Buying/using a VHF radio without qualification

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by paintman

Buy or make & laminate a crib sheet with the details filled in & keep it on the boat & tell everyone where it is.
Be handy as an aide memoire & if the licenced operator is the casualty.
Been covered before.
Something like this: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293774024388

Great idea if you have somewhere to put it. On a 3 mtr sib there really isn't anywhere to keep an A4 laminated sheet. I still say do the course, and run through the mayday/panpan routine every so often.

[Fenlander]

I have a laminated crib sheet with Pan Pan one side and Mayday the other for anyone to follow, also another for the NATO alphabet. Made them myself as small as possible. They are about the size of a smallish mobile phone screen and fit in my gadget boy lifejacket pocket with the radio.

Just in case I was incapacitated and someone else needed to use the radio.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by willk

I have this as a ringtone for a friend who actually teaches the SRC

[paintman]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

I have a laminated crib sheet with Pan Pan one side and Mayday the other for anyone to follow, also another for the NATO alphabet. Made them myself as small as possible. They are about the size of a smallish mobile phone screen and fit in my gadget boy lifejacket pocket with the radio.

Just in case I was incapacitated and someone else needed to use the radio.

Exactly.
Make one up to a size to suit yourself. Fill in the blanks with your boat name & MMSI.
Not difficult with a computer printer & some of the specialist stationers can laminate it for you.

[Fenlander]

>>>some of the specialist stationers can laminate it for you.

A basic Argos laminator for £20 is all you need. Life changing. Gives a real weight of authority to notes! Also use it to print and laminate charts for emergency/general use in a size that suits use on a SIB.

[paintman]

I've got one but I thought I'd preempt the 'but what do we do if we haven't got one'

[jeffstevens763@g]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VHF-DSC-M...edirect=mobile

[Fenlander]

>>but what do we do if we haven't got one

Use the corner of a clear vinyl document pouch cut to size and sealed with weatherproof sellotape.

Yes that really was my version one before the heady heights of laminator ownership.

[jonp]

I first did my vhf licence over 40yrs ago then renewed it due to commercial skippering licence requirements a couple of years ago. I personally think its all bullshit, Ive never been asked to show the licence even spending most days on the water year after year.
Its not illegal for anyone to use a vhf radio for emergency calls, so if you want one for just emergencies and you you how to do a basic channel 16 mayday call, I see very little advantage to taking the course. Ive also worked as a marine rescue volunteer for many years, during this time we've never asked anyone to prove they are licensed and Ive never heard of maritime officers asking people either.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Great idea if you have somewhere to put it. On a 3 mtr sib there really isn't anywhere to keep an A4 laminated sheet. I still say do the course, and run through the mayday/panpan routine every so often.

I stand corrected.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Great idea if you have somewhere to put it. On a 3 mtr sib there really isn't anywhere to keep an A4 laminated sheet. I still say do the course, and run through the mayday/panpan routine every so often.

build a console

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

build a console

Oh yes please, been a while since we had a good Console build thread.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

build a console

Know anyone whose built one to give me some ideas!