stevieee
Well-Known Member
I'm in big trouble then, I can never remember the name of our boat, and it's got a lot of letters. Maybe I'll be the skipper of Das Boot for the day instead.
vhf exam....
- Thread starter ralf2
- Start date
youngr
Member
Just to clarify...
Like I said, the question was ambiguous and I can't remember the exact text of it, but the answer did make sense - basically you have to have a license or be supervised by someone to be able to operate a marine VHF set, but that doesnt meant you're entitled to use it without asking the skipper/captain, which was the basis of the question. The explanation here is that even if everyone on board has their VHF radio, you shouldnt take it upon yourself to go off and make, for example, a distress call on that set without the permission/control of the skipper first, who may not see the situation as a distress, or whatever - basically it's his call as to who uses his radio and how.
Like I said, the question was ambiguous and I can't remember the exact text of it, but the answer did make sense - basically you have to have a license or be supervised by someone to be able to operate a marine VHF set, but that doesnt meant you're entitled to use it without asking the skipper/captain, which was the basis of the question. The explanation here is that even if everyone on board has their VHF radio, you shouldnt take it upon yourself to go off and make, for example, a distress call on that set without the permission/control of the skipper first, who may not see the situation as a distress, or whatever - basically it's his call as to who uses his radio and how.
Kawasaki
Well-Known Member
My examiner/ tutor for the DSC Radio bit nearly fell off His stool during the "Phonetic"test.
He asked each Pupil to recite their home town phoneticaly to prove their ability to understand the genre/lingo/method, whatever You want to call it.
I did perfectley--- to piss Him off (cos He was a boring git) hows about.
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerwchwyndrobwyllllantisilioggo go goch!
That stuck Him in His place!
LIMA LIMA ALFA NOVEMBER FOXTROT ALPHA etc etc
The place was in uproar! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It's a good course, no worries, be handy if You can do the phonetic bit.
Do the Maday bit correctly, realise the difference about Pan, use the correct channels.
DONT PRESS THE RED BUTTON unless You need to.
Don,t have a boat called "Shy Talk" or "Master Bates" etc, it could kinda dilute things, should an Emergency arrive! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
He asked each Pupil to recite their home town phoneticaly to prove their ability to understand the genre/lingo/method, whatever You want to call it.
I did perfectley--- to piss Him off (cos He was a boring git) hows about.
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerwchwyndrobwyllllantisilioggo go goch!
That stuck Him in His place!
LIMA LIMA ALFA NOVEMBER FOXTROT ALPHA etc etc
The place was in uproar! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It's a good course, no worries, be handy if You can do the phonetic bit.
Do the Maday bit correctly, realise the difference about Pan, use the correct channels.
DONT PRESS THE RED BUTTON unless You need to.
Don,t have a boat called "Shy Talk" or "Master Bates" etc, it could kinda dilute things, should an Emergency arrive! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Richard10002
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
ive got a showhome opening on wednesday
[/ QUOTE ]
Dont forget to sell the last one first - being the house which hangs around for some reason.
ive got a showhome opening on wednesday
[/ QUOTE ]
Dont forget to sell the last one first - being the house which hangs around for some reason.
Highlander2
Active Member
Enjoyed this thread, hoping to do mine soon at the Malliag Marine Training Centre with Michael Currie as instructor. He trains and assesses the lifeboat crews and makkes things good fun.
Quite looking forwrad to it really.
My boat only has a normal radio not a DSC one, does that matter ?? When do you need to upgrade.
Think I might put a CB in just to be able to use the fancy lingo.
Breaker Breaker one nine, Muff Diver Calling Rubber Duck, Smokies on your tail, rodger d, over and out, 10-4, good buddy. etc /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Quite looking forwrad to it really.
My boat only has a normal radio not a DSC one, does that matter ?? When do you need to upgrade.
Think I might put a CB in just to be able to use the fancy lingo.
Breaker Breaker one nine, Muff Diver Calling Rubber Duck, Smokies on your tail, rodger d, over and out, 10-4, good buddy. etc /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
SolentPhill
Well-Known Member
Yes the answer confused the hell out of me before the course, but it was all made clear.
The wording is correct:- who is in control of the call the calling station or station called?
The answer is the station called. Why..
this is the confusing bit about the book (as well as some of the facts in the book are wrong.)
The calling station and station called are not described in the book.
The calling station is Ch16 or 67 this is the ch used to call another boat. The station called is the other boat being called. So the reason the station called is in charge is he decides which Ch to go to and if he wants to reply, he may be busy doing something, catching a fish and does not want to talk so he decides whether he wants to or not.
For those doing the course hope that helps.
for those who dont have a DSC it means you cant call another boat via their mmsi and you cant press the red button to send your details in an emergency. one of the advantages is You can enter details in your radio like you do on your mobile phone boat name mmsi etc and send them to another boat in your menu, the other boat will respond and the radios will automatically go to a working ch.
/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
The wording is correct:- who is in control of the call the calling station or station called?
