SSB

[Ships_Cat]

<<<The next time you meet a high seas pirate intent on petty theft give him my regards>>>

I certainly will and thanks for the warning to beware of the elder brother.

Interesting that you have such friends to desire your wishes to be passed on to though. Perhaps fellow countrymen of yours - do let me know so I can keep clear of them?

John

<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.

 

[Sea Devil]

Why?

If I have a decade of using an SSB all over the world to all over the world why would I want to do that?

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>

 

[snowleopard]

exam without course

if you can persuade a radio school to examine you after self-study that would be quite legal. the usual arrangement is that an examiner from a different school is brought in on the last day to give an impartial test so no logical reason why it shouldn't work for self-study.

finding an examiner may be tricky as i'm sure they don't want to encourage people to teach themselves. if they will do it they would probably love to fail you for thinking you could do without them!.

the big snag is that you have to demonstrate your competence on actual equipment. OK if you have it all on your boat (including SSB/DSC) otherwise you'll have to use the examiner's equipment and it may be a type you've never met before. my examiner told me he could have failed me for not knowing how a navico VHF back-light control works.

the role-plays can also throw you. we spent an hour each day doing a 'received mayday' scenario which we had to repeat verbatim for the examiner.

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[Sea Devil]

Re: exam without course

But as I never operate my SSB in UK waters (far too cold!) it is academic.

I will not use one again in 'anger' till I come out of the USA with a boat and then probably only to talk to Herb... and chat to whatever mates are around -

I have never belived in conforming for the sake of conforming - and why fix something that does not need fixing -

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>

 

[Ships_Cat]

Re: exam without course

I did the NZ one from self study but that was many years ago now (and so did not include DSC). I believe that one can still do it by self study and as of a couple of years ago at least, the commercial one could be too.

Self study is also an option in Australia and the Australian Maritime College have a very good book for their own students or self study ones (or indeed for any radio users). It is also available on the internet at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.amcom.amc.edu.au/handbook/handbook2003.pdf>http://www.amcom.amc.edu.au/handbook/handbook2003.pdf</A> if anyone is interested. It covers INMARSAT as well.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: exam without course

I was about to say much the same....the only point to add is that a private company, AMERC, has been appointed as the examining authority. Best to speak to them before committing to anything.

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