On Line VHF course and radio equipment advice please

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mickyp168

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Hi All
I thought it about time I joined the 21st century so I would be most grateful for some advice as to choosing good online VHF radio course. Also is a UK VHF radio licence valid in the EU (I sail in France) ? And last but not least as to good handheld battery/charged powered device. My boat doesn't have a radio fitted but I do have shore power so could charge up a radio or just use batteries. A search on Google reveals so much stuff I don't know where to start.

Thank you
Mick
 
mickyp168 said:
Also is a UK VHF radio licence valid in the EU (I sail in France) ?
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I believe the operator's certificate would be valid, the German authorities were unhappy that English-speaking Germans were preferring to do courses in the UK and there would have been no point if they weren't valid.

The station license would be valid in France on a British boat, but if your boat is French then I'm pretty sure you'll need a French station license.

Pete
 
Hello Mick,

Just recently done my VHF course in a classroom. Naturally you can do it on line, but I think you will have to attend for the actual examination at a recognised RYA training centre, and that will probably mean the UK for you. Others will flood you with info shortly, but meanwhile here is the link to a Sailing School site local to me, where the actual syllabus is available for you to read page by page. I found this a great help before attending the course. Obviously if you go on that site don't send in the completed questionnaire!

Good luch.

Geoff

http://www.pzsc.org.uk/radio/index.html
 
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this course is rather well done, online and free (thanks to EU financing IIRC); I just noticed they added the simulators.

http://www.egmdss.com/en/


As to handheld, I think it might be useful to choose a model having cigarette plug charger (you might want to charge say while driving by car), and also a second battery tray where you can fit AA batteries. Most models have the options.


A different animal would be a DSC Handheld, which might add up well as a safety measure while you sail in coastal waters (it has the same functions as a normal handheld, except it has an autonomous GPS so if you press the distress button the local CROSS will immediately have your position too). If you have no other means of sending a coastal distress, I would seriously consider it.
**Correction, just read from Ofcom web site the portable DSC VHF is only licensed for use in UK territorial waters. **

regards
 
Roberto said:
this course is rather well done, online and free (thanks to EU financing IIRC); I just noticed they added the simulators.

http://www.egmdss.com/en/


As to handheld, I think it might be useful to choose a model having cigarette plug charger (you might want to charge say while driving by car), and also a second battery tray where you can fit AA batteries. Most models have the options.


A different animal would be a DSC Handheld, which might add up well as a safety measure while you sail in coastal waters (it has the same functions as a normal handheld, except it has an autonomous GPS so if you press the distress button the local CROSS will immediately have your position too). If you have no other means of sending a coastal distress, I would seriously consider it.
**Correction, just read from Ofcom web site the portable DSC VHF is only licensed for use in UK territorial waters. **

regards
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Dear Roberto, would you please be kind enough to revise that link so it comes up in English, not in Czech or whatever, many thanks Jerry

ok you scroll down and click on the actual courses..nice one why haven't people seen this before, brilliant, thanks for the linky ;)
 
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Just noticed you also asked about equipment.

I'm a fan of Standard Horizon kit. I've just bought an HX300E handheld for use in a small trailer-launched motorboat. There isn't really all that much to choose between different non-DSC handhelds; all but the very cheapest are fully waterproof and generally floating, with 5 or 6 watts of power, and the same basic functionality. I chose this one because it charges via USB, which will be convenient in the car on the way to the launch site.

Icom are another quality brand.

I also have a Cobra handheld bought some years ago; although this brand is often considered a step below SH and Icom in quality, I have to say this one feels very solid and robust and survived being kicked, stood on, bashed around, immersed, and generally being abused in the bottom of a RIB in rough conditions when it fell off the console unnoticed.

If this will be the boat's main radio then there's an argument that it should be a DSC one; your operator's course will explain all about that. I'm not sure how necessary it really is for a small boat which has hitherto managed perfectly well with no radio at all.

Pete
 
jerrytug said:
Dear Roberto, would you please be kind enough to revise that link so it comes up in English, not in Czech or whatever, many thanks Jerry
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well whenever I click on the link, my IP being based in France it gives me the French version, but the web site shows all the little different national flags at the top left, if you choose the Union Jack it should bring you to the English edition (?)
 
I think it is an interesting question as to the hand held versus fixed VHF. A hand held can be really good on a small boat where you may have a problem or see someone else with a problem but don't want to leave the tiller to go inside to the fixed VHF.
On the other hand a fixed VHF with proper antenna especially on mast top can have vastly more range and power than a HH. So if you intend longer voyages or operate some distance from a land station then a fixed VHF or at least a HH connected to a fixed antenna would be vital. Around here though many sets are DSC the whole sytem is just not used. (As in UK) so a standard bottom of the range fixed VHF is good. I have thought that i should have fitted mine inside the cockpit locker so it was protected from water but accessible to the helmsman. if you don't have boat's battery system perhaps now is the time to fit one.
I have a cheap 25watt VHf installed with a stern rail mounted antenna that gives me all the range I need for my kind of sailing. Small battery and solar panel. (but now also a cheap HH .)
Certainly I think it will be the biggest step in enhancing your safety in having a VHF that can contact help. (indeed here it is mandatory along with EPIRB) good luck olewill
 
William_H said:
A hand held can be really good on a small boat where you may have a problem or see someone else with a problem but don't want to leave the tiller to go inside to the fixed VHF.
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Only if you insist on mounting the fixed VHF somewhere that you can't reach it from the cockpit.

Small boat, have it within reach of the hatch. Large boat, have a cockpit remote.

Pete
 
jerrytug said:
Precisely,. and I am just about to order one for the grab-bag, they can confiscate it after they have rescued us!
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They are two different things: normal (ie non-distress) use is under the licence provisions, hence no licence --> illegal use.

For Distress, ITU regulations (Rule 30.2) specifically state:

30.2 § 2 No provision of these Regulations prevents the use by a mobile station or a
mobile earth station in distress of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its
position, and obtain help (see also No. 4.9).

so no legal risks after pushing the red button in distress, even without licence and/or operator certificate (except if some other UK regulatory body has specifically introduced a different rule).
 
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