chanelyacht
Well-Known Member
Might not be how the law is written, but I'd personally be bl**dy grateful for the call if we hadn't heard it direct.
Non-sailor buying a radio
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Might not be how the law is written, but I'd personally be bl**dy grateful for the call if we hadn't heard it direct.
chanelyacht
Well-Known Member
May well have been a newly established station. Many of the NCI stations are "declared facilities" and therefore have Ch0 to talk to us direct.
You are right in that they, along with most shore stations, do not use Ch16.
Mark-1
Well-Known Member
If you're in the Solent area you can listen to VTS and QHM on Channel 11 + 12 here:
http://www.solentwaters.co.uk/Radio/radiopage.html
elton
Well-Known Member
No it hasn't.
Ubergeekian
Well-Known Member
I few years ago, as I recall, the fed-up police in one county broadcast a lot of message to each other about a crashed alien spacecraft in a field ... then nicked all the scanner users who turned up to see what was going on.
oldharry
Well-Known Member
I believe the law allows for this in a genuine emergency, passing on information received to the appropriate authority, as well as for the use of radio equipment by unlicenced operators. But only in a life threatening situation.
DavidGrieves
Well-Known Member
Licence
There are two licences involved here. We all should have two to legally have and use a radio on our boats. One is a radio operators licence, now called a SRC ( short range certificate). And the other is the ship radio licence, we need this to have radio equipment on our boats.
For the first licence we have to do a one day course (RYA) then sit a short exam/test.
The ships radio licence you can apply for online via ofcom. Think this is free or maybe a small admin charge.
Up until recently a ships radio licence could only be issued to a vessel. But there are now handheld VHF DSC radios on the market that are intended to be used by small boats, PWC, sea kayaks, dinghies etc. Ofcom are making arrangements to issue licences and MMSI numbers for this type of radio. So you could apply for one at little or no cost.
I would think that should be enough to keep you legal. After all, you don't need a operators licence (SRC) to use the radio onboard as long as somebody onboard has a SRC certificate, and they are "supervising" you.
£90 ish would get you the SRC certificate. Maybe you could drop a few hints, santa will be here soon!
Check on the ofcom website.
David
There are two licences involved here. We all should have two to legally have and use a radio on our boats. One is a radio operators licence, now called a SRC ( short range certificate). And the other is the ship radio licence, we need this to have radio equipment on our boats.
For the first licence we have to do a one day course (RYA) then sit a short exam/test.
The ships radio licence you can apply for online via ofcom. Think this is free or maybe a small admin charge.
Up until recently a ships radio licence could only be issued to a vessel. But there are now handheld VHF DSC radios on the market that are intended to be used by small boats, PWC, sea kayaks, dinghies etc. Ofcom are making arrangements to issue licences and MMSI numbers for this type of radio. So you could apply for one at little or no cost.
I would think that should be enough to keep you legal. After all, you don't need a operators licence (SRC) to use the radio onboard as long as somebody onboard has a SRC certificate, and they are "supervising" you.
£90 ish would get you the SRC certificate. Maybe you could drop a few hints, santa will be here soon!
Check on the ofcom website.
David
pvb
Well-Known Member
You don't need a handheld DSC radio or a MMSI number - you can just get a Ship Portable Radio Licence, and use any handheld!
elton
Well-Known Member
The "Ship Portable Radio Licence" licences a portable VHF for use aboard a vessel, not in the lounge on dry land.
Yes, £90 ish and an exam to pass. And it doesn't licence anyone to use the radio on dry land.
OFCOM Ship Radio Licence Information Sheet
caiman
Well-Known Member
I was actualy being facetious.I don't think the emergency services care how they recieve their information,(MF,VHF,DSC,laser,pyro,message in a bottle etc),so long as it is accurate and up to date information.
To the OP.Don't get a marine VHF.Go to any electronic supplier and get a cheap recieve only scanner that includes the marine band.ie to include 156 to 162 Mhz.You won't need to spend any money on licences.
Here are some interesting frequencies-
SAR 156.00 Mhz Ch 0.
intership 156.300 Ch 6
" 156.400 Ch8
Calling and Distress 156.800 Ch16.
Port Control 156.600 Ch12
If you hear that an alien space ship has crash landed in the harbour,and the Old Bill ask you what you are doing there,tell them that the 'voices' sent you.I'm pretty sure that they will leave you alone.
Cheers
To the OP.Don't get a marine VHF.Go to any electronic supplier and get a cheap recieve only scanner that includes the marine band.ie to include 156 to 162 Mhz.You won't need to spend any money on licences.
Here are some interesting frequencies-
SAR 156.00 Mhz Ch 0.
intership 156.300 Ch 6
" 156.400 Ch8
Calling and Distress 156.800 Ch16.
Port Control 156.600 Ch12
If you hear that an alien space ship has crash landed in the harbour,and the Old Bill ask you what you are doing there,tell them that the 'voices' sent you.I'm pretty sure that they will leave you alone.
Cheers
DavidGrieves
Well-Known Member
Turn it off when there is a knock on the door...!
mcframe
Well-Known Member
So, what about using a portable (under a ship's licence, or it's own) to call for a water taxi to *return* from shoreside to a mooring?
