VHF short range certificate

[Observer]

My local navigation school advises that I have to sit through all of a one day course, and then the exam, to obtain the short range certificate (needed because we are expecting to buy a DSC enabled boat). As I already have an existing certificate, this seems like a waste of time and money (£90).

Does anybody know of a school in the Solent area or west London/western home counties where I can just sit the exam? I'm perfectly sure I can fill any gaps in my knowledge by studying one of the several manuals available.

Thanks.



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[Twister_Ken]

Try asking the (makes sign of cross, puts garlic round neck) RYA, because they administer this on behalf of the RCA. They should know where you can sit the exam only.

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[Observer]

Tried that - they know nothing (helpful). Suggested I ring round and try to find a school which will do exam only. I'm looking for a crib.

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[Twister_Ken]

Try Southern. They proudly describe themselves as "probably the least "commercial" sailing school you'll find anywhere in the British Isles." and they do VHF courses. Worth a phone call?

01489 575511

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[circumnavigation]

Try this from http://www.hotribs.com/03articles/91-simrad/simrad.htm.

It may be of interest as it is a FREE DCS Course.

Try a search on Yahoo.com for "vhf licence uk" you'll get an array of information.

As I am away from home at the moment, I can recall something offical coming to me when I updated to include DSC on both ssb and vhf, that a recognised course is compulsory.

Will continue to search for you here in France and revert if need be.

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[jimi]

Excellent, I presume this means you're selling the Hydrocarbon buster and buying that lovely Najad 42 ?

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[circumnavigation]

I have sent a PM to you.

DSC Modules. It is not possible for you to take the examination, other than through a Recognised Training Establishment. The DSC training module and the equipment that you will be taking your exam on, will be that of a training establishment. You will have to be trained to use "their equipment", irrespective as to the make that you may own. Do you have a VHF Restricted Licence or an SRC? If the former, then you will have to take the SRC, as it is only undertaken now with DSC. The RYA were doing these upgrades for free, with you spending 3 hours on it, with the MCA charging for the Licence. This will not be your case, as you do not have DSC.

It is NOT theory, so all the books in the world will not help you. Having taken the LRC, of which VHF is included, the money that you spend on taking another VHF course with DSC will be well used.

Good Luck!



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[andyball]

"On-board power" at Northney do a 1/2 day course for those who just need the "dsc" part

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[tome]

Warsash also do a conversion course, 1/2 day for upgrade from VHF restricted to SRC

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[Observer]

Thanks for the response and your PM. I have restricted certificate at present.

I do not agree that the practical differences between DSC and non-DSc are NOT capable of being learned by private study. DSC is an enhancement to VHF, not a substitute, so my training and experience on non-DSC VHF remains entirely relevant. What I need, it sees to me, is to acquire the DSC part, which I think can be very easily done by reading. In fact, I didn't sit a course for the restricted VHF - I studied (using the word in its full sense) the book and turned up for an exam (which I suggest any reasonably intelligent person can do).

I could bear a half-day upgrade course (if I can find one). I do object to the waste of time and money necessarily (it seems to me) involved in attending a one-day course which is aimed at and attended by, in part, people who have never touched a VHF (or possibly been on a boat) in their lives.



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[circumnavigation]

Absolutely agree with you. Unfortunately as from the horse's mouth, so to speak, if you have a restricted cert. and you want to upgrade, you have to sit the SRC, even if you just want to add the DSC. If you had the Restricted with DSC, it would be free to get the SRC, which, all those those on VHF only, will have to have in due course.

My research for you and the calls to the UK also are nothing to me. As another contibuter has mentioned, there are in fact a number of half day courses for you to attend.

Again, best of luck.

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[Mike_Martin]

Hi Ken,

The RYA have been doing it for the MCA since 1999, when the responsibility for Maritime certification was passed from us to the then budding Agency.

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency

 

[Mike_Martin]

One thing I will say I took the SRC back in 98/9 when it was still a 2-day course and cost a lot more than £90.

I was shocked at what I had forgotten about normal VHF operations since my VHF Restricted back in 88ish. I came away feeling well justified in spending the cashola.

As another poster has mentioned it is quite practical and gives you a chance to practise the things that you would only normally do in an emergency. However, it is defo possible to do a 1/2 day upgrade for VHF Restricted holders. (You don't think it was an underhanded assessment of your RT do you? )

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency