VHF on non tidal Thames

[watson1959]

Can I use this to communicate with a friends boat if we travel together on the non-tidal river?

What's the best way to understand licensing/regulations?

I don't plan to go On the tidal at this stage.

 

[No Regrets]

Buy the manuals, get the boat a VHF licence, go do the exam and get your own licence....

Oh, and buy a VHF!

Or, use a mobile. Far more sensible...

 

[BrendanS]

or get some walkie talkies that don't need a licence. They don't have a huge range, but fine if travelling together.

 

[dash300]

Buy the manuals, get the boat a VHF licence, go do the exam and get your own licence....

Oh, and buy a VHF!

Or, use a mobile. Far more sensible...

Agreed. Have you heard the blather on the VHF at Brighton on a bank holiday by the tattooed speed boat fraternity. (oops I'm off again.Sorry)

 

[watson1959]

or get some walkie talkies that don't need a licence. They don't have a huge range, but fine if travelling together.

I already have VHF on the boat so was trying to avoid buying WTs.

Is there a cost for the license?

 

[BrendanS]

It changed a few years ago, and is free now (if you do it online, there is a charge for postal applications). You should get an operators licence though, which is pretty easy, but does cost. Many people do use them unlicensed

 

[watson1959]

It changed a few years ago, and is free now (if you do it online, there is a charge for postal applications). You should get an operators licence though, which is pretty easy, but does cost. Many people do use them unlicensed

Ok thanks Brendan

 

[elton]

Many people do use them unlicensed

Yes, it's in everyone's interests to encourage the illegal use of the marine bands.

 

[watson1959]

Yes, it's in everyone's interests to encourage the illegal use of the marine bands.

I read it as a comment as opposed to a suggestion

 

[No Regrets]

But lots of people do!

And if they use them in a better fashion than the licensed operators who misuse them, how bad...?

 

[BrendanS]

people complimented me for years on my radio technique. I had other radio quals. Thought I should get one eventually, and was very easy.

 

[watson1959]

But lots of people do!

And if they use them in a better fashion than the licensed operators who misuse them, how bad...?

Thus the can of worms opens.....

 

[BrendanS]

Thus the can of worms opens.....

My preference, to be honest, is that people take the exam. It's good fun, hard to fail if you've done some reasonable training, and allows you to tell people who aren't using the radio properly, they are a holes

 

[elton]

But lots of people do!

And if they use them in a better fashion than the licensed operators who misuse them, how bad...?

I'm sure there are a lot of unlicenced car drivers who think they're Fernando Alonso as well.

 

[watson1959]

I'm sure there are a lot of unlicenced car drivers who think they're Fernando Alonso as well.

And all those 'itinerant' boat owners who think they're admirals

 

[vjmehra]

Can anyone recommend a centre in London that does weekday VHF courses, I've found plenty that seem to do them at weekends, but was hoping to find one during the week if pos?

 

[Captain Coochie]

A bit pointless doing a course to use it if you only want to use it to chat to your mates and the course teaches you that you cant use it to chat to your mates . Innit . Over . Ten four big buddy .

 

[Solitaire]

Can I use this to communicate with a friends boat if we travel together on the non-tidal river?

What's the best way to understand licensing/regulations?

I don't plan to go On the tidal at this stage.

Just use your mobile! I' m guessing you'd not even know what channels to use

 

[BrendanS]

to be honest, on non tidal, there isn't a great deal of traffic on any channel, but getting a licence is a good idea anyway.

 

[Solitaire]

Can anyone recommend a centre in London that does weekday VHF courses, I've found plenty that seem to do them at weekends, but was hoping to find one during the week if pos?

Can't help you in London, but I'm running a course on 5th September, mod week in Southampton.