Radio Operators License

[Das_Boot]

So why did I go to all the expence of buying the EPIRB what is its function does it not relay my position etc. Will the coastgaurd not put out a call to any ships in the area etc. what will happen if I set it off in an evergency will they ask for my EPIRB operators license?

 

[Das_Boot]

And by the way the whole post has been about trying to do the course I am not trying not to do it I am deparately trying to do it.
This is a subject that comes up over and over and many many people read and reply. The reason for this is that the whole issue is fraught with complexity and most people have difficulty complying. And as for the VHF/DCS issue as I have said before VHF is dead and everyone is complaining about the false alarms on DCS and therefore their sets are switched off most of the time!!!

 

[iangrant]

Das.

There are far wiser men than I to argue the many radio and communications issues of legality and usage.

We don't all agree with it but it is what we have to do and pay to remain legal.

If you wish to go ahead and operate your set or telephone or EPIRB without a licence then do please go ahead, just be aware of the fines and potential custodial sentence.

I'm not sure your light hearted attitide to EPIRBs use is appropriate. When exactly do you think it is OK to drop it over the side?

You ask the advice of the people here but seem to have made you mind up with a dogged determination to do what suits.

I just hope I'm not the poor sod calling for assistance with others like around.


Ian

 

[Anonymous]

I assume from all this discussion that you are talking about going into Sea Area A2? Your vessel will need a radio licence or your EPIRB won't be registered and nobody will respond. You don't need an operator's licence for that. However, most EPIRB signals are false (or unwanted) alarms so if you don't back up your EPIRB alert with some other piece of information that suggests that "Das Boot" is in distress, you might not get the help you were after, particularly if you happen to be right in the middle of a big ocean! Other pieces of information might include an RT call on the SSB, a report to the CG that you are overdue a reporting point, pieces of "Das Boot" found floating in the sea, sightings of flares,......or a second EPIRB going off as well. Nobody can tell you what will happen if you don't play it by the book because it will depend on the individuals on the shore to decide how to respond.

 

[fireball]

Although by law you are required to have a licence operate a ships radio - and that radio must be licenced to the ship (or be mobile) I doubt if anyone will question your certification in an emergency. However, I do believe "spot checks" will be carried out to check the validity of your licence (ships or otherwise).

I believe an EPIRB comes in 2 forms - those with GPS and those without - those without do not relay positon but rely on radio direction finding (correct me if I'm wrong).

Personally, for the expense of a ships radio licence and one time expense of an operators licence I'd rather have a VHF onboard. I have witnessed a PANPAN call from a yacht having trapped a finger in the anchor chain - the harbour patrol were onsite and transfered the casualty before the lifeboat had even launched - this was only possible because of the VHF - an EPIRB would've been hopeless in this situation as would a mobile phone - how do the lifeboat/helecopter/harbour patrol communicate with you or do you expect them to carry mobile phones and know your number?! Additionally - if the skipper had the extra problem of dragging anchor and bleeding crew member with nobody else on board then it wouldn't've taken much for a nearby boat to come alongside and help control the boat whilst everything else got sorted.

No VHF is also being selfish - as you may be able to assist someone else in distress - A Fundemental Rule of the sea.

 

[Tekkie]

Funny thing I went here http://www.rya.org.uk/Map/Search.asp?rteselect=true and found 9 places offering courses!!! took all of 30 seconds.

Not Knowing your exact area I took a chance.

 

[Das_Boot]

Somehow the issue is being sidelined what I am trying to do is obtain a long range radio operators license. My Radios are themselves licensed I have paid my fees all of my equipment is compliant it is me that is not compliant but who wishes to become compliant. If I wanted to operate illegaly I would not care the problem is I want to operate legally but cannot due to the lack of learning centers.
Does anyone know the law.
My Radio IS licensed. Is it only illegal for me to operate one. Or is it illegal for an unlicensed person to posses a licensed radio.
For instance I have a TV licence but not have a TV operators license would it be illegal for me to posses a TV. I know I cant switch it on but is it illegal merely to posses one.
Finaly if anyone knows of somewhere within say 30 miles of Hartlepool offering the Long Range Course please let me know.

