VHF License

[Kennyboy]

I've applied to Ofcom for a VHF license and apart from an auto-reply with a case number I've not heard back, I'm just wondering if someone can tell me how long is a reasonable waiting time?

[The Gurnard]

Hi Kennyboy,

I applied for the Ships Radio license online for my new Fixed VHF on Sunday 22/5/2022 and within a few minutes got a “Registration Succesfull” email at 15.14 then got my MMSI number and license by email from Ofcom Online Services at 15.45. I presumed it was all automatic assuming the online info is inserted correctly ? But I cant say for sure as its not every day I apply.

I guess you should phone them to find out whats gone wrong?


Hope that helps some

[Kennyboy]

Thank you for answering so quickly. That would suggest I've done something wrong as it's been over a week, I filled out the OFW 347 online form and as I couldn't do the signature on the PDF I sent that separately, maybe that's what is wrong.
I have to say it wasn't the easiest thing to navigate!

[The Gurnard]

Hi again Kennyboy ..that sounds a bit complicated for me as I didn’t sign anything ?

I had to registered as my details had changed and it was many years since I last registered a handheld.I didn’t mention the handheld this time as I didn’t want to confuse things. My PLBs are held on a different database. I selected Ships Radio ..and just filled in the questions in sequence.

I do agree it was a bit confusing but I got there in the end and hit submit and that was it. It did refuse to continue until I sorted any errors or missing fields when filling in the form. I was going to phone if I couldn’t get it done but go there in the end.

Best of luck..but a phone call should sort you

[Kennyboy]

You're a star, it worked perfectly thanks. I don't know what it was I filled in before but this was a lot more straightforward. What a confusing website Ofcom is! You'd think they'd want to make it easy for people.
Thanks again for your help.

[tehguy]

Last time I applied for a ship portable radio licence online it was granted instantly

[Lemonbonbon]

You need to remember that you need 2 licences.

1) for the equipment done online and is instant
1) You then need to take a course and get a licence to operate the radio