VHF Radio licence

[Daydream believer]

Or the 30,000 KSIs involving cars in 2022? We can all pick random facts to support our views. How many of those 45 were killed by a car? Scooters are not the issue.

Scooter denier

 

[dgadee]

Well anything where the lawyer is standing on their feet doing advocacy or cross examination - whether criminal or civil certainly seems like there's no time to check the text book or phone a friend (at least in the first instance of knowing whether to ask for time / challenge what was said done). But my experience in commercial legal meetings is that the lawyers need to be pretty quick thinking or the other side will run rings around them in negotiations too.


Presumably you never go anywhere else, never listen to a maritime safety information broadcast, never have "routine traffic" with HMCG where they ask you to switch to their working channel, never receive DSC broadcasts on Ch70, or go to any marina or sailing club.

I wrote a book on advocates. There's not much law there and even then there's time to think.

Well, I got to Turkish waters from the UK. Does that count? Racing where the other boat is is all flags.

 

[capnsensible]

You pay. Put your money ....

Why? I qualified for a vhf short range certificate plus the DSC update. My wife was a VHF assessor. We know what we are talking about. Over.

 

[lustyd]

Over

I believe for a proper mike drop that should be “out”

 

[capnsensible]

I believe for a proper mike drop that should be “out”

yeah, when playing chess with a pigeon, walk away.

 

[dgadee]

Why? I qualified for a vhf short range certificate plus the DSC update. My wife was a VHF assessor. We know what we are talking about. Over.

You seem to think I need it. I don't.

 

[Alicatt]

It seems the regulation in Belgium is really reasonable, compared to that in Germany…

Is that non DSC exam for using radio on inland canals in Belgium?

Yes as the radios use ATIS and are of low power without the features of the DSC enabled radios.
At sea you can use DSC, I had to get my radios reprogrammed for the VDES channels for 1st Jan 2024 as that became a legal requirement.

I'm a licenced ham radio operator and have been since 1980.
In the early 1970's I also installed serviced and repaired marine radios for ships/boats, but back then I did not have a radio licence and had to call on one of my colleagues who had a restricted ticket to come and test the radio installation after I had finished the install, on the training course at Decca Radar Ltd. we all brought up the fact that those of us in the class were the only ones trained on the radios but we could not actually transmit on them

It was a bit of nostalgia when I stepped on board our new to us boat and seen the radios same as I installed in the 1970s

 

[ylop]

I wrote a book on advocates. There's not much law there and even then there's time to think.

The Faculty of Advocates might disagree!

Well, I got to Turkish waters from the UK. Does that count?

People did that before VHF was invented so it’s not unequivocal proof that VHF isn’t actually useful on only needs 16 & 12. Not visiting a marina that used vhf is quite impressive. Getting all the way there without listening to one weather forecast is surprising. Not once talking to a CG who asked you to switch to their working channel is almost as surprising as the only VTS all the way there being on 12. I’ve used more than that all on the same day without leaving the Clyde!

Racing where the other boat is is all flags.

I don’t race but from what I’ve see that MIGHT be true of the type who go round in circles but the point to point types seem quite happy to use a radio to change plans etc. I can certainly see it would be useful for herding the cats. I’ve used M1/2 for safety boat stuff.

However if I was doing those sort of distances I would probably be grateful that I could do this for as little time and financial cost as you did - imagine if you needed to apply for a license in each country!

 

[dgadee]

The Faculty of Advocates might disagree!

People did that before VHF was invented so it’s not unequivocal proof that VHF isn’t actually useful on only needs 16 & 12. Not visiting a marina that used vhf is quite impressive. Getting all the way there without listening to one weather forecast is surprising. Not once talking to a CG who asked you to switch to their working channel is almost as surprising as the only VTS all the way there being on 12. I’ve used more than that all on the same day without leaving the Clyde!

I don’t race but from what I’ve see that MIGHT be true of the type who go round in circles but the point to point types seem quite happy to use a radio to change plans etc. I can certainly see it would be useful for herding the cats. I’ve used M1/2 for safety boat stuff.

