LRC certificate

[Conachair]

Good idea - we'll look into it.

We have an old friend who is a great radio ham who I'm sure could point us in the right direction.

I'm heading in that direction rather than LRC. Though to get the mobile license there are 3 exams to pass, don't seem too difficult but time consuming.

Not sure if you are aware but there is a free email service which runs on ham frequencies and doesn't need an expensive pactor modem - http://www.winlink.org/ also has online position map - http://www.winlink.org/userPositions

 

[RobbieW]

Just an idea. Why not contact/join your local ham radio club, get your amateur licence, have the radio opened. There is much more contact on amateur frequencies and at least you will have a certificate to operate that radio.

John

In theory, yes good idea. In practice you need the highest level of ham licence to operate legally at sea. The learning load for that level of licence in the UK is high, it is aimed at those wishing to design and build thier own set then transmit without RFI problems in thier neighborhood. I went this route a couple of years ago and just found the learning load bearable because 40+ years ago I started an avionics apprenticeship at BA (actually it was still BEA when I started but lets not go there )

On the plus side, if you have the time, its a rewarding course of study and often offered free or at cost by the local enthusiasts.

But I'm now M0GRQ and able to use Winlink for GRIB downloads, occasional short emails and updating the ships blog on Sailblogs at sea or in remote anchorages. For those used to todays broadband speeds, this is not where this technology is at - on a good day you'll get 2400-3200 bps using a Pactor III modem, roughly where a dial up modem was 20 years ago.

You also still need an LRC or equivalent to legally transmit on the marine bands. The ham licence is only good for ham bands.

 

[systravaigin]

LRC or Ham?

Thank you, Robbie - doesn't sound as if I have time to build my own radio! Back to the LRC, then.

 

[tri39]

A secondhand ham set costs a fraction of a marine set. If I can pass the exam, you can!!
They're easier now and no morse involved.
And remember most radio work is reception rather than transmission and you can do that now, meaning you can get on with installation while you're learning.

 

[SimonJ]

LRC

Have read with interest - and increasing horror at the cost [described more than once as NOT value for money, with opinions that the information gleaned in four days does not justify the course fee ] - of going on a course to get the LRC radio certificate. We are installing SSB and have the Short Range certificate already - we're heading down to Spain and into the Med next year, and, health willing, over to the Carribean and beyond.

Views, please!

Thanks

Kellys Eye was one of the few boats I met in Caribbean, East Coast of USA, Bahamas, Canada etc who actually had an LRC. I have managed without one (like most others) for all my crusing time without making a nuisance of myself. Read the right books, listen to advice and you will be fine. It is pretty obvious from listening to most of of our US friends who tend to dominate the Caribbean airwaves that they are not trained/qualified (and they do not need a VHF licence in US waters- also obvious!)
VHF channels are policed in many/most countries. There are many, many Marine freqs and they are not policed - Hams do their own policing so never use a Ham freq except in emergency. It seems likely that marine approved freqs will diminish as very few merchant ships use SSB - SATCOM is the norm for them. There is apparently a possibility that with digitising now the norm that military and merchant fleets may come back to using marine freqs.

 

[Foxy]

Can recommend Yachtcom, V thorough and some great after-course service despite not buying radio through him.

Only used the radio for mail in the med and was beginning to wonder if it was a good idea but as soon as we left the canaries, used it pretty much daily for the next couple of years! Wouldn't go without one again. You can do your American HAM licence much easier than UK btw..... Too long a topic to cover here.....

Enjoy

 

[HoratioHB]

Kellys Eye was one of the few boats I met in Caribbean, East Coast of USA, Bahamas, Canada etc who actually had an LRC. I have managed without one (like most others) for all my crusing time without making a nuisance of myself. Read the right books, listen to advice and you will be fine. It is pretty obvious from listening to most of of our US friends who tend to dominate the Caribbean airwaves that they are not trained/qualified (and they do not need a VHF licence in US waters- also obvious!)
VHF channels are policed in many/most countries. There are many, many Marine freqs and they are not policed - Hams do their own policing so never use a Ham freq except in emergency. It seems likely that marine approved freqs will diminish as very few merchant ships use SSB - SATCOM is the norm for them. There is apparently a possibility that with digitising now the norm that military and merchant fleets may come back to using marine freqs.

Totally agree that's what we did for years. In my opinion the LRC course is the biggest rip off in history. Knowing about propagation is fairly useless as most chat is on pre arranged net frequencies and if you've got the VHF licence then you know how to talk on the air anyway. A friend has just spent over £400 doing his and when I quizzed him about it it was clear he learnt little of practical value. Yes keep clear of the HAM frequencies and use correct procedure otherwise press the tit and talk like the vhf!!!