht's name and/or its call-sign.

On a vessel without a ship licence you still use the vessels name but you would have to use your T licence number as the call sign, if a call-sign was called for.

In a tender you would use the name "tender to xxxx" and your T licence number as a call-sign although if the mother ship was licensed you could use its call-sign if you know it.

I suggest consistency would be the most important consideration in any given situation.

The basic rules are given amongst the many pages that you downloaded with you licence(s). Looked at them the other day because I was wondering about such procedures.
 
Just tried to check out the Ofcom site, but it is down for maintenace or reboot or whatever.

I regeisterd the VHF to the boat, and also registered the HH to myself.

As I remember you only need to use the HH call sign when not on your boat or tender.
 
Ah, but. My boats vhf is registered. But my HH aint. When I go to the pub and need to call the water taxi, it's on 37, which my HH dont have. Do I actually have to stand in the dinghy, to call the CG and ask them to call the W Taxi for me. Or is it ok to do it from the pub. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Your hand held should be either included in your ship licence or licensed separately with a T licence.
No reason why you you should not do both. I have a hand held included in my ship licence but i also have a T licence so that I can legally use it on an unlicensed vessel.

I suppose technically you should only use a vessel's call-sign on a hand held if that vessel has a h/h included in the ship licence but that would be splitting hairs.

Strictly you should not be using a marine VHF on land so calling the water taxi from the pub is illegal. Go and stand in someones dinghy and use it but only if you have a T licence. If you dont have the frequency for the water taxi you'll have to stand on the pub jetty and wave a bucket in the air or something /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Remember also the restrictions that apply to the use of VHF when in port. That includes estuaries and harbours.
 
So to clarify. If I register the HH, I still wont get the W taxi. The only way is to register the dinghy, then call from there. But not W taxi. Can I patch through to Holyhead, then w Taxi. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
You really mean your H/H does not have 37. Not called M or M1?
I hope you know the taxi mans mobile phone number or its going to be a cold lonely night on the pub jetty.
 
Nope. I had an Ocean one last year, It seemed to hear nearly no one. But answered even less. 50 yards away was garbled.

So got a recomended off the forum. The comunication is about as good as farting..
 
Re: Handheld VHF

"The comunication is about as good as farting".

My XM 2000 hears and transmits for a couple of miles or more, and with a T licence/callsign I use it whenever needed.

"No-one is interested in T numbers or licenses"

You obviously haven't encountered Solent CG at the end of a particularly irksome watch!
 
You could just potter down to the cab rank and take the next one .... or ring your man on the boat who could legally call the water taxi for you on vhf.
 
Official answer: you are not allowed to use your handheld from ashore to call a boat unless you have (which is unlikely ) a shore station licence. Makes no difference whether you have a ships licence or a portable one - both are for use on the water alone. When you use the radio you are supposed to identify yourself with the official call sign, even though we've been using ships names for so long that its become the standard way. So in short the official answer to your question is to use the mobile phone.

Practical answer: get a decent handheld and call out to the water taxi using any call sign that wont identify you, just in case of the one in a million risk that there is someone about who can enforce the law. You never know - had a pal once who got caught by the OFT because he was daft enough to talk to a competitior about a cartel in the gents urinal of a small hotel. And a man from the OFT was in one of the stalls. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif or use the mobile rather than posing in the pub with the handheld. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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