However if I was doing those sort of distances I would probably be grateful that I could do this for as little time and financial cost as you did - imagine if you needed to apply for a license in each country!

You try so hard!

Advocates includes the bar in other parts of the UK. I stand by my assertion.

Most European marinas use 12. I suppose the odd M channel has been used. VTS? Not much need for making contact with them.

There's a training ideal and then there's reality. I've experienced the latter.

 

[Roberto]

The Sailor! I remember it came with ch16 and a couple of others and one had to buy separate quartzes for any additional channels

It was a bit of nostalgia when I stepped on board our new to us boat and seen the radios same as I installed in the 1970s
View attachment 189068

 

[capnsensible]

You seem to think I need it. I don't.

Well if you haven't got a boat.......

 

[Daydream believer]

You try so hard!
Most European marinas use 12.

But you have to enter the port to get to the marina first
Breskens 68, Ostend 9 zeebrugge 71 dunkirk 72
You can just sail in if port control signals are green-green-white, but sometimes you can have a long wait which is not fun in a F7
I have had to wait outside for over an hour once, but half an hour is not unusual. If you get a green-white-green it helps if you can just call port control for entry permission.

 

[Mark-1]

But you have to enter the port to get to the marina first
Breskens 68, Ostend 9 zeebrugge 71 dunkirk 72
You can just sail in if port control signals say so, but sometimes you can have a long wait which is not fun in a F7

I'd be amazed if there wasn't a phone number to call.

 

[Daydream believer]

I'd be amazed if there wasn't a phone number to call.

I would be amazed if I was able to rely on a signal & if anyone answered a call even if I had the correct number. Reeds has the numbers but I have found a few to be wrong.
But then I do not sail on a mobile phone. That goes in a locker the minute I get in the boat & only comes out once I am in port everything stowed & I ring home to report to the wife.-- if we can get a signal. Text messages can take up to 2 days to arrive in our area. So there is no way I would rely on a mobile phone when in a critical situation on a boat

 

[dgadee]

Well if you haven't got a boat.......

I have 3.

 

[dgadee]

I would be amazed if I was able to rely on a signal & if anyone answered a call even if I had the correct number. Reeds has the numbers but I have found a few to be wrong.
But then I do not sail on a mobile phone. That goes in a locker the minute I get in the boat & only comes out once I am in port everything stowed & I ring home to report to the wife.-- if we can get a signal. Text messages can take up to 2 days to arrive in our area. So there is no way I would rely on a mobile phone when in a critical situation on a boat

Down in the Med I find calling up by mobile is often a better idea. Have they got space for you? It's a bit late to find out that they don't when you are waiting for VHF reception with them.

 

[capnsensible]

I have 3.

Well you only need one short rangeboperators certificate. Or are you somehow frightened of technology? The instructors are very good and will help you with your nerves.

 

[dgadee]

Well you only need one short rangeboperators certificate. Or are you somehow frightened of technology? The instructors are very good and will help you with your nerves.

Ha! I have had a career in technology and the law of technology. You should stop digging.

 

[Mark-1]

Down in the Med I find calling up by mobile is often a better idea. Have they got space for you? It's a bit late to find out that they don't when you are waiting for VHF reception with them.

Yeah. There are plenty of places where the HM is on a handheld at sea level or as close as makes no odds with land between him and the open sea. The Mobile Phone Mast will certainly be on high ground.

I think in the last 10 years the reliability of VHF and mobile phone have reversed and mobile is more reliable inshore than VHF.

I've actually lost track of what we're all squabbling about now, but I'm enjoying it.

 

[Daydream believer]

I've actually lost track of what we're all squabbling about now, but I'm enjoying it.

We are not squabbling. I think that we have all come to the conclusion that mobiles are s..t for marine communication Many would be happier with 2 coke tins & a piece of string. A minor few are so scared of technology that they decry the use of a modern VHF --which does actually work if used correctly. Like most systems it relies on someone at the other end to respond. But there again so does the coke tin method.