VHF Radio for sailing dinghy?

[Kelpie]

Just to throw a little more salt in the dinner, I did my VHF course when I got my first boat and I don't regret doing it. Considering the money we waste on trivial stuff, it wasn't a vast sum of money.

Regarding the rules etc, as far as I remember, you need a license to operate a VHF Radio for normal communications.

However, you don't need a license to send a Mayday distress message. Makes sense too. You wouldn't want some wally to let their boat sink because they were scared of getting told off for using the radio.
I'm not 100% certain but i'm about 99% sure.

Yeah I was told the same- OK to use one in a genuine emergency. I carry one on my sailing dinghy but have never used it.
I was also told that it is OK to use a HH under supervision. My RYA instructor told me that, unfortunately, this couldn't stretch to me being supervised by, e.g., someone on an accompanying yacht. They have to be aboard your own vessel, apparently.

 

[Brian blue bear]

Yeah I was told the same- OK to use one in a genuine emergency. I carry one on my sailing dinghy but have never used it.
I was also told that it is OK to use a HH under supervision. My RYA instructor told me that, unfortunately, this couldn't stretch to me being supervised by, e.g., someone on an accompanying yacht. They have to be aboard your own vessel, apparently.

Sh*t I was assuming I could use my brother as supervisor, unacceptable he's in NZ, they're so petty

 

[Fantasie 19]

Am I right in thinking you also don't need an operators licence if you solely use a couple of the specific channels??

I seem to remember that when I did my course (which was only last summer - i'm getting old.... ) the instructor mentioned that there were a couple of channels that anyone could use???? Channel 37 or M1?????

 

[timbartlett]

Am I right in thinking you also don't need an operators licence if you solely use a couple of the specific channels??

I seem to remember that when I did my course (which was only last summer - i'm getting old.... ) the instructor mentioned that there were a couple of channels that anyone could use???? Channel 37 or M1?????

Yes, but...

You do not need an Authority to Operate a radio that can transmit only on Channels M and M2. But if the radio is capable of transmitting on any of the international channels, then strictly speaking you need an AtO.
And in any case, you need a Ship Radio Licence (or a T licence for a portable or a CRS licence for a shore station) that covers the appropriate channel(s).

It's a small but useful loophole that means marinas don't have to get all their receptionists through VHF licensing, nor does every dinghy club race officer have to have a radio licence to talk to his safety boats.

Channel 37 is (effectively) another name for Channel M, used mainly because some early radios could only display numbers, not letters.