(When I do that, I at least try to follow /some/ protocol and call as "$SHIP_NAME alpha")
Searush
Well-Known Member
Oh, well, I guess that's made it perfectly clear to OP 
As many different views as different posters
But I'm with the "buy a cheap s/h marine VHF off e-bay" gang - loads about now as people are upgrading to DSC (Dig Selective Calling which you do not want or need). You will need a car battery to power it up but I suggest that you simply disconnect the mic to prevent the kids (or immature pals) making silly calls. This will allow you to scan channels & will lock into any live traffic, but will carry on scanning if there is a pause in transmission. Many chandlers & other waterside businesses have such a set-up running in the background for general info.
It WILL be illegal so make sure no-one makes any silly calls or uses Ch16 or 67 because (at the moment) you can be tracked when making transmissions & if traced, your kit will be confiscated & I'm sure charges will be pressed. As long as you do not install it on a ship there is no need for a ship's licence (free) and as long as you don't transmit, there is little point in the VHF user's Cert (requires a skill test).
All this is of course illegal and I would never do it (I live many miles too far inland to get marine VHF transmissions anyway!)
As many different views as different posters
But I'm with the "buy a cheap s/h marine VHF off e-bay" gang - loads about now as people are upgrading to DSC (Dig Selective Calling which you do not want or need). You will need a car battery to power it up but I suggest that you simply disconnect the mic to prevent the kids (or immature pals) making silly calls. This will allow you to scan channels & will lock into any live traffic, but will carry on scanning if there is a pause in transmission. Many chandlers & other waterside businesses have such a set-up running in the background for general info.
It WILL be illegal so make sure no-one makes any silly calls or uses Ch16 or 67 because (at the moment) you can be tracked when making transmissions & if traced, your kit will be confiscated & I'm sure charges will be pressed. As long as you do not install it on a ship there is no need for a ship's licence (free) and as long as you don't transmit, there is little point in the VHF user's Cert (requires a skill test).
All this is of course illegal and I would never do it (I live many miles too far inland to get marine VHF transmissions anyway!)
elton
Well-Known Member
I guess you're joking, but I find it a slightly disturbing that so many would encourage the use of a marine radio by an unlicenced, untrained operator - and on dry land.
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
Oh give it up!
What the f**k does it matter. Terrorists are sending bombs around the world on planes and all you lot can worry about is if someone could concentrate long enough to pass a test and write a cheque.
Anal Rules!
What the f**k does it matter. Terrorists are sending bombs around the world on planes and all you lot can worry about is if someone could concentrate long enough to pass a test and write a cheque.
Anal Rules!
elton
Well-Known Member
So you're more concerned about non-existent terrorists than unlicenced untrained hobbyists blocking channel 16? How would you feel about someone driving on the right? Or blasting a stereo next door at 3am? Or having a shit in your front garden? Or smoking in your restaurant? I don't suppose there's much need for channel 16 in the lake district, but around the coast lives sometimes depend upon it.
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
eh? the OP said he wanted to receive, not transmit?
William_H
Well-Known Member
Radio listening and legalities
The whole question of legislation of receiving messages not meant for you is a case where legislation has been long left behind by technology and peoples habits. The legislation was written when the authorities had some expectation of control of radio operators and of communications type receiving equipment.
Now days they can barely control transmitting equipment.
An interesting example was recently a local TV station rebroadcast a hoax mayday call from ch 16.
That is hardly keeping info received secret. It did however bring the voice to the public and he was identified. The law turned a blind eye.
So the Op will have to go forward knowing that he is illegally receiving messages and knowing that millions of others do the same thing because the law has not caught up.
The scanning VHF receiver is the device to buy. It is capable of scanning rapidly across a lot of channels stopping when a signal is received. get one for VHF FM and AM so you can scan aircraft channels as well.
118 to 135 mhz AM. good luck olewill
The whole question of legislation of receiving messages not meant for you is a case where legislation has been long left behind by technology and peoples habits. The legislation was written when the authorities had some expectation of control of radio operators and of communications type receiving equipment.
Now days they can barely control transmitting equipment.
An interesting example was recently a local TV station rebroadcast a hoax mayday call from ch 16.
That is hardly keeping info received secret. It did however bring the voice to the public and he was identified. The law turned a blind eye.
So the Op will have to go forward knowing that he is illegally receiving messages and knowing that millions of others do the same thing because the law has not caught up.
The scanning VHF receiver is the device to buy. It is capable of scanning rapidly across a lot of channels stopping when a signal is received. get one for VHF FM and AM so you can scan aircraft channels as well.
118 to 135 mhz AM. good luck olewill
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elton
Well-Known Member
I don't care what he said apart from that he wanted to listen to marine band radio, then all the good old boys are telling him all kind of nonsense including 'get a handheld'.
There are enough fools on the water who don't know how to use the radio without having them on land next to a busy shipping channel as well.
The simple answer to the OP would have been "first get yourself a boat".
prv
Well-Known Member
I am certain that they do not, for receivers.
Different matter if you transmit (whether actual calls or dropping the mic down the side of the sofa and sending carrier) so suggestions to get a hobby scanner, dedicated marine receiver, or as a last resort disable the pressel on a standard set, are good advice.
I have been known to turn on my (Ship Portable licensed) handheld at home of an evening and listen to VTS.
Pete
