VHF - quickest way to obtain qualification - Kent!

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RobBradley

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Inverlael, Highlands, Scotland
lochendpods.co.uk
Hey All

One of my little investments is finally paying off and will be buying an F-Rib and exploring the Thames and our waterways, building my experience etc.

Being responsible, now would be a good time to do VHF as we will be getting a couple of handhelds, so need to do it asap.

I work from home, self employed, so can do as and when, but I can only do public transport. My other half is a teacher, so can only do sit downs in half term holidays.

Can we do it online including the qualification? Had a google and OMG!

Do you know anywhere you would recommend? Would rather go on recommendations than random google finds...

Would like to get this done and dusted and out of the way. One less thing to worry about.


Cheers all.

PS…. watch out on the Thames… I will be having fun soon….

Rob
 
I think you will find all such training has to be RYA approved. So your choice may be more about available dates.
Bear in mind handheld radios have limited range . If a fixed radio is possible on your boat it would be worth having .
 
Not having a license should not prevent you from buying a marine radio and carrying it on the boat.
If it all goes wrong or you see something that might need you to be the one to call for assistance,nobody is going to have any problems with you calling for help over the radio.
Please get a decent one, something that floats preferably and try to avoid the really cheap krap that usually sells for under £100, just like a lifejacket your/and others safety might depend on it someday.
The Thames forum would be good place to get all the local info about the fun and perils of the Thames Estuary and last of all ....outboard Kill cord . ?????? :)
 
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While I certainly would not try to discourage you from doing the training and getting the certificate, as others have said above, there is nothing to stop you carrying a radio to listen to the coastguard broadcasts and call for help in an emergency. The marine VHF band really should not be used for general chit-chat anyway - get a couple of cheap PMR446 radios for that and you can use them elsewhere as well.
 
RobBradley said:
Hey All

One of my little investments is finally paying off and will be buying an F-Rib and exploring the Thames and our waterways, building my experience etc.

Being responsible, now would be a good time to do VHF as we will be getting a couple of handhelds, so need to do it asap.

I work from home, self employed, so can do as and when, but I can only do public transport. My other half is a teacher, so can only do sit downs in half term holidays.

Can we do it online including the qualification? Had a google and OMG!

Do you know anywhere you would recommend? Would rather go on recommendations than random google finds...

Would like to get this done and dusted and out of the way. One less thing to worry about.


Cheers all.

PS…. watch out on the Thames… I will be having fun soon….

Rob
Click to expand...

I believe you can do the course online but you need to go to an RYA test centre for the exam.
 
lydiamight said:
The Medway Yacht club is doing a VHF course and exam all on the same day next month See http://www.medwayyachtclub.com/2015/06/rya-vhf-course/
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Do not be put off attending a course,even if you last took an exam in the last century.
Usually a bunch of folks just like you and usually good fun.
A radio amateur since the year dot and also used to fly, but when it came to doing a practice call to somebody on the other side of the room....instantly froze. :)
 
Ive just done mine a month ago, first of all you have to complete the course online, and you have to get 60% to pass. You then need to print of the pass certificate from your PC . You then need to book in with an examiner, and take your printed certificate with you, you cannot sit in front of an examiner without the pass certificate from the online course. Its about 30 minutes with an examiner, and then 2 - 3 weeks later you will get your licence in the post, which is a life long licence, you wont never have to renew it or take the exam again.....BTW you are trained to say 'over and out' so the recipient is aware that you are not expecting an answer from them, and you are ending the conversation :)
 
Scala said:
Sorry that's just wrong. One or the other.
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God help me! I only did it a month ago and i cant even remember it correctly !!!! and you are right , ive just played the sample video tramsmissions from my online course, and it is one or the other...doh!.....Lets hope i never have to use it in a mayday situation.!
 
Nosealegsyet said:
you are trained to say 'over and out' so the recipient is aware that you are not expecting an answer from them, and you are ending the conversation :)
Click to expand...
That's not correct.
If you say "out" it means you dont expect a response.
If you say "over" you do expect a response.
You should not say "over and out"
 
Thankfully we're all human with millions of years evolving a brain that is able to make sense of contradictory or ambiguous information. Since the phrase "over and out" wont put all receiving VHF sets into self-destruct mode I wouldn't worry too much if it slips out, nor scoff too loudly if someone else says it.

Worry more about getting what you need to say across succinctly and precisely.
 
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