 

[Das_Boot]

Oh and by the way ask the people who spent over a week on the Irish sea last year how they got rescued.

 

[fireball]

Hartlepool Sixthform College
Bob Moncur Sailing
Redcar Adult Learning Centre

All reportedly do the VHF course but that isn't the long range licence you desire...

I don't think it is illegal to own a radio without an operators licence, but it should not be switched on (or connected?)

 

[Anonymous]

[ QUOTE ]
My Radio IS licensed. Is it only illegal for me to operate one. Or is it illegal for an unlicensed person to posses a licensed radio.

[/ QUOTE ]If your equipment licence is in order then it is only illegal if you operate it without the appropriate licence.

 

[Das_Boot]

Cheers thanks for the info re the learning centre I will try them.
Reverting to the last post re the law
So I can have them on my boat but must not use them.
if that is the case they are saved from a watery grave. I was going to rip them out.
I dont use them and wont untill I get my operators license and then I wont but one never knows one day I might find a use for them.
By the way is it ok to listen or am I not allowed to do that (by by BBC world service) that would be a shame.

 

[Das_Boot]

Sorry I did not read the post properly.
I have to disconnect my radios.
Does this mean both the power and the antenna I suppose both. I will only listen secretly at night like they did in the war (in germany) and hope whoever is skeaking arround the marina catching people wont get me. Actualy that is foolish as I can get the BBC perfectly on my unlicensed portable. I will diconnect.

 

[Anonymous]

Is it necessary to get so angry about this? However frustrated you are feeling, there isn't anything any of us can do about it other than tell you what we know - we didn't make the rules or the system. In any case, the system isn't quite as absurd as it probably seems to you. If you sit the LRC you will have a different attitude about all this - I guarantee it.

 

[Das_Boot]

I am not angry just bemused. If tomorrow a new law was passed saying that we all had to dye our hair red but we couldnt get any red dye you would also be bemused (even angry) and when you were taken to court re your non compliance your defence would be sorry your honour but I could not get any red dye. This is my point.

 

[tome]

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

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you used up that box of zeroes yet?

 

[iangrant]

Oh all right - "a little radio 4 squeak thanks to Tome"

when we were playing illegally - trust you to notice, tart.

Ian

 

[JonBrooks]

ok to cover a few points.

You can use any and all means at your disposal to summon aid in time of distress.
No one has ever been done if they had to break the law in order to save a life.

As far as a radio offence is concerned you could be liable for 2!
First offence... having equipment "available" for use.
Second offence would using the kit.

Your ships radio licence covers you for your EPIRB.
No training needed to pull a pin or dunk it in water.

Your mobile phone licence is paid for by the airtime provider (Orange, O2 etc)

Just another bit of pointless info.
HMCG have to sent an auto ack to your VHF DSC call within 15 seconds.
In practice it is actually 6.5secs.

It can take about an hour for HMGC to get and EPIRB alert.

Sorry don't know timings on SSB DSC but am sure it is faster than an EPIRB.

The law states what you have to have to operate marine radio.
It is down to you to ensure you have the right bits of paper.
If you don't you cant use the kit..period.

Regards

 

[Das_Boot]

So now we are down to the nitty gritty of the law. Available for use. What the hell does that mean. Connected I can understand but available for use hell the guy in the boat next door's radio is available for use. No one could ever prosecute you with that kind of wording. I will do some research and try to find out how many prosecutions have ever taken place and how many actualy ended up in some type of conviction. Wow no wonder there is a less than 10% compliance.
Over the side they go.

 

[Das_Boot]

No one seems to remember how the people in the Irish sea got rescued last year. I think they were in the water for 7 to 9 days.

 

[JonBrooks]

If it is on your boat, you have a SSB antenna.
Connected or not it would be availible for use.

Wot does your 10% compliance refer to?

Regards