Gah! Can't find my VHF certificate...

redhed · 03 September 2011, 09:12

Have turned the house upside down looking for the chuffing thing. Can find the booklet they gave me on the course, and my sailing logbook, and all sorts of other stuff that ought to be in the same place. But can't find the certificate anywhere.

I took VHF about fifteen years ago

and I don't have any record of precisely when, and it was taught by someone who the club got in from outside so I can't go to them for records either.

What do you think the chances are of the RYA being able to dust off the crinkly old paper archives and disinter some sort of record of my certificate, so I can get a licence? Or am I utterly doomed and just have to fork out for doing the whole thing again?

I cannot believe I have lost it. I will have carefully put it in a "safe" place - but that was 2 house moves ago and it might be in a cardboard box in the attic with DH's old scouting blanket and my great-aunt's second best teapot, for all I know.

Poly · 03 September 2011, 09:21

No idea if the RYA can produce a duplicate or not, and certainly if 15 yrs ago predates the move to DSC they may be disinclined to anyway. However, you don't need your operators license in order to register/license the equipment. There is a requirement to "display" the equipment licence but I don't think there is actually a requirement to carry your operators license (I could be wrong about that), in which case the likliehood of getting in any bother is miniscule. So the only reason you might need the bit of paper would be if you were going to do a higher level qualification etc?

redhed · 03 September 2011, 10:08

Ah Pol, you are indeed mighty.

That is good news. The certificate will turn up at an entirely random time when I least need it, I'm sure. Like those odd socks that only return from Narnia when you have finally given up and thrown the other one away.

I'd get the new handbook to read up on DSC an anything else that has changed (presumably the Mayday itself has extra in it too?). I just don't fancy taking a whole day out and spending £££ to retake the qualification when probably only half an hour of it will be new info.

SPR · 03 September 2011, 10:22

You need your old certificate to update you to new one!

Cost £70 to take the full exam without training, £45 for upgrade examination.

You will not find a book in print that has the latest procedures in it. These changed in May this year.

My advice is to take the FULL course, since after 15 years of not doing one you get a the oportunity to play with training radios and learn! (1/2 day is Voice, 1/2 day is DSC features, and very practical)

Our club runs them £65 + £30 RYA fees for FULL day course, (but no use to you since we in sunny Fife in Scotland.)

Doug Stormforce · 03 September 2011, 10:52

The RYA should be able to re issue an old certificate, as long as they can find you on the vast database.

As already said you can take a DSC upgrade exam or a full day course OR you can attend a half day upgrade course.

redhed · 03 September 2011, 10:52

Oh, bottoms. I preferred Pol's answer!

SeaSkills · 03 September 2011, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPR

sunny Fife

Ha Ha. Nice try Scott. "Sunny" Fife!!

SPR · 03 September 2011, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

Ha Ha. Nice try Scott. "Sunny" Fife!!

yes - we have East Lothian Yacht Club over tomorrow for lunch, It's the only time in the year they have lunch ashore, looking over the water with the sun on their face...as I keep reminding them each year!