Radio Operators License

Das_Boot

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Having read all of the posts etc with regard to this subject and seen all of the guff spewed out by the supposed authorities I decided I should endevour to obtain some sort of operators license. There-in lies the rub. I cannot find anywhere to take any of the courses. I am wondering if the powers tha be's failure to provide (courses) might preclude me from obtaining aforesaid licence and if I could use this as a defence for not having one. If so I need some documentry evidence that I have made every effort to obtain an operators license. So thereore, does anyone know anyone running courses etc in the North East (England) pref Cleveland area. I would prefer to do the long range marine license.
 

JonBrooks

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[ QUOTE ]
Having read all of the posts etc with regard to this subject and seen all of the guff spewed out by the supposed authorities

[/ QUOTE ]

Das

Seems a bit harsh as these people are only trying to help you get the right info and not DUFF data from people who think they know what they are doing!

After all you would not ask from medical advice from any one other than someone who is medically trained or would you?

Anyway call the RYA they will able to inform you of all the LRC training schools.

I think you will find that your defence woould fall down in a very big way if you tried it.

Regards
 

Das_Boot

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If we look at the license to operate a mortor car, you are able to obtain one without going 500 miles. Surely there is an obligation to provide the means of getting the license if it is required. Based on what is reasonable I do not think my point is invalid, I am a member of the RYA and have searched everywhere to find somwhere within 20 miles of my home. What do you believe is a reasonable distance to travel to do a coarse.
 

CharlesM

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you may want it to be a valid argument, but no matter how hard you wish it, and how many times you click your heels you will probably still fall foul of the law.

Charles
 

LORDNELSON

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Do you always stay in the same place? It was possible to take the exam at a boat show. How about your sailing club? What ever your excuse I cannot see the authorities reacting favourably to your not having a license!
 
A

Anonymous

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[ QUOTE ]
I could use this as a defence for not having one. If so I need some documentry evidence that I have made every effort to obtain an operators license.

[/ QUOTE ]All of the waters around the British Isles are categorised as Sea Area A1 which means that you are within VHF range of the MRCC at all times. So it is unlikely that you will ever transmit on your MF/HF set in UK waters, so it seems unlikely that anyone will come looking for you unless you do something else naughty or some UK authority (or your insurer?) wants to throw the book at you.

The time you might get caught out is in a foreign port with difficult authorities who are being uncooperative. If you can't show proper papers they could be even more difficult - they could even stop you from leaving, I expect. Are you going to explain to a Tunisian official, who speaks only Arabic and pseudo French, that the reason you haven't got a radio license is because the British Government failed to provide an examination centre close enough to your home to suit you? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

Das_Boot

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I am doing my best to comply. Surley the onus is on the government to supply the means by which compliance with their legislation might be effected.
In reply to previous comment re. competence, believe me any ten year old can be taught to use a radio in half an hour. What I dont need is to be taught, what I need to do is comply with the law. Anyway I have an Epirb which I will license the rest I think is going overboard. Or when I am in court I will use the defence that I tried to comply. By the way South Shields is roughly 40 miles away and I have phoned them they could not tell me when they were going to run another one, mind you this was before christmas and I have heard nothing back from them yet.
 
A

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I posted a link to the Sea Fish Authority a short while back - they do a distance learning course for a very nominal sum. Did you not find that in a recent thread? If not, google on Sea Fish Authority and you will see a small link on their home page.
 

Das_Boot

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Thanks I will try that one. Lucky I dont need a license to operate my mobile phone or I would be completely b*ggerd. Reeds contains all of the phone numbers for the various ports etc 99% of the time it is the only way to get a response not only in England but ANYWHERE, however I have never sailed further North than Newcastle and have not sailed on the European side further north than say Brest. From all the posts moaning about the continuing alarms on DSC I am leaning towards turfing the radios overboard and I have just bought one (dsc) to replace my old useless set.
 

Das_Boot

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By the way does someone know if my radios are licensed but I am not licensed to operate them am I only breaking the law if I use them. If that is the case it might save them from a watery grave as I never do use them and certainly wont care when the boat is sinking whether I am breaking the law.
 

iangrant

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Well I must say to people who think:


"In reply to previous comment re. competence, believe me any ten year old can be taught to use a radio in half an hour. What I dont need is to be taught, what I need to do is comply with the law"


I must be thick (well I know I am)

I just wondered if you hadn't been taught how you'd know where to look up the frequency to call a coast radio station (what are left) at 1300 Local from 200 miles west of Gibraltar?. Let alone dial it up on the set. Or how to do a mayday relay etc.....

I couldn't get a squeak (well anything anyone could understand) from my SSB until I'd done the 4 day course!


Ian
 

Das_Boot

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I spent two years lugging radios arround in the Army. Six months on radio and comsen course. I know a dipole from an atu but that is not the point when you buy a boat new or used these things are usualy set up and ready to go (plug and play). Just switch it on go to whatever channel you want (even 16) push in the button on the MIC and shout mayday no one will be listening. While you are doing that I will phone the emergency services on my mobile. guess who will get help first. Deap sea I will activate the EPIRB mind you inshore as well if we are sinking.
 

fireball

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You'll find that most keep a listening watch on Ch16 - so a Mayday call will be picked up, relayed if nessersary and you may be attended to by a local boat rather than having to wait for the CG to establish your possition, scramble the lifeboat crew and get to your position ... Coupled together with the intermitant telephone signal in some places and the lack of ability of the lifeboat/helicopter to home in on your mobile signal I know what I'd rather have.

Give your local Adult education centre a call - one in my area are running a VHF/DSC course - not very expensive, then at least I know I am covered ...
 

iangrant

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An interesting attitude to Radio use.

If you call up legally or otherwise on your VHF (or plug and play SSB), then maybe someone close by will hear you, come to your assistance and pluck you out of the sea before the helicopter gets there?

No one will hear your telephone, and the coastguard direction finding aerial won't take a bearing on your Nokia..when you gasp help into it....

Do the course..

Ian
 
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