RYA Marine Radio course changes

[MikeBz]

Just a heads up in case anyone else is in the same boat as me.

The RYA Marine Radio Short Range Certificate course is changing in 2014. The classroom part will be extended from 8 to 10 hours and the examination will be separate to that. This will inevitably increase the cost of the course (currently £65-£115 depending on where you go) and also the cost of the certificate will double to £60.

With this in mind, and since it's something I've been meaning to do for ages, I've booked myself on to a 2013 course at Bradwell Outdoors (£70 for the course, £30 for the cert.).

 

[mikemanor]

There will also be an online alternative for the classroom element - but you will still need to take the exam at a RYA school and you may find less schools doing this. I will not be offering VHF courses/exams from the end of this year.

 

[MoodySabre]

Is there still a short DSC upgrade course?

 

[nigelmercier]

The RYA Marine Radio Short Range Certificate course is changing in 2014.

About time too. As an ex "Radio Ham" I thought the course was far too trivial. Much more emphasis on procedure is needed.

 

[Koeketiene]

About time too. As an ex "Radio Ham" I thought the course was far too trivial. Much more emphasis on procedure is needed.

+1
As an ex naval Chief Radio Supervisor I agree.

 

[Pye_End]

Is there still a short DSC upgrade course?

Seems to have disappeared. I re-took the VHF/DSC course this year for exactly the reason in the OP. There were a few differences in the VHF element that were taught when I originally did the VHF course, although nothing that couldn't have been explained in about 20 min. Will be interesting to see what the course content of the 2 day will be!

 

[nigelmercier]

I have just heard back from Bethan Jenkins, RYA Cruising Schemes Administrator:

The syllabus for the course is not changing, it will remain the same. Its only the examination process that is changing (separate Examiner to Instructor). There is a new publication ...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1905104030/dolcetto-21

 

[MoodySabre]

With this in mind, and since it's something I've been meaning to do for ages, I've booked myself on to a 2013 course at Bradwell Outdoors (£70 for the course, £30 for the cert.).

Now booked for 30th November
Thanks for heads up

 

[Cantata]

About time too. As an ex "Radio Ham" I thought the course was far too trivial. Much more emphasis on procedure is needed.

Can't help but agree with you here. So much radio traffic out there with procedure so poor that I usually think the people concerned simply haven't done the course at all. I do wonder if the increased cost will further serve to put people off bothering with it.