The answer is the station called. Why..
this is the confusing bit about the book (as well as some of the facts in the book are wrong.)
The calling station and station called are not described in the book.
The calling station is Ch16 or 67 this is the ch used to call another boat. The station called is the other boat being called. So the reason the station called is in charge is he decides which Ch to go to and if he wants to reply, he may be busy doing something, catching a fish and does not want to talk so he decides whether he wants to or not.
For those doing the course hope that helps.
for those who dont have a DSC it means you cant call another boat via their mmsi and you cant press the red button to send your details in an emergency. one of the advantages is You can enter details in your radio like you do on your mobile phone boat name mmsi etc and send them to another boat in your menu, the other boat will respond and the radios will automatically go to a working ch.
/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
DogsBody
Well-Known Member
Don't worry, as others have said I think it is virtually impossible to fail it.
Did mine a couple of years ago and asked the examiner what happens if one of us failed? We just get out another test paper and try again until you pass was his response.
DogsBody.
Did mine a couple of years ago and asked the examiner what happens if one of us failed? We just get out another test paper and try again until you pass was his response.
DogsBody.
Highlander2
Active Member
I have my course and exam today ion Mallaig. Just got back from Hungary (for work) last night at 10 pm so have not had a chance to do as much work on this as I wanted so thought I would come on here and review the "main points" again.
Fingers crossed - over and out - ha ha /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Fingers crossed - over and out - ha ha /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Highlander2
Active Member
Just back and got 100% so was not that hard.
Reading this Topic this morning before going certainly helped at putting me at ease. Cheers
Reading this Topic this morning before going certainly helped at putting me at ease. Cheers
hlb
RIP
I sent my ex wife to Liverpool many years ago for the test. I was far to busy to go. God knows how she passed, she used to hold the mic to her ear, then shout out all sorts of rubbish.
dbullen
New Member
Hi guys. I know this an old thread but I just wondered if anyone had any idea whether the information here was still up to date, in terms of the content of the exam? I am doing the course online, and there is far more than just distress and safety calls, etc, and the phonetic alphabet. There is stuff on the course about different types of batteries, what frequencies EPIRB and SART use, gain rating, all kinds of things that in my opinion go well beyond just safe use of a VHF for my needs as a small pleasure boat. The problem is it's not clearly marked what is on the exam and what is just "information only". Has anyone taken the exam in the last couple of years and able to confirm it's just what people have talked about on this thread? Thanks in advance - Dean
Croftie
Well-Known Member
Did mine a year ago, still pretty much as per this thread. Learn the alphabet, distress and safety calls, DSC etc. Certainly cannot remember actually covering"different types of batteries, what frequencies EPIRB and SART use, gain rating" etc. Maybe touched some of it in passing as things come up in discussions but not asked for in the exam.
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Bigplumbs
Well-Known Member
I think last year in the UK the course was changed from 1 day to a 2 day course and they obviously introduced more stuff. If you can I would go on a course and you will pass 
KINGFISHER 9
Well-Known Member
Sorry if it's already been mentioned but don't say "Over and out" whatever you do! ... :encouragement:
Momac
Well-Known Member
It must have been nearly 9 years ago when I did the vhf course . A bit of preparation and it was an easy and enjoyable experience despite having zero vhf practical experience at the time.
I know some people struggle with exams. But these days you should not be frightened of asking for help if you need it . My daughter has dyslexia issues but she copes better with life than most people. A friend in his 50's is more seriously affected but he will not confess to it.
I know some people struggle with exams. But these days you should not be frightened of asking for help if you need it . My daughter has dyslexia issues but she copes better with life than most people. A friend in his 50's is more seriously affected but he will not confess to it.
dbullen
New Member
Thanks to all for your replies. I'm somewhat reassured, although if the course was recently changed from 1 day to 2, that could auger badly if the scope of the exam also doubled. After seeing that, I decided to email the RYA, and ask. Email exchange below if anyone is interested.
Me:
I just wondered if there was an official syllabus for the RYA Marine Short Range Radio exam online anywhere that you could point me to? I have seen the syllabus for the associated course, and I have the accompanying book, but it's not clear to me if the full course syllabus could be tested on the exam, or if parts of the course/book are "info only".
For example there is stuff on the course about different types of batteries, what frequencies EPIRB and SART use, gain rating, and a few other things that seem (to me) quite advanced, and beyond just safely operating a radio at sea (at least for my needs as a small pleasure boat).
RYA:
You can potentially be tested on any part of the syllabus that is in the RYA VHF handbook depending on which exam paper is used on the day.
Me:
I hope you won't mind, based on that, if I offer a little feedback. It's not a complaint, and I don't expect my feedback alone to influence anything, but I think it's worth offering, for what it is and I hope you will be able to feed it into the RYA system.
