VHF - what's what?

[Gavin F]

I'm sure that this has been posted or similar has been posted a number of times before but would like to get a definitive answer once and for all. Do you need a license to use a VHF or not? I found an old thread which kind of mentioned that you do but then chatting to a few people off of rib.net they say it's not essential, what is the deal with this? If it's a legal requirement then guess I need to arrange to have a VHF course at some point, don't want to get in trouble now do I.

[Chris]

There is nothing to stop you from transmitting if you have a VHF and I am sure there are a number of people that don't bother with a licence however it is illegal to use a VHF radio without a licence, unless supervised by an instructor (I think)

Chris

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Chris1573

There is nothing to stop you from transmitting if you have a VHF and I am sure there are a number of people that don't bother with a licence however it is illegal to use a VHF radio without a licence, unless supervised by an instructor (I think)

Chris

Nearly right. It's illegal to transmit with a VHF without a licence,unless supervised by someone with a licence.

The boat also needs an Ofcom licence to have a VHF onboard.
Fines are quite high for non compliance.

(Non-party line coming up)
If you only use it for listening and in case you need to call Mayday then I doubt it'll be frowned upon. Besides,it's far better to get a fine than drown.

[codprawn]

When i did my VHF course it was run by a coastguard. On the course was a local fisherman who was obviously very well know to the coastie. It turned out the fisherman HAD to take the course as he had been caught once too often!!!

[Gavin F]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Nearly right. It's illegal to transmit with a VHF without a licence,unless supervised by someone with a licence.

The boat also needs an Ofcom licence to have a VHF onboard.
Fines are quite high for non compliance.

(Non-party line coming up)
If you only use it for listening and in case you need to call Mayday then I doubt it'll be frowned upon. Besides,it's far better to get a fine than drown.

Thanks for the feedback but does this only apply to the fixed VHF, what if it was hand held, would you still then need to have a Ofcom license? I'm willing to do a course if needed, going to have a look see whats available,

[laser]

Speak to Jimbo on here. He does VHF courses, and i would recommend his courses as well. Did mine with him and was good.

[Gavin F]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Nearly right. It's illegal to transmit with a VHF without a licence,unless supervised by someone with a licence.

The boat also needs an Ofcom licence to have a VHF onboard.
Fines are quite high for non compliance.

(Non-party line coming up)
If you only use it for listening and in case you need to call Mayday then I doubt it'll be frowned upon. Besides,it's far better to get a fine than drown.

Thanks for the feedback but does this only apply to the fixed VHF, what if it was hand held, would you still then need to have a Ofcom license? I'm willing to do a course if needed, going to have a look see whats available,

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by laser

Speak to Jimbo on here. He does VHF courses, and i would recommend his courses as well. Did mine with him and was good.

Ditto. It's a lifetime licence so it's worth doing anyway and he's local to you.

Originally Posted by Gavin F

does this only apply to the fixed VHF, what if it was hand held, would you still then need to have a Ofcom license? I'm willing to do a course if needed, going to have a look see whats available

It applies to both fixed and portable-but the good news is the Ofcom licence is free and lasts for as long as you own the boat.

[Andy Moore]

You can use a VHF in case of emergency without a licence.

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

You can use a VHF in case of emergency without a licence.

This is true but you still need the Ofcom licence to have one fitted or to own the hand held.

The fine of £5000 and the chance they can take both the radio and the boat is normally enough to get you to apply for a FREE licence!

The RYA course will teach you how to use the unit in the right way.
It is very clear when you listen to a marine radio who has and who has not done the course.

All the best