VHF - what's what?

Gavin F · 01 July 2007, 20:57

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 · 01 July 2007, 21:16

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 · 01 July 2007, 21:43

Quote:

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 · 01 July 2007, 22:01

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 · 01 July 2007, 22:03

Quote:

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 · 01 July 2007, 22:12

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 · 01 July 2007, 22:26

Quote:

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 · 01 July 2007, 22:26

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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 · 01 July 2007, 22:30

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

Jon Brooks · 02 July 2007, 09:09

Quote:

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

Tims Osprey · 02 July 2007, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

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

Yer, which is done here online.http://http://www.ofcom.org.uk/licensing/olc/

Jimbo · 02 July 2007, 17:01

Quote:

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.

Cheers for the reference Rich, and we look forward to seeing Gavin at Haslar Sea School on the 15th.

Tims Osprey · 02 July 2007, 17:18

Try this.http://http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/

Nos4r2 · 02 July 2007, 17:38

This ofcom link works