Mark-1
Well-known member
- VHF Radio's aren't hugely intuitive, what do you think the odds are of someone with zero training are on picking up the radio, and making a transmission which goes out, is on the right channel and is sufficiently understood.
Since they were five I've been able to unexpectedly throw a handheld at my kids and them turn it to CH16. As much as possible I get them to ask for the lock out so they're familiar with the PTT button, changing channel and talking on it. They aren't even eligible for professional training for years to come and have never had any professional training. They don't understand the squelch on one of the two radios but I never need to touch it myself. Would they be understood? That's up to the skill of the receiving station. Let's hope so.
If we're going to say you need professional training to work a VHF they need to remove the needless age restriction. Also it's highly likely that in an emergency the person on the VHF is going to be the least capable person on the boat so professional training is probably moot.