hand held vhf licence

hadd · 11 August 2009, 20:44

can anyone tell me where to get a licence for my hand held vhf radio cheers

TonyC · 11 August 2009, 21:03

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/licensing/olc/

spartacus · 11 August 2009, 21:05

You need to attend a 1-day course 'VHF Course' with RYA approved provider, normally around £100. In addition, you'll have to purchase a licence from Ofcom at a cost of £15 as it's a portable radio. The licence will be registered to the boat. If you change the boat - update details with Ofcom and they'll issue a new licence free-of-charge. Details here.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/i...sses/maritime/

TonyC · 11 August 2009, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

In addition, you'll have to purchase a licence from Ofcom at a cost of £15 as it's a portable radio. The licence will be registered to the boat. If you change the boat - update details with Ofcom and they'll issue a new licence free-of-charge. Details here.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/i...sses/maritime/

Actually, a Radio licence from ofcom is free, as long as you dont want a paper copy - only then do you have to pay up, and as it's a handheld, it's not registered to a specific boat as you apply for a "Ship Portable Radio licence".

Quote:

Originally Posted by OFCOM

It will then be possible to use the online licensing system in order to apply for a free, "lifetime" Ship Radio licence or a Ship Portable Radio licence, or to amend, validate, or surrender your licence.

stafs · 11 August 2009, 22:22

Fully agree with TonyC hand held licence is free and not registered to any particular boat.

hadd · 11 August 2009, 22:46

thanks lads for that info on vhf licence

rib-x450 · 17 August 2009, 20:06

Can someone clarify...........

I ahve a VHF and carry it for emergency use, dare I say I have no licence, and have taken no test.............

Any thoughts?

Chris

Neil Harvey · 17 August 2009, 20:12

yep, you need the license, basically just to own it.
you then need to take the test if you want to use it (i.e. transmit) in anything other than an emergency.

unless the rules changed in the last 3 years.

SeaSkills · 17 August 2009, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by rib-x450

Can someone clarify...........

I ahve a VHF and carry it for emergency use, dare I say I have no licence, and have taken no test.............

Any thoughts?

Chris

Lots of thoughts. To start with - good idea to have a radio for emergency use - well done on that score! After that, very strong recommendation that you get training (which will make sure that if you ever do have to use it in an emergency you'll do it properly and effectively) and get a licence.

JSP · 17 August 2009, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by rib-x450

Can someone clarify...........

I ahve a VHF and carry it for emergency use, dare I say I have no licence, and have taken no test.............

Any thoughts?

Chris

No real excuse not to have a license. It cost you nothing but a bit of time on the ofcom site.

AHH#pG# · 18 August 2009, 01:16

i work for a shipping company involved with rescue and we use hand held VHF radios attached to helmets like the fire bridgades ,now i have been with this company over 11 years and thay send me for any tickets i need or must have but i have never been sent on a radio corse, but i use this radio almost every day ,and one time we we`r involved in a recsue with a sinking fishing boat where we transmitted on 16,no idea where we stand on that one

Limey Linda · 18 August 2009, 01:57

Why should you have to have a licence? what value is there in it? Why would you pay somebody for a training course? unless you cannot read.

AHH#pG# · 18 August 2009, 08:42

Honestly ther would be a lot of value in being able to use one corectly and calmly,marine radio transmitions are a little like the police and swearing is a no no , there has to be some control over the air waves

chewy · 18 August 2009, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Why should you have to have a licence? what value is there in it? Why would you pay somebody for a training course? unless you cannot read.

Correct procedure, knowing the difference between Pan Pan and Mayday, which channels are used for what.
In an emergency you need to know what to say and who to say it to. No good just shouting help I'm sinking on ch14.

Poly · 18 August 2009, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Why should you have to have a licence? what value is there in it?

because its a legal requirement

Quote:

Why would you pay somebody for a training course? unless you cannot read.

]because its a legal requirement - and on a more constructive point it allows you to "practice" certain procedures such as triggering a DSC distress message or a transmitting a voice mayday in a safe controlled environment without creating a "hoax" call to the CG.

9D280 · 18 August 2009, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Why should you have to have a licence?

It's the control of frequency bands etc. How often have you been listening to your favourite rafdio station when some dodgy "bedroom FM" ham has started to broadcast some crass over the top of it that drifts in & out because their illegal transmitter can't hold a frequency? That may be a land based commercial entertainment issue, but the radio spectrum is vast & the principles still apply.......

Also how often have youy heard people chatting away on CH16 like it was a CB radio? (even in the middle of a Mayday call)

- That's why you need a licence for the kit and another one to use it.

Limey Linda · 18 August 2009, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

It's the control of frequency bands etc. How often have you been listening to your favourite rafdio station when some dodgy "bedroom FM" ham has started to broadcast some crass over the top of it that drifts in & out because their illegal transmitter can't hold a frequency? That may be a land based commercial entertainment issue, but the radio spectrum is vast & the principles still apply.......

Also how often have youy heard people chatting away on CH16 like it was a CB radio? (even in the middle of a Mayday call)

- That's why you need a licence for the kit and another one to use it.

Ah Ha, now I understand. Works just like a driving license prevents drunk driving. Very good.