VHF Radio

Weather and other activities (archery mostly) have kept us off the water the past few weeks. Today I went to the Glenridding Sailing Centre, alas not to go on the water (it did looked a great day for that), but to attend the VHF short range certificate (SRC) course and test.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) manages SRCs in the UK and it’s a minor criminal offence to use a VHF radio unless you have a certificate. Your radio equipment should also be licensed with Ofcom.

There was five of us on the course, a mixture of sailors, kayakers and one person who does both. Colin, the course teacher/assessor is also a sailor and kayaker. I think this made him an ideal teacher for the course.

The course covered both DSC (Digital Selective Calling) and voice operation.

At the end of the day there was a 30 minute exam which I managed to get nearly full marks for, just one mark off. So once my certificate comes I’ll be able to legally operate a VHF marine radio.

OK, so there will be lots of people out there operating VHF radios who have not completed a course and I’m sure the Coast Guard/Ofcom have more important things to do than track them all down, unless someone is causing a nuisance. The Coast Guard would always want someone in difficulty to use the radio than worry about what will happen if they do use the radio. That said I would highly recommend attending the course.