VHF techy question?

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TheBoatman

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Before I approach Ofcom can someone offer any advice with a small problem I have?

In my YC I'm the registered licence holder for all of the YC boat radio's.

All have current licences.

I have one boat that has a fixed VHF + 1 h/held licence.

I have added a second fixed 25W radio to the boat for safety reasons - being able to listen/transmit on the local ports radio frequency.

Question.

Do I need to tell Ofcom or get an extra licence for the new set as the Ofcom forms don't seem to reflect a second radio. The current licence gives the boat a call sign and applying for a new licence would want to allocate a new call sign?

Any help would be appreciated.

Peter.
 
No expert, but as long as the boat has a licence, and you are using the same call sign (and MMSI if applicable) then you only need to be licensed to carry radio equipment, and also for the operator to hold a licence.

Can't see any issue with having two fixed radios at all.
 
I can't remember, but I am pretty sure on the tick list that it just asks if you carry a h/h. It does not seem important if you carry 1, 2 or 3 hand held units. I guess in the same vain it shouldn't make any difference if you carry two fixed sets.

I wonder if there is a problem issuing two MMSI numbers, on the other hand, there is nothing to stop you programing both sets with the same number. It may be a good idea to warn people with heart complaints not to enter the saloon during crazy season though!
 
If you go here and click on the links to the ships licence application form, you can specify how many fixed sets are carried, which suggests that multiple sets are fine. If you have an existing licence, just call them and ask if you need to formally tell them you have multiple, but I can't see it as an issue

http://www.radiolicencecentre.co.uk/rlc/

can't give you a direct link to the correct page, as their website doesn't support that, which is a bit silly.
 
As long as you have a ships licence then that's fine. You can put as much kit on as you like. I would advice Ofcom though that you have two fixed sets, but you'll not have any issues. The licence covers all and any transmitting/receiving equipment-so you could have two radars, an SSB or three - makes no odds.
 
Brendan is right. When I fitted a second radio I advised offcom and they sent me a amended licence showing that 2 were fitted - there was no charge for this service.
 
Just send an email to 'radio.licensing.centre@royalmail.com' telling them of the extra radio and the amended licence will be in the post a couple of days later. A wee bit of info like ship name, call sign, etc. is all that's needed.
 
no you dont /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif a radio licence allows the vessel to use the equipment as specified - i.e. marine band vhf. ........
unless yotty licenses are different from commercial ones of course - but why should that be ?
 
Re: Thanks all!

I've just emailed the radio peeps asking/telling them about the changes.

Whilst I was wandering around their site I found this comment which might be useful to those that are considering NOT re-newing their licencess until after OCT.

[ QUOTE ]
Please note: We are now recycling Ship call-signs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Peter.
 
We had this conversation with Mike Martin when he used to visit and he was clear that this was acceptable behaviour if you are calling from the ships tender. It would be a very picky OFCOM man that handed out fines for wife calling to be picked up from the slip for example.

I think calling from the fruit aisle in the coop to find out what was required may be pushing it a little.

We now use pmr's but if she takes the h/h VHF we choose a working channel so there are no calls on 16. I quite like calling as my tender is named Officer Dibble

Top Cat, this is Officer Dibble over.

Yes I am a big kid!
 
the law states that the transmitting radio must identify itself, so it is normal to say 'xxxxxxx mobile. this is xxxxxx'

and the mobile responds ..........etc .......... this keeps ppl in authority happy
 
[ QUOTE ]
Anyone know if you're allowed to call up your own vessel using your handheld? The fact that you're using the same call sign for both sets suggests not.

[/ QUOTE ]

You can use a H/H under your main ships licence as long as it is used in conjunction with your main vessel. If you use a H/H on another vessel then you would be required to have the H/H separately licensed and would be issued with a "T" number.

[ QUOTE ]
Useful to call the wife while getting the groceries....

[/ QUOTE ]

No it's not! Strictly against the term of the licence!
 
I had the same convo with MM as well - calling from the tender OK - High St not OK

I like Ofcoms approach as they have the power under law to make our lives very difficult but choose to use/take a sensible line and let matters lie unless it seems to be badly interfering with someone else or just plain getting out of hand.

Peter.
 
As far as I know it is international convention that ships' boats can work the parent vessel without being separately licenced as long as it is to do with the operation of the boat or its crew. We certainly see it occasionally with commercial vessels but more frequently with naval vessels (which often run ribs etc in association with their operations so along the lines of "Seaboat this is naval vessel XYZ, please return to etc, etc).

As far as on land use is concerned I think pretty much universally (as Woofy has said) it would be regarded as working from the "ships" boat even if standing near it on land as long as the communications were strictly to do with the operation of the boat and its crew. Operating from down the road would be a problem

John
 
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