My feedback is that if the RYA are looking to promote safety at sea, and are keen for all VHF users to obtain the proper authority to operate, I believe that purpose would be better served if this syllabus is substantially trimmed, to the minimum required for safe use of a radio. I have heard anecdotally that "most" recreational boat users do not take this course, and either operate a radio without authority, or do not have one at all. Having seen the full syllabus of this course, I'm afraid I can now understand why that is. Including subjects like those I listed (types of batteries, what frequencies EPIRB and SART use, gain rating etc) makes the course exponentially longer and more complicated. I would not suggest they be removed from the book, since they are undoubtedly useful as "info only", and for full time professionals, but for leisure users, they make the certification a substantial commitment.
I'm certain more leisure users would seek to obtain the certification if it was cut down to essentials.
Perhaps there could be more than one level of certificate?
As things stand, being someone who only goes out to sea 5-10 times per year, and working full time, I don't currently have time to commit to this, so for this year at least I will be sticking to my phone, which is a shame as I'm 100% confident about distress, safety, urgency and routine calls, as well as how to operate the radio including DSC. But I do not have time to learn that Navtex is 490kHz and 516kHz whereas INMARSAT is 1.5 to 1.6 GHz.
Thanks again for your replies.
Me:
I just wondered if there was an official syllabus for the RYA Marine Short Range Radio exam online anywhere that you could point me to? I have seen the syllabus for the associated course, and I have the accompanying book, but it's not clear to me if the full course syllabus could be tested on the exam, or if parts of the course/book are "info only".
For example there is stuff on the course about different types of batteries, what frequencies EPIRB and SART use, gain rating, and a few other things that seem (to me) quite advanced, and beyond just safely operating a radio at sea (at least for my needs as a small pleasure boat).
RYA:
You can potentially be tested on any part of the syllabus that is in the RYA VHF handbook depending on which exam paper is used on the day.
Me:
I hope you won't mind, based on that, if I offer a little feedback. It's not a complaint, and I don't expect my feedback alone to influence anything, but I think it's worth offering, for what it is and I hope you will be able to feed it into the RYA system.
My feedback is that if the RYA are looking to promote safety at sea, and are keen for all VHF users to obtain the proper authority to operate, I believe that purpose would be better served if this syllabus is substantially trimmed, to the minimum required for safe use of a radio. I have heard anecdotally that "most" recreational boat users do not take this course, and either operate a radio without authority, or do not have one at all. Having seen the full syllabus of this course, I'm afraid I can now understand why that is. Including subjects like those I listed (types of batteries, what frequencies EPIRB and SART use, gain rating etc) makes the course exponentially longer and more complicated. I would not suggest they be removed from the book, since they are undoubtedly useful as "info only", and for full time professionals, but for leisure users, they make the certification a substantial commitment.
I'm certain more leisure users would seek to obtain the certification if it was cut down to essentials.
Perhaps there could be more than one level of certificate?
As things stand, being someone who only goes out to sea 5-10 times per year, and working full time, I don't currently have time to commit to this, so for this year at least I will be sticking to my phone, which is a shame as I'm 100% confident about distress, safety, urgency and routine calls, as well as how to operate the radio including DSC. But I do not have time to learn that Navtex is 490kHz and 516kHz whereas INMARSAT is 1.5 to 1.6 GHz.
Thanks again for your replies.
mm42
Well-Known Member
At most search and rescue teams such an infringement is punishable by way of a fine of cakes or beers for the team
Sandrena
Well-Known Member
The crux of the problem is that the syllabus is not down to the RYA: it is an international certificate, for which the course/exam syllabus is set by CEPT (The European Conference of Post and Telecommunications).
The official CEPT syllabus is available on-line here: http://www.erodocdb.dk/docs/doc98/official/pdf/REC3104E.PDF
The idea of having different levels of certificate is great: even CEPT agree with you! The snag is that there are already several different levels, and the SRC is the lowest one. The increase in the length of the SRC course was largely driven by pressure from other countries, in which training is provided only at official, government-run centres, which (cynics might suggest, but I couldn't possibly comment) provide a useful bit of extra income.
It was opposed by the RYA, for the reasons that you suggest... but the RYA can't win them all. The present situation, in which all or part of the course can be achieved by on-line study or reading the RYA book, is the best compromise that could be reached.
If it's any consolation, the exam content and marks broadly reflect the relative importance of the different topics: you could fail the exam (if you try really hard) by screwing up the distress questions, but not by getting the EPIRB frequencies wrong. In many years of running VHF course, and many hundreds of students, I never knew anyone who had attended a course to fail the exam. the RYA do a book that includes sample exam questions. If you get hold of a copy, I'm sure you will see why.
As an aside: it will be really interesting to see whether Brexit results in a simplification of the SRC syllabus and a reduction in the tax on marine diesel and all the various other regulations that the UK government claimed were all the fault of the EU, or whether they are happy to go on reaping the benefits of them at the expense of UK boaters! I'm not holding my breath!
fishwics
New Member
Brexit won't make any difference to the SRC syllabus. CEPT is not an EU body - it predates the EU (and the Common Market) by a decade at least, although the EU throws its weight around in CEPT sub-committees quite a lot. (Probably if we left CEPT we'd have to stop making phone calls to Europe!)
