V.H.F course Yes or No

Question who thinks the vhf course is not needed and why...

its such a important network lives at risk.its only used when a vessel is in danger .so if everybody was to be allowed a marine radio without a license. you would have all types of yahoos on" are you out there goodbuddy"every registered radio has its own callsign and you need the course to be able to use it properley .im ashamed to say i havent done one. but i dont use my radio without the license. i will do one this winter it has been on my todo list much too long

What a strange question!

Why you should do the course:

You will learn the correct etiquette and procedure for radio transmission – the first day you have to talk to authority on the radio you’ll crap yourself
(I suppose you could practice this at home after doing the internet courses.)

When you pass the exam at the end you can:

Be happy that you have a certification.
Apply for a Ships radio licence; get a call sign and MMSI number
Input your number into your VHF and use the DSC distress facility of your machine (God Forbid!)
Your call sign will be looked for if you ever help out with a situation on the water.
Speak on your radio because you are entitled to

It has already been pointed out that it is illegal to use a radio without an operators licence. It is also illegal transmit without a ships licence. Nobody has ever been prosecuted and I’d say nobody ever will.

To me it is good to be “professional”. It is also something nice, enjoyable and useful to be doing during the winter months!

Why you should not do the course:

The reason I ask the question is I done the course 2 months ago and am amazed of the amount of people that don't think it's needed my Src number is 6970 I think there's a lot more boats on the water without one

Hi,
Did the 2 day course during the summer, and hopefully my licence is in the post.

The law is a bit of an ass when it comes to the VHF radio I think, i.e.
* You are not allowed use one without a licence, but you can freely buy them
* When you get your licence you are not allowed to use one on a vessel that doesn't have a ship's station licence (another E100 please)
* You're not legally entitled to use the radio while on land (even tied up to the pier)
* You sign up to the official (I think) secrets act and can be prosecuted if you disclose information not intended for you, again anyone can buy a handheld and listen away to all that's going on, although I understand why this is so.

But apart from that stuff you:

Can communicate with the coastguard in an emergency
Can communicate with boats nearby
Can hear latest weather info broadcast at set times
Are a potential asset to a vessel in distress
Can make routine calls to the Coast Guard (inform coast guard re. your departure/return - a TR call, request weather update, request radio check)

In other words, all the things you'd love to be able to do if you have a decent boat, but you know that Cluais coz' you did the course.
(BTW the course I attended cost E180)

Blackie

That was a great price I paid 230 for one day course...
The cert took about 5 weeks to come it's like a passport book