VHF radio operators licence

[rogerthebodger]

Following on from the DSC radio thread.

Is it a requirement in the UK for VHF radio operators who currently have a operators liciense to have to un grade this to allow the use of the DSC function of the newer radios.

If an up grade is needed what form does this take.

1) Do you have to take a supplementary test.
2) Take a complete new test
3) Just apply to an up grades license.
4) Do not have to do any think.

In South Africa it is illegal to operate a DSC function without an up graded license but no up grade license is available and the requirements is currently not specified.

Its a total mess with lots of people wishing to cash in of supplying causes and exams which IMHO is totally overkill.

 

[KellysEye]

>Is it a requirement in the UK for VHF radio operators who currently have a operators liciense to have to un grade this to allow the use of the DSC function of the newer radios.

I believe it is but we never used it because we had VHF, SSB and Inmarsat C.

 

[rogerthebodger]

>Is it a requirement in the UK for VHF radio operators who currently have a operators liciense to have to un grade this to allow the use of the DSC function of the newer radios.

I believe it is but we never used it because we had VHF, SSB and Inmarsat C.

Do you have any internet references to the requirements or the UK and any one who does an add on test for DSC radios

 

[Appledore]

I recently took the current Short Range Certificate test (or exam is you like) This is a requirement for those who upgrade to a DSC Radio. My Instructor said he had never had anyone ask about doing an 'upgrade Test' from the old VHF licence. I found the DSC course was so different from the old VHF one that I expect almost everybody would just do the new Course.

 

[NormanS]

When I upgraded some years ago, it was just an upgrade, but I believe that now a complte new test/exam is required. Full details will be on the RYA website. I've never actually used DSC.

 

[Aurai]

Hello

I thought you have an operator licence and secondly register your "ship" radio. The licence obtained from a suitable training course, if you did it recently you are trained on a DSC. If you change your ship radio from non DSC to DSC you change your registration.

Then the grey bit, if your licence is pre DSC you should renew or upgrade to DSC but not sure anyone worries as long as your registration is up to date. OfCom want the right equipment (approved) the skilloperators is something else is how I would put it.

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/publication/ra_info/ra364.htm

This links to a document that sets it out, but does not spell out the DSC divide under discussion. Other than if using DSC you should be competent in DSC certified by an appropriate authority.

Cheers

Cheers

 

[Tranona]

That is correct. The upgrade has been discontinued and the new course and test has been revised to meet international standards after heavy pressure from Germany which was threatening not to recognise UK licences, mainly because they objected to the short 1 day course and the fact that the instructor was also the examiner. These roles are now split. I have some sympathy with their view as the DSC course and test I took was not a patch on the original VHF course of many years ago.

As said the details are on the RYA site and yes there is a recognised international syllabus and test. The syllabus is in the RYA publication G26. Surprised the SA authorities are not aware of it.

 

[earlybird]

I took an upgrade in 2003. According to the RYA document at the time, G22/02, candidates with an existing VHF Restricted Certificate of Competence could either:-
1) attend a 3 or 4 hour assessment course at an RYA recognised Centre, or,
2) Take a written & practical exam. in the use of GMDSS organised by an exam. centre.
I took the latter and was issued with a new SRC.
Edit: seems from above post that this route is no longer available, but for some considerable time, all SRC courses for new licences will have included GMDSS anyway.

 

[BrianH]

The upgrade has been discontinued and the new course and test has been revised to meet international standards after heavy pressure from Germany which was threatening not to recognise UK licences, mainly because they objected to the short 1 day course and the fact that the instructor was also the examiner.

The catalyst was that too many Germans, those sufficiently fluent in English, were becoming internationally qualified by taking the UK one-day course. Perhaps pressure originally came from local trainer lobbying. Otherwise, they probably would have put up with the odd UK-registered yacht arriving with a "sub-standard" certificate.

When I was considering a local DSC course I found the Swiss used the German three-day model - including actual German test centres - and opted for the much cheaper sleezyJet Geneva-Bournemouth flight, two-night B+B and one-day Parkstone YC course. Very good it was too, including the Saturday evening dinner I was invited to after the course.

 

[prv]

I thought you have an operator licence and secondly register your "ship" radio

Pedantically, it's the other way round. The licence is for the radio/boat, and the operator has a certificate of competence. It is a term of the licence that only operators with said certificate are to use the licensed equipment (plus the exceptions for distress and supervised use).

As Tranona says, there used to be an upgrade course and test, but since nearly everybody who was going to use it has now done so, it's gone away. I think it became rare in practice long before it was abolished - most people found it easier and cheaper to just book onto a standard course as if starting from scratch.

Pete

 

[Tranona]

Pedantically, it's the other way round. The licence is for the radio/boat, and the operator has a certificate of competence. It is a term of the licence that only operators with said certificate are to use the licensed equipment (plus the exceptions for distress and supervised use).

As Tranona says, there used to be an upgrade course and test, but since nearly everybody who was going to use it has now done so, it's gone away. I think it became rare in practice long before it was abolished - most people found it easier and cheaper to just book onto a standard course as if starting from scratch.

Pete

Have just checked on the RYA site and seems the upgrade is still available, but just as a test. Not sure anybody actually offers it though as I guess most people with the old certificate have already done so and the market is mainly newcomers, or like me would prefer to do the refresher course.

 

[rogerthebodger]

The syllabus is in the RYA publication G26.

Surprised the SA authorities are not aware of it.

Thk all I was interested what UK was doing and now I understand.

The SA authorities do not recognise any of the RYA training or publishers which is a joke as lots of sailing schools in SA do RYA courses and RYA exams but to have a South Africa recognised skippers ticket you must take the SAMSA exams even through the RYA is better IMHO.

 

[salar]

If you can find someone prepared to do it, you can just take the test. Nobody is forcing anyone to sit through a course. However most courses are combined with tests and if you took your first VHF test many years ago you will find that things have changed slightly, so you may as well sit the course just to be sure.