Telephony

[EASLOOP]

In the mid 1960's I was a Merchant Navy Radio Officer having gained, along with other certificates, my PMG 2nd Class in Radio Telephony and Telegraphy from what was then Plymouth College School of Maritime Studies. Notwithstanding the fact that it might be wise to take a VHF course, will my PMG allow me to operate VHF anyway? I came ashore in 1970 but never got my ticket updated.

 

[najsmith]

You can use the yachts VHF provided it is under supervision of someone with a SRC/DSC licence.

Given the DSC technology I believe you would be required to take the SRC/DSC certificate if you were to be the main radio user.

A few things have changed that u need to be aware of - which channel is used for the data-birst, how DSC integrates with SAR. etc

 

[Dyflin]

I got my VHF ticket through the MN as well, but mine has a limited lifespan and I need to update it (GMDSS General Operators Certificate), so I suspect you will need to do the same. But VHF (excluding DSC) hasn't changed an awfull lot since I imagine.

 

[EASLOOP]

I suppose I am being a bit daft really. For the sake of a 1 day course it hardly seems worthwhile chasing out my old PMG.

 

[homa]

Commercially you would have had to upgrade to the full GMDSS by now

VHF with no DSC for private use, I would have thought you should be OK

However, most if not all? new sets now have DSC so you would be advised to upgrade at some time in the near future.

 

[Benbow]

Pre DSC, I got licensed without a course - just read the RYA book and joined a group who had done a course for their final exam. Is that still possible? It would save a frustratingly slow day.

 

[Piers]

You need to do the course. When I started boating I had to do the course although I already had a VHF and HF licence from my commercial flying days which counted for nothing !

 

[moodycruiser]

If you still have the ticket Nos. then you should be able to get your Long Range Certificate and only need to sit the DSC section of it. Whether you want the satcomm endorsement is up to you, and can be sat at the same time or later.
'swot I did coupla years ago. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Norman_E]

Did my VHF & DSC course from a CD ROM, and exam by phone, with Ted Miley of Ocean Training.
Big advantage is that other members of a household can take the course at no extra cost. In addition I have put the whole course in acrobat format on to my laptop, and have it on the boat for reference. Very useful if, like me, you are not in regular practise.
Website here .

 

[Guest]

interesting answers .....

I have my old Restricted RT ticket from MN days and as a Deck Officer .... when I enquired about its validity was replied with .... Why do you want to take a ticket that really is less than you have already ?

I left it that ....

Sorry to all out there - only repeating what they said. I know that technically they are wrong and I should take it ... but no-one has ever argued about my ticket when presented.

I believe that anyone who is coming into boating should have reasonable training in equipment / methods etc. - and I also believe should be voluntary - so that people enjoy doing it ... not just forced to.

2p just gone in slot !

 

[gandy]

[ QUOTE ]
You need to do the course. When I started boating I had to do the course although I already had a VHF and HF licence from my commercial flying days which counted for nothing !

[/ QUOTE ] No surprise there, surely? Airband RT is different from marine, different channels, different rules and different phaseology. Even the technology is different (airband VHF is AM).

 

[Piers]

Absolutely right, but until I understood that it just seemed crazy.