VHF licence

[nik]

Hello all,
I need some clarification.

I have a VHF short range certificate. If I want to use a boat with a radio, do I need a licence to use that radio.

Also, if I want to get a handheld radio, can I get a licence in advance, or is the radios serial number part of the licencing process.

Thanks, Nick.

[Louise]

Nik, have a look at this FAQ: http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....6371#post86371

Looking at the application form for a portable radio, you do not need to give a serial number.

HTH

[ashbypower]

Nik, You have to have a Licence for the boat to carry a radio, this is currently £20.00 pa, on this licence you can have it to cover a HH as well. Or you can Licence the HH separatly thus allowing it's use on any boat, this would cost £15.00 and no you do not need the serial number.

Brian

[nik]

Thanks Louise, I had a look at that before posting.

What I am trying to determine is, is the licence for the radio or the person.

If I have no licence and use another persons boat that does have a radio licence, am I legal, or do I need my own licence.

Nick

[Louise]

For a fixed radio in the boat or a handheld, the radio itself must be licensed each year. In order to operate the radio, there must be someone on board who holds their Licence to Operate. Any other people on board may then use the radio under their supervision.

Does that help?

Edit: in other words, two licences are needed.

[Paul Glatzel]

Nik

Operators certificate = belongs to you and allows you to use VHF on a craft.

Licence = belongs to the vessel/set and is specific to it.

The owner/operator of the craft needs to obtain the licence for the vessel/set. In the absence of it would be (theoretically) illegal to use it except in an emergency situation.

Paul

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by Paul Glatzel

The owner/operator of the craft needs to obtain the licence for the vessel/set. In the absence of it would be (theoretically) illegal to use it except in an emergency situation.

Paul

Theoretically!!!

Without either it is illegal to own/use, black and white.
Under International Maritime Law you must hold a VHF operators cert to use all channels apart from M1, M2 and other private channel.

You must under the WT Act have a Ships Radio Licence to have the unit either on or associated to your vessel.
If you have no vessel then you must have a portable licence to own a hand held.

The only caviat to this is that you can "use any and all means at your disposal to summon aid in times of disress".

This could work as a get out for the operators cert but not for the Ships Radio Licence or the Portable Licence unless you are using someone elses kit.

Having said that no one in history, that I am aware of, has ever been prosicuted for iileagle use of a radio in times of an emergency.

Regards

[nik]

Hello again,
Still getting a bit confused, so I called ofcom.

If I have a src, and I get into a boat with a licenced radio, then I can use that radio unsupervised and without a licence myself.

Thanks, Nick.

Hello Jon,
I have just seen your post, which seems at odds to what ofcom told me.

Could be interesting!

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by nik

Hello again,
Still getting a bit confused, so I called ofcom.

If I have a src, and I get into a boat with a licenced radio, then I can use that radio unsupervised and without a licence myself.

Thanks, Nick.

I covered this point with the man from Ofcom recently.

If you have an SRC you can use a licenced radio on any vessel.

If you have both the SRC and a SRL you are free to use your radio as trained to do on your vessel.

You could use a radio if you have no SRC if you are supervised by someone who holds a SRC.
The term is direct supervision.
This is meant to mean that whom ever is supervising you must be able to stop your transmission, if needed, with imdiate effect.
So he/she must be standing with you.

Any clearer?

Regadrs

[nik]

Yes, Thanks Jon,

I think that has nailed it.

Nick.